Hi there,

Like most over-hyped technologies, IoT has been hailed as a game-changer for business. But when released out onto the wild, it's wrinkles need to be ironed out and real value needs to be proven. IDC’s latest Global IoT Decision Maker Survey shows IoT is still in an R&D phase for most NZ companies, with adoption being mainly in generic cross-vertical solutions, rather than game-changing industrial applications.

Big challenges have emerged, particularly around security and costs – and not just the immediate deployment costs. Many proof of concept projects are uncovering wider issues around data infrastructure and security that need to be addressed before IoT systems will be deployed further.

What is needed is more examples of cross-industry collaboration such as the trials at Kowhai Farm, which will in time provide benefits not only to individual farmers, but also to the environment with more efficient practices.

In other news:

Soul Machines adds warts and pimples to digital genes
Agritech + biotech + IoT in Kiwi trials
NZ join breakaway from WTO to tidy up e-commerce
Calls amplify for AI to be regulated

And we take a look at how an ERP upgrade helped a major machinery manufacturer improve efficiencies and meet more aggressive production demands, boosting turnover, growth and morale, in the midst of a major market downturn.

Enjoy the read,

Heather Wright
Editor
editor@istart.co.nz

IoT PoCs throwing up new challenges for A/NZ business

Proof of concept is just the start…

Around 30 percent of Kiwi enterprises now have at least one IoT deployment, but scaling pilots is proving tricky for many.

“Management buy-in of the overall purpose or value of the solution was a challenge.”

[Read more]

Soul Machines tool creates human chatbots in minutes

Using digital DNA to serve up virtual humans – blemishes and all…

NZ’s Soul Machines has upped the chatbot ante, offering a tool to enable customers to quickly and easily customise their digital humans.

“The gene pool is used to synthesise new digital humans by blending Digital DNA together.”

[Read more]

IoT, agritech under spotlight with new Kiwi pilots

Environmental benefits drive collaboration on agritech research……

New Zealand agritech is in the spotlight again with an internet of things farming trial now underway and the country about to spearhead a new global agritech initiative.

“2019 could be the tipping point for New Zealand and the farming export sector.”

[Read more]

Breakaway WTO countries vow to clean up e-commerce

Impatient with the WTO’s e-commerce inaction, members including AU and NZ, are negotiating a new global framework...

A breakaway group is beginning new e-commerce negotiations in the wake of the WTO’s failure to consolidate 25 e-commerce proposals in December.

“This is an opportunity for the world’s economies to respond to modern commercial realities.”

[Read more]

Calls for AI regulation heat up

Aussie business leaders join calls for ethical oversight into AI...

A collection of big hitters from Australian industry and academia have joined growing numbers in the region driving debate towards government regulation around artificial intelligence.

“AI has become something of a political football.”

[Read more]

Automation boosts margins and efficiency

The first step for this leading provider of high-tech equipment, GTech Bellmor was to focus on driving efficiency in their front-end processes...

Automation of front-end processes and improved business intelligence has given a top machinery manufacturer greater efficiency, higher turnover and growth.

“Improving efficiency has not only increased our margins more than we expected, it’s also boosted morale.”

[Read more]

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