2024 will see many things in the mobile phone space with one of the most significant and concerning being the complete shutdown of the 3G network by all Australian telcos. In order to combat confusion around this for some, Aspera Mobile has launched its two most straightforward and easy to use phones, the $99 F50 flip phone and the $69 F48 candy bar phone.

Aspera MD Allan Robertson explained, “At Aspera we understand that some people want to keep it simple and not everyone needs all the functionality of a smartphone, nor the distractions that can come with being permanently connected. For these people phones that are simple and easy to use are the best way forward and those two features are perfectly embodied by the F50 and F48.”

F48 candy bar phone

With the F50 and F48 Aspera Mobile took onboard and answered some key market requirements. For the F50 the first was to satisfy the demand for those users who do not require a smartphone. The second was to provide a 4G upgrade option for the many thousands of people whose basic 3G phone will stop working when the Australian 3G mobile networks are switched off this year. The third, as always with Aspera Mobile phones, was to deliver a value for money solution with some desirable features such as a charging cradle with USB-C connection and a potentially lifesaving SOS button for emergency calls.

F50 in red, closed and showing its SOS button

Robertson continued, “Let’s be clear, these phones have simple, basic but essential features. More often than not they are used by the young or elderly who simply want to make and receive calls and send and receive texts. That said, they play a very important role in the broader mobile phone ecosystem. We also usually associate 4G networks with smartphones and fast data speeds, but not everyone is looking for these things. Our view is that, with the added function of one-touch SOS calls and a USB-C charging cradle the F50 offers something completely different to a smartphone, especially for older people who want to keep things simple.”

Aside from different form factors the F50 and the F48 have very similar specifications, with some subtle differences. The main ones being the F50’s SOS button and charging cradle. Both phones boast Bluetooth, a loudspeaker and an FM radio function.

The Aspera F50 comes in two colours, red and midnight blue with each colour having a “soft touch” feel to it. To keep with global trends and remove the need for changing chargers down the track, as Robertson mentioned, the charge port is USB-C, as is the charging cradle.

Roberston said, “Again, thinking of the younger consumer and in particular seniors and the elderly, having USB-C means there is no need to check which side is up or down on the charging cable as either way works. The charging cradle is a real bonus particularly for those less dexterous as it offers the convenience of a permanent location to place the phone for charging. The SOS button could be a real lifesaver as one push of that button will place an emergency call and send a text to a series of pre-defined numbers, which gives great comfort and peace of mind for older people living alone.”

F50 flip phone folded, in its cradle and showing its front indicators

Other useful features on the F50 include indicators on the front panel which notify when a call or message is incoming and when the phone is charging. There is also a handy torch function and a simple 2MP camera to capture basic photos or video. Then, without the drain of power-hungry smartphone features, the 1000mAh battery that comes with both F50 and F48 offers days of standby time.

Robertson added, “The F50 comes in two attractive colours and has tactile finish. The F48 is just as simple to use and just does the job its asked to do. They are both extremely good value at $69 for the F48 and $99 for the F50 and are both great 3G to 4G upgrade options. This means when you do upgrade, you can still retain your favourite style of phone.”

For those who want a little bit more there are other Aspera phones, such as the rugged 4G R40 with its IP68 rating against water and dust ingress, that will also be suitable 4G upgrade options for consumers after the 3G shutdown.

Allan Robertson concluded, “With our 4G range there is a model for everyone who still wants to keep and use a more basic style of phone when upgrading from 3G. That said, we still purposely offer choice, excellent value for money, attractively designed phones and features that satisfy users looking at a simpler style of phone throughout the range. The F50 and F48 in particular continue in the theme that Aspera has built its business on over the last 10 years in this market – best value for money propositions, attractive styling and design with an understanding of matching and exceeding user requirements. We know parents, grandparents and even great grand grandparents will be more than happy with these phones and that’s why we made them.”

The $69 F48 and $99 F50 are available now from Big W, Mobileciti, Mobile Experts, Retravison and convenience stores around the country.

