What you need to include in your brand guidelines and why
Many of us are mortified when we see pictures of our teenage selves. Weird clothes, strange haircuts, outrageous looks; it’s all part of the process of figuring out who we are.
Your business doesn’t have the luxury of going through an awkward phase as it tries to figure out who it’s going to be. You can make small changes as you evolve to meet market needs but, generally, it’s important to understand who your company is and who your customers are, as well as who your customers expect you to be. Continue reading “What you need to include in your brand guidelines and why”
Micro Focus recognises top-achieving partners at APJ Partner Leadership Summit
Sydney, Australia – Micro Focus (LSE: MCRO; NYSE: MFGP) is pleased to recognise its top-achieving partners at the APJ Leadership Summit, held in Da Nang, Vietnam.
Micro Focus has structured its awards differently this year with less focus on the technology, product sets and sales, and more focus on the work that partners have been doing with their customers.
Partners acknowledged were:
- ANZ partner of the year: Revolution IT
- Partner cloud innovation award: The Citadel Group
- Partner customer innovation award: Kinetic IT
In the last two months, Micro Focus has merged its APJ partner programs to combine the heritage Micro Focus partner community and the heritage HPE Software partner community. This year’s awards are the first to recognise the combined partner sets from both programs.
“The focus over the next 12 months is to work with Micro Focus partners to ensure they are gaining value from the full solution and technology suite across the newly-formed Micro Focus,” said Todd Parsons, ANZ channel director at Micro Focus. “Partners will be able to expand and have a stronger and more differentiated story with customers as a result. The change in the awards is directly linked to that strategy. Citadel, Kinetic IT and Revolution IT have significant and long-term relationships with Micro Focus, and the awards reflect that investment and level of quality outcomes they deliver for our customers.”
According to global market intelligence firm, IDC, the partner landscape will continue to change and partner requirements are evolving along with it. IDC predicts that, by 2021, at least 30 per cent of the channel will not exist in today’s format. And, as of the end of 2018, at least 20 per cent of partners have restructured to a vertically-centric, customer-oriented sales and solution organisation.
Micro Focus supports its partners in their journey to deliver a broad range of Micro Focus solutions to the benefit of their customers. Micro Focus has:
- significantly rationalised its distribution base in the last 12 months to let distributors more aggressively invest in helping Micro Focus enable, grow and acquire partners in the wider solution stack, and provide a faster ramp to expand their capabilities and revenue base around the wider solution portfolio
- focused the recent APJ Partner Leadership Summit on giving partners greater awareness around the expanded product and solution suite, and providing deeper insights into the commercial and market capabilities and the impact on the channel
- invested in a range of enablement activities and events to bring the channel’s skills and capabilities up to understand the wider solution and product portfolio
- conducted a critical review of the newly-combined channel partners to rationalise the partners it works with and develops, based on a desire for mutual investment, with a narrow focus on partners that truly want to work with Micro Focus to extend market reach
- developed a new partner program that rationalises resources and is designed to make it easy to do business across Micro Focus with one place to interact.
Supporting quotes
Jamie Duffield, CEO, Revolution IT, said, “We have a long history of working with Micro Focus and we are pleased to receive this award in recognition of our continued success in providing Micro Focus solutions to our customers, in the DevOps space in particular. DevOps is key to the delivery of the transformation work we do with clients looking to accelerate and optimise solution delivery. Our local partner manager helps us navigate the global processes across a range of activities such as funding enablement and joint business plans, which is critical to our success.”
Ryan Harris, general manager – capability and delivery, The Citadel Group said, “Our goal has been to provide cost-effective and innovative solutions to help customers leverage greater value in their investment in enterprise information management solutions. In 2016, we set about architecting Australia’s first and only cloud-hosted, ISO27001 certified Content Manager solution, Citadel-IX. This investment has resulted in a solution that is highly-secure, consumable by customers as a true as-a-service offering, and rapidly deployable. It also provides access to organisations’ critical information assets anywhere, anytime and on any device.
