Techbest – Top Tech Reviews In Australia
The best in Australian gadgets and technology
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Belkin SOUNDFORM Freedom True Wireless Headphones with Qi Wireless Charging case, White, Universal, AUC002
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ZTE Buds 2 Wireless Earbuds, TWS, Bluetooth 5.3, 25 Hours Battery, HD Microphone, Touch Control, Voice Assistant, IPX4 Water Resistance, USB-C Charging, White
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Country Road Group, which encompasses well-known Australian fashion labels such as Country Road, Mimco, Trenery, Witchery, and Politix, has significantly transformed its approach to managing store planning tasks. The group has adopted a digital transformation strategy by leveraging the workflow management tool monday.com to improve the organization of its store and concession planning activities.
Previously dependent on spreadsheets and conventional meetings to oversee these projects, the group experienced several inefficiencies, especially concerning communication between designers, planners, and various stakeholders. Swithin Oliver, the Store Planning Manager for Country Road Group, remarked that considerable time was lost on revisions and digging through emails to monitor project progress.
The department responsible for store planning at Country Road Group coordinates an array of initiatives, from launching new stores to refurbishments and relocations. These initiatives span across their five retail brands and involve multiple stakeholders, including designers and project managers.
A significant recent focus has been on reinstating branded concession areas within department stores, especially Myer. In 2022, all Country Road Group’s brands returned to Myer stores, resulting in a heightened workload to oversee the introduction of these branded spaces.
Oliver noted, “Think of Country Road as a brand with various departments—home, kids, women’s, and men’s. Therefore, placing Country Road within a single Myer location equates to four distinct projects. Now, multiply that across all our brands, and we’re managing up to nine different projects in just one store.”
In response to the escalating complexity of its store planning tasks, Country Road Group integrated monday.com as a centralized project management solution. Rather than handling individual boards for each task, the platform enables the team to merge numerous projects into one comprehensive overview. For instance, each Myer department store operates as a single dashboard, encompassing all pertinent projects for that site.
Oliver conveyed that this methodology has been revolutionary, enabling the organization to visually represent over 150 concession spaces across Myer stores using fewer than 50 boards. This offers a comprehensive snapshot of every project’s status, ensuring that critical deadlines and milestones are communicated efficiently.
One of the most notable advantages of transitioning to monday.com has been the introduction of automation. The platform can autonomously create project timelines, allocate resources, and modify these aspects in response to real-time updates. This shift has notably minimized manual labor and enhanced overall project management efficacy.
While some project statuses are still manually entered on the main board, Country Road Group aims to automate this process. Ultimately, the information will flow automatically from daily operational boards to the primary pipeline board, further simplifying workflows.
By utilizing monday.com, Country Road Group has also fostered greater collaboration and transparency within the company. Previously, project statuses were circulated using spreadsheets among internal stakeholders. Now, there is a plan to share direct links to the monday.com platform, facilitating stakeholder access to live project data, eliminating dependence on outdated spreadsheets.
Oliver remarked, “We currently possess a single source of truth for all our projects. This enables us to analyze our performance post-project completion, recognizing what we did well and pinpointing areas for enhancement.”
Since integrating monday.com, Oliver has estimated a 25% enhancement in the efficiency of managing store planning initiatives. This improvement not only saves time but also allows the team to concentrate on strategic endeavors rather than administrative duties.
Country Road Group intends to continue refining its usage of the platform, including further automation of project reporting and expanding interactive views that provide insights into resource distribution and workload across its fashion brands.
Country Road Group, representing five iconic Australian fashion brands, has embraced digital transformation through the implementation of monday.com for its store planning projects. By moving away from spreadsheets and manual processes, the company has boosted efficiency by 25% and improved project coordination. With more than 150 concession spaces established in Myer stores, the platform facilitates superior resource management, real-time updates, and interdepartmental collaboration. Automation has decreased manual tasks, and future initiatives include more automation and improved project transparency.
