EPOS, pioneers in audio technology, has announced the expansion of its flagship enterprise headset range at Integrated Systems Europe 2024 (ISE) in Barcelona. The new line includes two new state-of-the art wired headset series – the IMPACT 700 and IMPACT 800. Tailored to meet the diverse demands of modern business professionals, the next generation of IMPACT headsets empowers seamless communication in all open office work environments.

Setting a New Standard for Enterprise Headset Audio Solutions

Whether it’s taking a call in an open office environment or holding critical conversations which require deep concentration – EPOS understands that different work environments pose unique challenges when it comes to communication. Using cutting-edge technology and decades of psychoacoustic research, the next IMPACT generation provides a suite of premium solutions to cater to every office environment. With Bluetooth®, Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT[1]), and Wired options there is a product to suit the needs of every talk-centric professional.

Setting a new standard for enterprise technology, EPOS develops audio solutions built on EPOS BrainAdapt™, a group of technologies that apply world-leading research on how the brain perceives sound to improve cognitive performance. The entire IMPACT Generation line is developed with pioneering EPOS BrainAdapt^™ technology at its core – helping to minimise brain fatigue and empower better performance and improved communication.

A Portfolio for Open Office Environment

The IMPACT 700 and 800 join EPOS’ existing line-up of best-in-class enterprise headset. This includes the flagship on-ear Bluetooth® headset– the IMPACT 1000 – which launched in 2023. This device harnesses powerful AI technologies to ensure that users on all sides of a meeting can stay focused for an impactful dialogue.

The comprehensive product portfolio will now comprise of:

• The IMPACT 700: Designed with contact centre professionals in mind, the Wired IMPACT 700 series is carefully crafted with a lightweight design and soft memory foam earpads, to deliver unprecedented levels of comfort all day long. And utilising three digital microphones that are built on EPOS BrainAdapt™ technologies the IMPACT 700 provides industry-leading voice pickup to ensure natural-sounding calls. 
• The IMPACT 800: The next iteration of wired headsets for desk workers in open office environments – the IMPACT 800 ensures users are heard no matter the level of background noise. Combining EPOS BrainAdapt™ technologies with adaptive ANC and industry leading voice-pickup courtesy of EPOS AI™ the IMPACT 800, as well as the IMPACT 1000, can help improve efficiency by 40%[2].
• The IMPACT 1000: Using industry leading speech intelligibility and powered by EPOS AI™ the IMPACT 1000 is EPOS’ flagship Bluetooth headset series, designed to address the challenges of modern work environments. With its powerful technologies and user-friendly features, it mitigates brain fatigue, reducesdisruptive sounds, and enables users to unlock new levels of productivity and performance.
• The IMPACT 5000: Raising the wireless DECT headset standard, the IMPACT 5000 allows users to enjoy rich, natural sound as well as total flexibility. Plus, with enhanced security features such as Protected Pairing, 128-bit authentication, DECT Security certification, and EPOS Manager wearers can feel confident knowing their calls are secure.

Johnny Andersen, VP Product & Portfolio Management at EPOS says: “At EPOS, we have an unwavering commitment to empowering workers to communicate effortlessly and efficiently – wherever and whenever. But we also understand that the communication needs of businesses are multifaceted and are always evolving to meet the needs of every office environment. Our product development is built around perfecting audio experiences for users, and with the addition of the IMPACT 700 and 800 series, our IMPACT line now covers all the communication needs of talk-centric business professionals, whatever the context.” 

For more information about the IMPACT 700, click here.

For more information about the IMPACT 800, click here.

Availability and MSRP:

IMPACT 800: January 31, 2024. MSRP: From 199 AUD

IMPACT 700: April 9, 2024. MSRP: From 235 AUD

The ATO has launched a new online learning platform offering free courses to help small business owners master their tax and super obligations.

The ‘Essentials to strengthen your small business’ website includes more than 20 short courses and a calendar of key lodgment due dates to support small businesses.

Deputy Commissioner Will Day said the new platform is designed for small business owners who want to enhance their knowledge of tax and super.

‘Small business owners can now access short, free and flexible online courses to sharpen their knowledge of tax, super and the core aspects of effective small business management.’

‘The new platform supports a variety of learning styles with videos, case studies, audio content and written information, as well as the option to test your knowledge with quick quizzes – making it easier for all small businesses to learn about important components of running a business.’

‘It also includes tips on areas where we see small business owners make mistakes, like goods and services tax (GST) and business deductions.’

‘We know that a lot of small businesses don’t have time to attend courses during business hours while they are busy running their business – so the beauty of our new platform is that you can do it at a time that suits you, save your progress, and then pick it up again later,’ said Mr Day.

The new platform is also a useful resource for tax practitioners, especially for those that are small businesses themselves, to share and use with their staff and clients.

The website was co-created with small businesses and educational experts to deliver learning pathways that can be customised, depending on each stage of a business’s life cycle, structure and industry.

Minister for Small Business Julie Collins said the Albanese Government is committed to reducing the time small businesses spend doing taxes and resources like this provide valuable practical assistance.

‘I encourage small businesses to take up this great opportunity from the Australian Taxation Office with free courses specifically designed for the needs of small business,’ Minister Collins said.