Key F50 flip phone specifications you get for just $99

• 4G and 3G Connectivity
• 2.4″ display
• 2.0MP rear camera
• Messaging SMS and MMS
• 1000mAh battery
• Bluetooth 4.0
• FM Radio
• Loudspeaker
• Micro SD card to 32GB Maximum

Key F48 specifications you get for just $69

• 4G and 3G Connectivity
• 2.4″ display
• 0.3MP rear camera
• Messaging SMS and MMS
• 1000mAh battery
• Bluetooth 5.1
• FM Radio
• Loudspeaker
• Micro SD card to 32GB Maximum

For more information on the new F50 go to: https://asperamobile.com/phones/easy-phones/aspera-f50/

For more information on the new F48 go to: https://asperamobile.com/phones/easy-phones/aspera-f48/

In a world of booming energy prices where consumers and businesses are trying to reduce costs and where secure data protection has become critical, CyberPower has launched its range of Smart App Sinewave Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems in Australia. These unique devices adopt CyberPower’s patented GreenPower UPS™ technology to protect devices, enhance operating efficiency, reduce heat generation, consume less power and save more energy costs than conventional UPS models. They also recently won The 2023 Channel Company’s Products of the Year Awards in the power protection & management category.

CyberPower Systems Oceania GM ANZ Robert Hartvigsen said, “CyberPower Professional Rackmount Smart App UPS Systems have been specifically designed with functionality that meets key market demands in terms of reducing power usage and increasing protection and efficiency. They are convenient, comfortable and safe to use. They also enjoy excellent engineering technology leading to outstanding product performance. In short, they protect your devices, reduce heat generation and unnecessary energy consumption, ensuring efficient system operation and effectively lower electricity bills.”

CyberPower Professional Rackmount Smart App UPS Systems have also been designed with environmental considerations in compliance with environmental regulations so they can provide stable power to equipment, help users quickly grasp a unit’s battery status and enable easy and convenient viewing and monitoring of any system.

Hartvigsen continued, “These UPS Systems provide complete power protection to safeguard all computers and servers. They do this by utilising comprehensive features, including Energy Saving Technology, Pure Sine Wave Output and Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR). They also have LCD status displays, hot-swappable batteries and clever battery management technology. All of these lead to a safe operating environment and considerable peace of mind for computer, server and data users.”

Whilst the CyberPower UPS are very popular in SMB, Corporate, Education and Government departments, they are also used by any organisation where going offline can be catastrophic and where reducing costs is particularly important.  

Using CyberPower UPS means there is no downtime if there is a power failure or power surge and this in turn further protects and secures data.

Hartvigsen said, “It’s common knowledge that a complete shutdown can cost a business many thousands of dollars so using an efficient UPS can be invaluable. In the event of an emergency they can also provide additional runtime if there is a power outage and indeed many hours of runtime can be provided by adding extended battery modules. This, in turn, increases the lifespan of a company’s most valuable devices and equipment – namely their computers, servers and data.”

As well as consuming less power, saving energy, reducing costs, providing consistent and reliable power and protection for connected equipment and devices the CyberPower UPS have many other valuable features.

They employ Quick Charging Technology and stop charging automatically to prevent overcharging, thus extending battery life. They also enable users to turn off the LED, LCD, and alarms, have a low operating noise and all come with a multi-function, rotatable and tiltable LCD panel that can meet many different installation requirements and ensure proper viewing orientation for users to monitor the system.

CyberPower launched their Professional Rackmount – Smart App UPS Systems in Australia to give their customers a significant range of benefits that they believe no other UPS systems can provide.

Robert Hartvigsen concluded, “Our Professional Rackmount – Smart App UPS Systems come in the form of a pure Sinewave solution with power factor of 1. They have individually rechargeable battery modules for fast recharge after grid power failure and a very low failure rate at <.04% combined with a $100,000 Connected Equipment Guarantee. They won the Products of the Year Awards in the power protection and management category for many good reasons and to top it all off they all come with a 3 Years Advanced Replacement Warranty plus the option to upgrade up to 5 years on-site warranty.”

CyberPower’s award-winning Professional Rackmount Smart App UPS Systems are available to purchase now via authorised CyberPower partners and resellers across Australia.

For more information go to: https://www.cyberpower.com/au/en/product/series/professional_rackmount

Xero, the global small business platform, has released its latest Xero Small Business Insights (XSBI) update, showcasing a strong start for Australian small businesses in the first quarter of 2024. After a soft December, the data highlights the resilience of small businesses, with robust growth in jobs and wages driving this trend.

