Australian small businesses are leading the charge in providing workplace flexibility, according to new global research from Remote, a leading global HR platform for distributed companies. 

With 69% of Australian businesses experiencing increased demand for flexible work options among employees in the last six months, the survey reveals how important flexibility is becoming to Australian talent. More than half (60%) of hiring leaders say their employers have lost employees to organisations who are less tied to traditional office hours and locations in the last six months.

The Global Workforce Report, which is based on an international survey with more than 4,000 business leaders of companies across 10 countries including 506 leaders from Australia, delivers a positive view of the current state of global companies. More than three-quarters (76%) of Australian businesses report having seen their workforce numbers swell over the past year, which is higher than the global average (73%). Other counties with notable growth include Germany (86%), the UK (81%), and the USA (72%).

SMBs writing the playbook on remote work

In Australia, flexible working hours and remote work are offered by 39% and 32% of businesses respectively. However, small businesses and small-medium enterprises are significantly more likely to offer these perks. 

Most businesses with 1-9 employees (83%) and 10-49 employees (72%) offer flexible working hours, in comparison to only 41% of businesses with 250-499 employees and 53% of businesses with 50-100 employees. Similarly, remote work is currently offered at 69% of businesses with 49 employees or less, and less than a third of businesses with 250-499 employees (27%) and 500-1,000 employees (33%). 

Workplace flexibility drives productivity and company performance

Global workforces are growing quickly, and it is not just people’s desire for better life-work balance driving this growth. Companies are increasingly reaping the business benefits of flexible working models, including expanding their hiring options. The research found that, in Australia, an increase in productivity (40%) and improved business performance (29%) were two primary benefits that respondents attributed to operating remotely. This stands in contrast to the view of some high-profile organisations, who have introduced RTO (Return to Office) practices citing productivity as a reason for their move.

When asked about the impact remote working has on employees, 35% of companies said it increased employee satisfaction and 28% highlighted remote work as being crucial to an enhanced life-work balance for employees. 

Finding candidates with the right skills is a challenge all companies face alike, with about a third of Australian businesses (31%) citing this as their biggest hiring challenge. Remote companies are leaning more towards hiring freelancers, with 48% looking for freelance or contractor talent in the last year as their workforce grew, in comparison to only 40% of office-based businesses. 

The report also found that companies with mainly or fully remote workforces faced a range of challenges including:

• Managing compliance issues with international labour laws (74%)
• Managing remote teams (78%)
• Increased costs associated with remote technology implementation (75%)
• Assessing cultural fit of remote candidates (77%)
• Receiving AI-generated resumes with false information (77%)

However, this stands in contrast to the majority (82%) who were able to reduce office space due to implementing remote or hybrid models successfully. 

“We have only just begun writing the playbook on remote work and will need to work together to identify and tackle these challenges,” explains Job van der Voort, CEO and co-founder at Remote. “This data echoes what we hear from many of our customers – the benefits of flexible and remote work far exceed the challenges. We believe that distributed work is paving the way to a more successful, balanced and fair business world and are committed to helping other companies in adopting flexible work and attract great talent from everywhere.”

Adobe has for years owned the photo and video editing software crown but for small business justifying the cost of the full packages is prohibitive. Assuming that you are not a professional in the photography field then the Adobe Elements 2025 package may just be to solution to bring your small business imagery to life. Priced at $220 for a 3 year license for both a photo editing and video editing package this is great value.

Adobe continue to add new AI features to make editing and creating amazing photos and videos easy for anyone. 

With the latest releases, you can explore new ways to combine pics and remove objects, create depth, and easily change colors in your photos or discover new text styling and color grading options for your videos. Share your favorites in popular Reels, collages and slideshows. Organise it all with automated features and use the web and mobile companion apps (beta) to create wherever you are. 

See what’s new in Adobe Elements 2025 below: 

Adobe Photoshop Elements 2025 

Simply brush to remove objects. 

Make anything disappear in seconds with the new AI-powered Remove tool and the Object Removal Guided Edit. 

Add realistic depth of field with precise control. 

Choose your focal point and the new AI-powered Depth Blur filter automatically adds blur just where it’s needed. Then adjust details like blur strength, focal distance, and focal range for the perfect look. 

