Tech News

Is your website CMS up-to-date?

Content Management Systems (CMS) are a critical component when creating and maintaining websites. These systems allow website owners to create and update content within a website without the need to understand technical programming like HTML, JavaScript and CSS. A CMS is just like any other piece of software, such as an anti-virus program, and it needs to be kept up-to-date to make sure it is safe from hackers. The web can be a dangerous place, with hackers constantly coming up with new ways... more »

Ready for the web trends of 2018?

Even though we haven’t quite hit the end of 2017, you could say it’s been an eventful year in the digital work. There have been many progressions in technology and how a website can connect and engage with its customers. So what will be coming next year and more importantly, is your business ready to make use of them? Or will your competition beat you to it? Here are some trends worth looking at for 2018: The Internet of Things (IoT) It seems every device is connected to the internet ... more »

Do you need an SSL Certificate?

Have you received an email from Google recommending your website has an SSL Certificate? If so, what are they and do you need one? Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates, sometimes called digital certificates, are used to establish an encrypted connection between a browser or user's computer and a website. The SSL connection protects sensitive data, such as credit card information, exchanged during each visit, from being intercepted from non-authorised parties. When someone visits your w... more »

How secure is your website?

You may not think your site has anything worth being hacked for, but websites are compromised all the time. The majority of website security breaches are not to steal your data or deface your website, but instead attempts to use it to send spam or share files illegally. Other very common ways to abuse compromised machines include using them as part of larger ransomware attacks. Hacking is regularly performed by automated scripts written to scour the internet in an attempt to exploit known we... more »

Drone simulator

Microsoft has made available a  beta version  of an advanced virtual world for training autonomous drones, as well as other gadgets that move on their own. The software, which is  available on GitHub , recreates conditions like shadows, reflections and other potentially confusing real-world conditions in a highly detailed, highly realistic virtual environment – without the risk of the real thing. Microsoft says that it hopes to help the “democratization of robotics... more »

Too much Big Data

Sometimes people have access to too much big data. Check out these crazy comparisons - and there is even a book with more then in!.

13 Free Data Visualization Tools

Data doesn’t have to be boring. Adding a dash of visual appeal to raw data can make it easily comprehensible and instantly appealing.

In the interest of (1) making your data more user-friendly and (2) not boring the eyes out of anyone who sees your work, picking a trusty data visualization tool is a must.

Check out the top 13 Fr... more »

Panel ... beating

Panel Quote is an advanced shop management software tool built specifically for the New Zealand panel repair and paint refinishing industry. They wanted a website application audit of their database and server to maximise stability and performance.

The Internet of Things

The term “Internet of Things” was coined by British entrepreneur Kevin Ashton in 1999. Typically, IoT is expected to offer advanced connectivity of devices and to usher in automation in nearly all fields. The Internet of Things (IoT) is the connection of physical objects or "things" embedded with electronics and software to enable objects to talk a unified language with other "things". The Internet of Things allows objects to be sensed and controlled remotely and creates opportunities fo... more »

The view of the market

Marketview specialises in the management and analysis of depersonalised transactional data. Their existing website needed an upgrade along with interfacing to real-time data. The identity development company  Engine designed the new website and got Utopia to implement their vision. "Working with Michael and the team at Utopia made what superficially looks to be a simple site, but in fact has several tricky aspects to it, a seamless and successful process." says Alex from Engine.  "Micha... more »

Network Car Rentals

Network Car Rentals (NCR) rent hire cars in Queenstown and asked Utopia to convert their existing website over to a Content Management System platform. The project was completed quickly and provided NCR with an easily editable site. NCR then came back to Utopia enquiring about a mobile friendly website. The overall objective was that the mobile site promoted the business, the vehicles and most importantly - how to find them. Utopia designed a number of options for the proposed mobile we... more »