Attention small business owners! Are you ready to take your business to the next level with an energy transformation? The upcoming Budget is putting small businesses front and center with an exciting new tax incentive designed to propel your energy efficiency forward.
The government has recently introduced the Small Business Energy Incentive, aimed at empowering up to 3.8 million small-and medium-sized businesses to save energy and reduce their energy bills. With this incentive, businesses with annual turnover of less than $50 million can enjoy an additional 20% deduction on spending towards electrification and enhancing energy efficiency.
Imagine upgrading your heating and cooling systems, switching to more efficient appliances like fridges and cooktops, or investing in batteries and heat pumps—all while enjoying significant tax deductions. This is not just about saving on bills; it’s about positioning your business for sustainable growth in line with Australia’s energy transition.
Whether you’re a tradie, manufacturer, restaurant owner, hairdresser, or real estate agent, this incentive is tailor-made to benefit you. By embracing energy-efficient technologies, you’ll not only reduce costs but also contribute to lowering emissions for a greener future.
With up to $100,000 of total expenditure eligible for the incentive and a maximum bonus tax deduction of $20,000 per business, the opportunities are substantial. But act fast—eligible assets or upgrades must be first used or installed ready for use between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to invest in your business’s future success. Contact us today to learn more about how you can leverage the Small Business Energy Incentive and position your business for growth and resilience in the evolving economy. Let’s build a stronger, more sustainable future together!
In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, effective communication is paramount to success. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology has emerged as a game-changer, offering businesses scalable, cost-effective, and feature-rich solutions to meet their communication needs. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how VoIP can revolutionise your business communications.
Understanding VoIP
VoIP enables voice communication over the internet, replacing traditional phone lines with digital transmission. This technology converts voice signals into data packets, allowing for seamless transmission over IP networks. By harnessing the power of VoIP, businesses can leverage a wide range of advanced features and benefits.
Key Benefits of VoIP for Business:
Cost Savings: VoIP eliminates the need for costly traditional phone lines and reduces long-distance charges. With VoIP, businesses can enjoy significant cost savings on both local and international calls.
Scalability: VoIP systems are highly scalable, allowing businesses to easily add or remove users as needed. Whether your company is experiencing rapid growth or seasonal fluctuations, VoIP adapts to your changing requirements without the hassle of hardware upgrades.
Flexibility and Mobility: VoIP enables employees to make and receive calls from anywhere with an internet connection. Whether they’re in the office, working remotely, or traveling, employees can stay connected using their VoIP-enabled devices.
Advanced Features: VoIP offers a wide range of advanced features, including voicemail-to-email transcription, call forwarding, auto-attendants, conference calling, and more. These features enhance productivity, streamline communications, and improve customer service.
Implementing VoIP in your business
Assess Your Needs: Identify your business communication requirements and objectives. Determine the features and functionalities that are critical for your operations.
Choose the Right Provider: Select a reputable VoIP service provider that offers reliable connectivity, robust features, and responsive customer support. Consider factors such as pricing, scalability, service level agreements (SLAs), and integration capabilities.
Installation and Configuration: Work with your VoIP provider to install and configure the system according to your business requirements. Ensure proper network infrastructure and adequate bandwidth to support VoIP traffic.
Training and Adoption: Provide training and support to employees to ensure smooth adoption of the new VoIP system. Familiarise them with features and best practices to maximise productivity and efficiency.
Maximising the Potential of VoIP
Continuously evaluate and optimise your VoIP system to meet evolving business needs. Leverage analytics and reporting tools to gain insights into call patterns, customer interactions, and performance metrics. Explore integrations with other business applications to enhance workflow automation and collaboration.
VoIP technology offers businesses a powerful and cost-effective solution for modernising their communication infrastructure. By embracing VoIP, businesses can enhance productivity, improve customer service, and gain a competitive edge in today’s digital marketplace. Ready to unlock the full potential of VoIP for your business? Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive VoIP solutions tailored to your unique needs. Let’s revolutionise your business communications together.
Antony TzamouranisRevolutionise Your Business Communications with VoIP: A Comprehensive Guide
Want to make a positive impact on the environment while enhancing your office efficiency? Consider implementing these eco-conscious printing rules.
