http:// 2013-05-21T02:28:37Z 2013-05-21T02:28:37Z green-planet-grass-landscape-systems-save-time-and-money

Perth,WA, May 21, 2013 - Green Planet Grass manufactures and installs artificial grass in Perth. They pride themselves in building a system that is more than just an “artificial lawn.” Green Planet Grass is an environmentally responsible company. Their products can be recycled at the end of their lifespan, and they go to great lengths to reduce their carbon footprint during the manufacturing process.Synthetic grass has become popular in Perth and many other areas because it has such low maintenance costs. Since an artificial lawn doesn't have to be watered, many residents who install Green Planet Grass save up to 70% on their water bills. In addition, synthetic turf doesn't require regular fertilisers or weed-killers, saving even more maintenance money.It also takes a lot of time to maintain a natural grass lawn, and Green Planet Grass takes almost no time to maintain. This saves an average of two hours a week, or 104 hours a year, which translates into a lot of money when multiplied by whatever the average homeowner makes per hour.Green Planet Grass Landscape Systems are designed to be complete solutions, and include such innovations as custom infills for various uses, U-shaped fibres to make the grass stand straight and tall, and a shock pad that absorbs impact for uses such as play or sports.Green Planet Grass also includes a proprietary drainage system, an antimicrobial coating to prevent bacterial contamination, and an extra barrier that prevents weeds from poking up through the artificial lawn.Green Planet Grass currently has five different landscape lawns. Saturn contains soft, monofilament yarn in heights that vary up to 35mm. It looks and feels very natural. Mars has the GPG U-shaped fibres, which are 36mm in height. It creates a very lush surface.Earth is the most versatile grass in the GPG line. It is 40mm high, and made of green coloured tape and defibrillated straw, with support yarn made of brown and green polypropylene.The thickest and heaviest lawn in the GPG line is called Jupiter. It is made of a green monofilament pile and nylon thatch. The lawn fibres are dark green in colour and 42mm tall. It is the softest synthetic lawn on the market and is recommended for family use.The Neptune lawn is recommended for commercial use and high-traffic areas, due to its 42mm U-shaped fibres.Justin Everley, Owner of Green Planet Grass, is proud of his Landscape System and choice of complimentary lawns, and currently has over 4,000 satisfied customers: “We put in a lot of research and development into building our Green Planet Grass Landscape System. We started with a mission to be environmentally responsible, and to provide the best artificial lawn on the market today. We know that the word best is subjective, but we like to think that we have succeeded in our original goal.”Everley continued, “We leave nothing to chance with our artificial lawns. We manufacture everything right here in Australia. We use recycled materials when possible, and everything we use is recyclable or biodegradable. We also have tried our best to ensure that we install a beautiful, soft lawn that looks better than the best of natural grass lawns.”Everley added, “GPG lawns are always green and well-manicured, 365 days a year. They require almost no maintenance, and you save a lot on the water bill. And we have over 4,000 satisfied customers to prove it.”Green Planet Grass manufactures and installs synthetic grass in Perth and suburbs. For more information, call 08 9209 2669 or visit their website: http://www.greenplanetgrass.com.au/.

2013-05-21T02:26:00Z ajilon-wins-west-australian-dotag-contract

MEDIA RELEASE Ajilon Wins WA Government Contract Secures five year contract worth up to $33m 21 May 2013: Ajilon has been the awarded the contract to provide Applications Systems Support and Project Services to the Western Australian Department of the Attorney General (DotAG). This five year contract builds on Ajilon’s growing presence in the law enforcement and justice services arena. Ajilon has a strong history with DotAG, deriving from its success in securing the previous five year contract to support DotAG’s Application Systems and its Project Services contracts. This is strongly complemented by a similar arrangement Ajilon has with DotAG’s partner agency, WA Police. Murray Rosa, General Manager of the Government & Utilities practice at Ajilon, welcomed the win as the company begins to extend its Law Enforcement and Justice Practice across Australia. "We have enjoyed a strong and successful partnership with the Department of the Attorney General here in WA over the last five years; working with them to deliver projects that have delivered substantial benefits. It was pleasing that Ajilon’s tender submission was successful again. We look forward to delivering even more over the next five years.” About Ajilon:Ajilon is one of Australia’s largest resourcing, business and technology consulting firms with over 1300 consultants nationally. Ajilon recently introduced Law Enforcement & Justice as a specialised offering, leveraging ongoing work in the sector and its extensive specialised workforce. This solution offering aims to assist agencies save cost and time and achieve greater integration with partner agencies. For more information on the Law enforcement and Justice Supply chain offering, please visit www.ajilon.com.au. -ENDS- Note to editor: Murray Rosa, General Manager, Government & Utilities and Charandeep Chhabra, National Director Law Enforcement & Justice, Ajilon is available for comment. Media Enquiries: Louise Nealon/Sue Martin, CallidusPR: (02) 9283 4114/ 0403 569 177, louise@calliduspr.com/sue@calliduspr.com.