Change the color of any object. 

Just use the automatic selection tools to choose what you want to change, pick your new color, and refine to suit your style. 

Seamlessly combine multiple pics. 

Blend the subject from one, the background from another, and elements from many more to create a never-before-seen image with the new Combine Photos Guided Edit. 

Create motion effects with four new Quick Actions. 

With just one click, create a sense of camera motion or add animated sparkles, a blinking heart, or an animated frame. 

Create with modern textures and graphics. 

Add a designer’s touch with new textured photo backgrounds and embellish creations, social images, and more with fun graphics. 

Grow your skills along the way with Guided Edits 

Make simple adjustments, custom creations, or eye-catching effects with 59 step-by-step Guided Edits in Photoshop Elements 2025. 

Apple M3 chip support. 

With full support for the new Apple M3 systems, you’ll enjoy faster performance on Mac computers. 

Adobe Premiere Elements 2025 

Create dynamic titles with more text controls. 

Choose from new eye-catching templates, and style your text to match your story with new controls for alignment, size, direction, color, spacing, and more. 

Get your colors just right. 

Ensure that clouds, snow, and other white details look truly white using the new White Balance tool, and make precise color and brightness adjustments to your whole scene or specific areas using new color correction Curves. 

Adjust footage color with LUTs. 

Create a new mood or aesthetic by automatically transforming your color scheme with these presets or import and apply your own. 

Edit faster with a simplified Timeline. 

See video tracks grouped together, and audio tracks grouped together for easier navigation, find the editing options you use most in the new Quick Tools menu, lock individual tracks to prevent accidental changes, and more. 

Access free Adobe Stock title templates. 

Choose from lots of free, professionally designed templates thanks to new Adobe Stock integration right inside Premiere Elements. 

Easily build your skills with a redesigned Guided Edit experience 

Choose from one of many Guided Edits for your videos, and then just follow along to make quick fixes or add creative effects, smooth transitions, or eye-catching animations. 

Apple M3 chip support. 

With full support for the new Apple M3 systems, you’ll enjoy faster performance on Mac computers. 

Web and Mobile Companion Apps (beta) 

Add creative flair to photos in the web companion app 

Add overlays that move or frame your subject to create depth. Change backgrounds automatically, enhance with patterns, adjust your photos’ looks, and more. Make collages and slideshows. Access and view your edited Elements photos and videos from any browser and share the way you like. 

Do one-click photo fixes and more in the mobile companion app 

Add fun pattern overlays, and use sliders to adjust light, color, and effects. Crop, straighten, remove backgrounds, improve tone, and more with one-click Quick Actions. Plus, bring in pics from a wide range of files and folders on your phone, and view creations from Elements Web. 

Auto-sync your photos and videos to enjoy them anywhere 

Sync across the Elements Organiser and the web and mobile companion apps making it easy to access your mobile media on all of your devices. 

Note — The Web and Mobile companion apps are available in English, French, German and Japanese. 

Owners of small and medium businesses experiencing growth in their organisations can now apply for the American Express Business Gold Plus Card, designed to support their everyday business needs, while providing access to richer rewards for spending in categories they frequently use, such as marketing, accounting and technology services.  

The American Express Business Gold Plus Card features embedded benefits with five major providers, delivering up to $550 worth of annual credits each year for spending with Xero, Google Ads, Meta, Amazon Web Services and Dellⁱ.  

Card Members also have the ability to earn accelerated Membership Rewardsⁱⁱ points on spending for activitiesⁱⁱⁱ, including: 

• 3x points earned per $1 spend at Xero, Google Ads, Meta, Amazon Web Services and Dell; 

• 2 x points earned per $1 spend on AccessLine®^iv; 

• 1.5x points earned per $1 on everyday spend; and 

• 1x point earned per $1 spend on Government, including the ATO. 

Kiely Potter, Vice President of Commercial Account Development and Client Onboarding at American Express, said, “The American Express Business Gold Plus Card is designed to help small and medium-sized business owners make big plans for growth whilst managing their cashflow.   

“The accelerated earn rate for Membership Rewards points in categories where these Card Members regularly make business purchases will enable their everyday business spending to go further, and our cashflow management features embedded in the Card give them the financial flexibility they need.”   