Prior to using monday.com, Country Road Group depended on spreadsheets and emails for managing store planning projects, resulting in inefficiencies such as wasted time on revisions, overlap in task management, and difficulties in tracking project statuses.
The platform enables the integration of multiple projects into a single overarching board, automating timelines, resource allocations, and updates. This streamlines the management of intricate store planning projects, specifically for concession spaces within Myer stores.
The automations within monday.com assist in generating project timelines, distributing resources, and making real-time adjustments based on project progression. This minimizes manual tasks and boosts overall efficiency, contributing to a 25% enhancement in project management.
monday.com serves as a singular source of truth for all stakeholders, enabling internal teams to access real-time project data through shared links, removing the necessity for manual spreadsheet updates, and enhancing collaboration among departments.
The organization plans to further automate the reporting of project statuses and extend the use of interactive views to gain enhanced insights into resource allocation and workloads among its fashion brands.
Following the transition to monday.com, Country Road Group has experienced a 25% increase in project management efficiency, allowing the team to prioritize strategic tasks over manual administration, thus streamlining the overall store planning process.
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OPPO Enco Free2 Wireless Headphones, Up to 30 Hours Runtime, Headphones: 41mAh, Charging Case: 480mAh, 42dB Active Noise Cancelling (ANC), Bluetooth 5.2, Sound Equalizer, USB Type-C, White
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Belkin SoundForm ClearFit Wireless Open-Ear Headphones, Lightweight, Comfortable Sports Headphones, Wireless Bluetooth and IPX5 Waterproof for Hiking, Cycling, Jogging – Black
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Australian supermarket leader Coles Group is poised to further overhaul its supply chain, unveiling plans to invest $880 million in a third automated distribution centre (ADC) situated in Truganina, near Melbourne. This represents a crucial advancement in Coles’ persistent mission to upgrade its logistics framework with state-of-the-art technology, following the successful establishment of two comparable centres in Queensland and New South Wales earlier this year.
The new Truganina facility will capitalize on the cutting-edge automation technology pioneered by Witron, a global frontrunner in supply chain automation. The centre aims to optimize operations, enhance efficiency, and bolster safety across Coles’ supply network. It is anticipated to become a central hub for the retailer, servicing numerous states while boasting a 15% increase in capacity over its predecessors.
Coles has opted to maintain its collaboration with Witron, a German firm celebrated for its groundbreaking warehouse automation systems. Witron’s technology enables rapid sorting and picking of groceries, significantly minimizing manual effort and elevating accuracy. In the current Queensland and NSW facilities, this has facilitated quicker fulfilment times and improved stock management, particularly during busy periods.
The same Witron technology will be implemented in Truganina. It employs a mix of robotics and artificial intelligence to automate the picking function, moving away from traditional, labour-heavy approaches. This system is set to further revolutionize Coles’ logistics operations by decreasing human errors, reducing workplace injuries, and enhancing inventory management, ultimately ensuring improved product availability for consumers.
A prominent attribute of the new Truganina facility is its 15% higher capacity in comparison to the two centres in Queensland and NSW. This increase in capacity is especially crucial since the Melbourne-site will cater to not only Victoria but also Tasmania. Additionally, it will connect with Coles’ current supply chain in South Australia and Western Australia, broadening its footprint across more regions.
Coles has indicated that the efficiencies derived from this heightened capacity will enhance product availability in stores, particularly as the Truganina centre will manage a larger volume of stock and orders. As a result, customers in Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia can expect more reliable access to fresh produce and other merchandise.
Coles Managing Director and CEO, Leah Weckert, stressed that this pivotal investment in automation is a vital aspect of the company’s continuing business evolution.
“The Victorian centre is anticipated to support all stores in Victoria and Tasmania while also synchronizing with Coles’ ongoing supply chain in South Australia and Western Australia,” Weckert mentioned. “This marks another significant stride in Coles’ business evolution as we persist in investing in technology to improve product availability for our customers and enhance efficiency across our supply chain.”
