Hi there,

Ahhh, 2020, the year that just keeps on giving, and not in a good way.

Supply chains around the world have been badly disrupted by Covid-19, with a lack of air services putting increasing pressure on sea freight. Throw in panicky border controls, a fatal accident at Auckland's port along with an automation project gone off the rails, all coinciding with a rush to contactless e-commerce, and you have the perfect 'shippageddon' storm predicted to make Christmas trading rough for retailers and consumers alike.

We've picked up some advice for supply chain managers to help them keep sane, and cybersafe, over the silly season (other than hitting the gin, that is).

In other news:

Covid business is good for NZ's tech sector
Hyperloop gets taken for a ride
State-sponsored hacking targets vaccine programs
Immersive commerce is coming to a ready audience

As the flight to digital accelerates, its timely to take a look at your capability to introduce tech innovation into your business. Are you and your tech partners agile enough to compete with the 'cloud natives'? Tune in next Wednesday to hear more about Jade Software's ski jump of DevOps maturity and how it can help you keep up with the disruptors.

Enjoy the read,

Heather Wright
Editor
editor@istart.co.nz

ONLINE SHOPPING

Pandemic brings Christmas shopping crunch

Online demand faces supply chain shortfalls…

A big shift to online buying is creating logistical issues that have coincided with accidents and automation problems at Ports of Auckland, along with port strikes in Australia to create a supply chain nightmare.

“2020 has been an unusual year for us all with the pandemic changing many aspects of our daily lives, and Christmas will be no exception.”

[Read more]

TIN200 TECH COMPANIES

Covid levelling playing field for Kiwi tech sector

TIN200 companies continue growth, Covid be damned…

Covid-19 has levelled the playing field for many Kiwi tech companies, enabling them to more easily access international customers, employees and investors, and more readily upskill through virtual events.

“Increasingly we’re not talking about promising little startups, but truly global companies.”

[Read more]

VACUUM TRAIN

Hyperloops, Virgins and saboteurs

Musk’s pipedream does the ton, with passengers on board…

Elon Musk’s infamous Hyperloop vacuum train has re-emerged with the high speed transportation taking its first two passengers for a ride.

“It’s a giant leap toward that ultimate dream.”

[Read more]

Competing with the cloud natives webinar

COVID CYBER SECURITY

Covid-19 vaccines the new cyber battle ground

Microsoft names names in alleged state-sponsored hacking…

As the real world battle against Covid-19 heats up, so too is the online battle against the virus, with Microsoft reporting numerous state-sponsored cyberattacks against leading pharmaceutical companies and vaccine researchers.

“Multiple organisations targeted have contracts with or investments from government agencies from various democratic countries.”

[Read more]

VIRTUAL SHOPPING

Online commerce reaches immersive reality

A/NZ consumers ready and willing to reward retailers…

Adopting immersive digital commerce technologies provides a clear opportunity for local retailers to boost revenue, with local shoppers ready, waiting and willing to reward retailers using the technology well.

“For local businesses, adoption of immersive technologies provide a clear opportunity to boost revenue.”

[Read more]

CLOUD

Taking the ski jump to DevOps and cloud success

Guiding your modernisation journey…

Saj Arachchillage, Senior Client Strategist at Jade Software, uses the analogy of a ski jump when he talks about the move to cloud and embracing enterprise DevOps.

“It’s developing that trust and safety culture within the business to test and learn.”

[Read more]

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