The American Express Business Gold Plus Card includes features that help support business owners’ cash flow-management needs, such as no preset spending limit^v, Flexible Payment Option^vi, and up to 55 days to pay for purchases. It also comes with the ability to make payments to virtually any supplier in Australia even if they don’t accept Card payments with AccessLine®, a payment portal allowing approved Card Members to use their American Express Card to pay directly into their supplier’s bank account. 

The Card is forged from sleek metal and comes with an option of two complimentary employee cards, giving more opportunities to earn Membership Rewards from business spending. It also comes with premium travel benefits including 11 airline rewards partners, hotels and car rental offers, and complimentary travel insurance.  

The American Express Business Gold Plus Card has an annual fee of $395. 

The Business Gold Plus Card reaffirms Amex’s commitment to backing Australian small businesses. The new Card enables business growth by providing tangible business benefits and rich value, underpinned by the trust, security and service that comes with American Express. 

For more information visit https://www.americanexpress.com/en-au/credit-cards/business-gold-plus-card/ 

On the back of the recently launched AQUILA PRO AI M30 AX3000 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Systems, D-Link ANZ has expanded the Aquila Pro range with its new AQUILA PRO AI M60 AX6000 Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Systems. These high-performance Mesh Systems, available as a Single / Add-on Unit, a 2-Pack and a 3-Pack, continue the engineering focus on addressing the three most common pain points of Wi-Fi users: coverage, speed, and usability, but to the next level. Featuring built-in AI technology, the AQUILA PRO M60 AX6000 Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Systems are set to continue the revolution of the home networking experience. 

Drawing inspiration from M30 and the Aquila constellation (Latin for eagle), the M60’s design concept continues the unique evolution of traditional router design. The AQUILA PRO AI M60 boasts an elegant, wall-mountable design to seamlessly blend with any decor and its five upgraded internal antennas provide even wider, more spherical coverage, making the M60 the ideal centrepiece for every connected home.  

The D-Link AQUILA PRO AI M60 Wi-Fi 6 3-Pack Mesh System 

As part of “D-Link Green”, D-Link’s long-running environmental initiative, the AQUILA PRO AI M60 also closely adheres to green design principles. The chassis is made from post-consumer recycled (PCR) material, promoting environmental sustainability. The packaging uses 99% natural plant-based Mineral Oil Free (MOF) ink and the gift box design reduces printing ink usage by over 55%. The M60 also leverages the Wi-Fi 6 Target Wake Time (TWT) feature to reduce power consumption and offers a health mode that automatically turns the router into an ultra-low power standby mode during the night ensuring energy efficiency. 

Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice control, users can effortlessly manage their smart home. The AQUILA PRO AI M60 masterfully combines aesthetics and functionality, providing a hassle-free Wi-Fi solution that delivers seamless connectivity, lightning-fast speeds, and high levels of usability across your home network. 

The D-Link AQUILA PRO AI M60 Wi-Fi 6 2-Pack Mesh System 

The AQUILA PRO AI M60 AX6000 Wi-Fi Mesh Systems use a special antenna array designed to extend a stronger Wi-Fi signal, boosting spherical coverage and eliminating dead zones. The Single / Add-On M60 provides coverage up to 280 square metres, whilst the 2-Pack M60 Wi-Fi- Mesh System covers a home up to 510 square metres, and the 3-Pack M60 AX6000 Wi-Fi Mesh System covers a simply enormous 740 square metres, delivering seamless Wi-Fi connectivity for more devices throughout even the largest of homes. 

Powered by Wi-Fi 6 technology, the AQUILA PRO AI M60 delivers extreme speeds of up to 6Gbps, supporting 160MHz bandwidth, along with a 2.5G Internet WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports supporting wired devices such as smart TVs, gaming consoles, and PCs. As a result, the M60 ensures ultra-fast Wi-Fi or Wired connections, even when the entire family is online. 
 
The AQUILA PRO AI M60 employs innovative AI technology, including an AI Wi-Fi Optimiser, AI Mesh Optimiser and AI Traffic Optimiser to ensure superior Wi-Fi performance for all your devices. The AI Wi-Fi Optimiser selects the optimal channel for each connected device, minimising interference, whilst the AI Mesh Optimiser provides fast and reliable network coverage using auto path selection and self-healing capabilities. AI Traffic Optimiser guarantees uninterrupted 4K/8K video streaming and video calling with AI-based QoS technology, ensuring a seamless and uninterrupted experience.  