“Receiving this award is a proud moment for our team of highly skilled engineers and consultants who are the true innovators behind this world-class solution. Micro Focus’s commitment to partnering has been crucial to Citadel’s success. Micro Focus continually strives to support its partner community and offer excellent support at all levels of the business.”
Brett Roberts, chief product officer, Kinetic IT, said, “Kinetic IT is humbled to be the recipient of the Micro Focus 2018 Customer Innovation Award. It’s great to be recognised for our focus on long-term business benefits and our use of innovative technologies and solutions to drive better services to our customers and communities. Our partnership with Micro Focus spans nearly 25 years and remains an ongoing enabler to our success.”
-ENDS-
About Micro Focus
Micro Focus helps organisations run and transform their business through four core areas of digital transformation: Enterprise DevOps, Hybrid IT Management, Predictive Analytics and Security, Risk & Governance. Driven by customer-centric innovation, our software provides the critical tools they need to build, operate, secure, and analyse the enterprise. By design, these tools bridge the gap between existing and emerging technologies—enabling faster innovation, with less risk, in the race to digital transformation.
Five reasons why your website needs fresh content
Your website is the world’s window into your business. Having a great website can help increase awareness about your offering, encourage your target audience to buy your products or services, and entice potential partners or even acquirers to come on board.
Having a great website depends almost entirely on the content you publish. In fact, according to the SEO Tribunal, 72 per cent of businesses who publish regular content on their website have reported an increase in overall engagement. In addition, almost three quarters of marketers say that quality content has increased their number of leads.
Continue reading “Five reasons why your website needs fresh content”
Konica Minolta launches Prokom user group in Australia
Sydney, Australia – Konica Minolta Australia has announced the launch of Prokom, Konica Minolta’s independent global community of commercial print users, to its Australian customers.
Prokom offers market research, information and practical tools to help commercial printers be more productive and more profitable. The Prokom program provides its members with the opportunity to share ideas, develop and grow efficient digital communication services, as well as express their own voices and cross-pollinate with others in the industry. Prokom has Konica Minolta customers from Europe, United States, and many other countries, as members.
Prokom also provides opportunities for members to connect, learn and grow through networking events. They can actively engage with Konica Minolta’s senior management about their priorities for future design, functionality, technology and services while building profitable long-lasting relationships.
Sue Threlfo, general manager, production and industrial print, Konica Minolta said, “Konica Minolta Australia’s decision to support Prokom locally demonstrates our continued investment in our customers, and the wider industry. Our aim is to build an environment for our customers to transform through education, networking and shared experience. Each month, the Prokom team identify a relevant topic that is designed to support our customers to grow or ideas for effective management their business. Konica Minolta also sees it as a way to aid in the development of cutting-edge industry relevant solutions.”
There are significant management and operational benefits from being a member of Prokom including:
– make better-informed decisions based on the latest industry information and reviews
– network with other business leaders
– use resources better with business planning and project management tools
– create new business opportunities by improving sales and marketing activity
– run a better business with help and advice on managing cashflow, recruitment and operational improvement
– improve through e-learning courses
– save time and money by viewing the latest tips and tricks videos
– get advice from a global network of other Konica Minolta users
– acquire valuable insights and knowledge from product reviews and user forums.
To become a Prokom member, Konica Minolta customers are invited to register here. A valid Konica Minolta serial number is required upon registration.
About Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia Pty Ltd is a market-leading provider of integrated solutions and managed services with the power to transform business environments.
A global leader in the provision of multifunction printers, digital print presses, industrial print products, 3D printers, robotics and enterprise content management, Konica Minolta works with organisations large and small to improve productivity, reduce costs, increase security and achieve sustainability outcomes.
Headquartered in Sydney, Konica Minolta Australia delivers expert professional services with experienced and responsive client support, in addition to the world-class service provided through its extensive network of direct sales offices and authorised dealers.
Striving to create new value for customers, our vision is to be a global company that is vital to society, and one that is innovative, robust and constantly evolving. Konica Minolta was awarded the Human Rights Award 2018, for showing leadership in human rights in business.
For more information: konicaminolta.com.au/prokom
Upstream announces exclusive distribution partnership with Folderit
Sydney, Australia – Upstream has announced it has signed an exclusive distribution partnership with Folderit, the most user-friendly document management software (Capterra 2017).