Consolidate Your Machines
Simplify your office setup by replacing multiple devices with versatile Multifunction Printers (MFPs). By integrating scanning, faxing, copying, and printing functionalities into one device, you not only reduce your carbon footprint but also save energy, supplies, and valuable office space. It’s a win-win solution that promotes sustainability while optimising productivity.
Set Pop-up Warnings
Leverage the features of modern printers to promote mindful printing habits. Configure pop-up warnings to alert users about printing rules and the environmental impact of their choices. These reminders encourage responsible printing behaviour, prompting users to reconsider before printing unnecessary documents such as emails or web pages. With informed decision-making, you can minimise paper waste and contribute to a greener workplace.
Digitise, Whenever Possible
Embrace digital alternatives to traditional paper-based processes. Digitising documents not only reduces paper consumption but also streamlines data management. Explore document management software solutions to efficiently digitise, organise, and store business data. By transitioning to digital workflows, you not only reduce your environmental footprint but also enhance accessibility and collaboration within your organisation.
By adopting these printing rules, you can transform your office into an eco-friendly workspace while promoting efficiency and sustainability. Let’s work together to make a positive impact on the planet, one print at a time.
Antony TzamouranisEco-Friendly Printing Practices: Reducing Your Office’s Carbon Footprint
In today’s fast-paced business landscape, Managed Print Services (MPS) have emerged as a strategic tool for small-to-medium-sized enterprises seeking to optimise efficiency and drive cost savings. With MPS, businesses can streamline their print operations, enhance productivity, and achieve significant returns on investment. To ensure you’re reaping the full benefits of your MPS partnership, consider these essential tips.
Define Clear Objectives
Set specific and measurable goals in collaboration with your MPS provider. Whether your focus is on reducing printing costs, enhancing IT productivity, or improving workflow efficiency, clear objectives provide a roadmap for success. Regularly review and adjust these benchmarks to track progress and evaluate the effectiveness of your MPS services.
Plan for Scalability
Anticipate the future growth of your business and ensure your MPS provider is equipped to scale your print infrastructure accordingly. Discuss long-term business projections and assess how changes in your organisation will impact your print environment. A proactive approach to scalability ensures seamless expansion without compromising efficiency or incurring unnecessary costs.
Maximise MFP Capabilities
Explore the full potential of your Multifunction Printers (MFPs) by leveraging advanced workflow tools tailored to your business needs. Collaborate with your MPS provider to analyse workflow processes and identify opportunities for optimisation. From HR to legal and accounting departments, customised software solutions integrated with MFP devices can streamline tasks and boost productivity.
Maintain Open Communication
Foster a strong partnership with your MPS provider through regular communication and feedback. Stay engaged by promptly responding to inquiries regarding MPS goals, output status, hardware maintenance, and consumable supplies. Effective communication ensures alignment with objectives and facilitates timely adjustments to keep your print environment optimised.
Ready to unlock the full potential of Managed Print Services for your business? Contact us today to schedule a complimentary print assessment and discover how an MPS solution tailored to your unique needs can drive maximum results. Let’s embark on a journey toward enhanced efficiency and cost savings together.
Antony TzamouranisUnlocking Success: Tips for Maximising Your Managed Print Services (MPS)
In today’s competitive business landscape, efficiency is more than just a buzzword—it’s a strategic imperative. Streamlining workflows lies at the heart of operational excellence, enabling organisations to optimise resources, reduce costs,and accelerate growth. With the right blend of business technology solutions, companies can transform their processes and unlock new levels of productivity. In this blog post, we’ll explore how leveraging business technology can streamline workflows and drive success.
Understanding Workflow Streamlining
Workflow Streamlining involves analysing and optimising the sequence of tasks, activities, and processes within an organisation. By eliminating redundancies, automating manual tasks, and enhancing collaboration, businesses can achieve greater efficiency and agility. This not only saves time and resources but also improves overall quality and customer satisfaction.
The Role of Business Technology
Business Technology plays a pivotal role in streamlining workflows by providing innovative tools and solutions tailored to specific business needs. Here are some key ways in which technology can transform workflows:
Automation: Automation tools streamline repetitive tasks and processes, reducing manual intervention and minimising errors. From invoice processing and document approvals to customer support and inventory management, automation streamlines operations, improves accuracy, and frees up valuable time for employees to focus on higher-value activities.
