Hi there,

Work from home, remote working, call it what you will – it has been a big topic for most businesses this year, with enforced work from home forcing companies’ hands. But is it losing some of its shine already?

While there are plenty of benefits (which I can happily attest to, as someone who has worked remotely for a number of years), there are also plenty of potential pitfalls. And while there’s evidence that productivity isn’t impacted by WFH, and indeed may even increase, several new reports paint a different picture when it comes to innovation. Building and retaining corporate culture and connection is at the heart of the matter. As one report notes, new ideas just don’t thrive when people feel disconnected. Of course, there are technologies to help, but can a video call ever really replace face to face?

With innovation a critical component for growth, anything that might put a damper on it needs serious consideration. I think it’s fair to say we can expect plenty more analysis of the pros and cons of remote working.

In other news this week:

Top wine producer turns to sensors and analytics to bolster yield and profitability
CovidSafe’s big cost, low return sparks new scrutiny as NZ trials new option
Weightless economy = big bucks for tech giants
Rethinking digital commerce

Enjoy the read,

Heather Wright
Editor
editor@istart.com.au

WORK FROM HOME

Is remote working hampering innovation?

Remote working may win productivity ticks, but it’s hurting innovation…

While work from home seems to be winning fans in companies big and small, a new report suggests there could also be a big trade-off underway – and it might be one companies don’t want to pay.

While remote teams are proving productive, business leaders are reporting a decrease in innovation.

[Read more]

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Treasury Wine senses greater yield in new deal

Growing crop success as two Aussie companies join forces…

Treasury Wine Estates is calling on an Aussie-developed sensor and analytics solution to bolster yield and profitability and provide harvest predictions for some of A/NZ’s top wine brands.

“Sensing+ combines data to create AI models that drive significant commercial benefit for customers.”

[Read more]

ERP BUYER"S GUIDE

CONTACT TRACING

New tech being rolled out to combat Covid-19

But it’s hard to build the perfect contact tracing beast…

The New Zealand Government is gearing up to trial a new Bluetooth-enabled Covid contact tracing card in the isolated community of Ngongotahā, population 4,850.

“It may be necessary for Bluetooth LE contact tracing apps to be combined with the adoption of new social protocols to yield benefits.”

[Read more]

TECH REVENUE

Lucrative quarter for FAANGS

As the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic continues, revenues of the tech leaders continue to soar…

With increasing dependence on cloud computing – and IT in general – the ‘weightless economy’ is seeing vast amounts of cash pouring into the coffers of overseas tech-giants.

“Our strong first half performance likely pulled forward some demand from the second half of the year.”

[Read more]

Competing with the cloud natives webinar

DIGITAL COMMERCE

Covid brings digital commerce changes

Live commerce, 2D/3D visuals, enterprise marketplaces – welcome to the brave new world of commerce…

Business success in a post-pandemic world will require rethinking of digital commerce with visual configuration tools, live commerce and B2B consumerisation coming to the fore as buying behaviour changes.

Companies that have operated enterprise marketplaces for more than one year will see at least 10 percent increase in digital revenue.

[Read more]

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