Folderit is a cloud-based document management platform for small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) for storing, sharing and approving digital documents. This solution is ideal for SMBs wanting to start their journey to a paperless environment with a secure, safe and easy option.
Folderit offers features SMBs expect from a document management solution without the cost associated with large enterprise-grade solutions. It includes basic approval workflows with alerts and notifications, optical character recognition, full text search functionality, folder permissions, custom metadata, and version control as part of the software.
Upstream, an expert in document management solutions (DMS), has partnered with Folderit to provide the Australian market with a new offering that bridges the gap between the very simple DMS and the complex options.
Scott Crosby, CEO, Upstream, said, “Many companies require more than just simple cloud-based document storage solution, yet don’t need all the bells and whistles of the more sophisticated DMS. That’s where Folderit can add value.”
Companies with high-volume transactional documents, high user access requirements, a distributed workforce or multiple touch points could find Folderit an ideal solution. With affordable pricing models that offer unlimited user access and substantial storage, Folderit makes cloud storage, access and sharing across internally and externally a viable option particularly for SMBs in industries such as accounting, construction, engineering and law.
Scott Crosby said, “For SMBs, storing files on their computers or local servers can create risks. Scenarios such as drive failure, fire or theft are all real risks to SMBs and could mean the loss of many important documents if there are no backups. With Folderit the documents are stored securely in the cloud, giving business owners peace of mind.”
Folderit provides unlimited licensing, letting SMBs start with as few or as many licenses as the business requires, providing a way to control costs, an important factor for a growing SMB.
Scott Crosby said, “Upstream is excited to bring Folderit to its customers. With exclusive distribution rights in the Australian market and the document management expertise of the team, Upstream is well-positioned to help SMBs looking for easy-to-manage document and workflow solution to benefit their businesses.”
About Upstream Solutions
Multi-award recipients, Upstream are experts in document, content and print management solutions, architecting and delivering customised solutions for any industry. Pioneering some of the most innovative applications of business workflow processes, Upstream can help map your digital transformation journey. With some of the industry’s best software and hardware partnerships, Upstream is the trusted partner to over 3,000 Australian companies. Upstream’s solutions improve efficiencies and optimise business processes such as Accounts Payable Automation, POD, HR onboarding, Compliance, as well as document storage and retrieval. Upstream are focused on helping businesses work smarter, digitally. For more information, visit www.upstream.com.au.
Y Soft appoints Andy Lau as regional sales manager, Singapore
Y Soft® Corporation, a leading enterprise office solution provider today announced the appointment of Andy Lau as regional sales manager, Singapore with a focus on Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
Andy’s role includes supporting Y Soft’s partners in pre-sale, sale, and post-sale engagements while collaborating with internal teams; providing sales training for partner teams on Y Soft’s integrated workflow solutions platform and hardware solutions; assisting with trade shows and events; and managing Y Soft’s Global Operational Excellence (GOE) project delivery process with partners and their clients.
Andy has more than 12 years’ experience in the market. He was previously part of the technical team for Toshiba Malaysia, where he was responsible for the installation and configuration of YSoft SafeQ for its customers, customer training, and managing managed print service project deployments. Prior to that he was part of the corporate presales and solutions team for Toshiba.
Andy Lau said, “There is a vast opportunity for organisations in this region to leverage flexibility and simplicity in processes in their daily work. Workflow solutions are definitely the way forward for organisations that can find the right partner to support them with minimal maintenance requirements and the technical knowledge to make the most of the technology.
“I have been studying, strategising, and deploying Y Soft’s print management and advanced document capture solution, YSoft SafeQ, since its introduction into the Malaysian market. I believe it has limitless growth potential. The long-term return on investment with Y Soft is a benefit for many customers and prospects, and I look forward to helping our partners demonstrate that in the region.”
Adam O’Neill, managing director – Australia and New Zealand and sales manager – APAC, said, “We are excited to welcome Andy to our team at Y Soft Singapore. With a combined technical, project delivery and pre-sales background, Andy brings enormous value to our partners and their customers through his experience with the Y Soft range of products and consultative, customer-first approach.”
