The internet of things (IoT) is being heralded as a breakthrough technology that will be instrumental in enabling other next-generation technologies, such as AI, driverless cars and robotics. So far, much of the hype has focused on consumer items like smart TVs and fridges that can order extra milk. But it’s in business where the IoT is predicted to drive massive transformation.

When it comes to laptop and notebook computers, their greatest strength can often seem to be their most profound weakness. The very portability that makes them such useful tools for the mobile professional leaves them vulnerable to a host of catastrophes that never faced the average desktop machine.

It’s easy to calculate the cost of new hardware or software. But there’s more to a business case than these hard costs. Delaying your upgrade cycle may save on these costs in the short term, but there are other costs that may start ballooning as your fleet ages beyond its end-of-life. Some of these costs – like the cost of a security breach or reduced productivity – are hard to quantify or predict, but that doesn’t make them any less real.

One of the few industries that will never see budget cuts is security – especially cyber security. As the world grows ever more complex and connected, our valuable information is increasingly exposed to malicious actors from all corners of the globe.

In the days before the internet, productivity was a slow process requiring manual input and long-form mathematics. The internet has changed all that and is getting better all the time. So what are the top 10 productivity boosters for 2018?

The annual Las Vegas-based CES show is the epicentre of the global technology industry. From the coolest new consumer gadgets to the major business trends that will change the way we work, here’s a quick summary of what you may have missed in 2018.

One of the few industries in the world that will never see budget cuts is security. As the world grows ever more complex and connected, our valuable information is increasingly exposed to malicious actors around the world.

Crunching the numbers

Lead generation is a time- and resource-heavy endeavour, making automation and data-processing technologies the right tool for the job. Artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning in particular, is an incredible resource for lead generation. AI can:

Where will your customers be hiding in 2018? Use these five tools to generate new leads and increase your sales.

It’s said that the best defence is a good offence. This is particularly true in cybersecurity, where the average cost of a security breach in Australia is more than US$100 per compromised data item, according to a 2017 Ponemon study. Considering how many data items can be at risk in the event of a breach, this could rack up quite a hefty bill.

Many businesses have leapt headfirst into cloud technology, only to abandon it later when it failed to live up to the hype.

Improving employee productivity through technology

Live streaming could be the next big thing in SME marketing. Here’s why you’ll want to make it part of your strategy.

Research and advisory firm Gartner predicts that by 2019, up to 30 per cent of new software will be cloud-only. For today's businesses, the cloud already offers clear benefits of agility, scalability, cost and innovation.

VR might be best known as a gaming tool, but it has enormous potential when used in B2B. Here's how it can benefit your business.

Many SMB owners are constantly pressed for time. Choosing the right accounting software platform could help streamline your finances and enhance your productivity.

In today's changing employee environment, where numerous entry points are spread across a decentralized workforce, it's critical to adopt new, holistic approaches to data security.

DATA SECURITY IN A CHANGING WORLD.

We live in the era of digital disruption, when always-on connectivity, a mobile workforce and globalization leave us more vulnerable than ever to cybersecurity assaults. In this brave new world, keeping customer and company data safe is a seemingly insurmountable challenge.

Productivity-boosting technologies you can use today

When it comes to technology, most of the talk is about tomorrow. But the truth is, many of the tools you need are here today. Using technology efficiently can boost business productivity in spades and most of it, surprisingly, is more convenient, collaborative and affordable than the clunky old systems of yesterday.

Let’s start with the granddaddy of all – productivity boosters.

Protect your valuable data with endpoint security

Modern technology presents a potential security nightmare for IT. Ransomware attacks and well-publicised cases such as the loss of a laptop with sensitive data by a US Secret Service agent have highlighted the risks involved in defending critical assets against loss or theft.