‘Our latest Budget included new measures to help small business with taxes including longer timeframes to amend tax returns and expanding access to advice through the tax clinic program.’

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Billson said this resource will be helpful to small businesses.

‘Business know-how and being able to benefit from the wisdom of others can be key to successfully turning an idea into an enterprise,’ Mr Billson said.

‘But the spark that inspires an entrepreneurial person into creating and growing a business is rarely the behind-the-scenes business of running the business. Yet this is where success and better decision-making can be formed.’

‘That’s why these resources are so important and helpful, and I commend them to you.’

The new ‘Essentials to strengthen your small business’ online learning platform is now live.

Juniper Networks® (NYSE: JNPR), a leader in secure, AI-Native Networking, today announced the industry’s first AI-Native Networking Platform, purpose-built to leverage AI to assure the best end-to-end operator and end-user experiences. Trained on seven years of insights and data science development, Juniper’s AI-Native Networking Platform was designed from the ground up to assure that every connection is reliable, measurable and secure for every device, user, application and asset.

Unique to the industry, Juniper’s AI-Native Networking Platform unifies all campus, branch and data center networking solutions with a common AI engine and Marvis Virtual Network Assistant (VNA). This enables end-to-end AI for IT Operations (AIOps) to be used for deep insight, automated troubleshooting and seamless end-to-end networking assurance, which elevates IT teams’ focus from maintaining basic network connectivity to delivering exceptional and secure end-to-end experiences for students, staff, patients, guests, customers and employees. The Juniper AI-Native Networking Platform provides the simplest and most assured Day 0/1/2+ operations, resulting in up to 85 percent lower operational expenditures than traditional solutions, demonstrates the elimination of up to 90 percent of network trouble tickets, 85 percent of IT onsite visits and up to 50 percent reduction in network incident resolution times.

“AI is the biggest technology inflection point since the internet itself, and its ongoing impact on networking cannot be understated. At Juniper, we have seen first-hand how our game changing AIOps has saved thousands of global enterprises significant time and money while delighting the end user with a superior experience. Our AI-Native Networking Platform represents a bold new direction for Juniper, and for our industry. By extending AIOps from the end user all the way to the application, and across every network domain in between, we are taking a big step toward making network outages, trouble tickets and application downtime things of the past.”

Rami Rahim, Chief Executive Officer, Juniper Networks

Within the new AI-Native Networking Platform, Juniper is introducing several new products that advance the experience-first mission, from more predictable, reliable and measurable IT operations using AI, to simpler high performance data center networks specifically designed for AI training and inference.

AI for Networking: Going Deeper and Wider with Marvis VNA

The new AI-Native Networking Platform includes two new enhancements to Marvis, the only AI-Native VNA in the industry driven by Mist AI, with proactive recommendations and self-driving operations plus a conversation interface (using GenAI for some use cases). With the following new capabilities, Juniper customers and partners get even more automation and insight:

• Marvis Minis: the only AI-Native Networking Digital Experience Twin, uses Mist AI to proactively simulate user connections to instantly validate network configurations and find/detect problems without users being present. Minis simulates end user/client/device/app traffic to learn the network configuration via unsupervised machine learning and to proactively highlight network issues. Data from Minis is continuously fed back into the Mist AI engine, providing an additional source of insight for the best AIOps responses.

No manual configuration is required, as Minis is always on and can be deployed automatically during periods of low network usage (e.g. at midnight on weekends) or via trigger events (e.g. after a network configuration change). Also, unlike conventional digital twinning solutions and synthetic testing, Marvis Minis integrates directly with the network, eliminating manual monitoring and analysis via external sensors, clients and applications.

• Marvis Virtual Network Assistant (VNA) for the Data Center: Juniper is introducing the first and only AI-Native VNA for the data center, delivering the best insight throughout the entire data center lifecycle across any vendor’s hardware. For example, issues with data center cabling, configuration and connectivity from any vendor’s hardware are surfaced in the Marvis Actions UI (from Juniper® Apstra®) with suggested proactive actions. Additionally, the Marvis conversational interface (CI) allows IT teams to pose direct queries and get simple, seamless insight into the data center product documentation and knowledgebase using GenAI.

Data center actions are shown in a single UI alongside similar Marvis actions for wired access, wireless access and secure SD-WAN. In addition, the same Marvis CI is used for generative knowledge base queries across all Juniper products. For the first time ever, Juniper customers have a single VNA for end-to-end visibility and assurance across all enterprise domains.

Networking for AI: High Performing and Scalable Networks for AI Training and Inference

Juniper is expanding its AI Data Center solution, which is the fastest and most flexible way to deploy high performing AI training and inference clusters, and the simplest to operate with limited IT resources. The Juniper solution consists of a spine-leaf data center architecture with a foundation of QFX switches and PTX routers operated by Juniper Apstra, the only multivendor solution for DC fabric management, automation and assurance. With unique intent-based operations via Apstra, the new Marvis VNA for data center and validated AI designs, Juniper takes much of the complexity out of AI Data Center networking design, deployment and troubleshooting, allowing customers to do more with fewer IT resources. The solution also delivers unsurpassed flexibility to customers, avoiding vendor lock-in with silicon diversity, multivendor switch management and a commitment to open, standards-based Ethernet fabrics. 

