Total Solutions Book Edition 1 2024

Navigating the GenAI Landscape: A Guide For K-12 Education Leaders

FEATURE ARTICLE HP Commercial PC Partner of the Year 2023

MODERN TECH TRENDS QUIZ

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Greg Strachan Director Midmarket Solutions Group New Zealand

Kia ora,

As we dive into the new year, we extend a warm welcome back to all our readers! We hope your Term 1 has been as settled as possible ( within reason ) and you are looking forward to the rest of 2024.

As we reconnect with our routines, it’s apparent that some challenges are becoming more obvious and impactful to school operations. We are seeing that Wi-Fi reliability continues to be a thorn in the side for schools, primarily due to aging equipment awaiting replacement from N4L. The influx of large amounts of devices only exacerbates these connectivity issues, underscoring the pressing need for replacement. We work closely with N4L around their Equipment Replacement programme ( Te Mana Tūhono ) advocating for our clients to ensure they are placed as high as possible in the refresh cycle.

Despite these obstacles, we remain steadfast in our commitment to progress. Our ongoing development of AI initiatives and seminars stands as a testament to our dedication to innovation in education. With a keen focus on supporting schools nationwide, we take great pride in our ability to leverage technology to empower educators and students alike.

In this edition of our newsletter, we’ll provide updates on the latest advancements in AI, showcasing how these innovations are reshaping the landscape of education.

Join us as we navigate the intersection of technology and learning, striving to equip schools with the tools they need to succeed in an ever-evolving digital age.

All the best

Debunking 7 Common Cybersecurity Myths

Misconceptions about cybersecurity can greatly affect how people and organisations defend against cyber threats. This article debunks seven common myths, emphasising the need for informed approaches backed by data and real-world examples.

Myth 1: Changing Your Passwords Frequently Will Stop Hackers

Debunked: Recent advice suggests that frequently updating passwords may actually weaken security. Users tend to create simpler or slightly modified versions of their old passwords, making them easier for attackers to guess. A study by the FTC found that this behaviour is common, with users often making predictable modifications. Instead, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) now recommends creating strong, unique passwords and only changing them in the event of a breach. Additionally, enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) and using a password manager are highly recommended practices.

Myth 2: Attacks Against Large Organisations Recur Regularly; So, Security Is Not Important

Debunked: Despite widespread concerns, numerous cyberattacks are effectively thwarted daily. While large corporations are prime targets due to their valuable data, many prevented cyber incidents don’t grab headlines like major breaches. Implementing robust security measures significantly reduces the likelihood of successful attacks. According to AT&T’s 2022 Cybersecurity Insights Report, 63% of businesses lack adequate cybersecurity funding, widening vulnerabilities. Moreover, Cybersecurity Ventures forecasts that global cybercrime costs could reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, underlining the urgency for bolstered cybersecurity measures.

Myth 3: Antivirus Software Is Adequate Protection

Debunked: Antivirus software is crucial for detecting and removing harmful software, but it doesn’t address all cybersecurity risks. Modern cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated, often bypassing traditional antivirus tools. To cover various attack routes, comprehensive security measures include IPS, EDR, NDR, NextGen Firewalls, encryption, multi-factor authentication, and employee training. A survey by ESET found that 39% of organisations faced cyber-attacks that evaded their antivirus software in the past year.

Myth 4: Cyberattacks Cannot Affect Your Building’s Physical Systems

Debunked: As digital and physical systems intertwine, physical infrastructure faces increased cyber threats, especially with the rise of Internet of Things (IoT). According to Fortinet, 90% of organisations encountered at least one operational technology (OT) intrusion in the past year, affecting physical systems. Robust cybersecurity measures and continuous monitoring are essential as IoT and OT devices expand. Protecting these systems is crucial to mitigate cyber risks and safeguard operational integrity. Stolen building access cards pose a prevalent threat.

Myth 5: Educational Organisations Are Not Targeted by Hackers

Debunked: Small Schools are often believed to be immune to cyber attacks, but data shows they’re actually more vulnerable. With limited resources for cybersecurity, they become attractive targets for hackers seeking easy access to their systems.