March quarter Small Business performance insights at a glance:

● Sales growth averaged 3.5% y/y for the March quarter (5.6% y/y for the December quarter)

● Wages growth averaged 3.2% y/y for the March quarter (3.0% y/y for the December quarter)

● Jobs growth averaged 3.7% y/y for the March quarter (3.5% y/y for the December quarter)

● Small businesses waited 22.6 days to be paid in the March quarter (22.7 days to be paid in the December quarter)

“The improvement from a tough end to last year is a welcome sign that small businesses started 2024 better off. The Index dropped below 100 points in December last year, so it’s encouraging to see stronger growth in three critical success levers — jobs, wages, and sales — during the first quarter of this year,” said Louise Southall, Xero Economist.

Small Business Index rebounds following weak December result

The Xero Small Business Index averaged 120 points in the March quarter, up slightly from the December quarter result (115 points). This was driven by a sharp jump in the February (127 pts) and March (134 pts) results, which were a significant improvement compared to the December (89 pts) and January (98 pts) readings.

Sales off to a good start in 2024

Sales growth rebounded significantly in January (+6.1% y/y) and February (+6.9% y/y) following a period of weak sales in December (+1.9% y/y), indicating that conditions are improving for small businesses. Sales experienced a drop in March (-2.4% y/y), however, this was likely due to the earlier timing of the Good Friday public holiday when most businesses were closed.1

Healthcare (+13.5% y/y) and real estate (+10.0% y/y) were the best performing sectors in January and February, and the only industries to record double-digit growth. The ACT recorded the largest sales growth in the first two months (+8.6% y/y), while Tasmania (+4.3% y/y) saw the softest gains.

Jobs growth experiences largest rise since end of 2022

Small business hiring continued in the March quarter (+3.7% y/y) and was moderately higher than

average jobs growth in 2023 and the long-term average for this series (3.0% y/y). Jobs growth was particularly strong in the month of March (+4.3% y/y) and was the largest rise in jobs since October 2022, suggesting small businesses are feeling more confident about hiring new staff. The data reveals variation in jobs growth across the industries and states, with the healthcare sector (+9.2% y/y) and Western Australia (+5.8% y/y) leading the gains. In contrast, the hospitality sector (-1.4% y/y) recorded the third consecutive quarter of declining jobs, while ACT (+1.4% y/y) and Tasmania (+1.3% y/y) had the softest jobs growth.

Wages growth picks up

With wages seeing a small increase from the December quarter result, wages growth is now sitting just above the long-term average for this series (+3.0% y/y). However, the pace of growth is still below inflation and small business pay rises are below the national average, as indicated by the latest Wage Price Index rise (+4.2% y/y). This suggests that real wages for small business staff are not yet rising. South Australia (+3.7% y/y) and Tasmania (+3.5% y/y) are once again leading in wages growth, and the hospitality sector (+4.0% y/y) continues to pay the largest wage increases across the industries.

Small business payment times show little change

The time to be paid and late payment measures remained steady in the three months to March, continuing the trend seen throughout 2023. Small businesses waited an average of 22.6 days to be paid in the March quarter (down from 22.7 days in the December quarter), and payments were late on average by 6.5 days (up from 6.3 days late in the three months to December).

“The data from Xero Small Business Insights provides us with a critically important understanding of Australian small business performance. Against challenging economic conditions, it’s very pleasing to see a promising start to the year and we’re hopeful this momentum can continue. For small businesses looking at opportunities to grow or streamline operations in 2024, particularly as we head into the busy end-of-financial-year period, we’d encourage them to speak with their advisor, and review their biggest pain points and areas to improve productivity. There might be some accessible actions they can take, such as leveraging more tech tools,” said Anthony Drury, Managing Director ANZ, Xero.

You can find the latest Xero Small Business Insights Australia Update here.

Intuit Inc. (Nasdaq: INTU), the global financial technology platform that makes Intuit TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp, today released a new report, “The Science of Loyalty”, focused on the drivers behind consumer loyalty, behaviour and the tangible insights marketers can take to build loyalty and cultivate meaningful relationships between their brand and its customer base. The report includes findings from a survey of 4,000 consumers across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia – with 1,000 participants per market – and qualitative interviews with eight global marketing experts. 