Building upon Juniper’s AI Data Center architectural advantages, the company is announcing the following new products and capabilities to drive even more speed, efficiency and scale: 

• Juniper Apstra has been expanded to provide faster and more efficient processing of AI/ML traffic over Ethernet, including congestion management, load balancing and flow control.
• New Express 5 silicon-based PTX routers and line cards with the promise of industry-leading performance and energy-efficient sustainability to enable the necessary massive scale with high-density 800GE capacity. 
• A new QFX switch provides 2X the capacity of the previous generation and is the first announced data center switch from an Original Equipment Manufacturer using the most advanced Broadcom Tomahawk 5 silicon for 800GE.

Both the new PTX and QFX platforms support high 800GE port density and the necessary AI infrastructure protocols, including RDMA over Ethernet (RoCE v2) for power-efficient and scalable AI Data Center networking.

ASUS today announced the revolutionary new Zenbook DUO (2024) UX8406, the world’s first ultraportable OLED laptop equipped with two 14-inch 3K 120 Hz OLED touchscreens is available for pre-order via the ASUS e-Shop. It also announced the device will launch in participating Australian retailers on 14th February 2024. With its detachable full-size Bluetooth® ASUS ErgoSense keyboard and touchpad, this device has been designed to rewrite the rulebook for on-the-go versatility.

Say hello to revolutionary design

The Intel® Evo™ Edition Zenbook DUO expertly combines multitasking versatility with superb mobility in a 1.35 kg-light package. The dual full-size 3K 120 Hz ASUS Lumina OLED 16:10 displays are joined by a lay-flat 180° hinge to instantly expand the visual workspace to up to a massive 19.8 inches, which can be used in vertical or horizontal orientations for a number of versatile user modes — Laptop, Dual Screen, Desktop, or Sharing — controlled by intuitive ASUS ScreenXpert software. 

With this device, ASUS seeks to maximise users’ productivity and play throughout the day with up to an Intel Core™ Ultra 9 processor with an integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for AI acceleration, up to 32 GB of LPDDR5x memory, up to a 1 TB PCIe® 4.0 SSD, a long-lifespan 75 Wh battery, and a Harman Kardon-certified Dolby Atmos® audio system. 

The premium ASUS Lumina OLED displays provide Dolby Vision® certified, Pantone® Validated and have a cinema-grade 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut to ensure vivid, accurate colour rendering. They are also VESA DisplayHDR™ True Black 500 certified for the deepest black levels and have 12Hz Motion Clarity for more frames per second, improving the display for fast-moving and smooth visuals.

Lumina OLED displays are T6UV Rheinland certified, which provides precision and accuracy for users when creating and consuming content. This technology also reduces blue-light by up to 70%, making them the ideal display for prolonged screen time interaction. Blue light is known to cause visual discomfort. By calibrating the spectrum, ASUS Lumina OLED laptops emit 70% less blue light. Unlike traditional blue-light filters, shifting the spectrum means colour accuracy is uncompromised.

The device’s ambient light colour sensor auto-adjusts for changes in the environment’s brightness and colour temperature. The touchscreen supports high-precision stylus input using the optional 4096 pressure-level ASUS Pen, and the built-in ScreenXpert software enables smartphone-like multitouch gesture support for intuitive operation: users can summon a virtual keyboard with two-fingers to maximise a window and more with simple multi-finger gestures. 

The rechargeable keyboard can be detached to allow full use of the visual workspace or be placed on the lower display for a traditional clamshell laptop experience. This design enhances portability and convenience, allowing users to seamlessly use or charge the keyboard at any time without extra settings. The pogo-pin connectors on the edge of the lower screen ensure hassle-free docking, with auto-positioning magnets on the pogo pins and corners of the second screen to further enhance the overall user experience.

Multiple modes, effortlessly versatile

ASUS laptops feature user-centric designs for a customisable experience that is designed to meet the needs of the individual. The ScreenXpert software is intuitive and allows easy control of the display contents in all modes:

• Dual Screen mode: When used with the wireless keyboard, this mode provides 19.8 inches of screen real estate, which can be used as a single expansive screen via the ViewMax feature. Alternatively, the twin 16:10 displays can be used independently, with easy window management via the App Switcher feature that puts users in full fingertip control of app windows, reducing interruptions and helping users maintain focus on the task at hand.
• Desktop mode: The laptop can be used with the hinge aligned vertically for side-by-side portrait screens. Combined with the wireless keyboard, this makes it perfect for programmers, researchers, writers, and those who need access to large data worksheets for things like financial analysis — and many more. Users can display productivity apps on one screen while the other shows reference materials, documentation, or research sources. Alternatively, using the ViewMax feature they can display content across the entire screen width, giving them a massive 19.8-inch display.
• Laptop mode: Users can place the ASUS ErgoSense Bluetooth keyboard and touchpad onto the lower display for a traditional laptop-style experience, replete with a 14-inch display and tall 16:10 aspect ratio. A pogo-pin connector automatically recharges the keyboard. Alternatively, the lower screen can be configured as a full-size virtual keyboard if required, so users don’t have to travel with the keyboard if space is tight.
• Sharing mode: Allows easy content sharing in meetings and business presentations. The 180° hinge allows the screens to lay flat so everyone can view the screen without having to huddle around, fostering better engagement and discussion. Additionally, content on the upper screen can be rotated by 180° if needed. 

