Colour Graphic Services is offering free ‘colour health checks’ for offset, digital and wide-format printers at PacPrint in May. Printers can print the free test forme to the best of their ability on the device of their choice and bring it to CGS’s stand B62 at PacPrint, where ‘Colour Doctor’ David Crowther will analyse and provide feedback on their colour performance. “The test provides printers with a report and detailed information about where their colour quality is at on the device they printed it on. We’re measuring it against the ISO standard for print, which is the basis for colour…

With its complex rules, fine print and lengthy processes, it’s little wonder that the $NZD1.85 trillion dollar insurance industry has a terrible reputation for trust and customer service. In a recent global survey from accounting firm E&Y, consumers ranked insurance below banks, car manufacturers, online shopping sites and supermarkets for trustworthiness. A newcomer to the field, Auckland based Digital Squad hopes to reverse that reputation by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) - more specifically technology and behavioral science to create a faster and more transparent service. The start-up, a collaboration of behavioural economist, Shane Chand, and AI and cryptography specialist, Anvesh…

 

University of Auckland and Victoria University of Wellington have put their academic shoulders to the wheel in backing Newsroom online alternative to print media. Their other foundation partners include auto company Holden and telecommunications lines outfit Chorus. The association will allow the US auto manufacturer Holden a fresh opportunity to counter the Japanese auto manufacturers which dominate branding on the free-to-air television channels. Chorus, which is restricted to wholesale activities only, will benefit from additional use of its telecommunications circuits. It is unsure at this stage if the two universities will contribute from an investment point of view, supplying content,…

The Minister for Seniors Maggie Barry says changes to Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPA) forms will make them easier to understand and use. “Knowing you can chose people you trust and who understand what you want, who will make important personal and financial decisions for you if you can’t, gives you peace of mind,” Ms Barry says. “It should be set up when you are fit and healthy – mentally and physically.” “The changes, which come into effect tomorrow, make it much easier to take that first step towards protecting your future life wishes on your personal health and well-being…

Executives at Toshiba are now actively considering selling Westinghouse, among other options to deal with the troubled nuclear developer. The company has expanded a probe into Westinghouse and missed an earnings report deadline for a second time, Reuters reported. Officials at Toshiba believe it could find buyers for a majority stake in Westinghouse even though it recently lost $6.3 billion. Industry executives believe South Korea’s KEPCO could be a potential buyer. KEPCO indicated it would consider an offer. However, CEO Satoshi Tsunakawa dodged questions about a potential bankruptcy filing for Westinghouse, indicating only that there are multiple options. Company sources…

Will purchase appease shareholders and their class action? The acquisition by Toronto’s Resolver Inc of assets of Wynyard Group points up the need for an international partner by New Zealand technology companies. Resolver has taken over a slew of products from the Wynyard Group which went into liquidation. In doing so the Canadian company also acquires a user base, notably in the public sector. Resolver’s activities in the crime-fighting, counter insurgency, and security IT application sector mirrored those of Wynyard. The failure of Wynyard much earlier to acquire a big league international collaboration is all the more strange bearing in…

Entries open today for the 2017 Prime Minister’s Business Scholarships, which offer New Zealand’s managers and executives the opportunity to improve their skills at the world’s best business schools. Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges says the scholarships are designed for managers and executives of companies involved in exporting, who are looking to expand their expertise through international study. “We want New Zealand’s business leaders to have an opportunity to learn from some of the best overseas business schools and institutions,” Mr Bridges says. “The aim of the scholarships is to make it easier to access these institutions, in turn increasing…

Vector today announced another step in its strategy to deliver efficient, sustainable energy solutions to consumers, with the acquisition of two companies, E-Co Products Group and PowerSmart. E-Co Products, better known as HRV, is a total home solutions business that has built a deep and strong connection with New Zealanders, helping to create healthier homes. PowerSmart is a leading provider of innovative large scale sustainable power solutions in New Zealand and the South Pacific. Vector Chief Executive, Simon Mackenzie, says the businesses will continue to operate independently and provide Vector with complementary channels to deliver innovative technological energy solutions directly…

Story So Far---Newspaper Managers Ironical and Touching Failure to Cooperate The extra month of unexpected additional breathing space allowed before the promulgating of the final verdict of the Commerce Commission in the matter of the proposed merger of the two newspaper chains, NZME and Fairfax, will allow all interested parties more time to study the implications of the word deceive. Deceive features in the Commerce Commission’s own glossary of words, the ones that fall into heavy use in its own jurisdictional bailiwick. Indeed, as a helpful compendium this technique might well be used by other such official authorities. The Commerce…

The latest Alleasing Equipment Demand Index for New Zealand shows businesses expect to substantially grow their asset base this year - and they are increasingly likely to consider leasing as a funding option. In a first for the quarterly Index, which launched in August 2015, more than half (51.2%) of the 250 businesses surveyed indicated they have plans to increase their asset base. For the first quarter of 2017, the average growth is expected to be 8.9%. This is the first time the quarterly increase has exceeded 8%. Just 3% cent of businesses have plans to lower their asset base,…