About Y Soft
Y Soft provides intelligent enterprise office solutions that help build smart business. Our YSoft SafeQ workflow solutions platform is used by corporations and SMB organizations to manage, optimize and secure their print and digital processes and workflows. Our 3D print solutions are focused in the Education sector where they provide unique workflow and cost recovery benefits.
Founded in 2000, the company is headquartered in Brno, Czech Republic, with offices in North and Latin America, Europe, Middle East/Africa (EMEA) and the Asia Pacific region (APAC). For more information, please visit www.ysoft.com.
Cloud-based print services made possible for customers in Singapore and Hong Kong with YSoft SafeQ
Y Soft® Corporation, a leading enterprise office solution provider, has announced details on YSoft SafeQ 6 use in private and on-premise/private cloud deployments for Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Customers of all sizes are moving to cloud services for many aspects of their business, primarily to reduce server and maintenance costs. Print services, including print, copy and scan workflows, can also benefit from being entirely private cloud-based or partially cloud and partially on-premise, commonly referred to as EDGE computing when an Edge device is used for processing print jobs locally.
Whether hosted by Microsoft Azure, AWS or other hosted data centres, YSoft SafeQ’s full print management features including pull-printing, automated scan workflows, copy and fax services. In addition, YSoft SafeQ’s easy-to-use online dashboard helps administrators manage the print fleet and monitor activity through reports. Customers can also export reporting data directly into business intelligence applications such as Microsoft Power BI or Tableau for further analysis using Y Soft-provided templates.
Wouter Koelewijn, chief product officer, Y Soft, said, “The effort made in re-architecting YSoft SafeQ 6 is paying dividends in our ability to satisfy customers’ needs to move print services infrastructure to the cloud. Y Soft can offer YSoft SafeQ 6 cloud deployment with the same pricing and choice of license or subscription as its current on-premise offering.”
Allison Correia, senior analyst, Document Solutions, IDC, said, “Companies of all sizes are increasingly moving information to the cloud. Y Soft’s approach to cloud-based print management and document capture provides the flexibility and scalability for IT leaders to implement the cloud computing environment that meets their needs.”
About Y Soft
Y Soft provides intelligent enterprise office solutions that help build smart business. Our YSoft SafeQ workflow solutions platform is used by corporations and SMB organisations to manage, optimize and secure their print and digital processes and workflows. Our 3D print solutions are focused in the education sector where they provide unique workflow and cost recovery benefits.
Founded in 2000, the company is headquartered in Brno, Czech Republic, with offices in North and Latin America, Europe, Middle East/Africa (EMEA) and the Asia Pacific region (APAC). For more information, please visit www.ysoft.com.
Konica Minolta showcasing the future of 3D and manufacturing innovation at Austech 2019
Sydney, Australia – Konica Minolta is showcasing the future of 3D and manufacturing innovation at Austech 2019, Australia’s premier advanced manufacturing and machine tool exhibition. The show will run from Tuesday, May 14 to Friday, May 17 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Eric Holtsmark, General Manager – Strategy, Transformation and Technology, Konica Minolta, said, “3D is no doubt evolving. While for many years it has been about prototyping, there is now a real shift into producing end-use parts.
“We are at a tipping point in the industry and those manufacturers poised to leverage the opportunities afforded by 3D technology, in being able to deliver end-use parts, will be the ones that succeed with a speed to market previously not possible. As a partner of one of the leading 3D vendors, 3D Systems, Konica Minolta is in a great position to help manufactures evolve with the technology.”
Featured on Stand AM48 will be the latest technology to demonstrate how additive manufacturing can benefit manufacturers including:
- 3D Systems Figure 4. An affordable, scalable, fast, and highly accurate 3D printer, with production-grade materials that have been developed for production end-use applications. With its capability to produce high speed end-use durable plastic parts, it is aimed at not only producing rapid functional prototypes, but also short run production plastic articles, to replace traditional end use processes such as moulding, cast urethane, and injection moulding.