Myth 6: Cybersecurity Is the Exclusive Purview of the IT Department

Debunked: Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility, not just the IT department’s. Phishing attacks exploit human error, making it crucial to educate all employees on cybersecurity practices like recognising suspicious emails and creating strong passwords. According to IBM, human error played a role in 95% of cybersecurity incidents, emphasising the need for widespread awareness and training.

Myth 7: A Strong Perimeter Is All That Is Needed to Safeguard Your Network

Debunked: Focusing solely on perimeter defences overlooks insider threats and advanced phishing attacks. Implementing a zero-trust security architecture, where every person and device is validated before access, is crucial for protecting data and systems effectively. The 2022 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report revealed that 25% of data breaches involved internal actors, underscoring the importance of internal security controls beyond perimeter defences.

New Era Technology is Ready to Serve

New Era’s comprehensive Security Services portfolio includes advanced solutions for maintaining optimal security posture. Through continuous minimisation of attack surfaces and enhanced monitoring and response capabilities, our services ensure improved visibility and threat management. Contact us to learn more about how your school can effectively prevent, detect, and mitigate threats with our offerings.

Managed Services

A Solution For Every School

New Era Technology has managed service agreements to suit schools that need a little bit of help or schools that want us to do everything.

New Era Technology has delivered ICT assistance and services to schools in New Zealand for over 25 years. Our team of technicians and education experts ensure our customers get the best technical skills and advice available.

Our managed service agreements can cater to those with in-house ICT departments that want assurance of backup when required, schools that need an additional hand throughout the year, and schools that want someone to look after their ICT for them.

ICT Strategy Procurement ICT Support

Your backup in case things go wrong.

• As you need engineering time

• As you need strategic planning

• As you need service desk

• Access to security and BYOD services.

A helping hand throughout the year.

• Regular on-site visits

• Strategic planning

• Regular technician support

• Service desk support.

HANDS ON SUPPORT

Let us do the heavy lifting.

• Fulltime technician on-site

• Annual strategic plan

• Service desk support

• Included project hours.

New Era Technology receives ‘Commercial PC Partner of the Year’ award at the HP Partner Awards

We are thrilled to announce that New Era Technology has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Commercial PC Partner of the Year’ award at the HP Partner Awards ceremony held last December 2023.

This recognition stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in the realm of technology solutions.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to HP for their continued partnership and support, which has been instrumental in our success.

This award is not just a reflection of our efforts but also a celebration of the collective dedication of our amazing team and the trust and confidence of our valued clients.

We are immensely grateful to each and every one of you for being an integral part of our journey. Here’s to many more milestones and successes ahead!

Navigating the GenAI Landscape:

A Guide for K-12 Education Leaders

In the rapidly evolving education technology landscape, K-12 institutions increasingly use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to enhance learning experiences and streamline administrative processes.

As educational leaders, Principals and Directors of Technology are pivotal in guiding their organisations through this transformative era. Understanding the potential of GenAI and strategically selecting tools to support its implementation are now critical components of their responsibilities.

Steve Jobs once said, “Technology is nothing. What’s important is that you have faith in people, that they’re basically good and smart, and if you give them tools, they’ll do wonderful things with them.” This sentiment underscores the importance of equipping educators and administrators with the right tools to leverage GenAI effectively.

The choice of GenAI tools is no longer just a technical decision; it has far-reaching implications for educational institutions’ reputation, trust, and success in the digital age.

Here are some of the ways that the lack of suitable tools can significantly hinder the adoption of GenAI:

• Innovation and Development: Good tools are essential for developers and researchers to experiment, iterate, and enhance GenAI models. Limited or poor-quality tools can slow the innovation cycle, making it challenging to advance GenAI technology efficiently.

• Quality and Reliability: Poorly designed tools may produce subpar results, leading to a lack of trust in GenAI’s outputs. This can affect the perception of the technology’s reliability and accuracy, deterring its adoption in critical fields where precision is paramount.

• Integration and Compatibility: The need for robust tools can make integrating GenAI into existing workflows and systems challenging. This could be a significant barrier for schools looking to adopt GenAI solutions, but they need the integration process to be more convenient and compatible with their current infrastructure.

• Accessibility and User Experience: User-friendly tools ensure educators, students, and administrators can easily interact with GenAI systems. A lack of intuitive tools may deter adoption, particularly among those who are not tech-savvy.

