Dear ,

For years we've heard that technology will make our jobs easier. And in many ways it has. But it always seems to be accompanied with higher expectations to do more work, faster, making our jobs harder and more complex and needing better technology to compete.

More recently we've been warned that the way we're going, automatons are going to take our jobs, displacing workers and creating mass unemployment.

But are we looking at the issue all wrong? This week we’ve got two stories exploring how automation might impact our working lives. Donovan Jackson takes a philosophical look at what work actually is, and what it means for the future of work and we explore recent calls by Britain’s biggest union saying the time is right for the four-day work week.

The latter gets a vote from me!

Also in the news this week:

Truth or lies in Bloomberg's spy-chip implant investigation?
Aussies leadership role in citizen data rights
Workday survey says siloed data still creating headaches for CFOs

We also have a look at how a move to SAP HANA and cloud has helped a forestry company reduce processing times and optimise production planning, while freeing up resources.

Happy reading,

Heather Wright
Editor
editor@istart.com.au

A fascination with the future of work

It’s closer than you think. In fact, it’s here and now…

There’s a preoccupation with how we’re going to keep ourselves busy in a world of technological enablement, where intelligent systems do much of the heavy lifting.

“What will disappear is a lot of the stuff we do at work which doesn’t add any real value.”

[Read more]

China chip spying allegations denied by Apple and Amazon

Did they or did they not?..

Apple and Amazon are both strenuously denying Bloomberg reports of a hardware attack involving chips inserted into server motherboards by Chinese manufacturers.

“We have conducted rigorous internal investigations and found absolutely no evidence to support any of the allegations.”

[Read more]

Robots, automation…and longer holidays

Forget robots stealing our jobs – can they help make the four-day work week a reality instead?..

We’ve all heard that the robots are coming to take our jobs, but technological advancements could also put the long dreamed about four day work week within reach.

“I believe that in this century, we can win a four-day working week, with decent pay for everyone.”

[Read more]

Australia and NZ to take leadership roles in (some) open banking

Europe may have the jump on open banking, but A/NZ might just get it right…

Australia will lead the world in defining citizen data rights and define best practice around data ownership, with New Zealand on track to lead conversations around extending payment capabilities.

“Australia will define the best practice worldwide with regard to customer data.”

[Read more]

Finance failing to keep pace with digital transformation

Too much siloed data continuing to hold finance back...

Finance departments are failing to transform to deliver the rich insights required by today’s businesses, with the proliferation of data streams proving a key challenge according to a recent survey.

“Systems issues are the major barrier to improved risk management.”

[Read more]

Choosing a future-proofed foundation for growth

Improving system performance and production planning in forestry with SAP HANA and Cloud…

This forestry services provider is the third largest forestry company in New Zealand with approximately 130,000 hectares of plantations across the country.

“Scenario modelling allows ‘what-if’ planning and more time to optimise processes and achieve the best outcome.”

[Read more]

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