“The Science of Loyalty” uncovered that as brands and marketers build stronger relationships with their existing customer base, those customers are significantly more likely to purchase from the brand again, a cost-effective solution to the rising costs and resources it takes to acquire new customers. With 88% of Australian consumers expressing a preference for brands that make them feel good, diving into science-backed loyalty strategies can assist brands and marketers with setting their brand apart from the competition. 

“Loyalty is more important than ever,” said Michelle Taite, Chief Marketing Officer at Intuit Mailchimp. “Our study found that 78% of Australian consumers will only purchase from brands that are trustworthy, highlighting the significance of establishing a strong connection while guaranteeing credibility. However, surprisingly, only 50% of shoppers expect brands to reward them with deals and discounts, highlighting the changing patterns of consumer loyalty.”

“In today’s ever-changing business landscape, characterised by overwhelming amounts of data and endless options, brands and marketers should be equipped with the tools and resources needed to build marketing strategies that make an impact and build meaningful connections that drive loyalty with their customers,” adds Michelle.

The Commitment Spectrum

The report finds that loyalty falls on a spectrum. To better understand the types of loyal customers, Mailchimp created a commitment spectrum, which ranges from “inert” to “fandom” loyalty. On one end there is inert loyalty, where consumers purchase from a brand not out of preference, but out of convenience. Moving up on the spectrum, other loyalty categories include habitual loyalty, where loyalty emerges from routine rather than emotional ties, followed by dedicated loyalty where consumers form an emotional connection to the brand’s vision and purpose. What many brands and marketers view as the pinnacle of loyalty—fandom—is characterised by a strong emotional bond and shared values amongst the brand’s community.

While inspiring fandom may be the goal for many brands and marketers, only 13% of global respondents belonged to the fandom loyalty group. Experts like Richard Shotton, author of The Illusion of Choice, caution that such affiliations can be extremely hard to cultivate and may not make sense for every brand. Most brands are likely to have a mix of all of these customers, and a good strategy should have tactical approaches that target different levels of commitment.

“I think a goal like loyalty, whereby people avoid better alternatives out of a sense of obligation or genuine passion, is phenomenally hard to achieve,”said Shotton. “The danger is that marketers overestimate their chances of achieving that and maybe convert their budget into smaller sales rather than [pursuing] the much, much simpler goal of habit.”

The 12 Tactics of Consumer Loyalty

To better understand the inner workings of loyalty, the report outlines “12 Tactics of Loyalty” to assist brands and marketers with building meaningful relationships with consumers. 

1. Smart exposure: Be top-of-mind with strategically placed brand codes and symbols.

Almost half (46%) of Australian repeat purchasers said they know a lot about the brands they purchase from. This rises to 60% globally among Fandom purchasers, who feel they know the brand best.”

2. Familiar foundations: Build familiarity by showing up in trusted spaces. About half (48%) of repeat purchasers in Australia said that recommendations from friends or family help them decide what to buy.
3. Choice validation: To encourage renewed commitment, help customers feel justified in their choice. 

Only 52% of inert and 51% of habitual customers globally had a very favourable opinion of their preferred brand, but this rises to 84% among fandom purchasers.

4. New routines: Build repeat purchases into your customer’s routine.

Routines are powerful drivers of loyalty. 25% of Australian consumers will repeatedly purchase from the same brand because it’s part of their routine. Globally, 35% of those who purchase on a daily or weekly basis said their preferred brand was the only one they’d consider (vs 22% among those purchasing monthly or less).

5. Smooth selling: Remove obstacles that could disrupt customers’ shopping journeys.

Ease of purchase was the no.1 brand association for Australians with 97% of repeat purchasers saying their preferred brand makes it quick and easy to purchase; this was the number one brand association for repeat purchase shoppers.

6. Easy decisions: Create friction-free experiences that combat choice fatigue.

Half (49%) of all email subscribers in Australia explore new product offerings through brand emails and 42% went on to make a purchase after reading the message.

7. Gift giving: Promote organic peer-to-peer marketing through gift giving.

Less than half (36%) of Australian customers have recommended their preferred brand to friends or family, and only 20% have given it as a gift), revealing an untapped opportunity for brands to spread the word. However, globally, this increases among 18-24 year olds, of which 43% have recommended their preferred brand to family and friends and 30% have given it as a gift.