The AQUILA PRO AI M60 complies with the latest WPA3 encryption and IEC 62443-4-1 standards, safeguarding your network against unauthorised access. It also offers parental controls and separate guest networks to ensure the security of all home Wi-Fi devices. 
 

AQUILA PRO AI M60 Mesh Systems are designed to enable you to effortlessly set up your Wi-Fi network and manage it with the intuitive AQUILA PRO AI App. The AI Assistant monitors network performance and provides weekly reports, even when you are away from home, making it a hassle-free and convenient experience. 

M60 AX6000 Wi-Fi 6 Mesh Systems key features 

• Eco-friendly Design: With a housing made from post-consumer recycled materials and delivered in sustainable packaging, the M60 was designed to reduce its environmental impact 

• Refined Aesthetics: Boasting an eagle-inspired form and a unique feather-patterned ventilation design, the M60 seamlessly complements any home décor 

• Rapid Connectivity: Revel in speeds up to 6Gbps with an extra antenna on the faster 5GHz band, assuring seamless video streaming, video conferencing, and smooth gaming 

• Uninterrupted Wi-Fi Everywhere: Enjoy robust 360° spherical coverage courtesy of a sophisticated antenna design and advanced AI technology, ensuring fast and consistent Wi-Fi in every corner of your home 

• Scale-as-you-need Mesh: Futureproof your network and easily expand your coverage by adding more AQUILA PRO AI devices to create a whole home Mesh network 

• Ultra-Fast Gigabit Wired Connections: 1 × 2.5G WAN port plus 4 × Gigabit LAN ports allow you to make fast and reliable connections to wired devices like smart TVs, gaming PCs and more 

• Help Protect Your Home Network: Help keep your family safer online with our premium home network security features like Advanced Parental Controls, ETSI EN 303 645 cybersecurity certification and WPA3 encryption 

• Simplified Setup and Management: The intuitive AQUILA PRO AI app helps guide you through setup and monitors your network to help you keep it running at peak performance. 

The AQUILA PRO AI M60 AX6000 Wi-Fi Mesh Systems are available in Australia now from www.dlink.com.au as either a Single / Add-on Unit (RRP $329.95), a 2-Pack (RRP AUD$579.95) or as a 3-Pack (RRP AUD$799.95) and from all authorised D-Link partners and retailers. 

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has unveiled the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S10+, Samsung’s first tablets purposefully built for AI¹. The premium hardware includes 14.6-inch and 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays² — the ideal canvas for the intuitive S Pen bundled with both models.  

Performance upgrades for the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra include an 18% increase in CPU, 28% increase in GPU, and 14% increase in NPU compared to the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S9+ models³. 

This improved processing power enables faster and more responsive AI features, which are now easily accessible with written prompts using the new Galaxy AI Key⁴ on the Book Cover Keyboards⁵ to customise AI assistant. Cutting-edge software includes features such as Note Assist and Drawing Assist, optimized for the tablet form factor. The Galaxy Tab S10 series also acts as a home AI device, with a 3D Map View⁶ that gives a visual overview of the home and all connected devices to streamline device management across the SmartThings ecosystem. Robust Samsung Knox security ensures data privacy and control, while innovative materials underscore Samsung’s commitment to a more sustainable future. 

“The Galaxy Tab S10 series is Samsung’s first tablet built with AI enhancements available right out of the box, and it’s the latest addition to the Galaxy AI family,” said MC Lee, VP, Head of Galaxy Ecosystems Business Team, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “We’re proud to add to our seamless ecosystem of connected devices, bringing versatile experiences that only an AI tablet can offer through the Galaxy Tab S10 series’ blend of power and portability.” 

Peak Performance on the Go 

Built on Samsung’s legacy of providing powerful experiences, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S10+ harness significant leaps in AI processing power to deliver a supercharged, reduced lag experience. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra includes an 18% increase in CPU, 28% increase in GPU, and 14% increase in NPU compared to the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra⁷. Coupled with long-lasting battery life⁸ and Super-Fast Charging⁹, the Galaxy Tab S10 series allows the device to be used for longer, with less time spent waiting for it to charge. 

