2023 CRN Fast 50 Award Winners!
9X5 Consulting, a leading provider of innovative IT solutions, proudly announces its remarkable achievement, securing the 9th position in the prestigious CRN Fast 50 Awards. This recognition is a testament to 9X5 Consulting’s commitment to excellence, rapid growth, and outstanding contributions to the IT industry.
The CRN Fast 50 Awards, hosted by CRN Australia, is an annual event celebrating the fastest-growing companies in the Australian IT industry. The rankings are based on revenue growth over the past financial year, showcasing the dynamic and evolving landscape of technology businesses. The full list of CRN Fast 50 winners can be found here.
9X5 Consulting’s impressive 9th-place finish is a reflection of its dedication to delivering cutting-edge IT solutions and services. The company has consistently demonstrated excellence in meeting the evolving needs of its clients and adapting to the ever-changing technology landscape.
Matthew Willie, CEO of 9X5 Consulting, expressed his gratitude and excitement about the company’s achievement, stating, “We are honoured to be recognised among the top performers in the CRN Fast 50 Awards. This accomplishment results from the hard work, innovation, and commitment of the entire 9X5 Consulting team. We remain steadfast in our mission to provide exceptional IT solutions that empower our clients and contribute to the growth of the technology sector.”
With a focus on delivering value-driven IT consulting services, 9X5 Consulting has positioned itself as a trusted partner for businesses seeking transformative technology solutions. The company’s expertise spans many areas, including digital services, project delivery, analytics, and digital transformation.
As 9X5 Consulting continues to expand its footprint in the IT industry, this recognition from the CRN Fast 50 Awards reinforces the company’s standing as a key player in driving innovation and success within the Australian technology landscape.
For more information about 9X5 Consulting and its award-winning IT solutions, please visit www.9×5.com.au.
About 9X5 Consulting
9X5 Consulting is a leading provider of IT consulting services, specialising in delivering innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of businesses. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on client success, 9X5 Consulting has established itself as a trusted partner in the technology industry.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Michael Williamson
[email protected]
Google Analytics 4 (GA4) vs. Universal Analytics (GA3): Understanding the Impact on Australian Businesses
Google Analytics is an essential tool for digital marketers and business owners to understand user behaviour and measure the effectiveness of their marketing efforts.
With the launch of Google Analytics 4 (GA4), businesses in Australia need to understand the critical differences between GA4 and its predecessor, GA3 (or Universal Analytics). In this article, we’ll explore the impact of this migration on Australian businesses and why it’s crucial to be aware of these changes.
Key Differences between GA4 and GA3:
- Measurement Model: GA4 focuses on events as the unit of measurement, providing more detailed insights into user interactions beyond just web pages. GA3, on the other hand, used sessions and page views as its primary metrics.
- Tracking IDs: GA4 uses a measurement ID starting with “G,” while GA3 used a tracking ID starting with “UA.”
- Views: In GA4, properties combine data from multiple data streams, eliminating the need for separate views and filters as in GA3.
- Event Tracking and Setup: GA4 offers more flexibility in event tracking setup through parameters, allowing for easier customisation without the need to adjust implementation code.
- Data Retention: GA4 has a maximum data retention period of 14 months, whereas GA3 retains data indefinitely.
- E-commerce Tracking: GA4’s e-commerce tracking capabilities are still in development, offering limited visibility and options compared to GA3.
- Attribution Modelling: GA4 provides limited attribution modelling capabilities compared to GA3, with a focus on model comparison and conversion paths.
- Cross-Device and Platform Tracking: GA4 offers more robust cross-device and cross-platform tracking, allowing businesses to gain insights into user behaviour across different devices and channels.
- Custom Dimensions and Metrics: GA4 uses event parameters instead of custom dimensions and metrics, providing more flexibility and control over data collection.
- Privacy Law Compliance: GA4 includes updated visibility and control measures, making it easier for businesses to comply with privacy laws in countries where GA3 might be illegal.
Impact on Businesses in Australia:
The migration to GA4 has significant implications for businesses in Australia. Here’s what you need to know:
- Cookie-Less World: GA4 prepares businesses for a cookie-less world, as data privacy concerns and regulations continue to evolve. GA4’s privacy-focused approach ensures accurate measurement without infringing on user privacy.
- Enhanced Integration: GA4 offers improved integration with Google’s advertising platforms, such as Google Ads, to optimise campaign performance and increase marketing ROI.