8. Insider status: Help customers feel heard by asking for, and responding to, feedback.

The most popular method of contact is email with over half (55%) of Australian shoppers looking to keep in touch with brands this way and 22% subscribed to an email/mailing list – the highest among surveyed countries. Other popular methods of contact are SMS (20%) and social media (16%). If a brand can’t offer quality customer service across channels, 1 in 4 said they would consider switching brands.

9. Meaningful rewards: Personalise reward programs with customer lifestyles to boost satisfaction.

While 50% of repeat Australian purchasers said they’d like their preferred brand to provide them with deals or discounts, rewards aren’t always about monetary incentives. In fact, 88% said their preferred brand made them feel good, which was the second biggest driver of loyalty, after consistency.

10. Game on: Gamify your rewards to foster a sense of achievement and fun.

28% of repeat purchasers in Australia said they’d like to receive loyalty reward perks from their preferred brand. However, only 18% have joined a loyalty benefits program, suggesting untapped potential.

11. Shared Interests: Build emotional resonance by aligning with a cultural niche or value. 

31% of Australian consumers said they would consider switching brands due to environmental impact (13%) or unethical manufacturing (18%).

12. Sense Of Ownership: Actively engage consumers to foster a sense of co-collaboration.

Customers are keen to provide their thoughts and experiences to brands, with over 1 in 4 (24%) Australian email subscribers participating in surveys or feedback

Why Brands and Marketers Should Care

Experts like Denise Lee Yohn, author of What Great Brands Do: The Seven Brand-Building Principles that Separate the Best from the Rest, describe loyalty as not just a marketing goal, but a comprehensive business strategy. Loyalty is a strategic imperative for brands seeking sustainable growth and resilience; in an era marked by choice-overload. Marketers must be able to navigate the complex terrain of consumer behaviour effectively and recalibrate their marketing strategies. Using the tactics outlined in the “Science of Loyalty” playbook, brands and marketers will be one step closer to engaging with customers in a holistic way and deepen relationships that positively impact their marketing goals. 

To further explore loyalty— how it’s fostered, the role of trust, and how fandom factors into consumer behaviour—head to Mailchimp Presents to check out our latest ​​Loyalty Film Collection, featuring documentaries that celebrate the dynamics of loyalty. 

All statistics from a Canvas8 conducted panel-sample online survey on behalf of Intuit Mailchimp February 17–27, 2024 consisting of 4,000 respondents (1000 from each of the US, UK, Australia, Canada ages 18 to 65). The margin of error is +/- 5.5 percent, as reported at a 95 percent confidence level.

 GoCardless, the bank payment company, has announced an integration in Australia with Intuit QuickBooks’  leading financial management software.

The new GoCardless app, available today in the Intuit Quickbooks Store, will allow Australian QuickBooks users to tap into Direct Debit, helping them to reduce late payments and improve cash flow. 

The announcement will be welcome news to SMBs who, according to the Australian Government’s Payment Times Reporting Regulator, wait up to 47 days to get paid on average. 

The GoCardless integration will allow Intuit QuickBooks small business users to gain greater control of their finances. On the date an invoice is due, payments are automatically collected directly from their customers’ bank accounts and reconciled on the Intuit Quickbooks platform. Direct Debit payments also cost less to process when compared to payment by credit cards.  GoCardless’s standard fees are generally also cheaper than those charged by Stripe and PayPal. 

In turn, small businesses can offer their customers more secure and seamless payment experiences, removing the hassle of updating expired, lost or stolen card details and the need to initiate manual bank transfers. For small businesses, this reduces the risk of customer churn, late payments and failed payments.  

Seb Hempstead, VP of Partnerships at GoCardless, said: “Our integration with Intuit QuickBooks is one way we can make life easier for small businesses in this tough economic environment. By reducing late and failed payments, plus the associated admin, and enabling automatic reconciliation, we can free up cash flow and keep costs down. This means that SMBs can spend more time growing their business.”