Supremely capable

Despite its ultra-compact form factor, ASUS’s goal in creating the Zenbook DUO was to not sacrifice performance or functionality. It seeks to be a productive device as it includes the latest generation of Intel processors — up to the all-new Core Ultra 9 H-series — combined with up to 32 GB of LPDDR5x RAM and up to a 1 TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. 

The Zenbook DUO’s long-lasting 75 Wh battery can keep users productive for up to 8 hours. In 49 minutes of charging, the DUO can reach a 60% charge level. The redesigned 75 Wh high-capacity battery has an eco-friendly extended lifespan that supports up to 20% more charging cycles than the previous generation. As an Intel Evo Edition laptop, Zenbook DUO wakes instantly, charges fast, and delivers all-day battery life so users can confidently travel without their chargers.

The Zenbook DUO adds a heat spreader between the motherboard and the OLED panel as part of the advanced cooling system, which allows the CPU and GPU to run at up to a 35 W combined TDP, without the need to throttle.

The 14.6 mm-thin chassis has no compromises in I/O capabilities, either, with two Thunderbolt™ 4 ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port, an HDMI® 2.1 (TMDS) port, and a convenient 3.5 mm audio jack, so users don’t need to carry a bulky docking station or multiple adapters when travelling. The two ultrafast Thunderbolt™ 4 USB-C ports support fast charging, two 4K 60 Hz or one 8K 60Hz external displays, and up to 40 Gbps data transfers.

Privacy is also a priority with the Zenbook DUO. It allows the user to be more secure with its camera privacy shield and fast, password-free face login. Windows Hello Infrared (IR) camera allows the user to unlock their laptop quickly and securely. 

AI enhancing the user experience

ASUS recognises that AI technology is becoming more integrated into our everyday lives and so the DUO seeks to offer functionality and performance to aid consumers as they increasingly rely on AI technology, whether they are in the early stages of discovery or are already using it day to day.

With that in mind, the device’s Intel Core Ultra processors feature Intel’s first integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), which delivers a dedicated engine to help unlock AI experiences on the PC, the next level in immersive graphics, and high-performance low-power processing, so users can work, game, and create without worrying about battery life. This is designed to support shifting workloads from the CPU and providing power-efficient AI acceleration for modern AI-enabled applications. 

The NPU delivers low-latency AI computing, accelerating multitasking to make Zenbook DUO highly efficient for work, creativity, and entertainment. All this enables users to seamlessly manage complex workloads and enhance productivity. 

To support video calling, the ASUS AiSense camera with Windows Studio Effects ensures the user looks their best during virtual conferences. This is made possible because of features such as background blur, eye contact correction, automatic framing and ASUS 3DNR. 

For business travellers and other remote employees, videoconferencing is increasingly common, showing voice quality is important for efficient and clear communication. The new Zenbook DUO features ASUS AI Noise Cancellation, which ensures that users can hear and be heard clearly in any scenario. Two-way AI Noise Cancellation leverages a deep-learning database to reduce background noise for the microphone and audio.

Sustainable & durable at its core

The Zenbook DUO is designed with sustainability and durability in mind. It incorporates a variety of recycled materials and is durability tested to US MIL-STD-810H standards to maximise the device’s lifespan, and features Corning® Gorilla® Glass. The laptop also meets the ultra-demanding MIL-STD 810H military standard for reliability and durability, improving the laptop’s longevity and sustainability.

ASUS is committed to minimising its impact on the environment, and Zenbook DUO is constructed from 90% post-industrial recycled magnesium aluminium alloy. It exceeds ENERGY STAR® power-efficiency requirements by up to 47.6%, and all paper packaging is made from 100 %-recyclable FSC™ Mix-certified paper. 

Availability & Pricing

The ASUS Zenbook DUO (2024) UX8406 is available for Australian pre-orders now, 29th January 2024, via ASUS e-Shop and JB Hi-Fi.

The ASUS Zenbook DUO (2024) UX8406 will be available in Australia from 14th February 2024 at participating retailers. 

The device is available at RRP $3,999 AUD.

Epson has announced the SureColor V1060, their first ever A4 UV desktop printer. This new printer is ideal for customising merchandise and promotional items on demand and transforming them into unique products, making them an excellent solution for retail and event environments.

By launching the SureColor V1060 Epson opens up a world of possibilities for businesses to explore diverse offerings to their customers from promotional items and personalised gifts to industrial prototypes with all the benefits of Epson’s cost-effective, consistent high-quality imaging, and innovative compact design.

The SC-V1060 enables direct printing onto a vast array of materials, including acrylic, metals, wood, canvas and more with superior image quality, colour accuracy and finely detailed text.

In terms of media handling the SC-V1060 supports substrates up to 297mm x 210mm (A4), and up to 70mm in thickness allowing you to print on thicker materials.

UV curable UltraChrome UV ink with CMYK+White+Varnish provide a stunning output on both rigid and flexible materials with Epson Precision Dot and Variable Sized Dot Technology (VSDT), additional White ink and Varnish can be applied as a layer or spot colour for enhanced image expression and finish quality.