- 3D Systems ProJet 2500. The ProJet 2500 offers highly-precise true-to-CAD parts, with a wide range of materials from ridged plastics, elastomeric, and casting waxes, across a wide variety of applications. The ProJet 2500’s professional part quality offers superior surface finishes and high-edge fidelity for not only prototyping but functional testing, and augmented manufacturing processes such as sort run injection moulding tools and investment casting.
- MiRHook200. A user-friendly and efficient mobile robot for fully automated pick-up and towing of carts in production, logistics, and healthcare environments.
- Virtual reality (VR) experience. 3D Systems D2P (DICOM to PRINT) is a stand-alone modular software package that is designed to address and consolidate 3D data from CT scan and DICOM for the fast and simple conversion into VR, and print-ready 3D files. It is used by medical professionals for preoperative surgical planning, and the printing of patient communication and surgical planning models.
Konica Minolta is also running four insightful 30 minute on-stand presentations:
- Session 1 – Wednesday, May, 15 at 2:30pm
3D printed orthotics: A review of the software and processes required for manufacturing orthotics, splints, and braces using additive manufacturing. - Session 2 – Thursday, May 16 at 11:30am
Lightweighting and latticing: Harnessing the power of a design and manufacturing technique only possible with additive manufacturing for radical product improvement to give business a competitive edge. - Session 3 – Thursday, May 16 at 2:30pm
Declutter and consolidation: The many ways in which the redesign of products for removal of excess assembled components can radically change an entire business model for the better. - Session 4 – Friday, May 17 at 11:30am
3D Printed Electric Guitar: A review of the software and processes used to create a fully functional electric guitar using additive manufacturing.
Attendees can register for the on-stand presentations here:
https://www.konicaminolta.com.au/promotions/events/austech-stand-registration
About Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia Pty Ltd is a market-leading provider of integrated solutions and managed services with the power to transform business environments.
A global leader in the provision of multifunction printers, digital print presses, industrial print products, 3D printers, robotics and enterprise content management, Konica Minolta works with organisations large and small to improve productivity, reduce costs, increase security and achieve sustainability outcomes.
Headquartered in Sydney, Konica Minolta Australia delivers expert professional services with experienced and responsive client support, in addition to the world-class service provided through its extensive network of direct sales offices and authorised dealers.
Striving to create new value for customers, our vision is to be a global company that is vital to society, and one that is innovative, robust and constantly evolving. Konica Minolta was awarded the Human Rights Award 2018, for showing leadership in human rights in business.
For more information: konicaminolta.com.au/home
Vertel establishes Australian compliance for the Telo TE390 and the Telo M5 Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC) devices
Sydney, Australia – Vertel, Australia’s largest privately-owned telecommunications carrier, has met the compliance obligations including a declaration of conformity and RCM labelling for the Telo TE390 and the Telo M5 LTE devices used in their Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) solution.
Vertel is the first Australian company to obtain compliance documentation from an accredited testing organisation. These LTE devices are part of a suite of three devices that customers can choose from as part of Vertel’s fully integrated PoC offering, which is already proving a game-changer for instant team and group communications. Vertel PoC takes all the great aspects of Land Mobile Radio (LMR) and integrates them with the capability of an enhanced voice, data and video messaging application and a choice of mobile networks, all supported by mobile device management. The third device in the suite is the Telo TE590, which is already compliant for Australia.
The Telo TE390 is a basic, portable, LTE handheld device used to bridge instant communications across organisations. It is ideal for use in industry sectors such as security, law enforcement, field services management, logistics, and aged care. The Telo M5 is an in-vehicle device offering boundary-less communication and instant response. It is particularly relevant for use in transport and logistics communications environments. The Telo TE590 is a more fully featured, handheld device with a larger battery, and larger screen that allows for gloved operation, which is proving a preferred option in the local government market.
According to ACMA: “The operation or use of communications equipment that is designed to work in Australia can cause interference with the operation of other equipment, endanger your health or endanger the safety of others.”
Andrew Findlay, executive director, Vertel, said, “This is what makes the compliance with the ACMA standards so important. While the declaration of conformity, Regulatory Compliance Mark (RCM) labelling and compliance testing process is both stringent and time consuming, we see it as imperative to provide peace of mind to customers that the devices are fit-for-purpose and fit-for use when it comes to specifications such as range, performance, electrical overcharge, and radiation.