• Education and Training: Comprehensive tools often include educational resources and documentation facilitating learning and skill development. Without adequate support, educators may struggle to effectively incorporate GenAI into their teaching practices.

• Ethical and Responsible Use: Beyond the technical aspects, leaders face the critical challenge of ensuring responsible and ethical adoption of GenAI technologies. With GenAI becoming an integral part of business processes, the burden of aligning their deployment with the school’s values and ethical norms is ever-growing. Tools designed with ethical considerations and responsible GenAI principles in mind are crucial for the safe adoption of it. Lack of such tools can lead to unethical use or unintended harmful consequences, tarnishing the reputation of GenAI technology.

In conclusion, the strategic selection of tools is crucial for successfully integrating and adopting GenAI in K-12 education. Principals and Directors of Technology must go beyond technical considerations and prioritise tools that support accessibility, innovation, quality assurance, seamless integration, education, and ethical use of GenAI. By taking a thoughtful approach to tooling, educational leaders can unlock the full potential of GenAI, paving the way for enhanced learning experiences and administrative efficiency in K-12 institutions.

Verkada

The Modern School Campus

Unlock Your School’s Potential with Integrated Technology Solutions

As the world races forward with ever-advancing technology, we believe it’s time for schools to embrace these technological innovations, as they can improve teaching and learning outcomes.

At New Era, we are committed to helping schools increase efficiency and engagement by integrating cuttingedge technology. Our comprehensive technology solutions include captivating interactive screens that foster active learning, PA/bell systems to increase engagement and efficiency; as well as, advanced security cameras and environmental sensors that ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone.

PA/Bell Systems Video Surveillance

New Era provides PA/bell system solutions that enhance the communication and productivity of your school. Our advanced PA/ bell system solution is reliable, and flexible, and can be integrated into other systems such as security cameras and VoIP systems. You can customise your bell schedules, announcements and emergency alerts from any device, anywhere. With features like Live Paging, Pre-Recorded Messages, and Zone Control, you can deliver clear and consistent messages to your staff and students, improving the efficiency and safety of your school.

New Era offers video surveillance solutions that secure the safety of your people and school. Our powerful video security solution is smart, secure and easy to manage. There are no NVRs or Servers onsite – everything is powered by the cloud, which means you save on hardware. With features like Motion Detection, People Analytics, and Vehicle Analytics, users can quickly search across their school campus to find relevant footage, eliminating the need to scrub through incidents manually.

Environmental Sensors Interactive Screens

Ensure your school is not at risk with New Era’s environmental sensors solution. Our solution simultaneously measures the air quality, temperature, humidity, motion, and noise with a collection of powerful embedded sensors.

In addition to monitoring a wide range of environmental changes, the sensor can detect vaping and smoking events. As a result, schools can monitor vaping and smoking behaviour from the software system, making it easy to conduct investigations and implement deterrence measures.

Transform your teaching and learning with interactive screens and displays. These screens offer a range of features that are ideal for schools, such as high-resolution displays, touch-sensitive panels, and wireless connectivity.

With the integration of interactive screens into your teaching methodology, you can revolutionise your lessons, making them more engaging, collaborative, and enjoyable. Whether it’s showcasing videos, slides, or websites, you can effortlessly write, draw, and erase directly on the screen using your finger or a pen. Moreover, the versatility of these screens allows you to connect them to your laptop, tablet, or smartphone, enabling you to share content with the entire class.

Prices in this brochure are valid as of 25/09/2022 and are subject to change. Errors and omissions excluded.

School Paging & Emergency Announcement Systems

Put sound in spaces without extra audio wiring.

- For lock down procedures

- For evacuation announcements

The 2N Net Speaker receives high quality digital audio and power over your school network using its integrated amplifier and decoder.

The audio signal is synchronised over all speakers and can be scheduled from your computer, phone, tablet or set up as an extension on your VoIP Phone System. Set up speakers, schedule bells, adjust the volume and more from your computer.

Features of the 2N Net Speakers

Integrates With Your PBX

Simply dial an extension from your 3CX or SIP phone system to send announcements.

Bird’s Eye View

Online Monitoring

You’ll have an overall status of all audio devices and can instantly identify any fault.

