Getting Your Foundations Right in a Fast-Changing World

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Elite’s 2025 Business Technology Events Series – Recap & Key Takeaways

As part of our 37-year celebration, Elite hosted a three-city event series in Hamilton, Tauranga, and Auckland focused on helping local businesses make sense of what’s changing in technology and what to do next.

The pace of change in tech is faster than ever. With pressure building around AI, cybersecurity, device lifecycles, and modern workplace tools, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or unsure where to focus. These events were designed to cut through the noise and provide practical guidance that SMBs can act on.

A Look Back: Where We’ve Come From

We kicked off with a talk from Elite’s General Manager, Christo Pretorius, titled “Getting your Foundations Right in a Fast-Changing World.”   

Christo highlighted how the role of technology in business has evolved, from reactive IT support and disconnected systems to cloud-first platforms and identity-led security.

📷 Slide: “How Business Technology Has Evolved”

Key takeaways from this section included:

• Unmanaged devices used to cause performance issues and frustration.
• Security was once just antivirus and firewalls. Now it’s identity-driven and layered.
• Most businesses are already in the cloud, but many don’t realise the new responsibilities that come with that.
• Foundational decisions matter more than ever when it comes to stability, risk, and productivity.

Behind the Scenes: What Elite is Doing Today

The core message was that flashy AI tools and complex security services don’t matter if the basics aren’t right. That’s why Elite focuses so heavily on building and maintaining strong foundations for our clients.

Some of the decisions we’ve made to support our clients better:

• Standardised on Microsoft 365 for identity, storage, collaboration, and security.
• Enforced security baselines with MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication), conditional access, phishing simulations, and DLP (Data Loss Prevention) for sensitive data.
• Modern device lifecycle planning using HP’s latest business-class hardware.
• Focus on adoption, not just licences. We help clients use what they already pay for.
• Automating where it makes sense using tools like the Power Automate suite to reduce repetitive tasks.

Most of this work happens quietly in the background, and that’s by design. If you’re not noticing your tech, it’s often because the foundations are solid and things are just working.

📷 Slide: “How Elite Builds Strong Foundations”

Real-World Consequences of Weak Foundations

A recent BBC feature story covered a 160-year-old UK transport company, Knights of Old, that shut down after a cyberattack corrupted its financial systems. They thought they had strong protections in place but could not recover.  Here in New Zealand, the ‘National Cyber Security Centre’ recently reported that Kiwi businesses lost $7.8 million to scams and fraud in the first Quarter of 2025 alone. That’s a 14.7 percent quarterly increase.

Partner Perspectives: HP and Microsoft Insights

Alongside our Elite presentation, attendees heard from HP and Microsoft (via Ingram Micro) on key trends affecting business technology.

HP: Smarter Devices for the AI Era

HP showcased their 2025 commercial and Z mobile workstation portfolios, highlighting:

• New AI-capable processors called NPU’s (Neural Processing Unit) that enable smoother use of AI tools.
• Four key threats addressed by HP’s technology: visual hacking, firmware attacks, lost or stolen devices, and phishing or ransomware.
• The impact of quantum threats and how HP is preparing for the next generation of risks.
• A powerful sustainability story. HP produces the world’s most sustainable PC portfolio.

📷 Slide: “HP Sustainability Stats”

📷 Slide: “HP 4 Threats Slide”

Microsoft: Building Secure, Scalable Foundations

Microsoft’s content, presented by Ingram Micro, focused on strengthening the core of your business through:

• Entra ID P1 (formerly Azure AD Premium Plan 1) for identity protection.
• Microsoft Defender for Microsoft 365 to block phishing and malware at scale.
• Microsoft 365 Business Premium as a layered security foundation.
• Copilot and AI tools, where they fit, how they deliver value, and how to get ready.

📷 Slide: “Types of Copilot”

📷 Slide: “Buy and Use vs Customise and Build”

The key message: AI’s potential is real, but the return comes only when your foundations, like data, devices, identity, and policies, are strong.

Looking Ahead: AI, Automation and What’s Next

AI isn’t one thing. It’s a collection of tools, from basic automation to advanced generative models. But those tools only add value if your business is ready.

📷 Slide: “Making Sense of AI”

Some key points discussed:

• You may already be using AI in Microsoft tools, Windows features, and browser assistants.
• Newer devices with NPUs are essential to run these tools well.
• AI Agents are coming. These tools can act on your behalf, but they need clean data and reliable systems.
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is now essential to protect sensitive data as more of your tools (and people) interact with AI.

📷 Slide: “The Real Question & DLP”

Elite is making internal changes too. We’re retiring two of our older support plans that no longer provide the foundations needed. In their place, we’re offering a new support option focused on premium security and automation readiness.

Final Thoughts and Call to Action

💬 “The Age of Generative AI is not about machines overtaking humans; it’s about AI amplifying human potential to unprecedented levels.” — Accenture

💬 “You should never do a first draft ever again.” — Microsoft NZ CEO

📷 Slide: “What Should I Do Next?”

If you’re unsure where your business stands with IT, security, or AI, we’re here to help.

Let’s start with the basics:

• Review your current Microsoft 365 setup
• Understand your device and identity protection status
• Explore simple, focussed automation opportunities
• Talk to your Account Manager about where you are at in your technology journey, and what’s next
• Request a tech review or roadmap – especially if you’re not already working with us

💬 Let’s talk.

When your technology foundations are strong, the future doesn’t feel overwhelming. It feels exciting.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Start a conversation today:

👉 Request a Technology Review
👉 Ask Us About Your Microsoft 365 Setup
👉 Talk to Your Account Manager

Let’s make sure your foundations are strong – so you’re ready for what’s next.

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Would you like a copy of the presentation slides?

If you missed the event or want to review the content again, we’re happy to share the slides. You can contact us or schedule and appointment below and one of our team members will get in touch to send them through. It’s a great way to revisit the key points – and start a conversation about what’s next for your business.