Compact (W699 x D699 x H426mm) and innovative design enables the new printer to fit neatly into retail environments where space is always limited and the printer needs to run clean, cool and safely. Additional space savings with built-in air filtration system and as no space is required at the rear of the printer means it can be easily situated against a wall.

“The SureColor V1060 is an innovative printer and a game-changer in the world of UV printing. We are excited to see this affordable solution opening up new creative horizons for retailers, designers and small businesses.” said Shuhei Sato product manager of Professional Print Solutions Division at Epson Australia.

Designed with the user in mind, the SC-V1060 features an intuitive 4.3” touchscreen, user-friendly interface and fully automated cleaning system. The use of 140ml replaceable ink pack system simplifies operation while enhancing productivity, reducing waste and mess. Thus, from setup to execution, the operator can navigate seamlessly, streamlining the printing process for maximum efficiency.

SureColor V1060 UV desktop printer key features:

• Compact and innovative design – The unit is designed to fit most retail environments 
• Complete front operation – Provides the flexibility for any workflow in limited space.

• Built-in air filtration system – No additional space and cost required.

• Precise line and text quality – Superior image quality with incredible detail for small application.

• Low maintenance – Fully automated cleaning system with fabric head wiper and no waste ink tank.

• Easy Operation – Intuitive touchscreen with animated instructions and 140ml replaceable ink-pack system.
• Epson Edge Print Pro software – Epson genuine RIP which provides a powerful set of image editing tools via an interface that is easy to use.
• Epson Cloud Solution PORT– Provides live production monitoring, reporting and job cost accounting (requires Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection)
• Reliable and Durable Design – Supplied with a comprehensive on-site 1-year warranty, optional comprehensive CoverPlus extension up to 5 years subject to PORT activation

Availability and price

The SureColor V1060 UV desktop printer is expected to ship in Australia and New Zealand in the second half of 2024. Pricing will be announced closer to launch.

An A3 version of the UV desktop printer is planned to launch in late 2024.

More information

To see the SureColor V1060 in action go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiYQQPb4lfc

Vodafone is shaking up the market for business-grade broadband with the launch of its new suite of nbn® plans to help small businesses stay connected and competitive.

Vodafone’s newly launched Business Broadband nbn® plans feature high-speed access, unlimited data, and no lock-in contracts at fantastic prices, making it a strong option for business customers in the market for a high-value business internet plan. All plans also come with a static IP address at no additional charge and a business-grade modem ($0 upfront when you stay connected for 24 months) which enables 4G mobile backup.

“Our new Business Broadband nbn® plans have been designed specifically for small business, providing competitive connectivity and performance,” said Jeremy Howe, TPG Telecom General Manager Commercial, Enterprise & Government.

“We know every dollar counts for small businesses, which is why we have made these Business-grade nbn® plans great value for money. With superfast speeds, around the clock support and mobile backup, it has never been a better time to connect with Vodafone.”

Vodafone’s new Business Broadband nbn® plans all come on month-to-month (M2M) contracts with 24/7 customer support, across four speed tiers, giving customers flexibility to change speeds and plans as needed.

To celebrate the launch of Vodafone’s new suite of nbn® Business Broadband plans, new Business Broadband nbn® connections can get up to $10 a month off on selected plans for the first 6-months. This offer will run until April 30, 2024.

Vodafone customers can also save an additional $15 per month when the Business Broadband nbn® service is bundled with a new or existing Vodafone postpaid mobile plan on the same account.

• Business nbn® Essential + ($50Mbps & #17Mbps*): $70 per month (usually $85/mth or discounted to $70/mth when bundled with a Vodafone postpaid mobile plan)
• Business nbn® Fast + ($91Mbps & #34Mbps*): $85 per month (usually $105/mth. When bundled, plan is discounted to $85/mth for the first 6 months (after that, it’s $90/mth). If stand-alone it’s $100/mth for the first 6 months)
• Business nbn® Superfast ($210Mbps & #21Mbps*): $105 per month (usually $130/mth. When bundled, plan is discounted to $105/mth for the first 6 months (after that, it’s $115/mth). If stand-alone it’s $120/mth for the first 6 months)
• Business nbn® Ultrafast ($450Mbps & #42.5Mbps*): $115 per month (usually $140/mth. When bundled, plan is discounted to $115/mth for the first 6 months (after that, it’s $125/mth). If stand-alone it’s $130/mth for the first 6 months)

Coming soon in 2024, Vodafone business customers with an eligible Fibre-to-the-Node (FTTN) and Fibre-to-the-Curb (FTTC) connection will be able to upgrade their old copper connection, free-of-charge, to a brand-new fibre connection. This upgrade will deliver high-speed fibre-optic cable all the way to a customer’s premises as part of the NBN Fibre Connect upgrade program.

For more details on Vodafone’s Business Broadband solution.

A consumer and marketing expert says restaurants must look at improving their own business operations before penalising diners with exorbitant restaurant surcharges, a practice we expect to see this coming public holiday. 

Dr Sandy Fitzgerald, Senior Lecturer, Marketing 

“It has become a standard practice that cafes and restaurants inflict a 10-15% surcharge on diners on public holidays, weekends and “peak periods”, in addition to the 10% GST and a 1.2% card service fee. 

