Do you feel disrupted? Ten tech trends that defined 2021

Before we flop onto a beach towel to recover from another exhausting year living in the shadow of Covid, it's worth reflecting on a remarkable year in the world of technology.

‘Hope is not lost’ – 2021 saw governments start to take cybersecurity seriously

Microsoft’s Digital Defence Report for 2021 is a sobering read. Over its 134 pages, it catalogues the sophisticated playbook of a global network of cybercriminals. 

Bosses – don’t turn into Big Brother in the era of hybrid working

As employers get to grips with staff working from home on a regular basis, there’s the potential for bosses to take on the characteristics of Big Brother.

AI is growing up – four key trends transforming its use in business

Artificial intelligence has come a long way in the last few years, making meaningful contributions to automating mundane and time-consuming tasks and generating insights for data-driven decision making.

What Amazon’s $7.5 billion investment means for NZ’s cloud computing market

It’s a rare event to see a multinational tech company announce a multibillion-dollar investment in New Zealand.

The hybrid dilemma – navigating Delta and the great work reshuffle

When you are the biggest software company in the world, employing 180,000 employees and touting a product line-up of hybrid working tools, the pandemic is a perfect opportunity to eat your own dog food.

Fortinet’s plan to train one million cybersecurity workers

Cybersecurity specialist Fortinet has pledged to train one million people in five years in a bid to help meet a global cybersecurity skills gap.

Government IT, financial services the highlights in post-pandemic IT spending

When it came to the digital transformation required for society and the economy to function through the Covid-19 pandemic, we went ‘hard and early’ in our part of the world, to borrow the Prime Minister’s phrase.

Legacy tech is dragging down our mid-sized businesses – Forrester

We’ve heard it so many times over the course of the last 18 months - the pandemic has sparked a wave of digital transformation in businesses, the likes of which we’ve never seen before.

Technology can help us tackle the seemingly insurmountable climate challenge – here’s how

It should serve as the global wake-up call we need, a meticulously researched report from the world’s top climate scientists that suggests the world is driving towards a cliff with our foot planted firmly on the accelerator.

Big Tech just got much bigger – what to learn from their record profits

Microsoft’s Cloud PC and other big news from Inspire 2021 – what it all means for partners

Microsoft always likes to have something big and exciting to wow its partners and it was no different at Inspire 2021 as the software giant revealed an intriguing twist on its flagship operating system, Windows.

Open banking is coming – what it means for data-driven businesses

A move by the Government to mandate a Consumer Data Right could make switching providers easier and spur innovation in delivering data-driven services.

Make data work for you in the ‘age of insight’ – HPE Discover 2021

The pandemic, more than anything else in recent years, has confirmed that data can inform better decision making, often with life-saving results.

Windows 11 revealed – 5 things you need to know about the new operating system

ANALYSIS: With Windows 11, Microsoft is aiming for a sleeker, less-intrusive operating system that throws the door open to mobile app developers seeking access to the world’s most popular operating system.

Ransomware attacks are causing real damage – how to avoid the worst-case scenario

No one should give in to criminals’ ransomware demands. Investing upfront in security and employee education to avoid facing that awful dilemma will serve you well.

App modernisation: Everyone is doing it but how do you do it well?

Every organisation has its own unique story of digital transformation undertaken in the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic.

How to rely less on sales unicorns and get more rigour into your sales processes

Techweek 21: While traditional marketing channels are reopening, Kiwi tech companies’ over-reliance on star salespeople needs to give way to a more systematic approach.

IBM banks on hybrid cloud and AI to get it back into growth mode

IBM’s Think 2021 virtual event this week was dominated by talk of artificial intelligence as a key tool of digital transformation and the company’s efforts to position itself as the lead player in hybrid cloud offerings.

Deal to streamline government uptake of SaaS – Q&A with TechnologyOne CEO Ed Chung

It’s been working with our local and central government agencies on software projects for years. 

Using Microsoft 365 in the public sector – what every CIO and information manager needs to know

If you want to live in a fair and just democracy, you need to be able to examine how decisions are made by the public agencies that represent our interests.

How to… 5 steps to avoid your web applications getting hacked

2021 has gotten off to an ominous start on the cybersecurity front, with a continuation of the more sophisticated hacking attacks that culminated in December with revelations about the major SolarWinds exploit.

Microsoft Ignite: Five key developments from the world’s largest software maker

Microsoft’s holographic video system Azure Mesh provided the sizzle at Microsoft’s virtual developer conference, but the underlying message was all about the accelerating power of working in the cloud.

Overcoming Covid technical debt: If it doesn’t bring you joy, ditch it!

With half of IT managers across Australasia admitting they are struggling with the legacy of IT systems hastily assembled during the pandemic, it's time to get out of the shadow of Covid technical debt.

Expectations versus reality – why some Cloud projects don’t realise their full potential

Why do some Cloud projects fail to achieve their expected outcomes? Accenture's latest research looks at the barriers to success in cloud migration projects and what Kiwi companies can do to overcome them.

BNZ to join Fonterra as anchor tenant in new Azure region

Microsoft has another anchor tenant lined up for the new data centre region it will open here, with BNZ moving in as part of a major cloud migration push at the bank.

Who is… Andy Jassy, Amazon’s new CEO

Jeff Bezos, the world’s richest man, is relinquishing his grip on day to day oversight of the e-commerce giant he created. His replacement has big shoes to fill and a background steeped in cloud computing.

Upscaling your ideas – Advice from the big players

Whether you’re a developer or business owner, today’s innovation is much more than just updating a piece of software. Here are four tips from Google, Yahoo! and Amazon leaders on building a more holistic programme.

3 examples of proven R&D value add to the start-up lifecycle

A formal R&D function adds great value to any aspirational organisation.

Reimagining ways of working and collaboration – Deptive launches its Modern Workplace practice

A track record of enabling digital transformation and a deep experience of Microsoft’s productivity and collaboration applications will underpin a new Modern Workplace practice at digital workspace specialist, Deptive.