Integration: Integrating disparate systems and applications enables seamless data flow and communication across departments. Whether it’s integrating CRM with marketing automation software or connecting inventory management systems with accounting software, integration eliminates silos, enhances collaboration, and improves decision-making.
Cloud Computing: Cloud-based solutions provide anytime, anywhere access to critical business applications and data. By migrating workflows to the cloud, organisations can centralise information, enhance scalability, and improve collaboration among remote teams. Cloud computing also reduces infrastructure costs and ensures data security and compliance.
Analytics and Insights: Data analytics tools provide valuable insights into workflow performance, identifying bottlenecks, and areas for improvement. By analysing key metrics and trends, organisations can make informed decisions, optimise processes, and drive continuous improvement.
Implementing Business Technology for Workflow Streamlining
Assessment: Start by conducting a thorough assessment of existing workflows to identify pain points and areas for improvement.
Solution Selection: Choose business technology solutions that align with your organisation’s goals and requirements. Whether it’s workflow automation software, collaboration tools, or cloud-based platforms, select solutions that offer scalability, flexibility, and ease of integration.
Implementation: Work closely with technology providers to implement and configure solutions according to your specific needs. Ensure proper training and support for employees to maximise adoption and effectiveness.
Continuous Improvement: Monitor workflow performance regularly and solicit feedback from users. Continuously evaluate and optimise processes to adapt to changing business needs and market dynamics.
In today’s digital age, leveraging business technology is essential for streamlining workflows and driving organisational success. By embracing automation, integration, cloud computing, and analytics, businesses can optimise processes, enhance collaboration, and stay ahead of the competition. At Orion, we’re committed to helping you harness the power of technology to master efficiency and achieve your business objectives. Contact us today to learn more about our tailored solutions for workflow streamlining and optimisation. Let’s embark on a journey towards greater productivity and success together.
Antony TzamouranisMastering Efficiency: How Business Technology and Print Services Can StreamlineYour Workflow
Traditionally invoices are generated by your ERP/Accounting software and distributed by email to your suppliers. With the digital age this is about to take a quantum leap with Peppol e-invoicing. Peppol stands for “Pan-European Public Procurement Online,” and it is an international network that facilitates secure and standardised electronic invoicing which has been in use in Europe and the US for over 10 years and has arrived in Australia.
Australian Taxation Office
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has been a strong advocate of Peppol e-invoicing and has taken steps to promote its adoption among businesses. The ATO has been working with various stakeholders, including software providers and businesses, to ensure the seamless integration of Peppol into existing accounting and invoicing systems. Whilst Peppol e-invoicing has not been mandated for all business some government agencies require their suppliers to use Peppol for invoicing purposes. The Government agencies can be found on the ATO Website https://www.ato.gov.au/Business/eInvoicing/eInvoicing-for-government/eInvoicing-enabled-agencies/ If you supply to any of these agencies please call us to show you how to get set up.
So what is Peppol E-Invoicing?
Peppol e-invoicing is a standardised method of sending and receiving electronic invoices between businesses. It is based on a set of open, interoperable, and secure standards, ensuring seamless communication between different systems and software. The Peppol network acts as a digital bridge, connecting buyers and suppliers across various industries and countries.
How Does Peppol E-Invoicing Work?
Registration: To participate in the Peppol network, businesses need to register with a Peppol Access Point. Access Points serve as gateways that facilitate the transmission of e-invoices between trading partners.
Invoice Generation: Once registered, businesses can create their electronic invoices using their existing accounting or invoicing software. The invoices are then converted into the Peppol-compliant format by the Access Point.
Transmission: The Access Point routes the e-invoice securely to the recipient’s Access Point, ensuring end-to-end encryption and data privacy.
Invoice Reception: The recipient’s Access Point receives the e-invoice and converts it into a format compatible with the recipient’s accounting or ERP system.
Invoice Processing: The recipient’s system processes the e-invoice automatically, updating the accounts payable or receivable accordingly.
Key Benefits of Peppol E-Invoicing
Time and Cost Savings: Peppol e-invoicing eliminates the need for manual data entry and paper-based processes. Businesses save time and resources, reducing administrative costs and minimising the risk of errors.
Faster Payment Cycles: E-invoices reach recipients instantly, speeding up the payment process. This helps improve cash flow and strengthens business relationships.
