Business support Stories

Global Stories

Business support stories

Harmonic unveils AI tools for fibre network operations

Rural fibre roll-outs could become cheaper and easier to manage as the new kit targets faults, deployment hurdles and system integration.

By Catherine Knowles • 4 min read • This month

Human Capital Management

Australian employers brace for renewed pay negotiations

Australian employers grow bolder on 2026 pay talks, ready to lift offers modestly and use perks as tight budgets meet scarce skills.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Tue, 24th Feb 2026

Disaster Recovery

Taara unveils Lightbridge Pro for carrier-grade links

Taara has launched Lightbridge Pro, a 20 Gbps wireless optical system promising carrier-grade uptime via automatic, hitless backup switching.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • Fri, 20th Feb 2026

Stories from Other Regions

Business support stories

Network Infrastructure

Vodafone tightens control of VodafoneThree after merger

Control of the merged UK mobile venture gives Vodafone a freer hand as regulators monitor competition safeguards and network investment promises.

By Mark Tarre • 5 min read • Yesterday

Malware

Optus launches free cyber readiness programme for SMEs

Survey data showing 35% of small firms hit by cyberattacks has prompted a free Optus scheme to help businesses prepare and respond.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 3 min read • Last week

Partner Programmes

Canadian small business sales fall 4% in March quarter

Cash flow is tightening for Canadian small businesses as March sales improved only slightly, while payment times lengthened and late bills rose.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last month

Artificial Intelligence

Guinness Enterprise Centre start-ups generate €140m

The Dublin hub's resident firms supported 13,225 jobs and €2.5 billion in revenue over 25 years, a new report found.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last month

Fintech

CFIT says financial health tools could unlock GBP £5 billion

Wider use of new financial health tools could help 200,000 more UK SMEs a year secure lending, CFIT said after testing prototypes.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last month

Manufacturing

Edmonton SMBs get CAD $8.4M in tariff aid for trade automation

More than 150 Alberta jobs are set to be supported as federal cash helps local manufacturers automate production and diversify exports.

By Jake MacAndrew • 3 min read • Last month

Supply Chain

Fuel costs push NSW firms to review staffing levels

Almost half of surveyed employers are weighing shorter hours or fewer staff as higher fuel bills squeeze margins and weaken demand across NSW.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last month

Manufacturing

Most UK firms now use AI as SMEs see roles unchanged

Most UK companies now use AI, but a major survey finds small and mid-sized firms report little impact on headcount or job roles so far.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Fri, 20th Mar 2026

Digital Transformation

Sage data shows UK SMEs grow profits but slash investment

UK SMEs lifted revenues and profits in 2025 but cut capital spending for a 17th straight quarter, Sage data shows, signalling wary growth.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Thu, 19th Mar 2026

Software-as-a-Service

Superloop picks Aria for unified cloud billing push

Superloop chooses Aria Billing Cloud to replace fragmented in-house systems and unify billing across its growing telecoms services.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • Fri, 13th Mar 2026

Digital Transformation

'Imbosster Syndrome' hits confidence of sole traders

'Imbosster Syndrome' is eroding the confidence of Australian sole traders, with self-doubt stalling key decisions and slowing business growth.

By Shannon Williams • 4 min read • Tue, 10th Mar 2026

Risk & Compliance

SMEs bullish on growth but stuck in strategic advice gap

Australian SMEs are upbeat on 2026 growth but say they are “flying blind”, lacking strategic advisers and facing a sharp regional advice gap.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Fri, 6th Mar 2026

Clean technologies

EASI launches 2026 social impact awards for UK founders

EASI opens applications for its 2026 awards, offering a GBP £10,000 grant and year-long support to UK founders driving social impact.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Thu, 5th Mar 2026

Payment Technologies

Mastercard fund backs Canadian women small businesses

Mastercard opens 2026 fund in Canada, offering CAD $10,000 grants and support to help women-owned small firms grow amid economic uncertainty.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Thu, 5th Mar 2026

Productivity

Female founders place peer support as top priority amidst funding strain

UK female founders say peer networks and mentors matter most as they battle funding barriers, burnout and a gender gap in investment.

By Catherine Knowles • 4 min read • Sat, 28th Feb 2026

Unified Communications

Sky Business joins Technology Supply Chain as patron

Sky Business becomes a patron of Technology Supply Chain, boosting connectivity support for over 5,500 UK manufacturing and tech members.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Thu, 26th Feb 2026

Robotics

New Zealand backs low-cost digital tools for factories

New Zealand funds expansion of low-cost factory tech scheme to help 180 manufacturers boost productivity and compete with digital rivals.