Lars Leber, VP and Country Manager Intuit QuickBooks Australia said: “We are excited to expand our international relationship with GoCardless to Australia. Our goal is always to make the lives of QuickBooks customers easier. Through this integration, businesses can put time back into other areas of their business that were previously dedicated to bookkeeping and chasing payments, while customers will not have to worry about their service expiring when their card does. With GoCardless, we are providing efficient solutions tailored for small businesses.”

This regional integration builds on the existing relationship between GoCardless and Intuit QuickBooks in the United Kingdom. Along with launching a new app in Australia, GoCardless has also introduced an app on the Intuit QuickBooks Marketplace in North America.

Aussie customers can now find the GoCardless app in the Intuit Quickbooks Store.  

American Express has announced the expansion of its Backing International Small Restaurants grant program, with venues in Melbourne now eligible to apply in addition to Sydney.

Run in partnership with the International Downtown Association (IDA) Foundation and supported by Mainstreet Australia, small restaurant owners are being invited to apply for one of 10 grants each valued at $21,500 to put towards expenses or improving their business.

In its first two years in Australia, Backing International Small Restaurants has provided $240,000 in financial support. The program, founded by American Express, recognises the challenges small dining venues face in the current economic climate and aims to give them a helping hand. Restaurants operated by underrepresented and/or economically vulnerable members of the community will be given special consideration.

Robert Tedesco, Vice President of Global Merchant Network Services for American Express Australia and New Zealand, said: “Small independently run restaurants are at the heart of our communities and local economies. Many are struggling with the fallout of cost-of-living pressures and need support. It’s why this year we have expanded the program to Melbourne for the first time, in addition to Sydney. We’re lucky to have one of the best dining scenes in the world and we want to see it remain vibrant. The majorityi of small restaurants are family operated, so these grants will help venues keep growing and serving their communities, while protecting their legacy for future generations.”

2023 Grantees Share Small Business Updates & Innovations

Kabul Social

· Sydney social enterprise restaurant Kabul Social, which serves Afghan street food cooked by displaced refugees, was one of the six grant recipients from the 2023 program. The restaurant donates two meals to those in need for every one meal sold.

· Kabul Social Owner, Shaun Christie-David, said: “The American Express grant has supported us to develop a phone application that gives our customers the ability to track the impact they’re having with each meal. Being able to build stronger connections and loyalty with our customers through technology is vital, especially when we’re experiencing major challenges in the restaurant and dining scene. Like so many businesses, ours has seen a reduction in revenue because of people working from home during the week and reduced overall spend because of the cost-of-living crisis. I want to be able to sustain my team’s employment even in the challenging times, so this grant, which is helping us to innovate and connect with people, has been a great boost financially and for our spirits.”

Small’s Deli

· Emily Van Loon and Ben Shemesh, owners of much-loved Potts Point local, Small’s Deli, successfully applied for a Backing International Small Restaurants grant in 2023 to support their eight-seater restaurant to grow to meet increasing demand.

· Van Loon said: “We knew we needed to make changes because the business had outgrown its current setting. The grant from American Express was extremely

helpful and without it we wouldn’t have been able to afford the changes. With it, we were able to replace the front window, update the counter, replace the fridge and some other critical equipment that had failed on us.

· “We found out about the grant from a friend who works in the industry and after looking into it, we found that the amount would cover those long-term renovation plans that we otherwise couldn’t afford. The application process was very straightforward and I highly recommend other small restaurant owners get involved.”

David Downey, President and CEO of the IDA Foundation said: “We’re excited to be partnering with American Express again for the third year of the Backing International Small Restaurants program. This year’s expansion to nine global cities demonstrates our shared commitment to boosting long-term sustainability for culturally significant and independent restaurants. By increasing the grant amount, we can provide even greater support to these businesses, empowering them to thrive and continue to be cultural cornerstones within their communities.”

Backing International Small Restaurants builds on American Express’ efforts to support small businesses year-round, including through its American Express Delicious. Month Out, annual Shop Small campaign, a global movement that shines a spotlight on small businesses, and other global “Backing Small” programs.

All small independent restaurants in Sydney and Melbourne are encouraged to apply. Applications are now open. To learn more about Backing International Small Restaurants, including eligibility and to apply, visit https://downtown.org/backing-international-small-restaurants-grant-program/

Applications close on Friday 31 May 2024 at 14:00 AEST.