No Power Cabling Speakers can be supplied power through the network with Power Over Ethernet adapters.

Separate audio zones

Mic option

Integrate with your phone system

Connect to existing PA systems and amps

Contact the New Era team on 0800 438 428 to find out how 2N Net Speakers can transform communication in your school.

For further information or to inquire about Acer's esports product range, please reach out to: caz.nortje@acer.com | +64 21 844 412

Campus Communication Turns to Digital Signage

Technological innovations have transformed communication platforms, with digital signage boards replacing traditional billboards. This shift has fueled a surge in the digital signage market, making communication more engaging and informative in commercial and educational settings.

Uses of Digital Signage

In a bustling campus environment where students are always on the move, constant communication is essential. Digital signage offers 24/7 accessibility, ensuring messages are easily visible across campus. This versatile technology allows for dynamic content, including videos, weather updates, announcements, and more. Compared to traditional static signage, digital signage is more effective and affordable, revolutionising communication on campuses nationwide.

Benefits of Digital Signage for Your Campus

Digital signage is advancing quickly, with billboards nationwide transitioning to digital formats and video being utilised in retail for promotional purposes. This trend promises significant educational enhancements, such as touchscreen integration in classrooms. Let’s explore the benefits further.

1. Expanded Scope of Communication

Digital signage offers a seamless and reliable communication solution for campus-wide messaging. Unlike methods like text messaging and mobile apps that require opt-in, digital signage provides accessible notifications to all students, visitors, and staff without restrictions. Regardless of campus size, digital signage

ensures consistent messaging, reaching students throughout the day. Whether sharing exam schedules or highlighting achievements, digital signage captures attention and reaches a broader audience. Its easy editing capabilities maintain message consistency efficiently.

2. Eliminate Communication Gaps

Traditional communication methods like flyers and newsletters are resource-intensive and prone to gaps and errors. Digital signage eliminates these shortcomings, providing a reliable means of communication without worry of miscommunication. With digital signage, you have complete control over your message’s reach and accuracy, ensuring effective communication without errors.

3. Deploying a Wayfinding Solution

Large campuses can be daunting even for returning students. Implementing a wayfinding solution or interactive map can streamline navigation, boosting morale, and saving faculty time.

4. Deploying an Emergency Alert System

Emergencies happen, but technology can facilitate quick communication. Digital signage can deploy emergency alerts, offering guidance and easily accessible information during disasters or other occurrences.

5. Create Collaboration among Students and Teachers

Video walls enhance collaboration among students, teachers, and faculty. Besides communication, they offer educational benefits, bringing lessons to life and fostering creativity. Digital signage promotes campus communication and collaboration, bridging potential gaps as technology evolves, and bringing the campus community closer together.

Transform Your Campus Communication with New Era’s Dynamic Digital Signage Solutions!

For more information on how your campus can benefit from digital signage, contact us and we will be glad to help. Our digital signage solutions include hardware solutions, remote monitoring and reporting, along with content management solutions that seamlessly integrate your campus communication.

How Artificial Intelligence is Shaping the World of Video Collaboration

When we look at the world of Video Collaboration and the velocity of change in this space, one key influence is the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered tools and solutions that facilitate an enhanced level of experience for end-users.

How is AI being incorporated into the Video Collaboration space?

AI is being used in video collaboration in many ways to improve user experience. Here are some of the most common applications of AI in video collaboration:

1. AI in meeting room devices

• Audio control: AI enhances audio in Microsoft Teams by removing background noise and improving clarity for better video call communication.

• Automatic speaker tracking: Vendors such as Verkada offer cameras that have automatic speaker tracking, improving remote participation.

• Participant tracking: Cisco’s Meraki solutions adjust room conditions based on occupancy for enhanced functionality.

• Visual improvements: AI cameras from Poly and Logitech ensure all stay in frame during calls, enhancing visual clarity with features like auto-framing and facial recognition, boosting engagement.

• Video enhancement: AI improves meeting visuals by enabling background application, brightness adjustment, and soft focus for optimal experience.

• Facial recognition: Users can instantly join meetings upon entry, with others promptly notified.