Elegant Build Quality, Mesmerizing Display 

The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra’s 14.6-inch display and Galaxy Tab S10+’s 12.4-inch display¹⁰ both feature cutting-edge Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology and offer a vibrant yet natural viewing experience, even outdoors. Details remain clear with the anti-reflective coating¹¹, minimizing distracting glare and reducing reflection rate. The series’ quad speaker setup is further enhanced with AI-powered Dialogue Boost¹², which amplifies voices over unwanted noise to help create ultra-clear audio. And for use on the go, the Galaxy Tab S10 series offers uncompromised durability with an IP68 rating¹³ further protected by enhanced Armour Aluminium¹⁴ — built to handle bumps and scraped to use anytime, anywhere. 

Work Smarter, Achieve True Creativity 

The Galaxy Tab S10 series offers an efficient experience — enhancing productivity —and serves as the ideal canvas to let out your creative side. 

• With Note Assist¹⁵ and the intuitive S Pen, notetaking is a breeze on the tablet’s large display. Schoolwork, note-taking, and personal journaling become more efficient with automated transcriptions and summaries provided by AI. With PDF Overlay Translation¹⁶, the Galaxy Tab S10 series can also seamlessly translate PDFs via an on-screen overlay.  

• Galaxy AI’s Sketch to Image¹⁷ makes the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra perfect for turning imagination into reality, acting as the ideal creative assistant for overcoming mental roadblocks.  

• With Circle to Search¹⁸ with Google on the Galaxy Tab S10 series, you can Circle to Search anything without switching apps. Instantly translate anything you see on your tablet with Google. Without switching apps, you can translate images, video or text in two taps. Quickly get the info you need, then get right back to what you’re doing.  

• The Galaxy S Pen’s Air Command with AI provides instant access to Galaxy AI Assistant features without toggling between menus. AI Assistant apps can also be easily launched by the Galaxy AI Key on the Book Cover Keyboard¹⁹ with written prompts, making it easier for users to choose between Samsung’s Bixby and Google’s Gemini²⁰ for a customised AI experience. 

Intelligent Home Device 

Galaxy Tab S10 doubles as a Galaxy home AI device, simplifying device management. With large screen-optimized features such as 3D Map View, it’s easy to see status and take control of SmartThings-enabled devices via the SmartThings widget²¹. Users can also enable SmartThings Energy and AI Energy Mode to easily monitor their devices’ energy consumption. Galaxy AI doesn’t just enhance life on the go, it also takes the stress out of home life. 

The Galaxy Ecosystem, Secure and Expanded 

The Galaxy Tab S10 series expands Galaxy’s unique connected experience and third-party app ecosystem, offering new and enhanced apps. The Tab S10 series provides access to leading third-party apps including Goodnotes, LumaFusion, Noteshelf3, Clip Studio Paint, PicsArt and Sketchbook²². Users can easily control speeds and add dramatic visual effects when editing videos on LumaFusion or seamlessly create content for social media PicsArt’s AI design tools. With the Galaxy Tab S10 series’ extensive third-party app ecosystem, there’s something for everyone. 

Samsung is committed to providing users with choice and control over their devices and their data. With Advanced Intelligence settings, users can choose to disable online data processing to ensure their data remains on-device.²³ Samsung Knox’s real-time threat detection and collaborative protection keeps users safe, so they can live life to the fullest. 

The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S10+ will be available from 10 October 2024 and offered in one colour: Moonstone Grey.  

With the tax return deadline just one month away (31 October), Hnry – Australasia’s leading digital accounting service for sole traders – is sharing the 5 most common mistakes during tax return time that self-employed Aussies should avoid at tax time.  

Tax season can be particularly time-consuming, complicated (and boring) for sole traders who have the added headache of handling their own taxes. Hnry’s research shows that the average independent earner spends 8 hours and $1,000 preparing their tax return, alongside 7 hours every week on tax and financial admin – with many putting off the burden until the last minute.  

But there’s still time for the nation’s 1.5m sole traders to get their shop in order before the deadline.

