Unbundled

How often are you in contact with your technology partner? Is there value in the platform offering they invoice you for monthly? Jaco Voigt has a thought-provoking conversation with Jacques Malherbe, about the need for collaboration when acquiring technology due to fragmented value chains. As the procurement process becomes increasingly commoditised, businesses are experiencing the pain of having missing pieces in their technology solution puzzle. The trend is for technology solutions to be myopically bought, for today, rather than having technology partners do value trapping for their business by optimising their value offering by participating in skills and needs analysis of the businesses they supply. Catalytic

This week, Jaco’s guest is a solutions driven businessman who offers bespoke distribution of products and services for education, entertainment and more. It’s still all about connecting people. As a specialist of 20 years in the sound industry, being solutions driven is in Gareth Edwards’ blood. Current industries served by Solutions Unlimited include churches, schools and au pairs teaching online, plus sound and video in restaurants for ambience or live gigs. With Solutions Unlimited’s product offerings including audio recording and streaming equipment, cameras and much more – perhaps you can help #BOOST this business!

Jaco and his guest discuss smart work and living space management. These emerging trends have been fast tracked and are underpinned by the need to become a less ‘pen and paper’ based society when collecting data to access a facility. The pandemic and PoPi Act have reassigned and evolved roles regarding the way information is collected, verified, processed and stored. Encrypted, safe and verified data is not only the future - but a necessity. Learn more about people flow management, access control via face recognition and hand scanning, and property management which includes security, parking and maintenance management.

There is a reason they say that a picture is worth a thousand words! Get a refreshing look at drones – UAV – Unmanned Aerial Vehicles... a business brought about by two offshore oil rig inspection engineers that wanted to be more home based. These licenced devices are a quick, efficient and cost effective means to add value to a spectrum of business as extended eyes for the likes of maintenance of buildings, project managing sites, security, and safety and risk assessments. Jaco Voigt chats to John Woodman to find out more. Catalytic

Jaco is joined by a data specialist discussing how storage of data has evolved. Although efficiencies are evident and there is a smaller footprint of products and solutions available, so many businesses still err to enterprise class solutions and external hard drive saving. What businesses believe is cost-effective could be the pennywise scenario as power, cooling, holistic managing, back-ups and malfunction are not considered. Once again the new PoPI Act compliance is something to be considered. There is a price vs performance for storage solutions that should always be investigated. When last did you do a deep dive into what data you are storing? This is a journey that every business needs to walk with an expert, as your data is no different to the money in a bank account - store it wisely as you will miss it when it disappears! Catalytic

Jaco is joined by Deanne from EDMA Systems as they talk about the digital transformation of people management. This software solution is all about efficiency, sustainability, business improvement and accurately costing employees. What started as an application to manage time sheets has grown into a software solution that not only automates and breaches personnel administration, but assists with onboarding of staff, disciplining staff and ensuring their health and safety. A focus on managing and costing staff that are working remotely or working flexi hours is one of the incredible benefits. In the paper intensive world of HR, this disruptive digital transformation is just what any business needs!

Jaco and his guest revisit the importance of business efficiency by managing data and embracing technology. The discussion centres around connectivity being the foundation of a successful business, rather than a grudge purchase. The questions any business needs to keep asking are about the cost of data loss, and protecting what they have. Your 'IT guy' is sometimes just a desktop technician, rather than an IT resource - and perhaps it's critical for your business to get objective advice on the benefits of system integration, cyber security and server virtualisation. Catalytic

Jaco, as a conservationist at heart, chats to Dr Sara Andreotti about the importance of changing the “drop the nets to save our beaches” practice, as this is disrupting and killing our marine life. They discuss how the SharkSafe Barrier can ensure skills upliftment, jobs and exporting opportunities - while peacefully co-existing with sharks. With a bottom up approach, the community and holiday goers can encourage safer patrol of our shorelines with new and less invasive inventions.

They say that data is gold, and with this in mind this week's conversation is all about evolvement and involvement. Businesses (regardless of how small) need to embrace change and ensure that they stay relevant. This discussion looks at 'SILO-citis', and the hurdles regarding digital transformation. Has your business created and fully embraced a digital journey for staff and customers alike? Is your business aware of how the buying behaviour of customers has changed? What is the format and accuracy of your data, and how good is your data governance? Catalytic

As a salaried employee, you are selling your time. So what happens when the trade-off becomes time based vs productivity based? Have you ever considered that as our workplace becomes more digitised, micro management via software is what could quantify your output? Working remotely has you comparing yourself only against yourself - how are you faring? Do you have the personality trait, working style and ethic to get that pay increase or promotion? Jaco speaks to futurist, economist, strategist and trend analyst, Bronwyn Williams. Catalytic