- Machine Learning: GA4 leverages machine learning to provide intelligent insights and predictions about user behaviour, helping businesses make data-driven decisions.
- Expanded Insights: GA4 provides more comprehensive and intuitive reports, offering a broader view of the user’s journey and enabling businesses to understand user engagement better.
- BigQuery Integration: GA4 provides a free connection to BigQuery, allowing businesses to access raw data and run advanced analyses, leading to more accurate insights.
Why Businesses Need to be Aware of the Changes:
Businesses in Australia must be aware of the changes from GA3 to GA4 for the following reasons:
- Staying Ahead of the Curve: Embracing GA4 early on will allow businesses to adapt to the latest advancements in web analytics and gain a competitive edge.
- Improved Data Accuracy: GA4’s enhanced tracking capabilities and machine learning algorithms provide more accurate data, enabling businesses to make informed decisions based on reliable insights.
- Privacy Compliance: GA4’s privacy-focused approach ensures businesses are compliant with evolving privacy laws and regulations by leveraging powerful new AI learning and tools. This will mitigate potential legal risks for users.
- Seamless Integration: GA4’s improved integration with other Google platforms enables businesses to streamline their marketing efforts and optimise performance across channels.
- Futureproofing: By migrating to GA4, businesses ensure they are prepared for future developments in web analytics, including evolving consumer behaviours and technology advancements.
Conclusion
The migration from GA3 to GA4 brings significant changes and opportunities for businesses in Australia. Understanding the key differences and embracing the new features of GA4 are going to allow businesses to stay ahead in the evolving digital landscape.
By leveraging enhanced tracking capabilities, machine learning insights, and improved integration, businesses can make data-driven decisions, optimise their marketing efforts, and confidently navigate the cookie-less future.
Simplifying Endpoint Management with ManageEngine
Endpoint management plays a crucial role in maintaining an organisation’s devices’ security, performance, and efficiency. This article will explore how ManageEngine simplifies endpoint management processes and streamlines various tasks.
Our tips for streamlining Endpoint Management with ManageEngine
Centralised Endpoint Management
Managing multiple endpoints scattered across an organisation can be a daunting task. You can centralise endpoint management with ManageEngine, bringing all devices under one umbrella. This centralisation allows for efficient monitoring, enhanced security, and simplified troubleshooting. To implement centralised endpoint management using ManageEngine, follow these steps:
- Install and configure ManageEngine’s endpoint management solution.
- Discover and enrol endpoints into the management system.
- Define policies and configurations for different endpoint groups.
- Monitor and manage endpoints centrally through the ManageEngine console.
Patch Management and Software Deployment
Timely patching and software deployment is vital for endpoint security and performance. ManageEngine offers comprehensive tools to simplify these processes. Here’s how you can leverage ManageEngine for efficient patch management and software deployment:
- Integrate ManageEngine with vulnerability assessment tools to identify missing patches.
- Automate patch deployment to ensure quick and seamless updates.
- Utilise ManageEngine’s software deployment capabilities to distribute applications across endpoints.
- Schedule deployments during off-peak hours to minimise user disruption.
Endpoint Security and Compliance
ManageEngine provides robust features to enhance endpoint security and ensure compliance with security policies and regulations. Follow these steps to leverage ManageEngine for endpoint security and compliance:
- Implement endpoint security measures such as antivirus, firewall, and encryption through ManageEngine.
- Configure security policies and rules to enforce compliance with industry regulations.
- Utilise ManageEngine’s vulnerability management capabilities to identify and mitigate security risks.
- Regularly monitor and audit endpoint security status using ManageEngine’s reporting and analytics tools.
Automated Inventory Management
Maintaining an accurate inventory of endpoint devices is essential for effective endpoint management. With ManageEngine, you can automate inventory management tasks. Here’s how to do it:
- Deploy ManageEngine’s inventory management module and connect it to the network.
- Initiate a discovery process to identify all endpoint devices and gather relevant information.
- Set up automated scanning and tracking of new devices added to the network.
- Regularly reconcile and update the inventory database to ensure accuracy.
Endpoint Monitoring and Troubleshooting
Proactive monitoring and efficient troubleshooting are crucial for maintaining optimal endpoint performance. ManageEngine offers comprehensive tools for endpoint monitoring and troubleshooting. Follow these steps to maximise their benefits:
- Set up real-time monitoring of endpoints using ManageEngine’s monitoring features.