2. AI within the system management of devices and rooms

• Improved productivity: AI boosts productivity by simplifying video calls, aiding conversation tracking, automating note-taking, and assigning actions during and after meetings.

• Enhanced security: AI enhances security by protecting video calls, detecting threats, and ensuring data privacy.

• Insightful Management Information: AI efficiently tracks data, monitoring meeting metrics and enabling sustainability adjustments based on room usage.

3. AI in the meeting room experience

• Increased engagement: AI boosts video call engagement with improved visuals and interactive tools, facilitating compelling content creation.

• Transcription AI: This tool transcribes calls, summarises, and suggests actions, aiding review and sharing.

• Improved content sharing: AI-equipped presentation tools ease content sharing among colleagues.

• Accessibility: AI tools aid accessibility by transcribing meetings for the hard of hearing.

• Improved communication: Real-time translation like Microsoft’s Live Transcript aids understanding among colleagues with different native languages.

4. AI in the meeting workflow

• Recommendation of meeting participants: AI recommends meeting participants based on skills and expertise, ensuring effective use of everyone’s time.

• Prompts: Microsoft’s Copilot sends a prompt before the meeting ends, reminding participants to ‘wrap up’.

• Summary following meeting: Post-meeting, hosts can use AI to quickly email a summary to all participants, simplifying sharing. For example, Zoom’s AI companion condenses discussions, highlighting key action items and subjects like Copilot for Teams.

• Additional features: AI helps latecomers by displaying a side panel for inquiries and emailing a summary to all. Microsoft’s Copilot generates answers from meeting transcripts.

Overall, AI has the potential to revolutionise video collaboration, with ongoing advancements promising even more innovative applications in the future.

Want to know how New Era Technology can support you on your AI journey?

Our video collaboration services and solutions support your full end-to-end video collaboration journey. From design and consultation through to proactive management of your entire video ecosystem – we have you covered. Contact the team to find out more. www.neweratech.com/nz/contact-us/

Buying HP? Why Procurement Power Matters (Along With Nationwide Reach)

By: Tony Gilbert, New Era Sales Director

There’s good reason for HP enjoying one of the top positions in terms of market share of any PC maker in the world. With products known for their quality, value and innovation, that makes HP a consistently smart choice for laptops, PCs and tablets, and so it commands 22% of the market. Another smart choice is sourcing HP from New Era, because we have the market reach and procurement power to get you the best possible deal, and we will even support your local school while doing it.

It is not, of course, just about the dollars. When you are refreshing your fleet, support and the availability of hands-on technicians is an integral part of value creation. From imaging 100 or 200 devices and seamlessly putting them into your people’s hands, to sorting out the inevitable niggles accompanying a new device rollout (or even the issues cropping up during day-to-day operations months or years in), local support means getting it sorted faster. And with the way we all depend on our devices for work and more, fast and accurate means money.

The unique New Era difference is our scale. This translates to buying power, as we are one of HP’s biggest solution providers, annually placing orders for tens of thousands of devices. We get that scale from being a preferred provider to schools across the country, and as you might imagine, that means we need people across the country. Schools are full of children using laptops, and so, this means support is necessary quite frequently (though to be fair, some folks never grow out of a boisterous relationship with their laptop or PC!).

With around 2,500 schools and offices nationwide, New Era is perhaps unique in having technicians on the ground within a short drive of just about anywhere. Our 200 people are literally located anywhere from Kaitaia down to Invercargill, a reach very few if any other solution providers can offer.

This matters, because as we all know, the focus falls disproportionally on the big cities, including our favourite citizens in Auckland (yes, many of we, New Era folks, fall into this very category, it’s a friendly observation!). The regions tend to play second fiddle. If remembered at all.

Now, that’s not the case at New Era. We’re in the regions. And in addition to a consistent track record of excellence in delivery for these demanding clients, we’ve got the chops, the scale and the capability to look after your business, too. Not just with great pricing with HP laptops, but with great support which means you get the most for every dollar invested.

What’s more, we like schools and I’m willing to bet you have a child or two (I have 6!) attending one or more of the local educational institutes. When procuring your HP from us, we’ll make sure to donate some great goodies to your local school. Exactly what we give will depend on your order, but my promise is that there’ll be something in it.

