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Australia's coronavirus tracing app, dubbed COVIDSafe, has been released as the nation seeks to contain the spread of the deadly pandemic.

Smartphone users can download the app for iPhones and Android and will be able to register their information on Sunday from 6:00pm AEST.

People who download the app will be asked to supply a name, which can be a pseudonym, their age range, a mobile number and post code.

Those who download the software will be notified if they have contact with another user who tests positive for coronavirus.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has flagged the app as being essential for Australia to be able to ease coronavirus-induced restrictions across the country.

Using Bluetooth technology, the app "pings" or exchanges a "digital handshake" with another user when they come within 1.5 metres of each other, and then logs this contact and encrypts it.

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Key points:

• The COVIDSafe app will be voluntary for Australians to download
• It traces only contact with other people who have the COVIDSafe app on their phone
• People risk five years in jail for illegally accessing the data collected

The data remains encrypted on a user's phone for 21 days, after which it is deleted if they have not been in contact with a confirmed case.

The application will have two stages of consent that people will have to agree to: initially when they download the app so data can be collected, and secondly to release that data on their phone if they are diagnosed with the virus.

If a person with the app tested positive to COVID-19, and provided they consent to sharing the information, it will be sent to a central server.

From here, state and territory health authorities can access it and start contacting other people who might have contracted coronavirus.

Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said the app would provide quicker contact tracing, which was essential for containing the spread of the virus.

Get the app

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Getting IT support services is widely believed to be expensive, however it doesn’t have to be that way, with prices varying depending on the support level that you need. Managed IT Service providers are able to provide IT assistance that can be accessed by small businesses when issues arise, so you don’t need to worry about hiring a costly in-house IT professional. 

With that in mind, it is important to consider the many great benefits that utilising IT support services can have on your business’ growth.

1. Enhanced Data Protection

Data is vital to a business. History has shown how detrimental data leaks can be towards a business and its growth. If your business handles customer data, then you should proactively take action to ensure it is protected securely. It is important to keep in mind the extent of malware out there, and that malware is constantly evolving. Hence, it is necessary to have effective protection and attend to anti-malware strategies on a regular basis. Fortunately, you don’t have to do this by yourself. Your Managed IT service provider can help you keep up to date with the latest malware protection to keep your business safe.

2. Business Operation Requirements

Most startups and small businesses only need minimal IT support. If you are starting a small business, you will likely need basic IT assistance to begin with such as system backups and the implementation of security systems. Your IT support can help take care of this, so you are able to focus on the more urgent business tasks.

3. Lower Cost

There is a common notion that having IT support can cost a business more money, which is far from the truth. Despite being very knowledgeable about your business, it is possible that you don’t have extensive knowledge regarding technology. An example of this is choosing hardware and software for your business. There are so many choices that choosing the appropriate kind for your business yourself can be overwhelming and extremely time consuming. Your IT service provider can go through your options and pick the ones that are best for your business. When it comes to reducing operational costs, using a managed service provider proves much more cost effective than an IT specialist in house. 

4. Improved Productivity

You can increase your productivity by using the right technology. An IT consultation that comes with IT support services can keep you up to date with the latest software and hardware so you can handle data and do your tasks more efficiently. Also, to keep your business up and running, you will need to eliminate or, at least, reduce down times caused by technological issues. An IT support company can help fix issues such as a server crash, and get you back up and running promptly. 

5. More Focus On Business

As a small business owner, you don’t want your time to be spent solving technical issues. Spending time on such things not only wastes a lot of your time, but leads to a plateau in overall business growth. One of the benefits of having IT support is that you won’t have to worry about such issues. Because of this, you can focus on more important matters that have a direct impact on growing your business. In most cases, technical issues won’t be a problem since your IT support team can prevent them from happening in the first place. 

IT support services can greatly accelerate the growth of your business and increase productivity, which will lead to more profit for you. It can help cut down costs and save your time so you can hone in on crucial business matters, whilst knowing that your business is in safe hands on the IT side.

The post How Small Business IT Support Services Can Accelerate Your Business’ Growth appeared first on CBM Corporate.

1. It Allows For Continuous Innovation

While speedy response and cost-effectiveness are extremely important factors for a business in today’s market, innovation is also key in helping a business survive in the cut-throat competition of the global market. Once again, the cloud makes the entire process of developing a product, putting it on market trial and assessing feedback faster and easier for the company. 

This means rolling out a new products will happen at a more rapid pace for a company using cloud computing services.