- Configure alerts and notifications for critical events or anomalies.
- Utilise ManageEngine’s remote control capabilities to troubleshoot and resolve issues remotely.
- Analyse endpoint performance metrics and logs to identify and address potential problems.
Conclusion
ManageEngine simplifies endpoint management by providing centralised control, streamlined patch management, enhanced security and compliance, automated inventory management, and efficient monitoring and troubleshooting. By implementing these steps and leveraging ManageEngine’s features, organisations can optimise their endpoint management processes and ensure the security and performance of their devices.
With proven expertise in leveraging the benefits of ManageEngine, talk to 9X5 today to strengthen your security, lower your operating costs and optimise your IT operations.
Using Analytics to Improve Student Performance
Analytics, or the use of data analysis tools to gain insights into complex systems, is revolutionising the world of education. Educators are now using data analysis tools to gain insights into student performance, identify areas of improvement, and implement targeted interventions that can help students succeed. In this blog post, we will explore how analytics can be used to improve student performance.
What is Analytics?
Analytics refers to the use of data analysis tools to gain insights into complex systems. In the context of education, analytics can be used to analyse student performance, identify areas of improvement, and implement targeted interventions that can help students succeed.
Why is Analytics Important in Education?
Analytics is important in education for several reasons. First, it can help educators gain insights into student performance and identify areas of improvement. Second, it can help educators identify students who are at risk of falling behind and implement targeted interventions to help them succeed. Third, it can help educators track the effectiveness of interventions and adjust their strategies accordingly.
Using Analytics to Improve Student Performance
There are several ways that analytics can be used to improve student performance. In this section, we will explore some of the most effective strategies.
- Tracking Student Progress
One of the most effective ways to use analytics to improve student performance is to track student progress over time. This can be done by collecting data on student performance, such as grades, test scores, and attendance records, and analysing this data to identify trends and patterns.For example, if a student is consistently receiving low grades on math tests, analytics tools can be used to identify specific areas of weakness, such as algebra or geometry. Based on this information, educators can implement targeted interventions to help the student improve their math skills. - Identifying At-Risk Students
Another effective way to use analytics to improve student performance is to identify at-risk students. This can be done by analysing data on student performance, such as grades, test scores, and attendance records, and looking for patterns that indicate that a student is at risk of falling behind.For example, if a student is consistently absent from class, has low grades, and is not meeting benchmarks for reading and math skills, analytics tools can be used to identify this student as at risk. Based on this information, educators can implement targeted interventions to help the student succeed, such as providing extra support or adjusting the curriculum to meet the student’s needs. - Personalise Learning
Another effective way to use analytics to improve student performance is to personalize learning. This can be done by analysing data on student performance, such as grades, test scores, and attendance records, and using this data to create personalized learning plans for each student.For example, if a student is struggling with reading comprehension, analytics tools can be used to identify specific areas of weakness, such as vocabulary or critical thinking skills. Based on this information, educators can create a personalized learning plan for the student that includes targeted interventions to help them improve their reading comprehension. - Predict Results
Combining historical results with existing data and artificial intelligence can yield scarily accurate predictive models on how a student will perform. The benefits of this are numerous, both from career planning for older students, to determining where funding is best used for interventions in earlier years. As schools and analytics systems mature, these predictions will continue to grow in accuracy and prevalence. - Evaluate Interventions
Finally, analytics can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. This can be done by analysing data on student performance, such as grades, test scores, and attendance records, and comparing this data to the data collected before the intervention was implemented.For example, if a student is receiving extra support to improve their math skills, analytics tools can be used to analyse their math test scores before and after the intervention was implemented. Based on this information, educators can determine whether the intervention was effective and adjust their strategies accordingly.
Conclusion
To date analytics is a powerful tool that can be used to improve student performance in a variety of ways. Whilst most schools are already collecting structured and unstructured data across a range of various systems, the sad reality is they are not utilising this data effectively. Through combining their data into a useful, structured data set, schools can better track student progress, identify at-risk students, improve, and personalise learning and lesson plans and evaluate their actions, all while minimising the out of classroom activities that teachers wish to avoid. A tailored analytics suite can also compare your performance data to other schools and provide a useful indicator on where resources are best utilised to ensure students succeed.