The Truganina facility is part of a wider initiative to render Coles’ supply chain more efficient, safer for personnel, and environmentally sustainable. By automating various processes, Coles aims to lower operational costs while also reducing its ecological footprint and refining service delivery across its retail framework.
In alignment with Coles’ “Together to Zero” sustainability initiative, the new automated distribution centre is projected to bolster the company’s endeavors to lessen its environmental footprint. The automation technology implemented in the facility is likely to lead to reduced energy consumption, lowered emissions, and diminished food waste due to enhanced stock oversight.
Sustainability has evolved into a core principle of Coles’ business strategy, with the company concentrating on decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, procuring renewable energy, and refining waste management throughout its operations. The introduction of the Truganina centre is anticipated to advance these objectives by enhancing supply chain efficiency and minimizing excess inventory, which frequently results in waste.
Coles is markedly advancing its adoption of modern automation technology with the introduction of its third automated distribution centre in Truganina, Melbourne. The $880 million investment is set to improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability within Coles’ supply chain. The new establishment, utilizing Witron’s innovative automation systems, will have 15% more capacity than the facilities in Queensland and NSW, servicing stores in Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia. This initiative is integral to Coles’ broader strategy to refine operations, decrease costs, and enhance product availability for its consumers.
The Truganina distribution centre aims to automate Coles’ supply chain operations to improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability. It will serve stores in Victoria and Tasmania while connecting with Coles’ existing logistics framework in South Australia and Western Australia.
The new facility will implement Witron’s advanced automation technology, incorporating robotics and artificial intelligence to automate grocery sorting and picking, thus reducing manual work and improving operational precision.
The Truganina facility will possess 15% greater capacity than the two existing centres in Queensland and NSW. This enables it to manage a larger amount of stock and orders, servicing more areas across different states.
The investment in the new distribution centre is an element of Coles’ comprehensive business transformation strategy, focusing on using technology to enhance product availability, cut costs, and boost supply chain efficiency.
The automation included in the new Truganina facility is expected to aid Coles’ sustainability objectives by curbing energy use, minimizing waste through improved inventory management, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
While a specific opening date hasn’t been disclosed yet, the facility is part of Coles’ ongoing expansion plans, with the Queensland centre having commenced operations in April 2023 and the NSW centre in August 2023.
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Jabra Elite 8 Active Navy
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Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds, 10mm Drivers with Big Bass, Bluetooth 5.3, 30H Long Playtime, Water-Resistant, 2 Mics for AI Clear Calls, 22 Preset EQs, Customization via App (Blue)
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Jabra Elite 3 Active Earbuds with Secure Sports Fit and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Water-Resistant in-Ear Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, Spotify Tap Playback and Google Fast Pair – Black
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A worldwide law enforcement initiative, with participation from the Australian Federal Police (AFP), has successfully halted the operations of two infamous malware threats, RedLine and META infostealers. These cyber threats have contributed to the theft of millions of credentials and banking information globally. This collaborative endeavor has significantly impacted the cybercrime landscape, although difficulties persist as some operators are still utilizing cracked versions of the software.
Infostealers such as RedLine and META represent a kind of malware that stealthily penetrates a user’s device, aiming to capture sensitive data like usernames, passwords, banking information, cryptocurrency addresses, and even multi-factor authentication (MFA) credentials. After the malware gathers this information, it is commonly sold on dark web platforms where threat actors utilize it for additional cyber assaults, identity theft, and fraud.
RedLine and META malware are particularly dangerous as they enable cybercriminals to circumvent MFA by stealing authentication cookies and other system details. These infostealers have been deployed in extensive campaigns targeting both private individuals and businesses. RedLine, specifically, has been connected to numerous cases involving significant corporations, whereby cybercriminals exploited stolen information to access internal systems.
Both RedLine and META are marketed under the malware-as-a-service (MaaS) framework. This allows cybercriminals to acquire a license for using the malware, empowering them to conduct their own attacks. MaaS has emerged as a favored business model in the realm of cybercrime as it lowers entry barriers for aspiring attackers who lack the capability to create their own malware from the ground up.