2013-05-20T04:32:52Z just-released-study-proves-that-promotional-products-still-work

May 20, 2013, Perth, Western Australia - Recently, the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) released a study conducted in November of 2012. It was conducted at an international airport in New York, and asked random travellers if they had received promotional items within the last 12 months. 70% of them said yes, and were invited to answer a 22-question survey, in which answers were entered into a tablet computer.PPAI had conducted studies in 1991, 1999, and 2004. Those studies, along with two from major US universities, have been quoted numerous times by numerous people in the promotional products industry. However, the current era is one in which the Internet has changed how everyone does business, and there wasn't a current study.Consequently, many business owners were beginning to doubt whether promotional products were still as effective in this era as they were previously. According to the survey, the answer is a resounding “yes.”The numbers in the current study were almost identical to numbers in previous studies. Almost every study ever done about promotional products has produced the same conclusions as the others, and has had numbers within traditional margins for error when compared to the others. In other words, virtually every study ever done on promotional products has produced the same results.The recent study was broken into two main parts: recall of promotional products and usage of promotional products. The numbers led to the conclusion that promotional products are as effective as they were 21 years ago, and that they provide the highest amount of ad impressions compared to money spent.Seventy percent of the travellers had a promotional product in their possession. 70% of those said they had at least two in their possession. 88% remembered the name of the company who gave them the gift, compared to 71% who remembered the name of even one company who advertised in a magazine they had read the previous week.Eighty percent said they have multiple promotional products, some as many as ten. Items were kept more often for being useful than any other reason. Pens, computer products, health products, and safety products were the most common categories. Respondents also kept leisure products, travel accessories, and sporting goods, but only if they thought the products were attractive.The products that were used most often, which would make them the most effective at producing advertising impressions, were computer products, electronic accessories, planners, and calendars.Scott Eaton, Owner of Imagepak Marketing, has offered promotional products to the Perth area for many years, and was not the least bit surprised by the results of the survey: “While a lot of people were concerned that promotional products were no longer as effective, I knew that they were as effective as ever. My oldest clients are still ordering promotional gifts, still giving them away, and still as happy with them as they were twenty years ago.”Eaton continued, “While the Internet may have changed the way we do business, it hasn't changed the fact that we are all human beings, and that basic human kindness never gets old. When a company gives away a promotional gift, it immediately produces a feeling of gratitude in the person that received the gift.”Eaton concluded, “The numbers don't lie; promotional products still work as well as they ever did.”Imagepak Marketing is a supplier of promotional products and gifts in Perth and outlying areas. Call 08 92444 111 today or visit their website: http://www.imagepak.com.au/

2013-05-20T02:37:41Z rock-aid-charity-event-attracts-aussie-rock-legend

Australian rock legend, the Honourable Peter Garrett AM MP, will join the charity music event Rock Aid, on Saturday June 15 at the Randwick Labor Club in Sydney, to show his support for Australian communities in need.  Rock Aid was created by two local Sydney rock bands - The Hips and The Hummers - as part of a new telecommunications industry philanthropic movement. All proceeds from Rock Aid will go to the Telco Together Foundation – the telco sector charity that supports Indigenous communities, the homeless, young people with mental health issues and refugee communities. “Peter Garrett is Aussie rock royalty and has been a consistent champion of the need to help disadvantaged Australian communities. We are delighted that Peter has agreed to be part of Rock Aid,” said John Stanton, CEO of Communications Alliance and guitarist with the Hummers. “Rock Aid has been created with support from across the telco sector and is an opportunity for music lovers of all ages to strap on their dancing shoes and enjoy a great night out, while supporting some very worthwhile causes.“ Peter Garrett commented: “It is a great pleasure to support a charity event like Rock Aid right here in the Kingsford Smith electorate and I applaud The Hips and The Hummers for their initiative.”Patrons can expect a night of first-class entertainment, with the The Hips boasting former members of retro-rock favourites Ol’55 in their line-up. The Hummers will showcase rock classics from the 1970s through to today, from artists as diverse as Stevie Wright, Queen, Crowded House, The Church, The Cars and the Rolling Stones. The Hips will play covers from the Beatles, Status Quo and other rock gems from across five decades.A range of additional fun activities is planned, with great prizes including the latest in smart-phone technology. Rock-Aid is a family-friendly event, kicking off at 7pm on June 15. Family tickets are on sale for $45, and singles for $20. All proceeds will go to the Telco Together Foundation.Tickets are available online at http://rockaid.telcotogether.org, or can be purchased at the door. The Randwick Labor Club is located at 135 Alison Road, Randwick.

2013-05-16T01:39:39Z zebra-technology-earns-stripes-in-red-zone

Getting into the earthquake-damaged Red Zone in Christchurch happens with the help of a small herd of Zebras. That’s because high-performance Zebra P330i card printers are a central component of an access control system which ensures that only authorised persons are permitted entry to areas which are damaged, unstable and potentially dangerous. Imported and distributed by Comworth and supplied to the Christchurch City Council by OfficeMax, Zebra card printers are used to produce a variety of outputs, such as employee, student and faculty ID cards, access control cards, membership and loyalty cards. However, agrees Manu Rangimoekau, Sales Manager at OfficeMax, the context of the Red Zone is somewhat unique. “It’s a highly volatile and very dangerous environment. For this reason, anyone entering has to be checked in and out, creating records of all who are in there should any evacuation or rescue become necessary,” he explains. The challenge: Getting to the point of intervention Rangimoekau says OfficeMax worked with the Christchurch City Council and Civil Defence to come up with an access control solution, at the sharp edge of which is the Zebra printers. “After the initial response to the earthquakes, there was an urgent need to put an identity management system in place. There were so many people who needed to get into the Red Zone, which at the time was ten times bigger than it is now.” At any given time, he continues, up to 3000 people could be within the cordon. “Before the Zebra ID system, getting in was a major headache which could require passing five checkpoints and different response agencies to get to the point where assistance, expertise or products for recovery activities are needed.”A solution for easy identification Today, he says from a single point, all accreditation is quickly handled, with the Zebra printers rapidly producing colour-coded ID cards which allow fast and easy access for authorised personnel. “The system is now operated by the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority and to date, more than 25,000 ID cards have been printed by just four Zebra machines,” Rangimoekau notes. Each ID card provides a raft of details which indicate where every individual is permitted to go within the zone. “That’s why the Zebra P330i is ideal for this task: as a compact colour card printer, it enables easy identification of the 9 categories of personnel approved  for access to the Red Zone and the respective limits of access granted to each category.” For example, safety personnel such as firemen or rescue crews receive a black  ID card; this provides around the clock access to all areas within the Red Zone. Contractors receive a different colour which limits where and when they can be inside the cordon, while other services and visitors are similarly issued with an appropriately coded tag. He adds that once set up, the access control system is very simple to manage: data is entered on a laptop, a photo taken, and the card is printed and issued. “It’s linked to a comprehensive database which provides full reporting and which records all visitors; if any person returns, their details are in the system for the rapid reissue of a new ID card.” Proven in the most demanding environment Paul Francois, product manager for Comworth, says the Zebra P330i is designed and built for demanding environments. “The Red Zone is probably one of the most testing environments of all, but over 12 months of continuous operation have shown that it is up to the task.” He adds that reliability of the printers is critical as they are an indispensable component in the access control system. “With thousands of Zebra printers employed around the world for access control, on paper they were the ideal solution. However, this being such an unusual setting meant somewhat uncharted territory; however, the P330i’s haven’t missed a beat,” he concludes.  