Hnry shares the 5 most common mistakes during tax return time:  

1. Not knowing your dates: Here’s the important dates to know to ensure you don’t miss out on important milestones or confuse which financial year your expenses and income fall under: 

·       1 July 2023 – 30 June 2024: The 2023/24 financial year which the upcoming tax return covers. Any deductible business expenses must be from within this period.  

·       1 July 2024: Beginning of the new 2024/25 financial year. Any expenses incurred after this will have to be lodged in next year’s tax return.  

·       31 October 2024: Tax return due if you’re lodging by yourself.  

·       15 of May 2025: Tax return due if you’re lodging through a tax agent / accountant. 

2. Miscalculating income and tax owed: If you have multiple income streams it can be particularly tricky to figure out exactly how much tax to set aside and could result in an unexpected tax bill. Tax calculators designed specifically for sole traders exist to help you get it right.  
3. Missing out on claimable tax deductions: Hnry research shows that the average sole trader misses out on over $5,500 in unclaimed expenses each year, with 33% saying it’s because they’re not sure what they can and can’t claim. Familiarise yourself with eligible deductions—such as home office costs, travel, and professional development—to maximise your refund. 

4. Forgetting your Super: If you’re one of the sole traders who have made concessional superannuation contributions each year, you could claim these as a tax deduction – another way to reduce the amount of tax you pay in your return.  
5. Not claiming all your vehicle expenses: If you travelled less than 5,000km for business in your car, you could claim a fixed amount per kilometer. This only applies to vehicles under one ton and holding fewer than nine passengers, so do your research to see if you’re eligible. 

Koton Kraft specialises in providing printed homewares for Australian small businesses and artists. Their team takes great pleasure in collaborating with designers, helping them transform their artwork into exquisite textile and paper giftware ranges. Recently, the company decided to take its offering to a completely new level by purchasing the award-winning and revolutionary Epson Monna Lisa ML-8000 for direct-to-textile printing. 

Koton Kraft’s Karan Singh Mehroke explained, “We value the craftsmanship, dedication and time invested by our creative customers and we reciprocate this by applying the same level of care and attention to their projects. Our previous fabric printers were particularly slow and inefficient when compared to the ML-8000 which is a reference standard for textile industry. The flexibility and productivity this printer provides made it the right choice for us in an increasingly dynamic market, which demands swift responses to shifting needs.”

Epson ML-8000 direct-to-fabric printer in use at Koton Kraft

Koton Kraft brings unique designs to life on fabric. Whether from a designer, artist or boutique shop owner they cater to specific printing needs and create stunning, one-of-a-kind textile products.

Mehroke continued, “The ML-8000 makes it possible to cost efficiently print directly onto fabric and do short run customised fabric printing in Australia. This opens up many doors for artists and creatives to market their designs and garments as 100% Australian sourced, designed and printed. No need for costly offshore printing any longer. It’s also an incredibly efficient machine taking only two hours to print what two of our older machines would take over ten hours to print. This means major cost savings within the production process.”

Epson ML-8000 direct-to-fabric printer in use at Koton Kraft

Koton Kraft’s purchase of the Epson ML-8000 printer came from basic commercial requirements and the desire to grow their business as Mehroke explained, “Artists needed a faster turnaround on their orders. They demanded higher quality products printed on a wider variety of materials and a machine that could make colours pop. The finished products also needed to do justice to their art. In addition, we were looking to grow our business into new areas whilst reducing our costs and making the production process easier for our machine operators. After doing a full assessment and review of all available options we concluded there was only one printer that meets all of these requirements and that is the Epson ML-8000.”

Epson ML-8000 direct-to-fabric printer

Koton Kraft also had strict production requirements around colour vibrancy, speed of output, the ability to handle diverse materials and roll to roll fabric, print quality, ease of use and agreeable ergonomics.

Mehroke added, “The Epson ML-8000 printer is an 8-colour machine that is easy to use and requires very little maintenance. There is reduced wastage of media compared to existing printing machines and the colours are great on finished products. We print our designs onto fabric and cut out our products as per order specs. The ML-8000 not only enables us to test and prototype new ranges of products for clients, but when we do the artwork looks amazing due to its superior print quality.”

Typical projects Koton Kraft use the ML-8000 printer for include napery, yardage, home textiles and fashionwear. For each of these artists brief the company on their concept and colour choices leaving Koton Kraft to select the appropriate colour profiling.