So, give it a go. Get a quote from New Era. You’ll find we’re highly competitive, keen to do business with you, and ready to deliver so much more on top of your HP computing requirements.

Tony Gilbert is an accomplished Sales Director and former Deputy Principal with over 20 years of experience in education and technology. He is a respected leader known for his strategic thinking, business acumen, and customer satisfaction. With postgraduate qualifications in leadership, Tony excelled in senior leadership roles, managing large teams and implementing innovative teaching methods. He joined New Era Technology in 2012, driving revenue growth and expanding the customer base with strong relationshipbuilding skills. Tony is a renowned speaker and consultant, a volunteer in his community, and enjoys travelling and reading in his free time. He also won a world title in improv many years ago.

Apple iMac 24” AiO Desktop

The iMac has always harnessed the latest technology, and taken it further to make the ultimate all-in-one better and better. 24” iMac with Retina 4.5K display: Apple M3 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU. 256GBSilver

Apple iPad 64GB 9th Gen

10.2” Retina Display • A13 Bionic Chip • 64GB Storage • Supports Apple

Pencil and Smart Keyboard • 8MP Rear and 12MP FaceTime HD Cameras

Battery life: 10 Hours

Apple MacBook Air 13” (2022)

Apple M2 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU • 8GB RAM • 256GB SSD

• 13.6” LED Retina Display • macOS

Battery life: 15 Hours

Apple MacBook Air 13” (2024)

Apple M3 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU

• 8GB RAM • 256GB SSD

• 13.6” LED Retina Display • macOS

Battery life: 18 Hours

Learning goes anywhere with iPad. With a lightweight design and up to 10 hours of battery life, it‘s easy to stay connected all day. Sketch and explore ideas. Edit photos and video. Easily design and share assignments. And dive into augmented reality and learning to code.

Apple TV 4K WiFi + Ethernet with 128GB storage

With Apple TV, teachers can easily showcase educational videos, presentations, and interactive content to the entire class.

HP Chromebook 11 G9

Intel Celeron up to 2.8GHz Dual Core

• 4GB RAM

• 11.6” HD Display

•

32GB eMMC Storage

Battery life: 12 Hours

• Google Chrome OS

• 1 Year Onsite Warranty

Acer Chromebook 511/C734

Intel Celeron up to 2.8GHz Dual Core

32GB eMMC Storage

• 4GB RAM • 11.6” HD Display •

• Intel UHD Graphics

Return to Base Warranty

Battery life: 12 Hours

• Google Chrome • 1 Year

HP ProOne 440 G9 R 23.8” Non-Touch

AiO Desktop

Intel Core i5 up to 4.6GHz Hex Core • 23.8” Full HD Display • 8GB RAM •

256GB SSD • Windows 11 • 3 Year Onsite Repair Warranty

Lenovo 100e Gen 3 Chromebook

Intel Celeron up to 2.8GHz Dual Core

32GB eMMC

• Intel UHD Graphics

3 Year Return to Base Warranty

Battery life: 10 Hours

• 11.6” HD Display

• 4GB RAM

• Google Chrome OS •

Also available with the Te Reo Māori keyboard, which has additional accented letters on the vowel keys.

•

Acer TravelMate Spin B311 Academic Laptop

Intel Pentium up to 3.3GHz Quad Core • 11.6” FHD Touch Display with Active Stylus • 4GB RAM • 128GB SSD • Intel UHD Graphics •

Windows 11 Professional • 1 Year Return to Base Warranty

Battery life: 12 Hours

Why Reach and Scale Matters for Regional business

By: Tony Gilbert, New Era Sales Director

Ever heard of ‘shoe leather’? While there’s a lot of focus on digital sales and marketing these days, with your Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok and all that, there’s one secret weapon successful everywhere that’s being put to good use by savvy operators. Yes, it’s that shoe leather.

In the good old days, people realised that the early bird gets the worm. The squeaky wheel gets the oil. And those who use their shoes the most seal the deal, deliver the best customer service, and build lasting relationships.

Sure, we have all these digital avenues (LinkedIn included) for doing business - we have email, video calling and the good old telephone for getting in touch, finding the opportunities and helping your business get the right gear. At New Era we sell the technology that makes all that digital stuff happen.