2013-05-15T23:17:00Z 25-years-on-the-banksia-awards-innovates-again

When the Banksia Awards first commenced in 1988, recognising environmental excellence was a unique concept. After 25 years it has become mainstream and Australia no longer sees environmental matters in isolation. “Today, it is important to reflect the interdependency between environment, society and the economy and the resulting excellence that comes from meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” says Graz van Egmond Chief Executive Officer, Banksia Foundation. “So to mark its 25 Anniversary, the Banksia Awards (now known as the Banksia Sustainability Awards) has acknowledged this vital step forward and the Awards in 2013 will reflect a sustainability approach throughout the various category awards”. To demonstrate this expansive area there will be 21 Awards in total. New awards added in 2013 to the portfolio are: 1.       The Banksia CEO Award - recognising an individual executive's contribution towards the economic, social or environmental sustainability achievements of the organisation or company they work for and which has collateral benefits for the globe. 2.       The Banksia Technical Awards including:a)      Waste Minimisation Soil Remediation & Improvementb)      Energy Efficiency and Carbon Managementc)       Transportationd)      Climate Adaptation 3.       The Banksia Business and Not-for-Profit Award – recognising leadership in implementing projects, strategies and initiatives that demonstrate capacity building, measurably enhancing the long-term social, economic and environmental state of the community and implementation of relevant solutions. This is seen through the full application of shared sustainability principles and practices throughout joint activities, demonstrating societal value add. 4.       The Banksia Local Government - Sustainable Procurement Award 5.       The Banksia Local Government - Sustainability Award To cater for this array, the awards presentation program format needed to be changed. This has allowed for specific awards and areas to be spotlighted. The Banksia CEO Award will be presented at the inaugural Banksia CEO's Corroboree. A breakfast gathering of Non-Executive Directors, CEOs and Senior Bureaucrats designed to provide the opportunity to discuss where their respective sector will be under the sustainability umbrella in 10-15 years. Providing an opportunity to focus on the technical aspects of sustainability, the Banksia Technical Awards will be presented at a lunch. The traditional Category Awards, the GPT Group Community Grant, the Banksia International Award and the Banksia Gold Award will be bestowed at the evening awards function.The Banksia Foundation acknowledges that the Awards are not just for the recipients but should be made accessible to as many as possible to learn and be inspired by the amazing examples of excellence. To enable this accessibility, the Awards Presentation program will be associated with the Australian Sustainability Conference and Exhibition, in Melbourne (9 – 10 October 2013). The Banksia Foundation is pleased to be working with Sustainability Business Australia (SBA) to reach Australian businesses and assist them in these challenging times. Entries are now open for the 2013 Banksia Sustainability Awards, providing Australians a great opportunity to showcase our innovation and leadership in the various areas of sustainability. – ends –

2013-05-15T11:16:04Z training-choice-opens-its-new-european-headquarters-in-london-united-kingdom

Given Training Choice's constant development and their success in providing training facilities in Asia-Pacific, Middle East and America, the company now offers their over 14 years’ experience and expertise to European clients. As a start, Training Choice will provide training facilities and related services in over 40 locations in the UK, 10 in Germany and will soon supply all equipped training and conference rooms in France, Italy, Spain and beyond.                                                             Training Choices’ headquarters will be located in the Marble Arch Tower, London; benefits of this European business central location are competition, proximity and accessibility. The opening of this first European office marks an important step in Training Choice's continued international growth. The London office will enable Training Choice to better serve existing clients and expand the company's roster of international clients. Training outsourcing offers professional industries and organisations a fantastic platform to showcase their training expertise in an effective manner; to achieve their training and development objectives. Training Choices’ aim is to deliver service excellence to maximise results; follow and respond to markets needs and remain close to customers.   Supporting rapid growth   Training Choice’s new headquarters will act as a central hub for the company’s facilities supplying offering across the European market. Salah BANNA, EMEA Director, will lead the London operation office. Salah comments: “We committed to our clients and partners to become the largest worldwide network of training facilities and the inaugural of the London headquarters is a testament to our customer centric focus to continually ensure we meet the needs of the market”.  Training Choice's clients now have access to over 250 locations worldwide providing state of the art facilities for training, conferences and meetings. Training Choice will be looking to provide more services to their clients and expand their presence in areas where it will benefit their customers, partners and the community at large. About Training Choice: Training Choice is an International company, specialising in the providing of training outsourcing solutions to multinational clients all over the world. In addition to rooms and facilities, Training Choice provide a full range of training outsourcing services including instructors, training sales, training administration, logistical support, catering... For further information visit: www.training-choice.com  Contact: Sofia DA SILVA - Europe Marketing Executive Tel: +44 20 7859 8355 Email: sofia@training-choice.com