“In this economic climate where consumers have less disposable income, they are less tolerant of this practice. 

“Despite how unhappy consumers are, there’s not much that can be done as the ACCC stipulates that businesses can charge whatever amount they want – so long as they don’t hide their surcharges. 

“Businesses argue that surcharges keep their doors open because the operating costs of running a business on certain days are higher (mainly wage-related).  

“However, many people have criticised restauranteurs for charging exorbitant surcharges yet failing to deliver good service experiences. In turn, customers avoid dining during these periods, meaning less income for the business.  

“Restaurants should look more closely at operating costs, make intelligent decisions and think creatively to improve their profit margins rather than relying on surcharges to make a profit (if that) or break-even.

Instead of restaurant surcharges, try to do this :  

• Reducing food costs – make informed decisions on what to serve on the weekends and public holidays. Is there a cheaper/healthier alternative? Should they have a different menu for weekends? 
• Reducing serving sizes and removing unpopular dishes – reduce portion sizes on certain dishes, especially if staff notice constant food wastage on some dishes.   
• Improving service – great service encourages diners to return and has potential to bring in new customers through word-of-mouth referrals.  
• Rewarding regulars – there is potential in creating a system where regulars are charged a lesser surcharge. 

“This will help them stand out from the rest of their competitors and in the long run, their business remains viable.” 

With pressures including inflation, cost of living and skills shortages, the way Australians work is set for a shakeup in 2024. But to what extent? We look at four trends shaping work in 2024.

SEEK has a unique perspective on what is on the horizon for Australian businesses over the coming twelve months. Here, SEEK experts share their insights into the key trend they are keeping an eye on for the year ahead.

Four trends shaping work

1. Will a cooling jobs market lead to an end to WFH?
2. Relevance and personalisation as the great differentiator
3. Skills Passports to support labour market efficiency
4. Redefining career development

Will a cooling jobs market lead to an end to WFH?

The labour market looks set to cool in 2024, with successive interest rate rises starting to weigh on employment growth. As the heat in the market dissipates, Matt Cowgill, SEEK Senior Economist, says the big question that is front of mind for most economists is whether we will achieve the soft landing many expect, or are we in for something bumpier? And what impact will this outlook have on one key COVID-era employment trend in particular?

 “Currently all signs point to a soft landing for the Australian market,” Cowgill says, “but with that there will likely be a rise in unemployment over the next twelve months.

“As the market cools and unemployment rises, the power balance that sat with the workers during the Great Job Boom of 21/22 will continue to reverse itself. Employers with greater bargaining power will be more able to dictate the terms of employment.”

So could WFH be a casualty of the market slowdown? Nothing in SEEK’s data points to this. SEEK’s job ads data shows that 10% of all ads on SEEK indicate the role can be done from home, down only marginally from 11% last year.

“Two years on from Australia’s last lockdown and one in ten job ads on SEEK indicate some sort of flexible working option. SEEK data shows that WFH is sticking around.”

Relevance and personalisation the great differentiator

Kendra Banks, SEEK Managing Director ANZ, underscores the evolving landscape of big tech, data privacy and security as a critical focus for many Australian organisations. As Google’s cookies are rolled back, businesses who rely on third-party data may soon find themselves in the dark about their customer-base. Those who hold robust, and robustly protected, customer insights will be able to differentiate their offerings ahead of their competitors.

Kendra points to SEEK’s AI-driven innovations, such as promoting top applicants or profile-based job matches that deliver a more personalised job-seeking experience, leading to better outcomes for hirers and candidates alike.

“Looking for a new job, or hiring a new employee, can be one of the most important life decisions we make,” says SEEK Managing Director ANZ Kendra Banks, “and relevance is crucial to the process.”

“When candidates receive relevant matches to their search, and hirers are delivered qualified applicants, perhaps outside of what they expected, the whole process becomes more efficient and more seamless for everyone.”

Skills Passports to support labour market efficiency

2024 will bring a renewed focus on how skills passports can support a more dynamic and efficient labour market, according to SEEK Head of Government Relations and Economics Kadi Taylor.

One of the key outcomes of the Australian Government’s Employment White Paper was a process to consult on a National Skills Passport. Taylor suggests that the primary and most immediate role for Government in this process is to set frameworks for a way for all credentials – including formal qualifications, micro credentials and employment-related credentials – to be understandable, digitised, shareable and verifiable.

“To realise the full potential of skills passports – for the economy, individuals and for employers – government and the private sector must play to their strengths,” Taylor states. “Government, with its unique position to set standards and act as enablers. The private sector, with its deep integration into recruitment processes and the labour market, provides the visible user experience layer for jobseekers and employers.

“The core problem to be solved by government on this issue is the setting of standards for micro-credentials – where they are not delivered by an accredited higher education or training provider,” Taylor says. “This would support more efficient matching of skilled workers with the available job opportunities and help minimise the skills gap.”

Redefining career development

The pandemic highlighted the importance of work-life balance, with SEEK’s Laws of Attraction data revealing that work-life balance is now considered twice as important to workers compared to career development^[1][1] when looking to attract new people into your organisation. In particular, flexibility is the key thing they are looking for.

