Hi there,

At a time of economic turmoil companies everywhere are watching expenditure even more closely than normal, so it’s heartening to hear of some 'damn-the-Covid' resolve to push on with strategic projects. Case in point: Zespri with its Horizons DX project – valued at up to $160 million over four years – for which it’s just appointed Deloitte as the design and implementation partner along with Zag to deliver a major ERP upgrade.

Is it a brave move to push on with such a big project now? Well, maybe, but it’s also good business for Zespri – the company understands full well the efficiency and agility gains to be garnered through the project, and the long-term payoff for both its business and its growers.

But perhaps even more crucially for NZ Inc, at a time when our government seems to be lacking desire to make decisions and move projects along to help revitalise our economy, that confidence from companies such as Zespri is vital for our economic transformation – and to driving New Zealand down the road to a digital recovery.

And speaking of digital recovery, the biggest tech show in town, the CIO Summit, hits Auckland – or the screen in front of you if you prefer – later this month, with a focus on driving modernisation and digitisation.

In other news:

The privacy conundrum – what we say is not what we do
Aotearoa’s algorithm charter claims world first
Mars petfood's global CIO talks up the difference agility makes
ACCC: Sorry Facebook and Google, no news is free news
Crimson Education’s plans to stem STEM shortages
Some light relief, courtesy of Trump's Tik Tok manoeuvres

Enjoy the read,

Heather Wright
Editor
editor@istart.co.nz

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Deloitte, Zag, Sysdoc to take Zespri to new horizon

Kiwi consortium takes on up to $160m DX project…

Zespri has inked a deal which sees Deloitte leading a Kiwi-based consortium which includes Zag and Sysdoc, for the kiwifruit cooperative’s $160 million Horizon digital transformation programme.

“The Horizon Programme will help to deliver greater operating efficiency and effectiveness for decades to come.”

[Read more]

PRIVACY

Everyone wants better privacy online. Right?

So why are we so bad at protecting ourselves?…

We’re sure good at talking about security. Whenever there’s a new breach, a new data-deal scandal, or a nefarious new plot to track too much, we know it.

"Our study confirms the existence of the privacy paradox and also reveals the limited influence awareness raising exerts."

[Read more]

ALGORITHM CHARTER

NZ Gov algorithm charter a world first

Public sector use must be fair, ethical and transparent…

In an act of world-first government-level digital housecleaning, following recommendations by New Zealand’s chief data steward and chief digital officer, the Algorithm Charter for Aotearoa NZ has been launched.

“We can unlock the full potential of data to improve people’s lives.”

[Read more]

AGILE

Mars’ global pet business sprints toward digitisation

Agile has delivered for pet food manufacturer…

When Covid-19 first started to make its presence felt globally, Miao Song and her team at Mars Petcare were better placed than many to cope.

“Covid doesn’t change our strategy but it has helped us to accelerate our digital transformation.”

[Read more]

MEDIA

Google, Facebook must pay for news

ACCC puts spotlight on media imbalances…

No news is free news, says the Australian Government, so Facebook and Google will have to pay local media companies for their content.

“News content brings significant benefits to the digital platforms.”

[Read more]

TECH EDUCATION

Crimson paints bold STEM future for A/NZ tech ed

Taking STEM online…

Jamie Beatson has a plan to elevate A/NZ’s STEM education, ensure students are ready for high paying tech careers – and provide a skilled workforce for local companies.

“We’re equipping this generation with the skills they’re going to need to be competitive in this tech-centric economy.”

[Read more]

ONLY IN AMERICA

Trump says pay up on proposed Microsoft TikTok deal

A story of Trump, TikTok, Microsoft, data privacy, Covid and money…

US president Donald Trump is open to a deal which would see Microsoft buy TikTok – but says the US government should receive ‘substantial’ payment for the deal.

“They don’t have any rights unless we give it to them so if we give them the rights it has to come into this country.”

[Read more]

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