2013-05-15T05:47:58Z 1spatial-launches-1edit-powerful-spatial-data-editing-solution

Sydney, Aust., 15th May 2013.  1Spatial, global specialists in spatial big data management, is today launching 1Edit in Australia and New Zealand, as well as globally. A revolutionary, touch-screen-compatible solution, 1Edit offers fast and intuitive data-editing in the field or office. Trialled by Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi), 1Edit incorporates an innovative touch screen for capture and editing of real-world data, making it a breakthrough for data collection in the field via touch screen, stylus and survey devices.  It can also be used in an office environment with mouse and keyboard. 1Edit’s ‘in the field’ capabilities will be a particular benefit to spatial data providers and industries such as utilities, transport, environment and government.  Lorraine McNerney, Spatial Data and Infrastructure Manager, Ordnance Survey Ireland said: “Ordnance Survey Ireland has been trialling 1Edit as a tool for maintenance of our PRIME2 product database. PRIME2 is the OSi real-world feature database that ensures Ireland has accurate and up-to-date spatial datasets supporting improved government service delivery and economic development in Ireland. The facility for users to interact with 1Edit using a portable device touch-screen with a stylus or as a desktop with a mouse, and the integration it provides with our existing survey equipment means that our surveyors out in the field and staff who are office based can utilise the same innovative tool for optimal efficiency. This means that we will be able to provide more accurate and up to date data to our customers more frequently.”1Edit provides fast and accurate topological editing to keep data connected. It allows change-only saving of data and supports rich real-world hierarchical data models, as well as intelligent management of inter-feature references.  1Edit is currently available on Windows 8 with other operating systems to follow.Brett Madsen, Regional Director, 1Spatial said: “We are delighted to launch 1Edit, which offers a powerful, fast and accurate tool to effectively manage real-world data. 1Edit maximises data output, because the touch screen capability means that whether organisations are using 1Edit on location or in the office, they will be able to use the same tool to edit information quickly and easily, saving them time and money on data capture. Organisations can also use aerial imagery or survey devices to ensure the quality and accuracy of the data they create and manage.” He continued, “We have used our extensive knowledge and experience of working with the world’s largest, spatial big data sets to build and develop our products to truly meet the needs of organisations around the world. 1Edit is an innovative approach and further complements our product offerings.” 1Spatial will be hosting a series of live webinars offering attendees the chance to be amongst the first to see 1Edit in action, including Thursday 6 June 2013 at 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM AEST. Places are limited so register for your free place at www.1spatial.com/1editlaunchNotes to Editors 1Spatial at Geospatial World Forum1Spatial will be exhibiting at Stand No.40 and hosting a series of live webinars offering attendees the chance to be amongst the first to see 1Edit in action. Places are limited so register for your free place at www.1spatial.com/1editlaunchAbout 1Spatial1Spatial technology already provides the foundations for data management and processing solutions around the world.  Customers include National Mapping and Charting Agencies, utilities companies and defence and government departments. Visit www.1spatial.com

2013-05-14T03:34:00Z thomas-duryea-brings-big-data-capabilities-to-murdoch-childrens-research-institute

Melbourne, Australia — 14 May, 2013— IT Infrastructure solutions provider Thomas Duryea, has secured a contract with Australia’s largest and most prestigious child health research institute, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (MCRI), to design and deploy a new storage infrastructure platform to support the big data analysis required to roll out Next Generation DNA Sequencing technology. MCRI is one of a handful of major medical research centres in the world working with the revolutionary medical technology, which allows researchers, for the first time, to sequence the entire human genome and analyse these big data sets. The new technology potentially provides patients with more affordable, comprehensive diagnostic testing and can guide optimal pharmacological treatments. To enable the roll out of Next Generation DNA Sequencing a highly scalable storage platform is required to support the analysis of big data sets generated as part of the testing. “Data storage and how medical facilities such as ours can best utilise big data to benefit patients is a major challenge. For every patient tested using the Next Generation DNA Sequencing up to 3 billion bits of genome data is produced which places significant demands on storage infrastructure,” explains Professor Andrew Sinclair, associate director at MCRI. The storage contract, which Thomas Duryea secured through a strong partnership with EMC, will see the IT integrator firstly extend MCRI’s current 117 terabyte storage capacity to support existing needs and then build the storage infrastructure platform to support the roll out of Next Generation DNA Sequencing. The new infrastructure will be built using EMC Isilon - a storage platform specifically developed for big data, which Andrew Thomas, chief executive officer at Thomas Duryea says will satisfy both MCRI’s current and future performance and capacity requirements. “EMC Isilon scale out storage is the benchmark solution for these kind of projects as it delivers the best balance of high performance, scalability and ease of use, while minimising cost over time. With storage capacity starting at around 97 terabytes, the platform can scale up to 15 peta bytes which is why it is the storage platform of choice for other medical research centres around the world, such as Harvard Medical Research,” says Mr. Thomas. Professor Sinclair estimates that when the new platform goes live in a few months time, MCRI will be able grow the number of patients currently being tested using Next Generation DNA Sequencing from 60 to over a 1000 in a year. “Children’s health will be one of the first to benefit from the roll out of Next Generation DNA Sequencing, allowing for the early detection and diagnosis of genetic childhood conditions. However, I believe that genomic sequencing of patients will impact on all branches of medicine in the very near future,” says Professor Sinclair. The contract with MCRI caps a strong start to 2013 for Thomas Duryea, with the company set to deliver its best first quarter on record for Professional Services, mainly driven by a number of new client wins in the enterprise space. - END -About Thomas Duryea Consulting Thomas Duryea Consulting design, plan, implement and manage innovative, world class IT infrastructure solutions – from the keyboard to the cloud. Thomas Duryea delivers projects by utilising best practice and proven methodologies across a range of industry sectors. Thomas Duryea’s specialist team pride themselves on technical excellence and work closely with clients as their strategic infrastructure partner, continually exceeding delivery expectations. For more information:Melissa Shawyer, +61 412 066 048

