All Industry Reports

New Zealand Inc:
(October 2011)
While New Zealand may be a small country at the bottom of the world, it is nevertheless a hothouse for entrepreneurship and innovation, boasting some of the savviest and most creative risk-takers in the world. Why then are we labouring in obscurity? iStart sat down with some of the country’s best and brightest to find out... By Jonathan Cotton
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7 things to hate about IT recruiters
(October 2011)
Business forums, professional networking sites and the internet in general is awash with stories detailing just how difficult dealing with an IT recruiter can be. But is all this online odium justified? Are they really the new ‘used-car salesman’? Or are recruiters just the fall guys for frustrated job-seekers in a down-turned economy? iStart investigates...
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Software as a Service for ERP - are we there yet?
(October 2011)
Comprehensive ERP in the cloud is an end game for most ERP vendors. While many ERP software makers are ‘cloudwashing’ their way through, have any made it yet? Hayden McCall reviews a couple of market leaders...
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The iStart Smartphone Roundup
(July 2011)
Thinking about buying a smartphone? Better think carefully – they’re not cheap. So before you take the plunge check out the iStart Smartphone Roundup – it will help you navigate the pros and cons of six of the most popular units on the market, as well as provide you with all the important specs before you buy...
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Smart card technology: A pocket guide
(July 2011) 
When it comes to engaging with your customers, there’s plenty to know in the realm of card technology. So if you don’t know your ICC from your NFC, read on to find out just how smart cards, and the smart use of them, can serve your businesss...
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Stop your data going rogue
(July 2011)
These days every digital transaction you do generates data, and chances are that data is being stored. Mobile apps, web transactions, loyalty schemes & more provide a wealth of potential information resources. But with so much data being collected, how do you stop it becoming a rogue elephant and actually apply it to inform your business? David McNickel investigates how business intelligence can move smart companies from average to extraordinary...
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The desktop goes virtual
(July 2011)
You may shudder at the thought, but modern enterprise architecture is slowly but surely returning to the mainframe fold, at least conceptually, and never more so than with the idea of virtual desktops – hosted in ‘the cloud’. iStart reviews the leading alternatives...
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Cloud resilience at what price?
(July 2011)
What factors should businesses consider, and what questions should they ask prospective providers, to ensure their operations and their business critical data stay safe in the cloud?...
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5 tips to happy Gen Y customers
(June 2011)
‘I want it now’ consumers with choice on their side are pushing to get the most out of products and services, and are ready to complain when their experience falls short. John O’Brien, vice president for FrontRange Solutions in Asia Pacific has some tips to keep on top...
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Satisfaction Flunk
(May 2011)
Almost 80% of business decision makers responsible for customer satisfaction think they deliver ‘poor’ or ‘average’ results…
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How to build mobile apps - tips and pitfalls from the experts
(MAY 2011)
iStart Special Report: leading app developers reveal insights on the hot category of 2011 - includes your guide to developers of mobile smartphone applications...
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Business Intelligence shoots up the charts
(May 2011)
iStart’s annual investment survey shows BI has jumped into the limelight among the ‘must-have’ applications in 2011 as business shines the crystal ball to track market changes in volatile times...
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The future of mobile: Stand by to be dazzled by the 4G revolution
(January 2011)
TV is moving from analogue to digital and that means blistering broadband speeds are on their way even in the rural sector along with exciting possibilities for business. It’s not just the mobile companies who see their future resting on 4G. some of the biggest global technology players see it as part of the next battle for dominance…
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Learn planning secrets: First comes strategy, process, then systems
(January 2011)
No amount of planning allows you to see into the future. But with a flexible supply chain that can react immediately to customer demand, you give yourself the best chance of prospering in the face of the unpredictable. In the absence of a crystal ball, the next best thing is sales and operations planning...
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Business Communications willl be the next cloud wave
(January 2011)
An expert in business communication solutions reveals that cloud service delivery has become more than a novel new way to deploy applications. He says it’s bringing huge value, ending the days of long deployment cycles, huge investments, and costly support contracts...By Brendan Maree - Country Manager, Australia & New Zealand Interactive Intelligence...
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The Hitchhikers Guide To The Cloud
(January 2011)
Many pundits agree that 2011 is set to become the year of The Cloud and that IT professionals need to prepare themselves. While everyone seems to be talking about “The Cloud” in excited tones, do we really understand what it’s all about? iStart helps demystify what it all means and navigates a clear path through all the hype. What are the implications of ‘going public’ and staying private? By Chris Bell...
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Digital Literacy: Getting your workplace up to speed
(December 2010)
A business isn’t getting the best out of their work staff if workers aren’t using the technological tools given to them to the best advantage. An expert explains what needs to be done and how best to approach it. By Colin Phillips
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HR systems shift to the cloud
(October 2010)
With people wanting access to information anytime and anywhere, web-based HR systems are proving to be the way to go. Ulrika Hedquist finds moving to the cloud affords a flexible and cost-effective solution...
