SQL Server 2022 general availability and price increase

Microsoft have announced the availability date and price increase for SQL Server 2022. We break it all down for you.

Hybrid work is just work. Are we doing it wrong?

In the latest Work Trend Index Pulse Report from Microsoft, new data points to three urgent pivots for leaders to help employees and organisations thrive.

Mind the GDAP: bulk migration tool available til October 31st

If the whole DAP/GDAP transition has you scratching your head, don’t worry. We go through what it all means, what you need to do and why this is actually a very good change of policy from Microsoft.

Podcast: What will the new Microsoft Data Centre mean for the country – and your business?

Umbrellar CEO David Howden and Head of Business Operations Nadia Phillips took some time out to talk to Microsoft's Patrick Quesnel and Jimmy Kerr about the upcoming launch of the new Microsoft datacenter region in New Zealand. Are you ready for it?

Podcast: Umbrellar have joined the Pax8 family

CEO Dave Howden and Head of Business Operations Nadia Phillips share the background story behind the recently announced purchase of New Zealand company Umbrellar Cloud Ltd by US-based cloud technology distributor Pax8.

Who is Pax8?

Pax8 recently announced the acquisition of Umbrellar, the New Zealand award-winning, services-led Microsoft Cloud Solutions Provider. So what does this mean for the Aotearoa New Zealand cloud ecosystem in general - and Umbrellar and their customers in particular? We go through the background and unpack why this is a win-win for everyone.

New Zealand’s cloud adoption curve

Want to understand the trends that are shaping New Zealand's cloud transformation? CCL commissioned independent research firm Perceptive to conduct a direct primary research survey of 425 leading technology decision-makers across New Zealand.

It’s not all about the public cloud – Chorus eyes up market for edge computing services

The Courtenay Place telephone exchange in central Wellington is like a living museum charting the history of telecommunications in our country.

How Kubernetes is leveling the tech playing field

It’s no secret that the technology industry is in the midst of a serious skills shortage. For example, researchers estimate that Australia will need another 156,000 new technology workers by 2025 to capitalise on a $10b economic growth opportunity, and New Zealand is in a comparable position.

Spark subsidiary taps Amazon Connect to help deliver contact centres in the cloud

Digital Island will draw on the scalability and attractive cost structure of Amazon Connect as it helps customers set up "omnichannel" cloud-based contact centres.

HPE’s top tips for digital transformation for SMBs

The old motto of “doing more with less” has never been more important, as the pandemic shifts the business world towards a more mobile workforce and forces companies to rapidly increase their focus on digital transformation.

From mussel buoys to rubbish bins – Spark’s ambitions for its IoT network

Spark's new innovation studio serves as a showcase of technology harnessing IoT and mobile networks to collect data in real-time to inform better decision making.

7 Azure Cloud benefits for SMEs

There are well established rationales for moving to the Cloud, the benefits of which vary based on organisation size or objectives.

The Cloud – Why are we still not getting it?

Some are still missing the mark when it comes to the Cloud. Damon Kelly, of Enlighten Designs, outlines his vision for the future.

The role of the state in technological leadership – a New Zealand perspective

As we enter what the World Economic Forum has termed the Fourth Economic Revolution, New Zealand’s future prosperity is highly dependent on its ability to adopt technology and engage with technological solutions. Government doesn’t tend to be as agile as business, but future government is being pressured to keep up.

A multi-billion dollar boost to the economy if we embrace the cloud – Xero

Research from NZIER and Xero suggests billions in productivity gains could be achieved by accelerating businesses' move to the cloud - but businesses may need incentives to speed up the migration.

Efficiency, accountability and trust: Connecting a remote workforce over Teams

Covid-19 was a wake-up call for premium meat supplier First Light, but its business was quickly propelled forward using tech that – they discovered – had been with them all along.

What it takes to keep healthcare up and running in a pandemic

Mobile Mentor is a New Zealand-led international enterprise mobility solutions provider, with some critical healthcare service clients.

Wearables for social distancing – what will it look like, who will use them?

In many countries, staying apart from one another remains critical to counter the current pandemic.

Gisborne District Council’s new intranet improves communication with Office 365 and Information Leadership

Gisborne District Council (GDC) is a local government authority based in the North Island of New Zealand. Information Leadership partnered with GDC to deliver an intranet on their existing Office 365 platform. This sets them up to take advantage of the Office 365 toolset and incorporate cloud technology enhancements as required. The purpose of the project was to improve communication and bring staff together.

Engaging and empowering staff in a new work world

The question top of mind for many business leaders: how can they keep their remote employees engaged and invested? After all, as the pandemic pushes us towards new ways of working, the steps business take now could impact how they fare into the future.

Our Head of Cloud on adjusting to the new normal

Podcaster Hamish Webber interviews Umbrellar's Head of Cloud, David Howden, on how Umbrellar is adjusting to the new pandemic-responsive working landscape.

De-stress your mind with these 5 tech hacks

Even with our work computers a more permanent feature in our homes, it’s still important that we maintain effective strategies for looking after our mental health. Here are some practical ways to use technology that’ll boost your inner calm.

Scott Arrol, of NZHIT, shares the latest on the HealthTech sector

What's the latest on NZHIT and the digital transformation journey for local GPs?

LIC future proof technology platform with Microsoft Azure

Murray Polson – Meaningful health

Evidence-based HealthTech is the approach of the future, but are New Zealand companies keeping up? Listen to Dave and Murray Polson (Managing Director at Erudite Group) chat about's behind a passionate health technologist and what's next for health digitisation and modernisation. Erudite’s HealthTech approach is heavily rooted in epidemiology: the study of how health exists within specific communities.

Brislen Communications – down the rabbit hole

Leading tech commentator and communications head at Umbrellar, Paul Brislen, and Dave Howden talk strategic communications. They delve into the changing industry, proactive communications, influencers, social media regulation, and the role of the reader.

Microsoft role-based certification roadmap

Microsoft Certifications are the industry's premier credentials - but with so many options, it can be difficult to know where to start and focus your energy.

NZHIT – Enabling a healthier New Zealand

Scott Arrol, CEO of NZHIT talks to Dave Howden about health, digital, and the imperative to cut costs and improve the quality of patient care.

A chat with Walkerscott – Finding meaningful data

Join Blair Scott and Paul Knox as they talk to Dave Howden about the changes Walkerscott have seen since their inception: IOT and the collection of future looking data, getting your organizational data in order, and the buzz around bees.