However, once you have those people within your organisation, and in order to foster an engaged and flexible workplace in 2024, the data shows that organisations are best placed to focus on supporting career development that builds cross-functional skills, and career diversity, says SEEK Chief People & Culture Officer, Kathleen McCudden.  People still want career progression, but it looks a bit different today. With on-the-job skill development/coaching being the number one requirement.

“The aspiration for an increasing number of Australians seeking professional development is less about an ‘end-goal role’, and more about the desire for autonomy or flexibility that allows for fulfilment and optimal work-life balance,” McCudden says.

While each expert is approaching 2024 from a slightly different angle, uniting their perspectives is a focus on the large external forces that have the potential to vastly alter the way we work; from rising unemployment levels to government policy and changes in Big Tech, to the way we approach our long-term career goals.

^[1][1] SEEK’s Laws of Attraction research

Integrating large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s ChatGPT into the workplace heralds a new era of productivity and efficiency for organisations, with its unparalleled ability to streamline communication and automate tasks. The pros are obvious – accelerated response times, improved customer interactions, and enhanced collaboration. However, the increased adoption of LLMs raises serious ethical challenges and concerns, particularly regarding potential ChatGPT bias. As products of the data they are built on, LLMs like ChatGPT can inadvertently perpetuate existing biases and exacerbate inequality.

Striking a balance between the pros and cons of artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly important as organisations navigate the evolving landscape of automating functions in the workplace. Addressing these complexities is essential to harness the full potential of AI while ensuring fair and unbiased outcomes for society as a whole. Increasingly, research provides evidence to support new strategies for how organisations can and should integrate AI into their decision-making processes.

To address this challenge, Sam Kirshner, an Associate Professor in the School of Information Systems and Technology Management (ISTM) at UNSW Business School, recently investigated the intersection of ChatGPT and Construal Level Theory (CLT), focusing on how the AI chatbots’ level of abstraction influences product recommendations. His paper, GPT and CLT: The Impact of ChatGPT’s Level of Abstraction on Consumer Recommendations, reveals a discernible ChatGPT bias.

What are AI systems like ChatGPT doing when they distinguish between datasets?

Construal level theory explains how humans think about and process events. A “high-level” construal involves focusing on the big picture or abstract features, while a “low-level” construal entails paying attention to specific details, akin to seeing the forest (abstract features) or the trees (specific details). In his study, A/Prof. Kirshner explores this concept by comparing humans’ decisions with ChatGPT’s. Interestingly, he discovers an “abstraction bias” in ChatGPT, where the bot consistently interprets information at a higher construal level than humans, directly influencing its recommendations.

A/Prof. Kirshner’s past research examines construal level theory to explain decision-making in inventory management and following natural disasters. In his latest study, A/Prof. Kirshner asked GPT-4 several buyer and seller-related questions repeatedly and recorded the answers. His findings show that ChatGPT’s bias prioritised desirability over feasibility, which potentially has significant implications for generative algorithms and their use across e-commerce. And as AI (especially language models) becomes more prevalent in offering recommendations, A/Prof. Kirshner says consumer behaviour may shift, influencing product choices, reviews, and market transactions.

“As recommendations and choices can hinge on the advisor or decision makers’ construal level, and as LLMs will be increasingly relied on for advice and decisions, my research investigates whether ChatGPT systematically adopts a high or low-level construal or is fluid like humans,” says A/Prof. Kirshner. “For people, construal levels are fluid. We (people) often recognise which level of detail – the trees or the forest – is appropriate for specific situations and adopt our mindset accordingly. However, other times, our environment influences our construal levels, and we make suboptimal decisions,” he explains.

Understanding ChatGPT bias

Consumer behaviour may change as AI, particularly language models like ChatGPT, gains prominence in providing recommendations. The decisions made by AI may diverge from those made by humans, who adapt their construal levels (ability to focus on abstract or concrete details) based on a unique situation.

A/Prof. Kirshner explains: “A fundamental way to measure whether people behave abstractly or concretely is to measure behaviours interpreted abstractly (often focusing on the why) versus concretely (often focusing on the how). For example, ‘eating an apple’ can be described concretely as ‘chewing and swallowing’ or abstractly, ‘as getting nutrition’. Similarly, ‘making a list’ can be described as ‘writing things down’ or ‘getting organised’. Using this type of measurement on ChatGPT consistently shows that ChatGPT represents these behaviours at a high rather than a low-level construal.”

So, what exactly is abstraction bias? “I call GPT’s overall preference an ‘abstraction bias’. If it interprets information abstractly, it will make recommendations and decisions in consumer scenarios that differ from people since we (people) are more fluid in our construal level and are more impacted by the scenario,” he says. “Thus, in scenarios where, because of our roles, we will make different decisions because we adopt either more of a high-level or low-level construal, different decisions could emerge because AI will only take on a high-level construal.”

As another example, A/Prof. Kirshner describes preparing for a wedding. “After finding out that your friend is getting married and setting the wedding date to be a year away, thoughts about the wedding will typically be abstract and high-level: Am I in the wedding party? Who else will be there? Will it be a destination wedding? Will it be secular or religious?

“But, when the wedding is a day away, thoughts will be consistent with a low-level construal: Am I taking an Uber or getting a lift? When will I write the card? Is my attire wrinkle-free? Did I choose the vegetarian or fish option for dinner?”