2. Offers Businesses Quick Response-Time

In the increasingly dynamic market of today, sometimes the key difference between a successful business and one that fails to survive is the ability to respond quickly to changing consumer sentiment. As opposed to traditional IT services, which can take weeks or months to provision the resources required, the cloud can make resources available in a matter of minutes. This allows a company to identify, respond to and modify on grounds of feedback, a new trend at a much faster pace.

3. More Secure Than On-Site Computing Systems

Contrary to popular belief, the cloud is actually much more secure for its users than the typical on-site IT system. 

Its security across all its platforms is believed to have improved and continues to do so as all the big cloud providers have invested most of their research and development capital into developing better and stronger cloud-based security systems. This ensures greater confidentiality, fewer glitches and thus, fewer costs incurred in managing errors or lapses in security. Additionally in cases such as a power failure, the cloud offers a secure place for storage of all data, which can be easily accessed and business can be conducted as usual with very little loss of productivity even in the face of a crisis.

4. It Offers Greater Flexibility

Firstly, the cloud offers businesses flexibility of structure, allowing it to up-scale or down-scale its operations according to the market conditions. This means that at no point in time does the company have to deal with a surplus of staff, saving on cost and time. 

Secondly, cloud computing offers employees greater flexibility in their work practices. In the work-from-home, remote access, flexible hours work culture of today, cloud computing is an ideal option as it allows employees to access data from their home or a remote location at any time of day. It also offers custom software to each employee based on their role and responsibility.

Businesses are operating in increasingly interconnected markets with intense competition and fast-changing tastes of demanding consumers. This trend is likely to continue and in the face of such market conditions, firms will need to continuously look to streamline their business, cut costs to offer better prices, develop new strategies to offer better quality, do research to keep at par with consumer tastes and continually innovate to create and capitalise on new trends. It is in all these performance areas, that cloud computing provides advantages that translate into gaining a competitive edge over rivals and improving a business’s profitability and return on investment. Importantly, there are also many other advantages of cloud computing, which all serve to make it the technology for the future, the investment that most firms will begin to see as almost necessary to stay alive in their respective markets.

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For your business to succeed and stay ahead of its competitors, it requires reliable IT support when need be.

Hiring an IT staff is one option, but as mentioned previously can be costly, especially when your business is in its initial stages.

Outsourcing IT support services to a managed service provider is a fantastic option for your business and a worthwhile investment. There are so many advantages when choosing a managed service provider over an in-house IT team. Not only is managed IT services significantly cheaper than hiring in house (since you only pay for the services provided), you can access IT specialists across all areas.  It is rare to have an in-house IT specialist who’s skilled in all corners of IT. You may have one and still end up outsourcing some tasks. Unfortunately, it is uncommon that someone can singly provide you with the entire IT support your business needs.

Many entrepreneurs and business owners don’t know when it is time to switch to full service IT support. Here are some of the signs that it is time to use a managed service provider.

1. You’re Spending Too Much Time Troubleshooting

Things going haywire with IT hardware and software is a problem many small businesses face. The difference comes in how much time it takes to troubleshoot the problem and then continue with smooth business operations. 

Whether your customer relationship management system is not saving new entries or your hosting service provider has let you down, you need to resolve all IT issues as quickly and efficiently as possible.

An IT specialist with remote access to your network can resolve many issues remotely. Troubleshooting the problem will be prompt, and with a reliable full service IT support company, will your business will never be out of operation due to IT issues.

2. Cyber Security Threats

If you have not yet encountered a cyber security attack, it might be on the horizon. You never know who is trying to intercept your network. If you have not put any security measures to combat cyber crime, it is time to liaise with a full service IT support company.

Hackers can bring your business to a standstill. Installing Antivirus and other computer security software can often be not enough as hackers are improving their expertise every day. To be on the safe side, you need to work closely with an IT specialist, who can identify and advise on any potential cyber crime threats. 

In addition to this, there are new regulations and legislation regarding customer data. Your company is accountable if an authorised person takes advantage of a security breach to access and use your company information and customer data. 

A full service IT support company will advise you on the corrective security measures you should take to curb all the cyber security threats.

3. Your Business is Growing

Your IT infrastructure needs to grow with your business. You will only be able to expand into a medium and large scale business when you have the infrastructure to facilitate your operations. 

Relying on an infrastructure that does not meet your needs is not cost-effective. Outsourcing full service IT support service will ensure you have the most appropriate technology for your business. With the right technology and infrastructure, the productivity of your business keeps on rising.

4. Your Costs are High 

How you utilise business funds is extremely important to whether your business will stay afloat, and there may be times where you need to reassess costs in order to make cuts.

