News, views and analysis from the A/NZ tech sector
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Hi there,
As the Covid-forced business shutdown moves into week two, the economic costs are adding up. While Covid is, first and foremost, a health emergency, the economic ramifications of the virus are likely to remain with us for much, much longer.
At a time when New Zealand’s key sectors of tourism and hospitality have no option but to mothball or close doors, it’s important that other sectors that can work entirely safely be allowed to.
Retail NZ is one organisation keen to see its members able to operate again, offering online sales. Couriers are reporting they’ve got the capacity and other companies providing ‘essential’ products and services have shown that with strong workforce safety and contactless deliveries, online commerce can continue, entirely safely.
Government attempts to list specific 'essential' products and outlets is fraught with issues, and a nonsense alongside international outlets still able to supply to NZ consumers. It should be defining safe practices and letting business and staff self-regulate their own safety, and do so urgently.
In other news:
- Contact centres flock to the cloud
- Pandemic injects rocket into telehealth initiatives
- Lessons learned for post Covid-19 business
- The tools you need for isolation work and play
We also take a look at how Giltrap Porsche accelerated customer service and removed the paper headache with a new document management system.
Don't forget to put your clocks back.
Heather Wright
Editor
editor@istart.co.nz
iStart remains committed to delivering our news and editorial services covering the crisis during these difficult times.
We empathise with those in affected sectors. We will be doing our bit to encourage the tech and business community to keep operating effectively and get everyone safely through.
STOP THE SPREAD!
RETAIL
International online retailers capitalise on Kiwi lockdown
It’s not a level playing field – it’s El Capitan…
NZ’s government has fallen into the trap of trying to decide what products citizens need rather than keeping the focus on safety, when it comes to business and Covid-19.
The govt is picking winners in terms of the products they think people need, & who is able to provide them.
[Read more]
WFH CONTACT CENTRES
Companies dial up virtual contact centres
But there are challenges to navigate first...
If you’ve made a call to a contact centre in the past week, chances are good you’ve noticed there’s a difference in those calls.
“Many agents may never return to the bricks-and-mortar centre… and that’s not a bad thing.”
[Read more]
HEALTHCARE
Telemedicine tech options and the challenges faced
We have the technology, but do we have the will – and funding – to bring telehealth into the mainstream?…
As the Covid-19 emergency continues, the race is on to stop its spread, prevent doctors being inundated and find ways to deal with sudden demands on the medical sector.
“The Covid-19 pandemic is an opportunity to demonstrate to health care officials that technology can facilitate sustainable healthcare.”
[Read more]
POST COVID19
Preparing for business after Covid
The tech to experiment with now to hit the ground running, post-Covid…
As Covid and lockdowns bite deep, companies are refocusing on business resiliency plans to help them emerge from this pandemic intact and able to hit the ground running.
“Covid-19 is hyper-accelerating decision making.”
[Read more]
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COVID ISOLATION
Equipping for isolation
Software, apps and equipment to get you through…
Business app downloads are soaring as Covid lockdowns crank up around the world.
Covid-19 has only accelerated a mass trend that was already underway.
[Read more]
CLIENT INSIGHT
How digitisation delivers speed to Porsche service documents
Revolutionised service documentation that has set a precedent for eliminating paper within the wider Giltrap Group…
With its Service Department drowning in paperwork, Giltrap Porsche looked to Fuji Xerox New Zealand and its DocuShare Flex cloud document management solution for digital answers.
"It’s just a better way to work and a step into the 21st century.”
[Read more]
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