What’s even more certain is the fact that people do business with people. Real people. And when you’re working nationwide like we do at New Era, having people everywhere is a real and meaningful advantage for you.

Earlier, I discussed the value of scale in procurement. As one of HP’s biggest partners in New Zealand, and a firm advocate for the quality, value and performance of HP’s world class portfolio (which has delivered a good 22% of global PC and laptop market share), we order a lot of hardware from HP.

This works for every one of our clients because when we’re ordering lots of technology, we get the best pricing thanks to volume; that advantage passes on to our customers, making the solutions we design not only right sized and suitably specced for your requirements but also cost-effective. Good news, of course, in an inflationary environment where the cost of living is pinching us all.

But coming back to those leather clogs. It’s a long-acknowledged fact of life in New Zealand that the tech companies focus disproportionately on the big cities. The pavement-pounding by most salespeople is done on the streets of Auckland,

Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga, and our newest-fastestgrowing city Hamilton.

That’s cold comfort to the regions; it is also (perhaps not coincidentally) the regions where arguably the biggest impact can be made through the deployment of modern technology - the sort of thing the city slickers have been calling ‘digital transformation’ for some time.

Blessed as we are with an extraordinary fibre network reaching almost everywhere, and a bit of 4 and 5G, and even Starlink plugging any remaining gaps, the regions including your business are ripe for the full advantages of Windows 11 loaded on HP’s latest laptops, tablets and other devices.

Now, whether you’re upgrading old equipment that’s reached end of life, or starting out, or expanding your organisation, you want a couple of things from your solution provider. Cost is a big one, and we’ve got that covered with our scale and procurement arrangements.

The other bits which are arguably even more important constituents of value relate right back to the shoe leather. Presence in the regions. And we have that. Probably uniquely, because we look after schools everywhere from Kaitaia right down to Invercargill, and almost everywhere in between. I am not in the big cities but work out of Dunedin!

What’s that presence mean? Well, for our schools and commercial clients, it means an engaged sales process, so we come and see you and understand your needs directly. It also means service and warranty attention ‘next day’. And if it’s a man in a van you need – which sometimes is still the very best problem-solver, well, that’s what you get. A real person in your office.

So, if you’re looking at upgrading, buying new, expanding, and need HP solutions for a better way of doing business, get in touch and give New Era a go. You won’t be disappointed.

Is Your School’s Network Security up to the Task?

Cyberattacks are increasing in the education sector. Proactively managing your school’s network security is crucial because globally, education faces the highest risk of malware attacks, with a record of over 63% of devices encountering threats, according to Microsoft.

Why School Network Security Matters

Schools rely heavily on ICT for various functions like communication, records, assessments, and building management. However, this dependency poses risks such as data breaches, learning disruptions, and reputation damage. Schools face increasing threats from online criminals due to limited security measures and resources. Once accessed, school information can be copied, encrypted, ransomed, or sold.

Employee negligence and human error pose significant cybersecurity risks, often overshadowing nefarious hackers. Common poor security practices include:

• Leaving computers unlocked and unattended

• Writing passwords on unsecured paper instead of using a digital password manager

• Falling victim to phishing attacks

• Lack of cybersecurity knowledge and response protocols

The threat of cyber-attacks disrupting children’s education is more apparent than ever.

What Can Your School Do

Every school’s cybersecurity should prioritise core foundations:

• Universal use of anti-virus and anti-malware solutions

• Regular staff training on security risks, data breaches, and ransomware response

• Phishing awareness training to safeguard personal information

• Consistent software updates and patch management

• Strong password policies with non-dictionary words, mix of characters, and symbols

• Multi-factor authentication, particularly for remote network access

• Tiered access levels based on job requirements

In addition to cybersecurity, prioritising online safety in education is crucial. Schools must address:

• Shielding children from harmful online content

• Educating students about safe online behaviours

Fortunately, in New Zealand, the Network for Learning (N4L) manages these aspects on behalf of the Ministry of Education.

Complementing these practices, New Era Technology emphasises the significance of this priority in education. We offer a specialised solution tailored for schools to assess, monitor, and enhance security practices. Our Network Security Assessment Exercise (NSAE) is a brief, targeted program empowering school leadership to swiftly improve network security and user behaviours.