It is true that your business will eventually, if not already, need some degree of IT support to maintain operation. Whilst there are 2 commonly used IT providers – in house staff and third- party IT support providers – the variance in these costs can be significant. The average salary of IT technician is $72,422 a year, a large cost for a small business to incur, especially given they may not even get their money’s worth. With the view of reducing costs, it is much more cost effective to use a managed service provider, as you pay for the service when required.

The post 4 Signs Your Business Needs Full Service IT Support appeared first on CBM Corporate.

A modern workplace is one in which many talented people are working towards one goal. As Qantas Airways knows all too well, it is one thing to accomplish this in an office and quite another when two-thirds of your staff are working in the field across multiple countries.

In order to deliver the experience customers have come to expect, Qantas looked to the sky, or, more accurately, to the cloud. Through Microsoft 365, Qantas was able to transform their culture into one of collaboration, which was passed on to customers in the form of excellent service.

At CBM Corporate, we are excited about the possibilities awaiting you in the cloud.

The post Qantas empowers employees to do their best work with Microsoft 365 appeared first on CBM Corporate.

With the proliferation of cloud technology, it’s now easier than ever to migrate to a cloud services platform.

With Microsoft cloud services, you can increase security, flexibility, communication and business intelligence, and gain a host of tools you’ll need to create a modern digital workplace.

Contact CBM Corporate today to find out how we can help you with the transition.

Click this link for more information.  View: 5 Reasons your organization should move to the cloud

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With a majority of Australian and Perth-based businesses failing to invest in technology correctly, there’s a significant gap when it comes to productivity and profitability. If you’re not making use of a managed IT service or local team you’re losing out on the expertise needed to guide you in making wise investment decisions. 

All of that said, here are our three ways managed IT can actually save your business money, and how you can get the most out of your investment in technology. 

1. Reviewing Current Device Leases, Contracts and Plans

To start, one of the most significant revenue declines that businesses are experiencing are those that come from mismanaged device leases and cellular contracts. A general rule of thumb is to have someone take a look at device leases, data plans, and other agreements each year – this is because most carriers and providers often massively reduce fees or change plan inclusions every twelve months. 

If you’re a business with a range of cellular devices, laptops, desktops, hosted storage and other contracts, you could find yourself saving upwards of $10,000 each year by having an IT department take a look at these contracts for you. 

Examples of costly contracts include: 

• Software Leases
• Smartphone Contracts
• Cloud Hosting Subscriptions
• Office Phone Plans

Another major perk of managed IT services in Perth is that you may be able to quickly move data storage in-house, saving you from hiring or taking up hefty data storage bills each month. 

2. Security Checks and Cybercrime Mitigation

In an all-digital world, the threat of cybercrime is no longer that of science fiction, and really does cost businesses hundreds of billions of dollars a year around the globe. If you’re a business, you need managed IT services in Perth to keep your devices, hosting and files kept secure. 

The average business owner and employee team don’t have the skill and technological adeptness to make these moves and changes on their own, so a managed IT team is a godsend.

Across Australia, businesses don’t only have money directly stolen from them, and their operations, but also have their services slowed down or stopped entirely, thanks to cyber attacks. If you’re not prepared or protected from these attacks, you’re going to lose hundreds or even thousands of dollars after an attack. Depending on the severity, you may also be subjected to lawsuits from angry clients who have had their data stolen! 

Managed IT support will be able to keep your business’s devices and software well up to date, and also be able to spot any vulnerabilities that can be exploited. A few of the changes and perks of having a managed IT service in Perth on your side include: 

• A team to upgrade the software to more secure versions for you,
• Staff looking into whether files, websites, and portals are vulnerable to attacks,
• Skilled experts will make routine backups of files and data in case of cyber issues.  

Just these few changes can keep your business from falling victim to a cyber attack and may even be what saves you from folding in the case of a devastating company-wide attack. 

3. The Information to Save on New Hardware and Software

A vast majority of Perth-based and Aussie businesses invest far too much money into subpar hardware and software and also fail to recognise the future upgradability of devices. Companies spend tens of thousands of dollars a year on new equipment, only to have their workflows change, rendering those new devices useless. 

There’s a good chance your team isn’t entirely in the ‘know’ when it comes to technology, so a dedicated team who can; 

• Compare device prices,
• Test software for productivity,
• Spotlight ideal hosting plans,
• And more, is ideal for every business. 

With expert managed IT teams on your side, you’re free to consult with them on upgrading hardware and software. They’ll be able to direct you to the best deals, and they’ll also have the experience to let you know when you’ll need to upgrade from these devices in the future. That said, there really are a multitude of different ways that managed IT services in Perth can save your business money.

