AI
What the latest AI model updates mean for businesses running agents
New models from Anthropic and Google work longer and cost less, while older models are retired. What that means for businesses running AI agents.
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Practical writing on AI, data and the systems that run New Zealand businesses. No hype, just what we'd tell you over a coffee.
AIOperationsSecurityDataIntegrationReportingStrategyEngineering
AI
Agent flows or open-ended agents? How much freedom to give AI
The newest AI models can work for hours unsupervised. Why most business agents should run inside agent flows, and where letting the agent decide is fine.
AI
Why your Copilot rollout isn't paying off, and how to fix it
Copilot licences nobody uses and answers nobody trusts? The five usual causes of a stalled Microsoft 365 Copilot rollout, and a practical plan to fix it.
AI
AI agents or automated workflows? Which jobs to hand to each
Not every task needs an AI agent. How to choose between rule-based automated workflows and AI agents, with a simple decision table and where to put human approval.
Operations
When one person holds the spreadsheet together
How to find the processes that live in one person's head, what that key-person risk really costs your business, and practical steps to take the risk out.
Security
Prompt injection, explained for business owners
Prompt injection is first on OWASP's list of AI security risks. What it is, why it matters once AI can read email and take actions, and how to reduce the risk.
Data
Is your data ready for AI? A practical checklist for NZ businesses
Before you point AI at your business data, run through these ten questions. A practical data readiness checklist for NZ businesses using AI, Copilot or agents.
Security
The Privacy Act 2020 and AI tools: what to check before you paste client data
Pasting client details into an AI tool? What the NZ Privacy Act 2020 and the Privacy Commissioner expect before your team uses AI with personal information.
Integration
Two-way sync: how to build integrations that don't break
One-way exports versus two-way sync, choosing a source of truth per field, safe retries and outcome logging: how to build business integrations that last.
Reporting
Moving management reporting from cash to accrual without breaking month-end
Why growing NZ businesses move management reporting from cash to accrual, what changes in your data and chart of accounts, and how to switch without disruption.
Strategy
Do you need a fractional CTO? Signs it's time, and what to expect
The signs your business needs senior technology leadership, what a fractional CTO does in the first 90 days, how engagements work, and how to choose the right one.
Strategy
Are you using what you pay for? How to audit your software subscriptions
A practical way to audit your business software: list every tool, compare tiers with real usage, find overlaps and idle seats, and decide what to keep or replace.
Operations
Dead stock is a data problem: finding the cash tied up in inventory and assets
Cash tied up in slow stock, overdue invoices and idle equipment is usually hiding in data you already have. How to find it, with a step-by-step method.
Security
Connecting AI agents to your systems: MCP, permissions and roles
MCP makes it easy to connect AI agents to your systems. The hard part is access. Whose permissions does the agent use, and how do you keep them tight?
Security
An AI use policy your team will actually follow
Most AI policies get ignored because they only say no. How to write a short, practical AI use policy for a New Zealand business, with a one-page outline.
Integration
Xero is the hub: what to connect first, and why
For NZ businesses on Xero: which connections pay back first, how to order them, which system should own customers, products and prices, and when to go custom.
Data
Do you need a data warehouse? A plain-English guide for growing businesses
Signs your business has outgrown reporting straight from its systems, what a right-sized data warehouse looks like, and a practical plan for the first 90 days.
Engineering
Build or buy? When custom software makes sense for a NZ business
Off-the-shelf software or something built for you? A practical way to decide, what custom software really costs to own, and how to make sure you own it.
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