2013-05-14T00:38:12Z comworth-announces-fully-rugged-windows-8-tablet

Mobile computing is taking a leap forward with local Panasonic Toughbook distributor Comworth announcing availability of the Toughpad FZ-G1. A 10.1-inch device, this tablet does something no other can: it packs the power of Windows 8 Pro and an Intel Core i5 processor in a fully-rugged package.Comworth Toughbook & Mobility Manager Darryn Smith says this Toughpad is built for the outdoors. “The all-weather design is dust and water resistant with MIL-STD-810G and IP65 certification, while it is capable of absorbing a drop from over a metre. But probably the most surprising feature of all is that this is an all in one  complete Windows 8 computer packed into just over one kilo,” he says.Headline specifications include a 128GB solid state hard drive,4GB of RAM and Intel vPro Core i5 processors. Connectivity in the Toughpad FZ-G1 is handled via 3G mobile broadband and WiFi with an HDMI-out and a USB 3.0 port and Bluetooth v4.0. Options include an RJ45 network connector, a legacy 9-pin serial port (useful for many field devices) and bar code reader.A massive 8 hour battery life with the option to extend to 16 hours provides users with even greater mobility and reach.As tablet computers increasingly make their way into the workplace, delivering ease-of-use and rapid access to information impossible with traditional laptops or desktops, Smith says the availability of fully-rugged devices is a boon to outdoor workers.The Windows 8 Toughpad provides the ability to replace the office laptop and tablet with a single all in one device.“Running a full Windows 64-bit operating system means existing applications, such as Microsoft Office and any one of a number of ERP solutions, can easily be extended to this tablet. The Windows stack means complete manageability and corporate policies linked to Active Directory can be implemented, equipping workers in even demanding environments to access and use information more easily than ever before.”A central feature of the rugged Toughpad is its 10.1-inch, high-definition daylight-readable, ten-point multi touch screen. Smith says the ability to clearly view a tablet outdoors is a major limiting factor for standard devices. “Where most tablets look a little like a mirror in the sunshine, the Panasonic Toughpad IPS display employs WUXGA technology at a resolution of 1920 x 1200. LED backlighting and 800 nit luminosity combines with anti-reflective and anti-glare treatments to ensure field workers can consistently use the device outdoors.”The Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1 is engineered to withstand the hard knocks of life on the road and operate flawlessly in every environment. “Whether it is intense heat and sunlight, to pouring rain and freezing temperatures, this is a computer that can go wherever you can go,” Smith concludes.www.toughpad.co.nz

2013-05-14T00:32:39Z stop-your-technology-getting-beaten-up

Worried that your laptop or tablet is getting beat up on the move? Ruggedise it with a range of accessories which makes your technology tougher and ready to go further with you every day.Rugged technology has evolved significantly in the last few years and with water, drop, and dust proofing accessories from the likes of Havis and Infocase. These are designed specifically to add a protective layer for personal computing devices, improving their odds against the elements. “With technology becoming such an integral part of our lives, it is no longer uncommon for backpackers, campers and other outdoorsy people to take their computers with them on the road,” says Rugged mobility manager Darryn Smith.These ‘road warriors’ join the many thousands of professionals who are required to take their computers into unusual settings to do their jobs effectively. “Whether for work or play, rugged accessories give your technology a better chance of surviving the inevitable knocks, drops, splashes and spills associated with travel,” he notes.Targeted at the business user, Havis provides a range of mounting hardware for vehicles, allowing convenient positioning of Panasonic Toughbook devices in cars, boats or trucks. “These docking stations provide the safest, most reliable mounts to keep computers in place when on the move, and being pushed to the limits by Emergency services around the world. The marine docking stations are designed to withstand jets of water from every direction - forces similar to those of heavy seas,” Smith explains.Meanwhile, Infocase provides a range of cases, harnesses, and other protective solutions for mobile devices, including iPads and other tablet computers. These solutions are ideal for any use: business or personal. “With the addition of an Infocase accessory, many ‘non-rugged’ devices gain a level of protection which elevates them to ‘semi-rugged’ status,” says Smith. “This allows the user to take their technology with them into environments which might ordinarily be ruled out.”He says the high failure rates of notebooks used in demanding circumstances are compelling users to look for better options. “A Panasonic-sponsored IDC study has shown that standard notebooks fail at a rate of about one in five [22%], with the top reasons for failure being drops, spills and falling objects. These threats to notebooks can be found in any office, let alone in more demanding outdoors workplaces,” Smith notes.By comparison, Panasonic Toughbook ruggedised computers have a failure rate of just 1.5%.“Not everyone can afford or needs rugged devices every day. However, with the addition of the accessories available through Comworth’s nationwide network of resellers, mobile computing receives a reliability boost,” he concludes.Rugged technology specialist Comworth imports and distributes Havis and Infocase products. These add a protective layer for personal computing devices, improving their odds against the elements. Comworth is also New Zealand’s exclusive distributor of Panasonic Toughbook ruggedised laptops and tablets.