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Trends in m-commerce: I want it all, I want it now
(October 2010)
The mobile phone is ubiquitous, personal and connected. that is why retailers, bankers and marketers want to use it for informing, enabling and transacting business. they are succeeding in global markets, but have been slower to make inroads locally. local m-commerce expert Belinda Simcox provides the insights you need to keep up with the play…
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Every map tells a story
(August 2010)
You could call them maps with attitude. They’re maps with business intelligence information overlaid on them and they can provide rich insights into business performance...
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'All you can eat' Broadband - do we really need it?
(July 2010)
New Zealanders will have to stump up $350 each for the planned NZ$1.5 billion UFB network, while Australians will pay nearly $2,000 for their A$43 billion NBN netowrk. The question is: What will we use them for and will it be worth the financial pain? Johanna Bennett takes a look...
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Wallflowers take to the dance floor
(July 2010)
The contact centre is finally coming into its own, as this shy, retiring part of the business becomes increasingly important. Its technology is moving out into the larger business, while internally technology becomes ‘social’ and increasingly sophisticated...
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Social CRM: Hype or Holy Grail?
(April 2010)
Social CRM is the new buzz-phrase. But what does it mean and, more importantly, what can it do for your business? Graham Medcalf investigates...
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Beyond ROI: Business focuses on technology
(April 2010)
A good return on dollars spent on IT in these tough times should be a pre-requisite to investment – right? iStart asked those who know where to find it and got some surprising answers. Johanna Bennett reports...
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Don't make a meal out of food production
(October 2009)
SYSPRO’s tools are allowing UK food manufacturers to better track ingredients and products, controlling recipes and costs...
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Four show the KPI way
(October 2009)
Four Australian manufacturing and supply chain companies describe how business intelligence is helping them measure their activities, including the counting of higher profits. Simon Sharwood explains...
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Cloud services can be as secure as a bank
(October 2009)
Google’s security chief, Eran Feigenbaum, says the cloud can protect data better than many in-house systems, which he likens to a modern-day version of putting ‘cash under the mattress’...
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‘We’re, errr going to use twitter’…business confused?
(October 2009)
You hear this a lot nowadays. It’s usually accompanied by an admission that business doesn’t really understand the social networking phenomenon. The secret to grasping it may lie in evolutionary theory. Johanna Bennett reports...
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Is your website a needy child?
(October 2009)
Building a website customers love starts with avoiding what they hate - and not using it to feed childish internal 'ego' needs, writes Gerry McGovern...
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Five tips for getting to BI heaven
(October 2009)
IBM’s five ‘best practice’ tips will point you towards business intelligence nirvana – and greater profits and cost-containment, according to Big Blue’s Mac Bryla. Johanna Bennett reports...
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Unified Communications: Where's the killer App?
(September 2009)
UC is one of those fuzzy buzz-phrases, but it's slowly becoming a tangible reality. iStart looks at what it is, what it does, and where to find the ROI...By Johanna Bennett
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Beyond the photocopier
(August 2009)
Office copiers have been transformed into business process management tools. We look at some of the offerings available and find out what they can do to make document management easier… and deliver your coffee just so, too…
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Business Process Optimisation flows outside the box
(August 2009)
Versatility of the multi-function device (MFD) is an often-touted benefit by all the major office equipment manufacturers. But how many organisations are using these devices to their full potential and what is actually meant by versatility?
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Small business leads the way with SaaS
(August 2009)
Four companies that sell both SaaS and on-premise solutions point to a hybrid approach developing that bodes well for users. Johanna Bennett reports.
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SaaS the clouds roll in
(August 2009)
Software as a Service (SaaS) is growing in popularity, proving a cheaper alternative to traditional on-premise solutions. Randal Jackson looks at where SaaS is going and why the future is 'cloudy'
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Ten tips for managing performance in a crisis
(May 2009)
Times are tough but by fine-tuning business practices – using a combination of technology and creative management techniques to optimise staff productivity – you can survive, and even thrive, Johanna Bennett writes.
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Beyond CRM: Location intelligence
(April 2009)
CRM is hooking up with geographic information systems and business intelligence to give business an ever-wider window on the world.
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The Internet is calling
(November 2008)
Traditional thinking has been that VoIP-type services for businesses needed to be run over private, dedicated networks rather than across the public internet. But have technological advances made enterprise-grade VoIP and Unified Communication over public networks a reality?
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Honour thy processes! Making BPM work
(November 2008)
The promise of business process management is that it will bring together an organisation’s people, processes and technologies in a cohesive manner and ultimately enhance the business. But what are the secrets to making BPM work? We talk to organisations that have learned through experience.