“As the importer of the device, it is critical for dealers selling our PoC solution to end customers, and for end customers as well, to be confident that the devices supplied by Vertel comply with ACMA’s standards in Australia. It is both a legal requirement for organisations to use devices with a completed declaration of conformity and RCM label on the device in Australia, as well as an ethical one to ensure that workforce safety is upheld.
“Service Provider organisations can either undertake their own testing and certification or use accredited testing bodies. We have used an accredited testing organisation. Non-compliant or incorrectly labelled devices pose a risk to both the Service Provider and end user. This introduces an unacceptable level of operational risk for all parties. With Vertel, organisations can be assured that they won’t have issues with the performance of devices on the network and that they will deliver as expected.”
[1] https://www.acma.gov.au/theACMA/bringing-communications-equipment-into-australia
About Vertel
Vertel is a wholly-owned, Australian national telecommunications carrier with over 40 years’ experience delivering critical network infrastructure and services to enterprise, government and service provider organisations. With a broad range of fixed and mobile network and cloud services, underpinned by excellence in delivery and on-going operations, we specialise in serving customers with high availability, performance, management and security requirements for business, mission and life-critical operations. As the world’s first wireless carrier to achieve MEF certification for its Ethernet Layer 2 service, we can design, build and deliver carrier-grade connectivity and applications for organisations throughout Australia.
Calix seeks funding to make global shipping carbon-negative
Sydney, Australia – Calix, a multi-award-winning Australian technology company, is applying its core technology platform to make global shipping carbon-negative.
Maritime transport emits around one billion tonnes of CO2 annually, which is about 2.5 per cent of global CO2 emissions.
In line with its drive to reduce CO2 emissions, the European Union (EU) called for a global approach to curbing emissions and commenced mandatory emission reporting for all large ships using EU ports from 2018.
Dr Brian Sweeney, business development manager, Calix, said “Current International Maritime Organisation (IMO) plans will reduce emissions by 50 per cent. Calix is developing a system with the potential to eliminate the rest.”
Calix has developed a process called RECAST that would reduce CO2 emissions by capturing sulphur and CO2 on the ship. RECAST uses a dry exhaust gas scrubber with zero emissions lime, which absorbs more than 85 per cent of the CO2, and most of the sulphur, and recovers the heat of absorption to add around 40 per cent to the ship’s range, increasing the ship’s efficiency.
Dr Sweeney said, “If RECAST technology were applied to the 25 per cent of high-mileage ships that use 80 per cent of global bunker fuel, our initial estimates indicate the reduction in emissions would make the total world maritime fleet carbon-negative.”
To achieve this, the lime used in a RECAST scrubber must be manufactured in a shore-based Calix process lime producer, which captures the CO2 from the raw limestone. This technology is now being demonstrated at scale in Belgium as part of the Low Emissions Intensity Lime and Cement (LEILAC) Project, a Calix-led European-Australian collaboration.
Dr Sweeney said, “Initial estimates suggest RECAST could cost less than US$50 per tonne of CO2 emissions saved, making it cost-effective as well as safe and reliable. Calix is currently seeking funding to develop RECAST.
“This is another example of how Calix technology can be used to address global challenges. The world is seeing a number of challenges right now that can only be solved through creative thinking and innovation. Calix continues to be highly-focused on researching and developing solutions that contribute to making a difference to issues such as carbon emissions.”
About Calix
Calix is a multi-award-winning Australia technology company that is developing new processes and materials to solve global challenges.
The core technology is a world-first, patented kiln built in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria that produces mineral honeycomb, which are very highly active minerals.
Calix uses these minerals, which are safe and environmentally friendly, to improve waste water treatment and phosphate removal, help protect sewer assets from corrosion, and help improve food production from aquaculture and agriculture without antibiotics, fungicides, and pesticides.
Calix’s technology has also been adopted overseas, where the company is working with some of the world’s largest companies, governments and research institutions on CO2 capture.
Website at www.calix.com.au