The post 3 Ways Managed IT Can Save Your Business Money appeared first on CBM Corporate.

When it comes to technology in the workplace, businesses have turned to their CIO. It’s actually been that way for the last 30 years or so. But that position is becoming less relevant thanks to the migration of business applications and storage to the cloud.

As such, it’s being recommended that businesses create a new position; the Chief Productivity Officer — or CPO for short. This position will oversee these services, as well as ensure that your organization is meeting its goals.

Since this is new title, you may feel a little unsure about creating such a position. But, here are six reason why your company needs a CPO.

1. CIO and IT positions have evolved.

In the ancient days of the 1980s, CIOs primarily focused on the technical projects of a company, like automating accounting and other financial processes. As the technology has advanced, CIOs were responsible for helping businesses transition from a traditional “analog” business to a digital one. As more and more companies moved to the cloud, CIOs and IT managers had to upgrade systems and applications that would make employees more productive and improve the customer experience.

Today, these roles go beyond traditional management. They’re also expected to possess corporate financial skills, legal and compliance expertise, data management skills, project management and know how to work with vendors and partners.

Simply put, your current CIO or IT manager, unless they’ve been staying current with the latest trends, doesn’t possess the knowledge or skills to properly utilize technology like the cloud within your company.

Related: When to Upgrade From IT Staff to CIO

2. Streamlines multiple departments.

Thanks to moving to the cloud, services no longer work in silos. Instead, most tasks involve multiple departments.

Take employee onboarding, for example. You need the involvement of HR, finance, legal, and IT to ensure that the employee can do their job properly, like logins to online portals. It also guarantees that the employee will receive a paycheck and benefits. With the right tech, these services can be defined, structured, and automated.

The same is true with your customers. Today your marketing and sales teams must work together when moving a customer through the sales funnel. This way when your marketing team hands-over a lead to your sales department, they’ll have all the relevant information needed to close the sale.

Related: How to Manage Time With 10 Tips That Work

3. Manages your virtual team.

It should come as no surprise that more and more people are working remotely. In fact, Gallup found in 2016 that 43 percent of Americans spent time working remotely. At my companies, Calendar and Due, the entire team works remotely but we have an office where people can come into when they want.

While virtual teams tend to be happier and more productive, there still needs to be some structure. And that’s where a CPO comes into the picture. They not only find the best collaborative, cloud-based tools, they also manage projects and motivate virtual teams.

Related: Get it Done: 35 Habits of the Most Productive People (Infographic)

4. Evaluates existing productivity tools and apps.

There’s no shortage of tools that can boost your company’s productivity. But, how effective are these tools? There’s a possibility that these tools may not be as effective as you believe — which is both a waste of time and money.

I’ve tried out thousands of tools, here are a few good ones that I really like. I typically start with a trial on each tool, give them a good shot. I have at least one team member (The CPO in this case) assigned to each tool to give it a test. If it increases productivity or our bottom line, we typically keep it. If not, it’s gone. This person knows how to evaluate efficiently each tool.

Related: 5 Habits of the Wealthy That Helped Them Get Rich

5. Analyzes small data.

If you’re like most organizations, you’ve probably been collecting and analyzing big data for years. But, have you been paying attention to the small data that’s right in front of you?

This type of data provides insights like what tasks are eating the most time for your employees and what you can do to improve their productivity. By measuring key analytics you can measure anything from how long it takes to respond to a customer inquiry to how employees spend their days.

Once you have this data you can create and launch an automated system that can handle tasks ranging from service desk requests to contract reviews to scheduling meetings.

Related: 4 Reliable Signs Someone Is About to Waste Your Time

6. Greater business competitiveness.

Research conducted by Harvard Business Review Analytic Services reported that 74 percent of businesses believe cloud computing has given them a competitive advantage. That shouldn’t be all that shocking. After all, the cloud allows them to “capitalize on opportunities more quickly” than their competitors.

That’s because with the cloud you can adjust your strategy, respond to the changing tastes of your customers, and stay on-top of current industry trends.

Of course, without a CPO, it’s difficult to take advantage of the cloud since they’re aware of these emerging trends and what cloud-based software will work best for your business.

Related: 10 Simple Things Successful People Do Every Morning (Infographic)

What to look for when hiring a CPO.

Obviously strong technical skills are a must, you should also look for:

• Strong communication skills including verbal, non-verbal cues, written skills, and the ability to listen.
• Strong judgement and decision-making skills to ensure that they’ll be a good fit for your organization.
• The ability to handle and resolve problems.

Original Article can be found here. https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/308423

The post 6 Reasons Your Company Needs a Chief Productivity Officer appeared first on CBM Corporate.

