Hi there,

It's New Zealand’s largest company, responsible for about 30 percent of the world’s dairy trade and revenue of more than $20 billion – no surprises then that Fonterra is also a company IT vendors are keen to secure as a customer.

After long running negotiations with global outsourcers HCL and TCS, HCL been awarded the $100 million deal to take on modernising and managing the dairy giant’s technology infrastructure, in place of long term providers Datacom and DXC.

HCL is saying it will fill 60 new seats in its recently opened Hamilton office, but have been less forthcoming in revealing the number of roles vacated at Datacom and shipped to Uttar Pradesh.

In other news:

IBM's local AI expert opens up on what's real, and what's not.
Data stewardship comes under scrutiny
Aussie’s new All Tech Index scouts NZ business
Do as I say, not as I do – security professionals fall short

We also take a look at what’s holding some businesses back from digital transformation, and how they can break with the status quo and better deliver on the promise of digital adoption.

Enjoy the read,

Heather Wright
Editor
editor@istart.co.nz

OUTSOURCING

Fonterra moves ICT contract to HCL

Costs will be cut and tech modernised as Fonterra overhauls (and outsources) its IT…

NZ dairy co-operative Fonterra is conducting a radical overhaul of its IT systems, enlisting off-shore IT service and consulting company HCL Technologies in place of long time partner Datacom.

“We are consolidating our external IT suppliers and expect to make significant savings.”

[Read more]

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

IBM lays bets on AI’s broad future

Local artificial intelligence boss talks (mostly) real-world AI…

We are on the cusp between narrow AI and broad AI – but companies are right to be sceptical about over-hyped suggestions of systems capable of solving all your problems.

“We are not there in any way, shape or form at the moment.”

[Read more]

DATA STEWARDSHIP

Who owns your company data?

Survey highlights data disconnect – and lack of senior exec buy-in…

The majority of Australian businesses are failing to get buy-in from senior management for data strategies – or to even have the basics of who owns company data in place.

“Australian businesses view data as critically important, but they’re struggling to get buy-in leadership to prioritise their data strategies.

[Read more]

STOCK MARKET

Bell rings for Aussie tech sector

All Tech Index opens doors for smaller companies to access later stage capital…

Australia’s answer to the Nasdaq stock market has kicked off, boosting the profile of local tech darlings and providing a new vehicle for investors.

“The return from the new All Tech Index over the same period – if it had existed – would have been over 20 percent.”

[Read more]

SECURITY

Cybersecurity professionals engaging in risky business

IT security pros aren’t always following their own recommendations…

Knowing and doing are two very different things – something highlighted in a report showing IT security pros don't always follow their own recommendations.

“55 percent would prefer a method of protecting accounts that doesn’t involve passwords.”

[Read more]

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Why businesses are late to digitally transform (and why it’s not a good thing)

Kicking status quo to touch…

DX articles today frequently note that even though the benefits of process automation are obvious, a vast majority of businesses have yet to digitise.

"It can seem like you’re dishing out a lot of capital and disrupting operations to simply make certain jobs faster and easier to do."

[Read more]

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