NAB is urging Australian small businesses to enhance their cyber security, announcing it will offer a year of free cyber security software to business customers.

This follows NAB’s research late last year that found small and medium businesses (SMEs) are one of the least cyber prepared sectors. It revealed that only 15% of SMEs conduct extensive training around scams and cyber security risks, while four in 10 had “not much training at all”.

To help businesses bolster cyber protections, NAB – in partnership with global cyber security firm CrowdStrike – is offering eligible small business customers a free year subscription of CrowdStrike ‘Falcon Go’, to support and reinforce SME defences against ransomware, data breaches, and cyber threats*.

NAB Chief Security Officer Sandro Bucchianeri said as the number of cyber attacks increase, more needed to be done to help protect small and medium-sized businesses.  

“The number of cyber attacks continues to grow year-on-year, and it’s worrying that small and medium businesses – which make up 97% of all Australian businesses – are one of the least cyber prepared sectors,” Mr Bucchianeri said. 

“As Australia’s leading business bank, we have a key role to play in helping educate and assist small and medium-sized businesses to ensure they remain secure. That’s why NAB is doing what it can to help lift the cyber security resilience of our customers.  

“It can take businesses years to recover from a cyber attack due to their cost and complexity. By working with CrowdStrike, we are looking to connect and educate businesses, so they can help stop attacks before they stop business.” 

The CrowdStrike offer complements other initiatives that NAB is providing to help its small business customers to stay safe online, including a free cyber security software assessment in partnership with Microsoft.

In the 2022-23 financial year, the Australian Signals Directorate received one cybercrime report every six minutes at a cost of $71,600 – on average – to small and medium businesses.  

Mr Bucchianeri said the SME community, which makes up the majority of Australian businesses, needed to be the country’s number one priority to achieve national cyber resilience. 

“Smaller businesses just don’t have the resources to manage cyber security at a high level,” he said. 

“The Government’s cyber security strategy rightly places small businesses at the centre of its efforts, and we’re determined to help lead a collective effort to shift small businesses from one of the least prepared sectors in the country, to the most capable and resilient community group. 

“We’re urging businesses to evaluate their cyber security and take steps to strengthen it, before it’s too late.” 

CrowdStrike Chief Business Officer Daniel Bernard said modern cyber security was a team sport.

“We talk about cybersecurity being a ‘team sport’, and this initiative from NAB is a quintessential example of that in practice, raising the cyber security bar for small businesses across Australia,” Mr Bernard said.

“This will help provide small business with tailored technical expertise and the kind of mature security infrastructure that larger organisations have.”

NAB, in partnership with CrowdStrike, will cover the $450 annual cost of ‘CrowdStrike Falcon Go’ for eligible small business customers for one year, and offer a 15% discount thereafter. Small business customers can apply for the offer on nab.com.au/businessoffers (conditions and eligibility criteria apply).

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.  has announced the new Galaxy XCover7 and Galaxy Tab Active5, a durable smartphone and tablet geared to handle field and frontline work that demands versatility, optimisation and security.

Both devices will deliver enhanced mobility with 5G connectivity^[1], upgraded mobile processor performance and increased memory^[2]. Additionally, the XCover7 comes with a new powerful rear camera, expanded display size and resolution, while the Tab Active5 includes a replaceable battery^[3] and No Battery Mode^[4], providing users the flexibility to work in a variety of settings.

Rugged devices offer a smart solution; combining hardiness with performance contributing to increased adoption throughout the Asia Pacific, from 48% in 2020 to 81% in 2022^[5], growth in the ruggedised device market is unlikely to slow down.

“Samsung understands that businesses today face unprecedented challenges and opportunities, and they need devices that can keep up with their dynamic needs,” said Jerry Park, EVP and Head of Global Mobile B2B Team, MX Business at Samsung Electronics.