Does your office look different than it used to? Do you have a storage room filed with filing cabinets and external computer equipment? Is half your cubicle taken up by a monitor and a computer tower? Do you even go into a physical office location? Let’s face it, the modern digital workplace looks different.

I recently explored the biggest Digital Transformation Trends that will impact 2019, but there are also some trends that are taking hold in the modern digital workplace, some we’ve been waiting for, others that have surprised us all. However, one thing is for certain: technology is going to continue making waves, changing work for us all and while I do enjoy looking into the future, I believe there are some trends that are making a big impact on the office today. Are you ready? Here are the five trends that I’ve seen making their way into offices across the globe.

It’s All About the Cloud

Cloud, cloud, cloud. We talk about this constantly because it’s the underlying technology that’s changing the most in business, in my opinion. It’s more than just moving data and files to the cloud—which everyone is doing—it’s services too.

Cloud-based services offerings in the categories, infrastructure as a service, platform as a service, and software as a service have changed our office environments.

You may never have had an IT department, or if you did, you might not have the same full-service in-house IT department anymore because of the cloud. Chances are, you probably use more SaaS programs than you realize. And I’d venture to guess that most people reading this article work for organizations that run their business on a hybrid cloud environment. It’s cost effective and it’s saving space and time—and now companies are using consumption-based IT services to determine exactly how much space and cost their cloud is saving them.

The beauty of the cloud is the numerous, customizable options. You get to pick and choose what works for your business. The cloud is arguably the number one factor in the changing modern digital workplace.

Virtualized Desktop Environments Are Here

Original Article can be found here. https://www.forbes.com/sites/danielnewman/2018/09/26/modern-digital-workplace-5-current-trends-making-waves-in-the-office/#40bef5176d95

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In this clip, CBM Corporate takes a look at how technology is transforming learning and preparing students for the future at Broadclyst School. Microsoft Office 365 and devices form the foundation for a rich curriculum that teaches children important skills they’ll need as they enter the workforce and move through life. Let us show you how Office 365 can help your business take the same forward-looking approach to empower your future.

If you would like to learn how CBM Corporate and Microsoft Office 365 can help teach the youth of today, be the leaders of tomorrow.

Then why not give us a call.

08 9242 1000

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Does my MSP need a PSA?

An IT Professional Services Automation (PSA) solution is the central hub for any MSP. A proper solution integrates with critical applications that an MSP needs to run their business, providing full visibility into customers, internal operations, and profitability. The PSA solution should be purpose-built for MSPs and have a user experience that is optimal for unique workflows and business processes.

A PSA solution provides a one-stop shop for an MSP. This tool can organize process information, client information, inventory, billable hours, time-off requests, and more.

Why You Need an Integrated IT PSA Solution

Ask any MSP, and it’s likely they’ll tell you that an uptick in efficiency in their day-to-day tasks would be welcomed into their business with open arms. But with so many cloud applications available to MSPs these days, there needs to be a better way to centralize their operations to save time and protect their margins.

Accountability and customer satisfaction are complementary in many ways - with more accountability, customer satisfaction (one of the most important tangible business metrics one can measure) rates will soar. Bundle that with a business management tool that organizes all of your technicians’ tasks and you’re sure to see efficiency improvements.

Increased Productivity with PSA

Forrester conducted a Total Economic Impact study and outlined those tangible results for MSPs and ITSPs to see what could be achieved if they choose the Autotask Unified PSA and Datto RMM. Some highlights include:

• A 48% reduction in dissatisfied customers
• A 28% increase in response times
• A 10% increase in attained response time for contracted SLAs

These are just a few of the many benefits Forrester outlines in their Total Economic Impact study for unified PSA + RMM from Autotask. The report also covers countless other metrics that are key for businesses looking to improve overall efficiency. Take a look for yourself and see what other benefits unification can bring.

End-to-end management in the Autotask PSA offers a single solution with endless opportunities. Here’s a quick list of some features you can enjoy in the solution:

• CRM: Win new business and manage your existing customer base with a full 360 degree view of account information
• Service Desk: The Ticketing module is ITIL-aligned with built-in best practices to make sure MSPs hit their SLA targets
• Projects: Manage projects so they come in on-time, on-budget, and on-spec
• Time & Billing: Ensure all billable time and expenses are accounted for without dispute
• Customer Agreements and SLAs: Meet commitments with detailed customer agreements and SLA documentation at your fingertips.
• Reporting: Easily understand the most important metrics and deadlines to continually improve service
• Unified Platform: PSA and RMM in an integrated platform that consolidates all mission-critical data.

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