Increased Accuracy: Manual data entry can lead to errors in invoices, causing delays and disputes. Peppol e-invoicing ensures accurate data transfer, reducing the likelihood of payment delays and improving trust between trading partners.
Global Interoperability: Peppol’s open and standardised approach makes it easy for businesses to connect and transact with partners from different countries, eliminating barriers to international trade.
Enhanced Security: The Peppol network employs robust security measures, including encryption and authentication protocols, to protect sensitive financial information during transmission.
Environmentally Friendly: By reducing paper usage and manual handling of invoices, Peppol e-invoicing contributes to a more sustainable business environment.
What is Peppol e-invoicing?
Peppol e-invoicing represents a significant leap forward in the realm of digital business transactions. Its standardised approach, global interoperability, and emphasis on security make it an invaluable tool for businesses seeking to streamline their operations, improve efficiency, and enhance collaboration with partners worldwide. Embracing Peppol e-invoicing not only simplifies invoicing processes but also sets the stage for a more connected and sustainable future in the world of business.
For more information and how you can take advantage of this new solution, please contact your us and we would be happy to assist.
Why do small businesses, schools, and large corporations all turn to Managed Print Services (MPS)? Because with MPS, you outsource the management of your printing environment to a reputable third party provider like Orion , putting the day-to-day responsibilities that come along with your fleet in the hands of our trained professionals.
Through MPS, you’ll:
Eliminate service and supply headaches through automatic printer supply ordering and routine device servicing.
Experience lower costs and predictable monthly billing by removing unnecessary, redundant, inefficient, or obsolete devices and eliminating wasteful printing.
Increase document security through rules-based printing, firmware updates, and system monitoring.
Managed Print Services allows organizations of any size to achieve more with less.
If you have travelled anywhere in Australia by plane since 2010 you probably have visited a WHSmith store. Their first store opened in 2010 in Melbourne Airport and within a short period of time they have grown to over 50 stores operating in Australia and over 500 employees.
WH Smith is a leading global retailer with a presence in over 25 countries, serving its customers from over 1,300 stores across the globe. With such an extensive presence worldwide, WHSmith was proud to open their first store in Australia back in 2010. Their first store opened its doors in Melbourne Airport and within a short period of time, the business has grown substantially – and it continues to grow – with stores now open in Sydney, Adelaide and Perth.
Their goal is to be the leading retailer in convenience, books and news for the world’s travelling customer. They understand our customers and know that in the locations in which they operate people have less time to browse and their focus on instore design and excellent customer service reflects this. Early in 2012 the business acquired the brand Fresh+ – a hospital café business, serving fresh food and refreshments to visitors and patients.
As they have continued to grow the business, innovation has been at the heart of everything they do. Their aim is to move at the same pace as their customers, always ensuring they are at the forefront of everything they do
The Challenge
Challenge WH Smith had two major challenges when it came to their printing requirements – their multiple locations and where they were placed, along with a busy customer-facing environment where uptime was of prime importance. The challenge for every WHSmith was that the device was either in a regional, or difficult-to-get-to, location (such as a hospital or Airport).Epson’s Heat-Free print technology means less moving parts so more reliable printing and increased up time. The high-yield inks (up to 8 times longer than comparative lasers) gave staff less disruptions and more time to attend to their customers needs..
The Solution, The Benefits
With minimal interventions – both service and consumables replacement – as one of their buying criteria, along with price-performance, WH Smith was keen to understand the benefits Epson could bring to the table.
Epson excelled on both counts, the reliability of their Heat-Free technology not only improved staff morale but also customer service capability. The Epson high-yield ink consumables for both the A4 (up to 50,000 pages) and A3 (up to 100,000 pages) models not only provided WHSmith with the minimal disruptions they were looking for, it also enabled them to dramatically reduce their overall running costs. In fact Orion Print Management, Epson’s Premier Partner, quantified the total cost savings over the contract period to be just over 80% in power and running cost.
The Return-on-Investment
As much as WHSmith appreciated the cost savings of the Epson devices, the real return-on-investment here was the extra time staff could spend with their customers. And with Orion Print Management proactively and professionally managing their fleet, the WHSmith IT Management team could now focus their time on key IT projects.
Orion is Epson Australia’s Premier Partners. We improve organisational effectiveness by providing comprehensive content management, accelerating shared business processes by facilitating information-sharing across boundaries for better business insight. The measure of their company is reflected in the testimony of their customers, and WHSmith is an excellent example of what positive impact they can bring to your business.
