The week in digital: new shop-floor tools, AI assistants and an email warning
Shopify's shop-floor updates, OpenAI dots, Googlebook's business catch, a Zimbra patch warning and the privacy-policy deadline for Australian small businesses.
Coming up
Deadlines, price changes and new rules for Australian businesses, soonest first.
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OpenAI dots launch in Australia, with a first dot included
OpenAI includes a first dot for Pro and Business Premium subscribers. Australian small businesses should check app access, work limits and one narrow task.
Samsung's Tab S12 tablets reach Australia on 22 October. Budget for the whole work kit
Samsung's Tab S12+ starts at A$1,999 and Ultra at A$2,299. Check keyboard costs, work apps and trial renewals before buying for your business.
Zimbra email attacks make a July patch an urgent provider question
Microsoft reports attacks on unpatched Zimbra email servers. Ask your provider about version 10.1.20, SNMP settings and checks for an existing compromise.
A stolen AI login can run up the bill and reach the rest of your business
ASD warns that stolen AI credentials can drain credits and expose connected systems. Check access owners, API-key permissions and enforced spending limits.
New Microsoft 365 Copilot Business reseller orders will default to pay-as-you-go
New Microsoft 365 Copilot Business CSP purchases get usage-based billing from 2 November 2026. What Australian buyers should check on costs and limits.
OAIC's new privacy guidance puts human-reviewed AI decisions in view
New OAIC guidance explains when software-assisted decisions belong in a privacy policy. Covered businesses should check their systems before 10 December.
Practical guides
All guides
How to protect your Google Business Profile from hijacking and suspension
Who should own your Google listing, how to lock it down, the rules that trigger suspensions, Google's new rule on contact details in posts, and how to appeal.
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How to write an AI use policy for a small team, with a template
What the government's AI policy guide says a policy should cover, how to write a one-page version for your team in an afternoon, and a template to adapt.
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Microsoft 365 Business Basic vs Standard vs Premium: which plan does a small business need?
Australian prices and inclusions for Microsoft 365 Business Basic, Standard and Premium, compared from Microsoft's own pages, and how to choose the right plan.
Read the guideBrowse by topic
Search everything- Websites10
News and guides on planning, building, fixing and running a small business website.
- Marketing9
News and guides on Google Ads, Meta, search and measurement for Australian small businesses.
- Software & systems10
News and guides on payroll, accounting, CRM, booking and the software a small business runs on.
- AI at work8
News and guides on using AI tools at work: choosing tasks, briefing tools and checking the output.
- Scams & security11
Scam alerts and cyber security news for Australian small businesses, sourced from official warnings.
- Rules & costs14
The regulatory and cost changes that affect Australian small businesses, explained with sources and dates.
Your turn
Quiz archiveThe weekly quiz
How closely did you follow the week?
Question 1 of 5
In Shopify's new scheduled POS stock counts, when do the inventory quantities change?
Show answer
Answer: C. After review and approval in Shopify Admin
Submitting a scheduled stock count from POS doesn't immediately change inventory. A user with the required permissions reviews and approves it in Shopify Admin before the adjustments are applied.
Read the story: Shopify puts stock counts and local delivery inside POS Pro
Question 2 of 5
Which ChatGPT subscribers get a first OpenAI dot included at no extra cost in the launch?
Show answer
Answer: A. Eligible Pro and Business Premium subscribers
OpenAI includes a first dot for eligible Pro and Business Premium subscribers. Access is rolling out gradually and can take several days to reach an account.
Read the story: OpenAI dots launch in Australia, with a first dot included
Question 3 of 5
When does Google say business-management capabilities for Googlebooks start rolling out?
Show answer
Answer: D. In the second half of 2027
Google says management capabilities start rolling out in the second half of 2027, in phases. The 2026 consumer launch doesn't yet support domain enrolment or central fleet management.
Question 4 of 5
Which Zimbra release contains the fix for CVE-2026-73570 described in our email-server alert?
Show answer
Answer: B. 10.1.20
Zimbra released 10.1.20 on 20 July 2026 with the fix. Microsoft recommends upgrading affected servers to 10.1.20 or later immediately and investigating possible compromise.
Read the story: Zimbra email attacks make a July patch an urgent provider question
Question 5 of 5
When does the automated-decision privacy-policy transparency obligation start for covered businesses?
Show answer
Answer: C. 10 December 2026
The obligation starts on 10 December 2026. Covered businesses must assess significant decisions made or substantially and directly supported by software using personal information.
Read the story: OAIC's new privacy guidance puts human-reviewed AI decisions in view
A new quiz comes out every Friday with the briefing. Get the Friday briefing by email
Reader poll of the week
What is your business doing with OpenAI dots?
Reader polls aren't scientific: they show how readers who chose to vote answered. One vote per reader. Background: OpenAI dots launch in Australia, with a first dot included