Mehroke added, “The ML-8000 complements our process and workflow perfectly. The high speed of the machine, the way you load material, the quality of print, the flexibility in colour and the variety of materials it allows us to offer are all great. It also comes with Epson’s excellent after sales service, which made it easy for us to integrate the printer into our business, giving us more time to focus on our operations and our customers.”

It’s clear that Koton Kraft are big fans of the Epson ML-8000 and the new business opportunities it has enabled the company to embrace.

Karan Singh Mehroke concluded, “The Epson ML-8000 printer has exceeded our and our customers’ expectations in terms of quality, vibrancy in print, superior image sharpness and speed and efficiency of production. It has allowed us to promote Australian artists and designers and enabled us to grow and take our business to the next level by expanding into different areas.”

 Shippit, the industry-defining commerce delivery platform that powers hundreds of millions of deliveries for 4,000 retailers across Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia, has today  announced the launch of Shippit International. The solution is poised to meet the growing demand for international expansion, as highlighted by Shippit’s latest State of Shipping Report which reveals that 66% of retailers view global expansion as a critical objective for the next 12 months. Shippit International is designed to make cross-border shipping less expensive and complex. 

International shipping has been a persistent challenge for Australian retailers, with rising costs and complex regulations stifling global growth opportunities. Over the past year, international parcel delivery costs have risen by nearly 5%, forcing retailers to navigate long transit times and high expenses with existing providers. Furthermore, nearly 60% of global consumers have reported poor international delivery experiences, with unexpected customs duties prompting 75% of them to reconsider future purchases from the same brand. 

“International shipping is pivotal to our growth as we expand into global markets,” said Christopher Lockwood at City Beach Australia. “To sustain high customer satisfaction and meet the needs of international consumers, we require streamlined and cost-effective shipping solutions. Reliable and affordable shipping options are crucial for reaching new audiences and driving our business forward.”

Shippit International directly addresses these issues by providing Australian retailers with access to global markets through a flexible, multi-carrier solution that addresses rising costs and poor customer experiences. By leveraging Shippit’s Smart Routing service and securing competitive rates with key carriers like FedEx, Shippit offers a flexible, cost-effective alternative to traditional shipping providers. This approach simplifies global expansion for retailers, ensuring efficient transit times and competitive pricing.

“eCommerce has opened up the world, but for too long, Australian retailers have struggled to access global markets,” said Inga Latham, Chief Product Officer at Shippit. “Shippit International is designed to meet these needs by providing reliable, cost-effective international shipping. It enables retailers to tap into new markets, which is essential as Australian consumers face cost-of-living pressures that are impacting discretionary spending. With only 6% of global buyers shopping from Australian retailers, this solution offers a significant growth opportunity. Our goal is to empower retailers to expand their reach with confidence, knowing they have the tools to deliver a seamless experience to customers worldwide.

Key Shippit International services Include: 

• Simplified global expansion: Easy access to international delivery services with no lock-in contracts, and automated calculations for duties and taxes, to simplify cross-border shipping with  a  landed cost guarantee. 
• Market-leading rates: Shippit’s Smart Routing International service provides cost-effective and reliable shipping to key eCommerce markets, including North America, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
• Fast and reliable transit times: Shippit’s partnership with FedEx offers exclusive rates for FedEx’s express International Priority service. Australian retailers can capitalise on 1-2 day transit times to the United States, ensuring fast and reliable deliveries, even during peak periods like the lead-up to Christmas. FedEx’s 7-day delivery option further enhances retailers’ ability to meet holiday shipping deadlines.

To find out more about Shippit International, please visit www.shippit.com/solutions/international-shipping 

D-Link A/NZ has introduced the new DMS-1250 Series of network switches, designed to meet the growing demand for high-performance connectivity in modern business environments.  

Featuring 2.5G ports across the range, these switches offer a significant boost in network speed, ideal for SMBs and enterprises looking to support bandwidth-hungry applications such as video conferencing, high-resolution file transfers, and cloud-based services. With advanced Layer 2 management capabilities, the DMS-1250 Series ensures seamless, scalable networking that keeps pace with the rapid evolution of digital workloads. The DMS Series of Multi-Gigabit Switches also is the perfect companion to the latest Wi-Fi Access points that support 2.5G connectivity, maximising not only LAN, but also Wi-Fi performance across the network. 