2013-05-14T00:05:54Z comworth-announces-availability-of-panasonic-toughbook-cf-ax2-the-worlds-lightest-rugged-ultrabook

Think rugged means heavy? Think again with the Panasonic Toughbook CF-AX2, a new Ultrabook which weighs in at just over 1.1 kilograms yet delivers the reliable performance associated with a business rugged machine. It’s a world-first, too: no other convertible business rugged machine is as light.Available exclusively from New Zealand Toughbook distributor Comworth, the CF-AX2’s convertible format takes advantage of Windows 8’s touch-driven interface when you want mobility, while switching back to the familiar laptop design for working at the desk. Its 360-degree flip-over hinge design allows the CF-AX2 to go from ultrabook to tablet and back in seconds.According to Darryn Smith, Toughbook & Mobility Manager at Comworth, this device combines flexibility, ease of use and ultraportability in a single device. “For many executives, the introduction of tablets – and their wild popularity – has meant more devices to take with them when they travel, not fewer.  With this ultrabook, it goes back to two devices, smartphone and convertible, delivering the best of both worlds.”As a ‘business rugged’ device, Smith explains that the Toughbook CF-AX2 is designed to withstand knocks and drops that come with the demands of busy executives, without compromising on performance or design.Built around a 11.6-inch capacitive multi-touch screen, the machine – which is just 18mm thick - features Intel’s ULV (ultra-low voltage) i5 processor and SSD (solid state drive) storage. These combine to deliver battery life of up to 8 hours on a single charge; as a hot-swappable unit, a spare battery can be snapped into place with zero disruption to outlast even the longest plane flights. Standard memory is 4GB of internal RAM, while connectivity in the convertible business laptop includes 3G mobile broadband, WiFi, Bluetooth and two USB 3.0 ports.Connecting the Intel HD 4000 graphics adapter to external screens is handled by an HDMI interface with a legacy VGA output for easy access to projectors; an SDXC card reader provides the ability to simply transfer files from external devices such as digital cameras or smartphones. Smith says demand for the Toughbook CF-AX2 is expected to be strong. “This device delivers new levels of freedom and reliability for business users in a stylish and lightweight design. Ideal for the mobile sales force, merchandisers and executives, it is equally good as a tablet or a notebook and it is built for reliability and performance.”

2013-05-08T20:39:14Z sahara-presentation-systems-extends-displaynote-distribution-partnership

16th April 2013 Sahara Presentation Systems PLC is delighted to announce the extension of a multi-year relationship with DisplayNote Collaboration Software. The agreement, which sees the presenter version of DisplayNote being offered with every Clevertouch and Cleverboard purchased from 1st April through to the end of 2014, is seen as a result of strong demand for the solution and positive feedback from customers across all industry sectors both in the UK, Europe and New Zealand. Shaun Marklew, Sales Director at Sahara says: “I am very pleased with the appointment of Sahara as an on-going UK DisplayNote partner. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a company producing what we feel is the future of collaboration software. We have had an overwhelming response from businesses and schools about the introduction of DisplayNote software as part of our interactive software suite included with our Clevertouch screens. We look forward to working closely with DisplayNote in the future. ” Paul Brown, CEO of DisplayNote Technologies commented: “We’ve been working closely with Sahara since September 2012 and have seen and heard first-hand what their customers and the market think of the DisplayNote/Clevertouch solution. As a partner, Sahara is everything we would want and we see the contract extension as a real strengthening of the relationship between the two companies.” ACTIVboardNZ has been supplying Interactive technology to the New Zealand market for over 15 years and this announcement ensures they will continue to lead the way when it comes to communication and collaboration in New Zealand schools and businesses. Murray Thoms, Director ACTIVboardNZ comments : “In today’s schools and businesses, more and more it is about integrated learning and communication. Participants want to be able to use and interact with any device and the trainers need applications that can talk across various platforms. The strong partnership between DisplayNote and Sahara means we will continue to see advances in technology integration with the end result being better communication and audience engagement across any size organisation.” For more information Visit www.activboardnz.com Murray Thoms  Director  ACTIVboardNZ 09 414 0094  murray@activboardnz.com               About ACTIVboardNZ ACTIVboardNZ is a well-established technology vendor and the exclusive distributor for several leading international manufacturers of interactive and audiovisual display technology. Based in Auckland and with representatives around New Zealand, ACTIVboardNZ supplies and supports a range of ICT and audio visual solutions for educational, corporate and government establishments. They have been working with Architects, Engineers, Project Managers and School Leaders for over fifteen years and their experienced team is able to provide advice and guidance on all aspects of interactive and collaborative technology solutions. Sahara Presentation Systems Plc is a trade only distributor and manufacturer of Audio Visual (AV) products including major brands as well as our own brands of audio solutions, mounting products, and more traditional presentation products including rail systems, dry wipe boards and notice boards. DisplayNote Technologies make DisplayNote, a versatile, multi-platform, collaboration and annotation software, combining both the presentation aspects of interactive whiteboards and the diverse functionality of current tablet and handheld devices.