9X5 2022 Christmas Party
It is that time of the year again when we invite our staff, families and clients to come together to celebrate the end of yet another successful year.
This year’s rendition of the Christmas Party was held at the Moonee Ponds Bowls Club and saw nearly 60 of our internal staff members come out to celebrate, reminisce & have some fun to mark the end of what has undoubtedly been a busy 2022.
We wish everyone in our 9X5 Consulting network the happiest holidays and New Year’s. We hope you all get the chance to spend some time with family and are excited to get back into the swing of things in 2023!
Penola Catholic College
Challenge
Before implementing Education360, Penola Catholic College faced challenges leveraging student data. The data was scattered across multiple sources, making it difficult and time-consuming for educators to collect and access necessary information about their students.
This abundance of data across multiple disparate systems also hindered the ability to synthesise and analyse it to gain meaningful insights. As a result, educators struggled to identify at-risk students and provide timely support, leading to potential gaps in student learning and growth.
Solution
To address the challenges faced by Penola Catholic College in effectively leveraging student data, 9X5 implemented their premier data analytics, monitoring and visualisation tool, Education360.
Utilising the powerful capabilities of Domo. Education360 serves as the centralised hub for all student data, bringing together information from various sources into one comprehensive dashboard.
Education360 was specifically tailored to address Penola’s main pain points, taking into account their unique challenges. It seamlessly integrated both on-premise and cloud-based data, ensuring that staff members could easily access and utilise the data they needed.
Additionally, the platform offered the ability to annotate within the data itself, facilitating collaboration among staff members and enabling them to hold themselves and students accountable for progress. Whether they needed a class summary or wanted to drill down to individual student profiles, the platform allowed educators to visualise and analyse data, enabling informed decision-making quickly.
Impact
Implementing Education360 at Penola Catholic College has significantly impacted the school’s ability to leverage student data and address the challenges they faced effectively.
The consolidation of data from multiple sources into comprehensive dashboards has streamlined the process of collecting and accessing student information. Educators no longer need to spend valuable time searching for data across disparate systems. The centralised hub provided by Education360 allows for efficient data retrieval, saving time and effort for educators.
“We had data in ten different places, forcing staff to go to ten different locations to find out everything they needed to know about their students. It was too much to expect.” Anthony Austin, IT Manager, Penola Catholic College
By synthesising and analysing the collected data, educators can now identify trends, patterns, and areas of improvement more effectively. This has enabled them to proactively identify at-risk students and provide timely support, closing potential student learning and growth gaps. The ability to drill down to individual student profiles has allowed educators to understand each student’s academic journey better and personalise their approach to support their unique needs.
Another positive impact of Education360 is the enhanced collaboration among staff members. The platform’s annotation feature facilitates communication and collaboration, enabling educators to share observations, strategies, and interventions within the data. This fosters a collaborative and accountable environment where staff members can work together to support student progress.
Education360 has transformed the way Penola Catholic College utilises student data. The centralised access to comprehensive data, coupled with powerful analytics and visualisation tools, has enabled educators to make informed decisions, tailor interventions, and provide targeted support to students.
Client Overview
Located in Melbourne, Australia, Penola Catholic College is a co-educational secondary school with a mission to cater for the spiritual, educational and formative needs of young men and women who seek the Catholic values of the College.
With over 1,500 Students and 250 Staff Members, Penola Catholic College has become a leading Melbourne-based school in technology, innovation and data awareness.
Connectors Utilised
Google Analytics
Email Connector
Excel
Sugar CRM
Goplay Commercial Playgrounds
Challenge
Prior to the involvement of 9X5, Goplay Commercial Playgrounds, a leading playground manufacturing company, faced challenges with its analytics and reporting processes.
The company operated on multiple platforms, resulting in a fragmented and inefficient system. The Managing Director spent significant time manually printing reports and gathering insights from various platforms.
This consumed valuable time and led to a need for more centralised and accurate data. Goplay needed a solution to streamline their reporting, improve data consolidation, and enable more efficient decision-making.
Solution
9X5 implemented a solution that involved transitioning to a paperless office and leveraging Zoho CRM and Domo. Zoho CRM was set up as part of the transition to capture project data and provide project governance. The data from various operational systems, including Zoho CRM, was then consolidated onto Domo dashboards using Domo’s powerful built-in ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) tooling. This automation eliminated manual reporting and data collection, enabling real-time visualisation and analysis.