How might this show up in the workplace? “Interestingly, these differences in concrete versus abstract representations impact how we evaluate information within scenarios, substantially impacting our decision-making in our personal (e.g., as consumers) and professional lives,” A/Prof. Kirshner explains.

“Imagine giving a presentation to discuss your company’s strategy. If it’s a 6-month strategy, the focus will be more detail-oriented than a 5-year strategy. Similarly, if you are in a small team of 10 people (who you likely know quite well), the level of detail in your speech will be drastically different than if you were speaking to 1000 people,” he says.

Here’s another case study. Imagine deciding between buying two laptops: one with state-of-the-art performance, which is heavy and inconvenient to carry around, and another laptop with half the specs and is less powerful but super lightweight. According to A/Prof. Kirshner, when adopting a high-level construction, we are more concerned with why you need a computer for its ability to do tasks, i.e., its performance. So, desirability features are usually consistent with the why. On the other hand, a low-level construal prioritises the how (i.e., the feasibility). 

A/Prof. Kirshner explains: “If I use the laptop, I need to think about how I want to use it at cafes, work, travel, etc. This differs from a seller selling this product to thousands of people and is, thus, farther away psychologically from using the computer. So, they are less likely to think about low-construal level features. Because ChatGPT systematically adopts a high-level construal, it will provide advice that prioritises the desirability features.

“ChatGPT will recommend that a seller price the laptop with higher performance as more expensive than the lighter one. This is consistent with how sellers behave. However, ChatGPT differs in its recommendation for buyers, where it will also say that you should pay substantially more for a high-performance laptop than a lightweight and convenient one (which is where it differs from most people). Yet people are often unwilling to pay premium prices for high-powered tech products since cutting-edge products are usually less functionally convenient.”

How businesses can navigate AI technology

In practical terms, these findings underscore the importance for organisations to be cognisant of and address the ethical challenges associated with bias in AI tools like ChatGPT and other machine learning models.

According to A/Prof. Kirshner, the first step is awareness of AI’s bias and the role of construal levels in decision-making. From there, it is important to determine the optimal construal level for a decision and ensure ChatGPT’s decisions and recommendations are consistent.

Past research suggests decision-makers should consciously manage shifts between broad and detailed perspectives to align their current construal with the demands of each decision, optimising goal attainment. Regulators and businesses alike should understand these nuances when implementing policy changes in the future.

A/Prof. Kirshner explains: “As construal level is influential in how we behave, an exciting area of research is to make construals within AI more fluid – and exploring whether people are better off being influenced by construals or trying to uncover which construals lead to the best outcomes with scenarios, and training LLMs to recognise “optimal construals” and make recommendations accordingly.

“Who knows – in the future, we may have agents making decisions and purchases on our behalf, and they could interact with the firm’s LLM agents. As principles of construal level theory also readily apply to negotiations (e.g., focus on primary issues versus secondary issues and on the why vs the how), this could also have huge impacts on what products and services we consume,” he says.

Twelve South has announced a revamp to the BookArc, a vertical laptop stand that helps to maximise space on your desk without sacrificing aesthetics. BookArc helped solidify Twelve South’s foundations, today becoming even stronger with the unveiling of BookArc Flex.
BookArc Flex is a stunningly beautiful vertical MacBook stand that holds your MacBook while connected to a monitor. BookArc Flex cradles the Mac you have now and in the future by automatically adjusting to any size MacBook up to 1 inch thick without additional inserts.

Create a comfortable, powerful desktop setup.

Spend a lot of time at a desk with your laptop? Use BookArc to turn your laptop into a powerful mini desktop. This tiny stand makes room for a full-size keyboard, mouse and external monitor, improving comfort and productivity. Taking your laptop to a meeting or home for the night is as simple as unplugging it and lifting it out of BookArc Flex.

Small desk? Big monitor? No problem.

By holding your MacBook vertically, BookArc frees up space for that big display you’ve been dreaming of. You can even slide BookArc Flex and your MacBook behind your monitor to save even more space. Need to take your MacBook on the road? Just unplug it and go.

Minimal design for maximum focus.

Perhaps the real beauty of BookArc Flex is that it allows you to use one large display. Whether you’re editing a video, writing a blog post, or diving deep into a Numbers sheet, having one big screen helps you laser focus on the project. Using your MacBook in Closed Display Mode is a thing of beauty in itself.

Future-proof design.

BookArc Flex is designed to hold your MacBook or laptop without additional adjustments or extra inserts (compatible with most laptops with screens up to 16″ and less than 1 inch thick). So this stand will hold the laptop you own now and the laptop you’ll upgrade to next year. How sweet is that?

BookArc Flex from Humble Beginnings:

The original BookArc was introduced back in 2009, creating a vertical stand category with it. Becoming a staple product from the brand, many of the desk setup shots on social media and roundups feature a BookArc. With design being the main differentiator on the market, modern architecture served as inspiration, with the final product now reflecting elegance whilst remaining a minimalist piece of art.
BookArc Flex will be available shortly on twelvesouth.com.au for AUD$79.95 (Black and White) and AUD$99.95 (Chrome). Retail availability is expected to expand in the coming months.