2013-05-08T00:50:48Z 30-best-tax-tips-from-australia-s-adviser-of-the-year

“The end of financial year is rapidly approaching and now is certainly the time to take steps to reduce your tax bill and put yourself in the best position for the next financial year” says Aspire Retire’s Co-founder, Olivia Maragna, named Australian Adviser of the Year.  “All too often tax planning is left to the last minute which makes it difficult to minimise tax.” To ensure you are in the best possible shape by June 30, Aspire Retire has provided our top 30 tips for your personal tax, business or superannuation fund.  Your personal tax return1.Prepay your expenses: By prepaying 12 months of tax-deductible expenses, you can bring the deduction forward into the 2012/2013 financial year.  A good example of this is income protection insurance but other options are prepaying interest on margin loans or investment loans.2.Delay income: If you are able to, try to defer income until after June 30 to avoid paying tax this financial year.  As an example this may be done by reviewing term deposit maturity dates or legitimately deferring income by holding off issuing invoices until July 1.3.Charity: If you are thinking of donating money, you may be able to receive a tax deduction for gifts and receive that deduction this financial year.4.Repairs and Maintenance: If you hold an investment property, consider doing minor repairs and maintenance prior to 30 June. 5.Buy health insurance if you are a high-income earner: To avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge, high-income earners should take out private health cover.  To avoid the surcharge for the entire year, the insurance needs to be held for the entire year otherwise it will be prorated. For your business6.Pay super early: Superannuation guarantee payments for your staff aren’t due until July but paying these in June will give you a deduction for them in this financial year as opposed to next financial year.7.Do you have any trusts and companies? Trusts and companies can distribute funds to recipients on lower tax brackets to minimise tax payments.  Ask your financial adviser to review your options.8.Structure:Whether you operate as a sole trader, partnership, in a trust or company, it’s always a good idea to review your current business structure and whether this is still appropriate for your current situation. 9.Immediate write offs:  For eligible businesses, assets costing less than $6,500 can be written off immediately and applies to the purchase of assets used in a business.  Check with your accountant as to whether you are eligible.10.Bad Debts: If you are not going to get paid, then it is best to write these off as a bad debt prior to June 30 in order to claim the tax deduction. 11.Trading stock: A stock take is the best way to write off any lost, damaged or obsolete stock and can reduce your taxable income.12.Stationery:  Stocking up on stationery and other consumables before June 30 can help offset profits. Your superannuation contributions13.Get free money: If you will earn less than $46,920 this financial year, and make a non-concessional (after tax) contribution into your superannuation, the government will contribute up to 50 cents in the dollar (percentage varies with your income) to a cap of $500.14.Spouse contributions: If your spouse earned less than $13,800 this financial year, you can claim a tax rebate of up to $540 if you contribute on their behalf.15.Avoiding exceeding your contributions cap: The cap on concessional contributions (before tax) is $25,000.  Exceeding your contribution cap can leave you liable to penalty tax, so it is certainly worth looking at your position prior to the end of June!16.Don’t leave yourself short: If you are likely to be under the contributions cap, and are in position to make additional payments, it may be in your best interests to make the maximum payments available prior to 30 June.  If your personal tax rate is more than 15%, taking advantage of the cap may mean an extra tax saving.17.Review your Salary Sacrifices: Be aware that salary sacrificing into your superannuation fund affects your concessional contribution cap, and with the increase in Superannuation Guarantee from 9 to 9.25% on 1 July, there is the potential for salary sacrificing to push you over the cap from 1 July.  Don’t forget to review this!18.Review Your Insurance: As mentioned earlier, the End of the Financial Year is an ideal time to look not only at your tax commitments, but also your overall long-term financial plan, including insurance. You can organise this through your super fund, but need to also consider additional contributions to make up any shortfall.19.Time it right: To have deductible contributions counted for this financial year, they must be received by the trustee by 30 June.  Remit these contributions a number of days prior to ensure they are received in plenty of time. 20.Self-employed contributions: You can claim a 100% tax deduction for any superannuation contributions you make if you are fully or substantially self-employed.  Contact your financial adviser to see if you are eligible as this is a great way to save tax.21.Splitting your super contributions with your spouse:  Recent proposed changes mean that evening up your super balances makes sense.  To split your contributions, a request needs to be submitted to the member’s fund. If you are close to retirement22.Add extra to your super: If you have surplus funds outside of your superannuation fund, consider making additional contributions into your fund.  The cap for non-concessional (after tax)  contributions is $150,000 per year but if you are under 65, you can make contributions up to a $450,000 limit at any time over the course of the current year and the following two years without being penalised. This is particularly important for anyone close to 65 who wants to make maximum contributions prior to turning 65.23.Consider a ‘Transition to Retirement’ pension: Workers who are over 55 can access up to 10% of their super as a "Transition to Retirement" pension (TTR pension) and can potentially save considerable tax.  However, if you exceed the 10% limit, penalties will apply.24.Business Concessions: If you are thinking about selling a small business and retiring, you may be eligible to use one of the several small business capital gains tax concessions. Some and possibly all of the proceeds may be able to be rolled into super, reducing or even eliminating the capital gains tax applicable on the sale. For Trustees of self-managed super funds (SMSF)25.Be compliant: Ensure that you have completed all the necessary paperwork for the SMSF. Confirm that the fund’s strategy is documented and investments are aligned with the strategy.  Ensure the investment strategy considers members’ insurance needs. 26.Minimum pension payments: Make sure that the minimum pension payment has been taken by June 30 or the fund will be considered to be in the accumulation phase for the whole year and pay extra tax.  Minimum pension amounts vary based on age, so a close check on this is worthwhile to ensure you are minimising tax.27.Transferring investments into super: With changes to the regulations for in-specie (non-cash assets such as property and shares) transfers into an SMSF due to take effect on July 1 2013, there is likely to be a rush on transfers prior to that date, so don’t wait to the last minute. Basically, transfers after June 30 will need to done on market where possible or by an independent valuer if no market exists.28.Are reserving strategies worth the risk? The ATO is looking closely at this strategy (delay paying contributions from June into member’s accounts until the following year to avoid exceeding the contributions cap and being hit with the excess tax) and will require an explanation other than, ‘To avoid tax!’ Points to consider for your records29.Paperwork:  If you find yourself scrambling through paperwork to keep a track of your tax deductions, consider revamping how you keep your records.  Scanning receipts, electronically storing these or even having a separate bank account to keep a track of expenditure that can be claimed will help you maximise your tax refunds each year. 30.Important Note: An important point to remember in any conversations about tax planning is that this year, the 30th of June falls on a Sunday, so any strategies or contributions need to be finalised by Friday 28 June to be included in the 2012/13 financial year. Look at this End of Financial Year as an opportunity to discuss your financial future with your financial planner, not just as a time to minimise your tax. Take the time to consider your superannuation, insurance, investments and retirement plan as well as your tax return. Disclaimer: The information and any advice do not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and so you should consider its appropriateness having regard to these factors before acting on it. ENDS Media Profile – Olivia Maragna – Adviser of the YearOlivia Maragna is the Co-founder of Aspire Retire, a rapidly growing financial services firm servicing Australia and New Zealand.  Olivia has made a habit of breaking through barriers, recently being presented with a Hall of Fame Award for Business Achievement and the 2012 Australian Adviser of the Year. In a career punctuated with Australian ‘firsts’ and major business awards including the Queensland Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year, Queensland MYOB Small Business of the Year and the AFA Australian Female Excellence in Advice Award, Olivia has always been driven by the idea that if you want to be successful, “you have to go the extra mile for your clients.” In recognition of her business achievements and for her community involvement, Olivia has recently been elected President of the Midas Business Chapter, chosen as one of eighteen of Australia’s most inspiring female leaders in the Leadership in Focus Forum and will be representing Australia in a Global Forum in Switzerland in late 2013.  She is regularly called upon to speak across the country at various organisations such as Ernst and Young, SMSF Professionals’ Association of Australia, AMP, Centrelink, AFL Association, Zurich, Women’s Network Australia, Women in Technology, Professional Investment Services, Canegrowers and numerous other business groups. Olivia currently serves as a judge for the Telstra Business Awards and is the finance columnist for Brisbane Times. Olivia is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Chartered Accountant (CA), Self Managed Super Fund Specialist Adviser (SSA) and has a Bachelor of Business in Accounting from QUT. She has been published/featured in the following media. Magazine Publications/Newspapers Brisbane Times – Finance Columnist Australian Financial Review Sydney Morning Herald The Age Courier Mail News Limited Quest Papers Working Women Magazine Asset Financial Review Magazine Up Magazine Cleo Magazine The Financial Adviser Magazine Risk Info Magazine Professional Planner Magazine Wealth Professional Australia Money Management Magazine IFA Magazine CEO Blognation Investor Daily Financial Observer Financial Standard Magazine SMSF Magazine Charter Magazine   Radio - ABC Radio, 96.5 Radio, 3AW, 4BC, 4CA Representing the pinnacle of adviser achievement, Olivia is a worthy winner of the title ‘AFA Advisor of the Year’ and it is reassuring to see that the future of advice is in such capable hands.” Richard Klipin, CEO Association of Financial Advisers Contact Details for Olivia Maragna Personal Mobile (in/out of office hrs) Ph - 0414 575 164.   Work Ph - 1300 66 77 02   Email - olivia@aspireretire.com.au  Website - www.aspireretire.com.au Twitter - @oliviamaragna