NSAE assesses key technical security aspects and staff competency, providing concise reports that:

• Identify necessary security improvements

• Offer actionable steps for the school

• Recommend content filters and update plans

• Deliver clear, understandable information on security importance to staff

In essence, NSAE offers clear instructions to safeguard devices, services, and personal information collected and managed by schools.

Connect with New Era for Secure Solutions for Your School

Cybersecurity requires sustainable practices ingrained in your organisational culture. Our education specialists offer guidance through this journey. Schedule a Network Security Assessment Exercise to identify security gaps and receive actionable improvement strategies. Contact us for details.

Procurement neweratech.com

0800 438 428

Take New Era’s Network Security Assessment Exercise (NSAE).

Why does your school need to undertake an NSAE?

• New Zealand schools are being actively targeted by hackers and spammers.

• Minimise the liability of school leadership and Board of Trustees.

• Improve your school network security quickly and easily.

• Provide your staff with an understanding and some skills to help them prepare for cyber-threats.

• Identify who in your team may need extra support and assistance in understanding their role in network security.

• Protect your school’s data and reputation.

Sign up to take the NSAE assessment...

www.neweratech.com/nz/security/nsae/

What does the Network Security Assessment Exercise involve?

A New Era Technology NSAE will take about two weeks to undertake. We will work with your school to give you a report detailing critical technical security aspects found in the exercise.

From this report, we will list some recommended technical updates to improve your school’s security quickly. The report will also indicate which staff members need additional support to increase their security knowledge. Finally, we will provide a recommended professional development programme to ensure you are continuing to provide up-to-date information and training to staff.

Discover how New Era Technology can provide cutting-edge IT solutions for New Zealand businesses

Empowering Businesses with IT Solutions

Did you know we offer our community businesses the same award-winning IT services as your child’s school?

New Era Technology understands the importance of technology in today’s fastpaced world and empowers companies with the right IT solutions to help them thrive.

Our team of experts is well-versed in the latest technologies and industry trends. We can assist businesses in optimising their IT infrastructure, implementing efficient systems, and leveraging digital transformation’s power. Whether it’s cloud computing, cyber security, data management, or IT consulting, we have the expertise to meet the unique needs of businesses in various industries.

Like your child’s school, businesses can gain a competitive edge, improve productivity, and enhance their operations when they partner with New Era. We believe that technology should be an enabler for growth, and we are dedicated to helping businesses unlock their full potential through our IT solutions.

Test your knowledge of modern technology and stay up-to-date with the latest trends!

1. What is the term for the process of converting spoken words into text by a computer?

a) Voice recognition

b) Speech synthesis

c) Natural language processing

d) Speech-to-text

2. What does the acronym “AI” stand for?

a) Advanced Interface

b) Artificial Intelligence

c) Automated Interaction

d) Advanced Integration

3. Which technology allows wireless communication between devices over short distances?

a) Bluetooth

b) Ethernet

c) Wi-Fi

d) NFC (Near Field Communication)

4. What is the term used to describe the process of backing up data to a remote server over the internet?

a) Cloud storage

b) Data mirroring

c) Virtualisation

d) Blockchain

5. What is the term used to describe the practice of using a single authentication method across multiple systems or services?

a) Single sign-on (SSO)

b) Two-factor authentication (2FA)

c) Biometric authentication

d) Password encryption

6. Which technology allows users to interact with computers using natural language instead of traditional input methods?

a) Augmented Reality (AR)

b) Virtual Reality (VR)

c) Natural Language Processing (NLP)

d) Machine Learning (ML)

7. What is the purpose of a VPN (Virtual Private Network)?

a) To access blocked websites

b) To increase internet speed

c) To protect data privacy

d) To enhance computer graphics

8. Which of the following is NOT a type of computer malware?

a) Virus

b) Trojan

c) Spyware

d) Firewall

9. Which of the following is an example of a renewable source of energy commonly used to power data centres and electronic devices?

a) Coal

b) Natural gas

c) Solar power

d) Nuclear power

10. What is the term used to describe the process of protecting sensitive information by converting it into a code that can only be deciphered with a key or password?

a) Encryption

b) Decryption

c) Compression

d) Authentication Answers