Are you ready for what technology has in store?

Technology has certainly come a long way over the past two decades, which for some of us doesn’t seem that long ago. Over the years it has played a major role in our lives. It works for us to keep data stored securely, to process information efficiently, and to communicate more conveniently.

Each year I wonder what new technology will be created to make my working day supposedly easier, and how will that affect what I already do? So what are the predictions for technology this year?

Brian Hopkins, an Enterprise Architect Professional for Forrester Research – an American research company, believes that we have moved out of a phase where technology helped us achieve new levels of productivity and are now moving to a phase where technology will shape who we are – and he’s right.

Technological advances are impacting us in everything we do. Think about it, everywhere you go these days people are checking emails on their smart phones; tablets and laptops are an everyday accessory – you can pretty much do work anywhere, anytime - self service is becoming more prevalent and you can shop 24/7 online. Even schools are embracing these new gadgets with 21st century technology appearing on a number of school stationery lists. You can read more of Brian’s article here.

And for the smaller business, there are certainly some trends that will help define your future. A recent online article on the Entrepreneur website by Jonathan Blum talks about how iCloud is moving out of the personal space and is helping businesses share information with each other no matter where they are, and the addition of mobile apps allow you to print documents anywhere. You can even manage those last minute pick ups with the installation of fleet management tools and ‘Gumby screens’ gives a whole new meaning on flexibility. I guess in reality the future possibilities really are endless.

So what technological changes are you planning on introducing this year and how will these help your business succeed?

Keeping that holiday feeling long into the working year!

Many of us make New Year's resolutions and whether we keep them or not are sometimes neither here nor there. Every year I half heartedly commit to losing weight, exercising more and ensuring a better work life balance. Day 5 into work and already I have eaten my lunch at my desk every day. It was when I came across an article by Robyn Pearce (a Time Management consultant based in Auckland) who provided some realistic and easy to implement strategies to simply take some time for you that I became inspired to think I could actually do this!

Whether it be changing your mindset or actually planning some unselfish “me” time into your working week, it all helps to relieve stress and possibly better manage your workload and relationships.

Check out the article and when you’re done, tell us about the ways you manage to keep that holiday feeling alive once you get back to work.

PS For those still on holiday – well done to you for taking the extra break. I hope you manage to stay relaxed for a long time yet.

Merry Christmas

As each year passes many of us look back and ask ourselves “where has the year gone?” 2011 is certainly no different. For businesses caught up in the events in Canterbury, our thoughts have been with you throughout and we wish everyone a successful 2012.

For many of you the work speeds up at this time of year but the redline team is going to take a short break. We will be back in 2012 with a new look. Keep an eye out.

We would like to take a moment to say thank you for your business and have a happy and safe festive season.

It’s that time of year again

The last few weeks before Christmas always seems to be frantic, no matter how prepared you are. In this tough economic climate managing the expectations, both of customers and staff, is always a tricky balancing act. Plus of course, all the business as usual issues still need to be addressed, including the end of the financial year for some.

The New Zealand Retailers Association has put together some guidelines to help businesses get ready for Christmas, including sound advice for all businesses, such as building security. Visit New Zealand Retailers Association.

If you’re still struggling to organise cards or gifts for your customers, we can help you get Christmas sorted with mailing deadlines, gift cards and Christmas cards. Our Send a Card service offers cards which can be personalised, printed and delivered to your customers in 7 working days or less, without you having to leave your desk.

There’s a special Christmas offer, valid up to 15th December 2011, of a $1.00 (GST inclusive) discount on all domestic greeting cards and postcards. Visit Send a Card and enter the promo code ‘REDLINE’ before submitting your order.

How the Copyright Amendment Act could affect you

The Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Amendment Act or “Skynet” law, which aims to stamp out internet piracy, came into force on 1 September this year. We are now just starting to see its effects, with telecommunications companies receiving copyright infringement notices from the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand.

This Act could impact so many different businesses which have internet users. Businesses which have unlocked Wi-Fi accounts eg. shops, cafes, hotels and motels are particularly vulnerable, so it’s worth finding out a bit more about it.

What the new law means

There’s a 'three strikes' regime to stamp out illegal file-sharing. If the three strikes are used up there is potential for a penalty of up to $15,000 and up to a 6 month suspension of the user’s internet account. The law does not apply to cellphone networks until 2013. Harsher penalties could come into force in 2013 if this legislation does not deter illegal downloading.

The process

1. Copyright owners detect an infringement and send the internet account holder’s IP (internet protocol) address to the relevant Internet Service Provider (ISP). This tells the ISP that someone is downloading material, such as films, videos or music, without paying for it through file-sharing.
   
   
2. ISPs send detection notices to those customers telling them that a copyright owner has detected copyright infringement on the customer’s internet account.
   
   
3. If there is a second infringement within 28 days to nine months after the initial infringement a warning notice is triggered.
   
   
4. If there is a third infringement within 28 days to nine months after the second infringement, an enforcement notice is triggered. The copyright owner can then apply to the Copyright Tribunal for a penalty to be imposed on the account holder of up to $15,000. The copyright owner can also apply to the District Court for an order suspending the account holder’s internet account for up to 6 months.
   
   
5. Internet account holders can challenge these notices, through their ISP, but the notices will stand unless withdrawn by the copyright owner.

If you'd like more information, visit New Zealand Legislation.