2013-05-07T14:28:33Z green-experts-and-vip-s-to-attend-sustainable-landscape-event-in-abu-dhabi

Over 300 landscape architects, government authorities, urban planners, property developers, environmental specialists, contractors and landscape suppliers are expected to gather at the Middle East Smart Landscape Summit taking place at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi on 27 – 28 May to discuss opportunities and strategies to develop sustainable landscaping practices in Arab cities.His Excellency Dr. Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad, UAE’s Minister of Environment and Water will be officially opening the Summit, and a number of other high-profile GCC government officials will also be attending the event, being held under the patronage of Municipality of Abu Dhabi City (ADM).Jo Ann Jain, Director at event organiser Expotrade Global, believes that it is the right time for the landscape industry to connect. “The focus by municipalities and property developers on sustainability is greater than ever, and smart landscape planning and design play a big role in this change”.“Landscape professionals are using the event as a platform to see what initiatives are being taken by product suppliers to encourage sustainability, and learn of the upcoming projects and strategies by local municipalities”, added Jain.Key speakers include Dr. Amar Jarar, ADM’s irrigation expert, lighting expert Martin Valentine, Dubai Municipality’s Director of Public Parks and Horticulture Ahmed Abdul Karim, and Chief Commissioner of Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) Prof. Dr. Kamel Mahadin.Local and international landscape suppliers will be showcasing their products at the event with Gold Sponsors Desert Group, Convic, Fontana Fountains, GHESA and Silver Sponsors Crystal and Gulf Perlite amongst the leading brands.Delivered through a combination of key note presentations, case-studies, panel discussions and roundtable sessions the Summit will showcase ADM’s Irrigation Master Plan and Sustainable Public Lighting Strategy, sustainable landscape design by leading architects, smart landscape technologies, and discuss ways to build awareness and engage the community.The continued growth of the MENA region and quick recovery from the GFC has intensified demand for landscape products and services. The planned spend on major projects including theme parks and other tourist attracts across the region is US$3 trillion, and a fresh investment in the UAE construction industry is expected to provide the landscape sector around US$3.8 billion worth of new projects this year.UK-based green roof and living wall expert Gary Grant is one of the international guests to the Summit and will be encouraging the UAE to use an ecosystem services approach to infrastructure planning. Geoff Turnbull of ALDAR Properties PJSC, Holley Chant of KEO International Consultants and Geoffrey Sanderson, Principal Director at GCLA International will all sharing experience from working locally in the Middle East.“The relatively recent introduction of ESTIDAMA planning and design regulations coupled with a growing global sense of responsibility for better resource management has effected a serious change in the landscape industry”, said Geoffrey Sanderson.“Products and processes, landscape management and maintenance are all under challenge and rightly so. ESTIDAMA demands that almost every landscape element be sustainable but there is a great deal of confusion and inadequate data to support choices of materials, especially plants, irrigation rates, hard landscape materials and furnishing”, said Sanderson.Expotrade Global is a conference and event organizer with head office based in Melbourne and regional office in Dubai. Specializing in B2B conferences Expotrade has delivered some of the most high-profile events in the infrastructure, IT, mining and resources, sustainability, banking, lighting and energy sectors.More information on the event can be found at www.landscapesummit.com