Three years ago iStart prophesised that unified communications was going to be the next big thing. But three years, in the days before BYOD and when the cloud was in its infancy, is a long time ago. So where are we now?… read more...

The ‘Spatial industry’ has for decades appreciated the real, exciting and powerful benefits of geospatial analysis. But if geospatial tech is so wonderful and is such a ‘no brainer’, why haven’t small to medium enterprises embraced the technology?… read more...

With promotional dollars more precious than ever, smart marketers are always looking to refine their methodologies and increase their return on investment… read more...

CRM software is about as crucial as it gets when it comes to managing your sales activities. But while it may be crucial, it’s hardly sexy, and therefore it’s something of a ‘set-and-forget’ piece of tech… read more...

And a six-step reality check you should complete before being seduced by shiny enterprise app extensions and sexy gadgets… read more...

How a Kiwi start-up is revolutionising the retail payment industry with a clever cloud-based POS alternative that’s rapidly going global… read more...

If point-of-sale systems are crucial to keeping shopkeepers’ tills ringing, integration with the back office is the answer to tracking retail’s new currency, information.  iStart explores some opinions from Kiwi retail sector experts…[View as PDF] read more...

Transitioning Shell from global outpost to fresh local upstart has presented some major marketing conundrums, and some tough technology challenges along the way… read more...

Business forums, professional networking sites and the internet in general is awash with stories detailing just how difficult dealing with an IT recruiter can be. But is all this online odium justified? Are they really the new ‘used-car salesman’? Or are recruiters just the fall guys for frustrated job-seekers in a down-turned economy?… read more...

The cutting-edge tech required for modern-day V8 racing means that you’re just as likely to find computer engineers and grease-monkeys in the pit… read more...

When it comes to engaging with your customers, there’s plenty to know in the realm of card technology. So if you don’t know your ICC from your NFC, read on to find out just how smart cards can serve your businesss… read more...

Thinking about buying a smartphone? Before you take the plunge check out the iStart Smartphone Roundup – it will help you navigate the pros and cons of six of the most popular units on the market, as well as important specs before you buy… read more...

You may shudder at the thought, but modern enterprise architecture is slowly but surely returning to the mainframe fold, at least conceptually, and never more so than with the idea of virtual desktops – hosted in ‘the cloud’… read more...

Every digital transaction you do generates data, and chances are that data is being stored. Mobile apps, web transactions, loyalty schemes & more provide a wealth of potential information resources. But with so much data being collected, how do you stop it becoming a rogue elephant and actually apply it to inform your business?… read more...

What factors should businesses consider, and what questions should they ask prospective providers, to ensure their operations and their business critical data stay safe in the cloud?… read more...

Can lessons from the UK government shared services experience be applied to New Zealand’s public sector? A UK expert in implementing shared desktop services in govtt recently visited these shores to meet with key customers and industry leaders… read more...

The move from the desktop internet computing of the 90s to the new era of mobile internet is happening with unprecedented velocity – eight times as fast as the PC web was adopted… read more...

In a world spoiled for choice, customer service sorts the good from the great and has become the differentiator that matters most and these days, there’s no hiding behind the fob off… read more...

TV is moving from analogue to digital and that means blistering broadband speeds are on their way even in the rural sector along with exciting possibilities for business. It’s not just the mobile companies who see their future resting on 4G. some of the biggest global technology players see it as part of the next battle for dominance… read more...

In the absence of a crystal ball, the next best thing to tighten your supply chain is robust S&O planning, but is your environment right?… read more...