Incredible performance

Galaxy XCover7 and Galaxy Tab Active5 enable workers to use their smartphones and tablets without worry. Both devices – along with the Tab Active5’s bundled S Pen – are IP68-rated^[6] for water and dust resistance. Tested against the MIL-STD-810H^[7] military standard, the Galaxy XCover7 is able to withstand accidental drops and bumps of up to 1.5m on a steel surface while the Galaxy Tab Active5 can withstand a 1.8m accidental drop and bump on a plywood surface when using the bundled protective case.^[8]

The Galaxy XCover7 and Galaxy Tab Active5 feature Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®+ and Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5^[9], respectively. The device displays also allow for adjustments to touch sensitivity,^[10] making them easy to use for workers wearing gloves. With these specifications, Samsung Galaxy’s ruggedised devices can help withstand outdoor conditions, making them ideal for a wide variety of frontline workers.

Designed to Keep Work Moving in the Office, Field or Frontline

In today’s increasingly digital world, staying connected has been key as businesses, their operations and workforce evolve and become more technologically integrated. Galaxy XCover7 has been upgraded to provide fast and reliable 5G, along with Wi-Fi 5, while the Galaxy Tab Active5 offers 5G and Wi-Fi 6.^[11] This connectivity allows workers to collaborate more efficiently and effectively.

In addition to smooth connectivity, Galaxy XCover7 and Galaxy Tab Active5’s premium displays make for easy, convenient use. The XCover7’s 6.6-inch display provides more surface area alongside increased resolution compared to previous generations. The Tab Active5’s bright, 8.0-inch display offers great visibility in outdoor conditions, and a smoother viewing experience with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz^[12]. Both devices are engineered to offer powerful enterprise support while maintaining a slim, lightweight frame for work in all kinds of conditions.

Samsung Galaxy’s ruggedised devices can help ensure work continuity, providing workers with the support and connectivity they need, even in new, challenging work environments. For long days in the field or on the factory floor, workers using both the Galaxy XCover7 and Tab Active5 can leverage fast-charging^[13] to mitigate wasted time between charges and enable enhanced productivity. Both devices also come equipped with replaceable batteries, minimising downtime in and out of the workplace.^[14]

The Galaxy Tab Active5 can run without a battery in No Battery Mode.^[15] This lets workers use the device non-stop at kiosks or in vehicles. The Galaxy XCover7 and Tab Active5 also have POGO charging interfaces, which can help simplify the charging process by enabling workplaces with POGO docks^[16] to charge multiple devices at once.

Engineered to Maximise Productivity and Security

Samsung’s ruggedised devices are also designed to maximise productivity and efficiency, and streamline fieldwork. Increased speaker volume^[17] ensures clear auditory volume, programmable keys^[18] enable shortcuts for improved productivity, and quick barcode scanning via Knox Capture^[19] streamlines operations for warehouse work or mobile points of sale (mPOS).^[20]

Workers can unleash the full power of their smartphone or tablet with enhanced PC connectivity, too. The devices effortlessly handle quick content sharing, simultaneous displays and overall continuity of work between mobile and PC through Link to Windows, or emulate a desktop interface for jobs that take workers out of the field and into the office.

As businesses continue to operate in a fast-paced environment favoring efficiency, Samsung Galaxy’s ruggedised lineup can help workers get more done in less time, helping to meet growing consumer demands through increasing productivity and workplace operations. Galaxy XCover7 and Galaxy Tab Active5 are also compatible with a range of third-party accessories,^[21] from various functional cases to charging cradles, USB-Type C PTTs and more – enabling full integration into virtually any workplace operation.

In a first for Samsung’s ruggedised devices, Galaxy XCover7 and Galaxy Tab Active5 come with support for Samsung Knox Vault.^[22] As part of Samsung Galaxy’s commitment to expanding security protections beyond flagship devices, enterprise customers now have even greater choice in the devices that can safely support their business needs. Knox Vault can help protect data on these devices, including lock screen information like PIN codes, passwords and patterns.

It constructs a secure execution environment that is physically isolated from the system’s main processor and memory and is effective from the moment a user registers their lock screen – thus users can enjoy the security they need without hassle. Knox Vault can help protect users’ security keys which encrypt their data stored in the device, ensuring safety – even if the device is lost or stolen. A hardware-based, Samsung Knox Vault can help safeguard a user’s data against external threats.

Availability

The new Galaxy XCover7 and Galaxy Tab Active5 will be available starting 22^nd February 2024.^[23]

For more information, about Samsung’s latest Galaxy devices please visit https://news.samsung.com/au/galaxy or https://www.samsung.com/au/mobile/