Automating a hire rental business can significantly streamline operations, improve efficiency, and enhance the overall customer experience. Here are the steps to successfully automate your hire rental business:
Choose the Right Rental Management Software: Selecting the appropriate automation software to monitor rentals. Look for a comprehensive solution that can handle inventory management, rental scheduling, online bookings, payment processing, customer data management, and reporting. Orion can identify software options available, that best fits your business needs.
Centralize Inventory Management: Use the automation management software to create a centralized database of all your rental items. Each item should have a unique identifier, and the system should track its availability, rental history, maintenance status, and any associated costs.
Online Booking and Reservation System: Implement an online booking system that allows customers to browse your inventory, check availability, and make reservations. This enables customers to book items conveniently, reducing the need for phone calls and manual bookings.
Automated Rental Agreements: Generate digital rental agreements that customers can sign electronically. This eliminates the need for paper contracts and makes the rental process more efficient.
Integrated Payment Processing: Integrate a secure payment gateway into your rental management system to enable customers to make online payments. This will not only improve cash flow but also reduce the need for manual payment handling.
Automated Notifications and Reminders: Set up automated notifications and reminders for customers about their upcoming rental reservations, return dates, and payment due dates. This ensures smooth communication and helps customers stay informed.
Barcode or QR Code Scanning: Use barcode or QR code scanning technology to efficiently track the movement of rental items. This can be particularly helpful during the check-in and check-out processes.
Maintenance Tracking: Implement a system to track the maintenance and servicing of rental items. Schedule routine maintenance, and set up automated reminders for when items are due for maintenance to ensure that your inventory is always in top condition.
Customer Database and CRM: Maintain a customer database with relevant information, including contact details, rental history, preferences, and feedback. Utilize a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool to manage customer interactions and provide personalized service.
Analytics and Reporting: Leverage the reporting and analytics features of your rental management software to gain insights into your business performance. Analyse rental trends, inventory turnover, and customer behaviour to make data-driven decisions.
Employee Training: Ensure that your staff is adequately trained to use the rental management software efficiently. Training will maximize the benefits of automation and lead to a seamless rental process.
Continuous Improvement: Regularly review your automated processes and gather feedback from customers and employees. Use this feedback to identify areas for improvement and optimize your automation system accordingly.
By automating your hire rental business, you can save time, reduce manual errors, provide a better customer experience, and position your business for growth and success in a competitive market.
If your rental hire business needs assistance in creating AI automation please feel free to contact us on 1300 567456.
The brick-and-mortar workplace is on the decline, with many companies allowing their staff to work away from the office at least part of the time. A pre-COVID 19 study found that 53 percent of professionals globally work remotely for at least half of the week, now its estimated at +90%.
Why are so many businesses allowing their employees to work remotely? Because it’s a win-win situation for everyone involved, as both sides benefit from remote work. Here’s how.
Increased productivity: Despite what many bosses think, studies show that remote employees are actually more productive than their counterparts in the office. Remote workers have fewer distractions to deal with, are more comfortable, and are more inclined to work outside of normal business hours. All of this adds up to more work being accomplished.
Improved morale: Eliminating commutes and incessant distractions lowers employee stress levels. Working from home also leads to better work-life balance, lower absenteeism, and reduced burnout rates. Mentally and physically healthier employees are more effective, and research reveals that remote work leads to increased engagement.
More eco-friendly: Working remotely is better for the environment. Telecommuting naturally reduces pollution and fuel consumption by eliminating trips to and from the office, while working from home results in less electricity, paper, and plastic used than in the office.
Less costly: Happier, healthier employees lead to less turnover, which any business owner knows will save them the money it costs to hire and train new workers. Having fewer employees in the office also reduces overhead and operating costs through reduced monthly rent, utilities, and supply costs. Modern employees have a strong desire to work remotely, especially the Millennial workforce. While these employees personally benefit from it, they aren’t the only ones this model is advantageous to. Businesses have begun to see the value in allowing their staffs to work outside of the office as well, which is why this trend will only continue to grow.
If you need assistance in creating a home office, please feel free to contact us on 1300 567456 or info@orionprint.com.au
Arthur GhelisWorking Remotely is a Win-win Scenario for Employers and Employees
