Hi there,

I’m not sure there are really the words to sum up 2020, other than to say it’s been a long, bizarre year, and certainly not the year any of us envisaged last December.

It’s a cliche, but the Covid pandemic really has changed everything. And it’s not just been a health crisis, change has emerged on many fronts.

Here at iStart we’ve long advocated for the use of the right technologies (and note the emphasis on right – not every technology we talk up is going to be relevant for your business). While it's a long row to hoe for many, good tech done right makes Kiwi businesses more efficient and more profitable.

This year has put business technology into prime time across all levels of business and society: Digital and data are now core capabilities for resilience, work from home has become an accepted and realistic option, health tech has received a long overdue jolt and we now understand the role that Covid tracing apps can make in eradicating outbreaks.

While that’s to be applauded, and has been (or will be) good for the tech sector, we also can’t ignore the hardships endured this year, especially in CBD retail, tourism and hospitality. We’re incredibly grateful to all our advertisers and readers for sticking by us this year, as we, like you and your own companies, worked our way through the year.

In bidding good riddance to the year that was 2020, the team at iStart hope you have a wonderful festive season and enjoy a relaxing break with family and friends. This really is a time to appreciate the best this lucky country has to offer.

So here's cheers to a prosperous, less eventful, 2021.

In this week’s reading:

The Gov vs Big Tech battle may be the story to watch for 2021
Smile for the camera if you want that job
Tower and UoA’s data partnership
Phishing turns to Vishing (bah...who cares, I'm going Fishing)
IDC's bullish predictions for a robust recovery
Dealing with your Christmas party receipts

We're heading off for a break soon, looking forward to returning in the New Year to inject more tech vaccine in 2021.

Enjoy the read, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year,

Heather Wright
Editor
editor@istart.co.nz

SOCIAL MEDIA

Governments vs big tech: The gloves are off

Platform companies face slew of new laws…

Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code Bill

The push back against the big platforms appears to be stepping up with the US, European Union and Britain all launching new action this week as they attempt to curb big techs’ powers.

“This will help bridge the gap between what companies say they do and what happens in practice.”

[Read more]

TECH RECRUITMENT

High-tech recruitment in the age of Covid

Throw those one-dimensional resumes in the bin; Covid’s changed hiring forever…

It’s amazing what a little time – and a catastrophic global pandemic – can do.

“A video is worth a thousand resumes.”

[Read more]

ERP BUYER'S GUIDE

DATA ANALYSIS

Tower Insurance finding answers – and profits – in data

Joins forces with University of Auckland in data partnership…

Tower Insurance has joined forces with the University of Auckland to address real-world industry needs and bolster its data and digital push – an area already paying big dividends for the insurer.

“This will lay the groundwork for the data-driven future of the insurance industry and open up opportunities for the next generation of data scientists.”

[Read more]

CYBERSECURITY

When a stranger calls: The rise of the ‘vishing’ scam

A spate of strikes shows just how effective voice-based attack vectors can be…

New research shows ‘vishing’ attacks – phone- (or VoIP-)based phishing attacks that use social engineering to nefariously access an organisation’s data – are on the rise.

“These attacks specifically target carefully selected users.”

[Read more]

TECH PROJECTS

After the hit comes the recovery

Robust market recovery to follow 2020 services slowdown…

After a rough year, IDC says there’s a ‘robust’ local market recovery for IT services next year as the brakes come off and investment in transformational, consulting and integration projects picks up again.

“The forced acceleration of digital maturity will increase investment across major transformational, consulting and integration projects.”

[Read more]

SMART RECEIPTS

Receipts get paperless – and smarter

NAB, Woolworths get smart. And in NZ?…

Receipts are becoming paperless – and smarter – with NAB and Woolworths both ramping up their paperless initiatives.

Receipts are a burden for customers, create unnecessary cost for businesses and have a negative impact on the environment.

[Read more]

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