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Business Intelligence by the numbers
(November 2008)
There's no doubting that a good BI solution can be a highly effective tool for turning a mountain of organisational data into a goldmine of insightful information. But just how well are Australian organisations measuring their businesses and what kind of intelligence is BI really delivering?
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10 ways to recession-proof your business
(November 2008)
When it comes to guiding your business through tough economic times, are you an ostrich, a bull or a fox? Read on to find out how foxes thrive during a recession.
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Get smart! Get out of the office
(August 2008)
Smartphone capabilities and options are constantly evolving. We investigate what today's technology can offer the mobile executive.
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Technology: the missing link in the chain?
(August 2008)
It's possible to gain huge productivity, efficiency and accuracy benefits by using technology to fully integrate your supply chain. So what's holding Australian businesses back?
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It's easy being Green
(August 2008)
With consumer awareness of environmental issues at an all-time high, there is an increasing expectation businesses embrace sustainability principles. To do so will typically make financial sense. Stephen Withers explores eight easily-implementable ways to cut your corporate carbon footprint.
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Extreme ERP: Leveraging your investment
(August 2008)
ERP systems are evolving. Once just glorified backroom accounting tools, they are now integrated solutions spanning a growing number of organisational processes. What are ERP buyers demanding today and how are the vendors delivering?
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A CEO's guide to VoIP/Unified Communication
(May 2008)
Productivity justifications are taking over from costs savings as the main drivers for VoIP and IP Telephony implementations, finds Simon Hendery.
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Why Business Process Management?
(May 2008)
Business Process Management isn’t just about reducing paper. It allows you to re-engineer processes, achieve operational efficiencies and extend workflows to suppliers and customers, as well as breathing new life into legacy systems.
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Business Intelligence goes deep
(May 2008)
As business operations become increasingly more complex, enterprises require enhanced business intelligence at the deepest level - embedded within essential business processes. So how is this accomplished?
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Big vendors get wise to Business Intelligence
(May 2008)
Business Intelligence is now high up on the list of corporate IT priorities but a host of BI acquisitions by major IT vendors last year appears to be changing many aspects of the BI landscape in 2008 – so what will this mean for your business?
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Get the biggest bang for your marketing buck!
(May 2008)
In today’s competitive business environment, giving Sales and Marketing teams the right CRM solution will help them do their jobs better, shorten the sales cycle, enhance first impressions, follow through on all leads with the appropriate resource and generally become more productive. Read on for how.
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CRM that delivers: what you can do NOW to make it work!
(May 2008)
Despite the fortunes being spent on CRM software, if your tools and your people aren’t correctly lined up, you’re probably missing your target. The good news is that working largely with existing technology, you can align people and processes to unlock maximum CRM value.
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Get Smart!
(February 2008)
What is a smartphone and why would you want one? Rob Bridgeman explores the ever evolving world of the smart device.
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Moving on - mobile solutions stack up!
(February 2008)
Having staff moving from job to job more efficiently and transaction information flowing straight into your back-end systems, is the sure fire way to get greater revenue and productivity from your mobile teams. Read on to find out how.
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Business Process Management: a change for the better
(February 2008)
In the ultra-competitive corporate environment, business process management is a powerful tool which shouldn’t be overlooked, writes Gary Collier of PricewaterhouseCoopers.
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Get smart! 3 steps to better Business Intelligence
(February 2008)
Businesses today are continually asking how to cut expenses and improve profitability. Increasingly, a comprehensive Business Intelligence solution is the tool they’re turning to for answers – David McNickel finds out how it’s done.
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Silver bullet? CRM on demand
(January 2008)
Is the software-as-a-service model of delivering CRM just a wave like any other or a Tsunami force your business can’t ignore? CRM expert Trudy Barnett investigates.
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You want CRM with that?
(January 2008)
Having made the decision to get serious about Customer Relationship Management (CRM), what does a business need to do to make the CRM dream a reality? Do you opt for a ERP solution with a built in CRM module – or go for a standalone CRM package? Davd McNickel investigates the options.
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10 ‘must ask’ questions when buying a mid-market ERP solution
(January 2008)
As more ERP vendors focus their offerings at mid-tier organisations, the ERP choices available in this sector can be bewildering. Big brand or small, horizontal or vertical, onsite or virtual? For managers looking to either install, replace or upgrade their systems, these 10 questions should be top-of-mind when making this critical ERP selection decision.
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The seven deadly sins of selecting business systems
(October 2007)
The IT industry has a bad reputation based on the failure rate of its projects. The seeds of project failure are often sown in the selection stage. By avoiding the ‘sins’ highlighted in this white paper you can minimise your chance of becoming another casualty.
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