IT Brief New Zealand - Technology news for CIOs & IT decision-makers
New Zealand

Small Business (SMB) Stories

Global Stories

Small Business (SMB) stories

European SMEs improve digital competitiveness, report finds
Digital Transformation

European SMEs improve digital competitiveness, report finds

Narrowing gaps across the bloc suggest smaller firms are gaining from digital upgrades, with research and innovation posting the sharpest rise.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Today
AccountsIQ ties up with Paraglide on AI collections
Software-as-a-Service

AccountsIQ ties up with Paraglide on AI collections

AI agents will handle invoice chases and billing queries for AccountsIQ users, aiming to cut Days Sales Outstanding and free finance teams.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Today
SonicWall joins Anthropic's Project Glasswing to find flaws
Data Protection

SonicWall joins Anthropic's Project Glasswing to find flaws

Defensive teams are racing to match attackers using AI to find flaws and weaponise exploits within hours of disclosure.

By Jordan Riddles • 3 min read • Today
Oracle expands Gemini use across Fusion & NetSuite
Software-as-a-Service

Oracle expands Gemini use across Fusion & NetSuite

Businesses will gain more choice in AI tools as Gemini is woven into Oracle's core finance, HR and supply-chain software.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Today
Clients back AI in accounting but demand transparency
Digital Transformation

Clients back AI in accounting but demand transparency

Transparency is becoming a bigger test for accountants as most clients back AI, but only if firms explain where it is used.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Today
EU AI Act pushes firms towards stronger governance
Data Protection

EU AI Act pushes firms towards stronger governance

New transparency rules will force customer-facing AI tools to disclose themselves, while banks and SMBs face tougher oversight of models and data.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 6 min read • Today
Oracle expands Google Gemini use across business apps
Software-as-a-Service

Oracle expands Google Gemini use across business apps

Oracle customers will gain more AI model choice in everyday workflows as Google's Gemini is added to Fusion Applications and NetSuite.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Today
Malt names finance & product chiefs as users top 1m
Software-as-a-Service

Malt names finance & product chiefs as users top 1m

The freelance platform's international expansion is being backed by fresh finance and product leadership as it passes 1m registered experts.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Yesterday
N-able expands Climb partnership into UK & Ireland
Data Protection

N-able expands Climb partnership into UK & Ireland

UK and Irish resellers will gain access to N-able's security and recovery tools as Climb Channel Solutions broadens distribution beyond North America.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Yesterday
DefensX wins growth backing for browser security push
Data Protection

DefensX wins growth backing for browser security push

More than 7,000 SMEs could gain tighter AI and browser controls as the New York cybersecurity company uses fresh backing to widen its reach.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • Yesterday
Seekr & OneValley target startups with compliant AI
Software-as-a-Service

Seekr & OneValley target startups with compliant AI

Startups in regulated sectors will gain access to explainable AI tools as Seekr and OneValley aim to reduce compliance and audit risks.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 3 min read • Yesterday

Stories from Other Regions

Small Business (SMB) stories

Barclays map shows UK equity investment surges 26%
Semiconductors

Barclays map shows UK equity investment surges 26%

UK businesses drew GBP £14.4 billion in equity funding in the first half of 2026, as London still dominated despite sharp regional gains.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 5 min read • Today
UK small business sales & hiring growth slow again
Xero

UK small business sales & hiring growth slow again

Weak demand, higher fuel costs and slower payments are squeezing cash flow at small firms, with jobs growth at a near two-year low.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Today
BC Technologies credits Sales Geek Scotland for growth
Customer Relationship Management

BC Technologies credits Sales Geek Scotland for growth

Revenue at the Dunoon IT services firm rose to GBP £3.75 million last year as sales coaching and new systems sharpened its growth plans.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • Today
CEFC adds AUD $150 million to ANZ SME green finance
Supply Chain

CEFC adds AUD $150 million to ANZ SME green finance

The top-up will lower borrowing costs for small firms buying solar, batteries and electric vehicles as energy bills and inflation bite.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Today
Canadian small business sales fall for third quarter
Data Analytics

Canadian small business sales fall for third quarter

Cash-flow pressures are mounting for Canadian small firms, with Xero data showing sales fell 0.6% year on year in the June quarter.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Today
Swaystack partners InstaSwitch to boost business banking
Fintech

Swaystack partners InstaSwitch to boost business banking

The tie-up could help banks and credit unions turn new business accounts into primary relationships by moving payroll, deposits and spending faster.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Today
North East deal links UK trade centre with Iraq & MENA
Manufacturing

North East deal links UK trade centre with Iraq & MENA

The deal gives North East firms a route into Iraq and MENA, while opening a UK base for investors, universities and public bodies.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 5 min read • Yesterday