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BUSINESS WHAT’S NEW FREE DELIVERY PLATFORM FOR AUSSIE SMES A location data and technology platform, HERE, is now available to small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) in Australia free of charge for a limited time. HERE WeGo Deliver enables businesses with a small fleet to operate their own efficient delivery service. By applying complex routing algorithms, the fleet optimisation tool is said to simplify the process for multiple orders and drivers, and help reduce customer wait times while improving operational efficiency. Powered by the HERE WeGo mobile app, drivers receive their personalised delivery tour plan by clicking on a link issued by the delivery manager via email. They are then directed on their journey by voice-enabled navigation. Head of Oceania at HERE, Daniel Antonello, says that with no sign-up or subscription fees, this free-to-use software has been created specifically as a way to give back to society and businesses, in response to the continued pandemic restrictions resulting in low or non-existent footfall for many SMEs. “Across the globe, businesses are being hamstrung by the economic impact of coronavirus and lack of foot traffic into store fronts, all of which means they’re struggling to keep casual staff employed,” he said. “At the same time, high service delivery fees and the limited availability of drivers are choking the system and making it as tough as it gets to meet this new consumer demand. “HERE WeGo Deliver gives SMEs the opportunity to meet the challenges of switching to a delivery model. This is something we hope will ultimately contribute to more small businesses coming out the other side of this crisis and keeping more staff on the books.” SMEs in Australia are claimed to be first in the world to gain access to the “premium, enterprise-grade capability” at no cost for six months, with the initiative set to roll out across various markets during May. ‘CORONAVIRUS KILLER’ TECHNOLOGY FOR BUSINESS Australian sustainability technology company iugis is making ultraviolet-C light (UV-C) disinfection technology, primarily used in hospitals, available to commercial markets in Australia and New Zealand in response to greater demands for protecting health and safety in public spaces and workplaces. The company says a partnership between iugis and US-based Surfacide will help put its ultraviolet light energy technology and training in the hands of a range of Australasian businesses to help them give customers confidence in the cleanliness of hard surfaces as coronavirus restrictions are lifted. According to iugis, the Surfacide Helios Multiple Emitter UV-C Disinfection System emits UV-C energy to kill coronaviruses, influenza, staph, fungus, mould and bacteria plus “a multitude of other drug resistant organisms”. Multiple emitters are placed in an area and, through a process of laser mapping, all high-touch surfaces within the area are disinfected. Depending on the size of the area, this can be completed in as little as five minutes, iugis claims. The system originates from the US and is claimed to be trusted by more than 500 hospitals worldwide, including The Alfred in Melbourne. It is said to be used in operating theatres and wards where the highest standard of disinfection is required to reduce healthcare associated infections. It is proven, says iugis, to reduce acquired infections by “99.9999 per cent” and conforms with Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods regulations. Lugis CEO Bill Papas says the lengths to which employers will go to ensure the safety of their customers and staff are greater than ever. “The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the need for regular disinfection of high-touch surfaces, with recent peer-reviewed research indicating coronaviruses can persist on surfaces and remain infectious for an average of four to five days and in some cases up to nine days,” he said. “Surfacide’s ability to disinfect surfaces with confidence, providing a detailed record of the process, with real-time analytics available via a cloud-based portal, is far superior to manual bio-cleaning methods and doesn’t require the use of chemicals.” 70 RETAIL WORLD MAY, 2020