The first products launched from within this new series are the DMS-1250-10SP, providing eight 2.5G PoE+ ports and two 10G SFP+ ports, whilst the DMS-1250-12TP provides eight 2.5G PoE+ ports, two 10GBASE-T and two 10G SFP+ ports. 

The DMS-1250 Series employs cutting-edge PoE features that ensure reliable power delivery as 
PoE+ ports provide a high-power budget to fulfill business needs.​ The innovative PoE functions can ensure uninterrupted power delivery to all powered devices. 

Cutting-edge PoE features ensure reliable power delivery 

PoE has a number of additional benefits including the fact that PoE switches simplify device installation by reducing cable usage and eliminating the need for separate power supplies or outlets. Perpetual PoE also provides an uninterrupted power supply to network devices, even during reboots or maintenance and Fast PoE technology reduces the time it takes for devices to become operational after connecting to the network. 

The DMS-1250 Series’ PD-Alive feature is perfect for IP surveillance networks to monitor the status of connected powered devices and verify their activity.​ 

The two new DMS-1250 PoE models also come equipped with built-in internal fans that automatically adjust across five cooling levels to prevent the device from overheating. Alternatively, administrators can manually set the fans to either Off or Quiet Mode based on the environment or operating temperature. 

DMS-1250-12TP with eight 2.5G PoE+ ports, two 10GBASE-T and two 10G SFP+ ports. 

The DMS-1250 Series switches also offer enhanced 6kV surge protection on all 2.5G access ports, ensuring that your network remains resilient and that your devices stay safe from electrical surges.​ 

In addition, the DMS-1250 Series switches offer a comprehensive set of Layer 2+ capabilities, including: 

• Static Routes 

• IPv4/IPv6 

• DHCP relay (available in future R2 firmware release) 

• DiffServ QoS 

• Port Mirroring 

• Spanning Tree Protocol (STP/MSTP/RSTP) 

• Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) 

• IGMP and MLD Snooping 

There are also a variety of management tools on hand with D-Link’s Nuclias Connect and D-View 8 to meet users’ management requirements. D-Link Nuclias Controller (DNC) and D-Link Nuclias Hub (DNH) facilitate the discovery and management of multiple D-Link devices, allowing efficient configuration of settings. Additionally, the DMS-1250 Series seamlessly integrates with D-View 8, a comprehensive central network management system. Then SNMP functionality enables centralised network asset management, remote configuration and logging. 

The DMS-1250 Series switches​ are versatile and particularly suitable for SMB environments. They provide high-speed data transmission with 2.5GE to desktops and infrastructure devices, whilst providing crucial 10G uplinks for external connectivity. This high-speed uplink ensures that the entire business can access external services without encountering data bottlenecks. Furthermore, they offer IEEE 802.3af/at (PoE/PoE+) to power remote devices. 

DMS-1250 Series switches key features 

DMS-1250-10SP 

• Eight 2.5Gbps Multi-Gigabit PoE+ ports 

• Two SFP+ ports 

• PoE budget 240 Watts 

• Supports Fast and Perpetual PoE 

• Auto Voice and Surveillance VLANs 

• Advanced Layer2/2+ Features 

• Enhanced security features 

• 5-speed Smart Fans with Quiet Mode  

• 6kV surge protection 

DMS-1250-12TP 

• Eight 2.5Gbps Multi-Gigabit PoE+ ports 

• Two Multi-Gigabit 100/1000/2.5G/5G/10GBASE-T ports 

• Two SFP+ ports 

• PoE budget 240 Watts 

• Supports Fast and Perpetual PoE 

• Auto Voice and Surveillance VLANs 

• Advanced Layer2/2+ Features 

• Enhanced security features 

• 5-speed Smart Fans with Quiet Mode  

• 6kV surge protection 

Availability and pricing 

The DMS-1250-10SP and DMS-1250-12TP are available now from www.dlink.com.au and from all authorised D-Link partners and resellers for the following RRPs: 

DMS-1250-10SP – AU$1349.95

DMS-1250-12TP – RRP AU$2199.95