U.S. authorities report that the scale of stolen data from this operation is immense, with millions of unique credentials, email addresses, bank accounts, and cryptocurrency wallets having been identified. However, this number is likely to increase as further investigations unfold.
Law enforcement from various countries, including Australia, the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, and Portugal, came together in what has been termed “Operation Magnus.” This international initiative aimed to disrupt the framework and communication channels that cybercriminals utilize to manage RedLine and META malware.
As a result of this operation, two domains used by the malware for command and control roles were confiscated. This is an essential move in disrupting the malware’s operations, as it halts threat actors from issuing new commands to affected devices or collecting stolen information.
The AFP was instrumental in this operation, collaborating with international partners. In a LinkedIn update, the AFP highlighted its involvement and mentioned that additional investigations are underway.
Despite the recognition of the operation against RedLine and META as successful, challenges still persist. Cyber threat intelligence firm Intel471 notes that while the action impacted the core infrastructure and communication channels of the malware, RedLine activity has only minimally declined. This is due to the fact that RedLine’s code and administration panel software have been distributed by other underground sellers outside the disrupted core operation.
Moreover, cracked versions of the malware—where licensing restrictions have been bypassed—are still in use by some operators. This indicates that while the overall effect of the operation is notable, some attackers continue their usual operations.
Intel471 indicated that the disruption of RedLine and META would likely instill a psychological impact on threat actors. The confiscation of crucial infrastructure and collaboration between global law enforcement agencies sends a potent message that cybercriminal undertakings are under active scrutiny. Although some operators maintain their operations, the overall framework supporting these malware types has been undermined.
Furthermore, the backend data gathered from the seized systems could assist in remediation initiatives. Law enforcement may be capable of identifying and alerting victims whose information was compromised, and the acquired data might aid in pinpointing key threat actors who employed the malware.
In conclusion, the worldwide takedown of RedLine and META infostealers represents a considerable achievement in the ongoing fight against cybercrime. With the participation of the Australian Federal Police and various international law enforcement agencies, this operation has disrupted two significant malware strains that have pilfered millions of user credentials and banking details. Although challenges persist due to the ongoing usage of cracked malware versions, the operation has profoundly affected the infrastructure supporting these cyber threats. The collaborative venture is anticipated to assist in identifying victims and may lead to a long-term psychological impact on cybercriminals.
RedLine and META are malware types crafted to extract sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, banking details, cryptocurrency addresses, and others. These infostealers target individuals and corporations alike, frequently circumventing multi-factor authentication by acquiring cookies and system data.
Both RedLine and META were marketed under the malware-as-a-service (MaaS) model, allowing affiliates to buy licenses to use the malware in their respective campaigns. This model has facilitated the diffusion of the malware and enabled large-scale assaults.
Operation Magnus was a coordinated global initiative involving law enforcement agencies from countries including Australia, the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, and Portugal. The operation was aimed at disrupting the infrastructure and communication channels associated with RedLine and META infostealers, resulting in the confiscation of essential domains utilized by the malware.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) played a critical part in the international operation aimed at disrupting RedLine and META infostealers. The AFP collaborated with global counterparts to dismantle the malware’s infrastructure and support ongoing investigations.
No, although the operation effectively disrupted the principal infrastructure of RedLine and META, some operators continue to utilize cracked versions of the malware. These cracked iterations have had their licensing safeguards bypassed, enabling cybercriminals to persist with their activities through alternate channels.
The confiscated domains were pivotal to the command and control operations of the RedLine and META malware. By gaining control over these domains, law enforcement could disrupt cybercriminals’ abilities to send new commands to infected devices and recover stolen data.
This operation conveys a strong warning to cybercriminals, demonstrating that international collaboration can effectively target and dismantle major malware operations. The psychological repercussions on threat actors are considerable, as vital infrastructure has been compromised. Additionally, the backend data obtained from the confiscated systems may facilitate the identification and notification of victims, along with tracking key threat actor customers who employed the malware.