Domo’s comprehensive platform served as a significant tool for Goplay’s business decisions, providing insights into the company’s structural and financial aspects. The consolidation of data from multiple platforms into Domo dashboards allowed the executive team, including the Managing Director, to access the information they needed quickly and easily.
“What used to take hours per week now takes minutes. It’s fast. I see it, make decisions and execute.”
James West, Managing Director at Goplay Commercial Playgrounds
Impact
The solution provided by 9X5 has profoundly impacted Goplay Commercial Playgrounds, addressing the challenges they faced with their analytics and reporting processes.
One of the critical impacts of the solution is the streamlining of reporting and data consolidation. Previously, the Managing Director had to spend significant time manually printing reports and gathering insights from multiple platforms. With the combined efforts of Domo & Zoho CRM, this time-consuming process has been eliminated. The integration of Domo’s ETL tooling has automated the data collection and consolidation process, resulting in real-time data visualisation and analysis. This has significantly improved the efficiency of reporting, allowing the Managing Director and other stakeholders to access the information they need quickly and easily.
The centralisation of data onto Domo dashboards has provided a comprehensive platform for business decision-making. The executive team now has access to insights on the company’s structural and financial aspects in one centralised location. This has facilitated more informed and data-driven decision-making, enabling the team to make strategic choices based on accurate and up-to-date information.
The transition to a paperless office has also contributed to increased efficiency and reduced resource consumption. By eliminating the need for manual printing and physical document storage, Goplay has reduced its environmental footprint and improved overall operational sustainability.
The implemented solution has had a transformative impact on Goplay Commercial Playgrounds. The streamlined reporting process, improved data consolidation, and real-time data visualisations have saved time, enhanced efficiency, and enabled more informed decision-making. The adoption of a paperless office has not only increased operational sustainability but has also contributed to a more modern and efficient work environment.
Client Overview
Goplay Commercial Playgrounds is a leading manufacturer of playground equipment for public spaces, catering to various establishments such as schools, restaurants, parks, and resorts.
With a strong reputation in the industry, Goplay is trusted by renowned brands to provide safe and engaging play spaces.
Connectors Utilised
Xero
Google Sheets
Excel
Zoho
Email Connector
OneDrive
Facebook Ads
Mailchimp
Google Analytics
Better Built Homes
Challenge
Better Built Homes faced the challenge of effectively collecting and analysing data from various disparate sources.
They needed a solution to integrate their CRM, Sugar, accounting data from Data-builder, data from Onsite Companion, 30+ Excel sheets from different sites, and social media data into a centralised platform for comprehensive analysis and informed decision-making.
Solution
Better Built Homes partnered with 9X5 to address their data management challenges and implemented Domo, a powerful data analytics and visualisation platform.
With the guidance of 9X5, they configured Domo to connect and collect data from their diverse sources, including CRM Sugar, accounting systems, Onsite Companion, Excel sheets, and social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook.
The integration of these data sets provided Better Built Homes with a holistic view of their operations and customer interactions.
Impact
Domo improved data accessibility by centralising data from multiple disparate sources. With all the data in one platform, stakeholders across the organisation could easily access and analyse information, leading to the creation of a data-led culture within the business.
Domo’s robust analytics capabilities enabled Better Built Homes to configure and visualise custom dashboards to address their unique pain points directly. This allowed them to gain valuable insights into customer relationship management, accounting, on-site operations, social media engagement, and website analytics. The ability to analyse data in real-time empowered the organisation to make proactive decisions based on accurate and up-to-date information.
Domo’s integration capabilities streamlined processes and reduced manual data entry efforts. Automation of data import and updates from different systems saved time and improved data integrity. This resulted in streamlined operations, increased efficiency, and minimised the risk of errors.
The scalability and flexibility of Domo’s architecture also allowed Better Built Homes to adapt to future growth and changing business requirements. The Domo-as-a-Service model offered by 9X5 allowed them to tailor their usage and consulting services, ensuring optimal resource allocation and maximising return on investment.
By partnering with 9X5 Consulting and implementing Domo, Better Built Homes successfully overcame their data management challenges. The solution provided them with the necessary tools, support, and insights to drive business growth, improve decision-making processes, and achieve a significant return on investment.
Client Overview
With over 25 years of building experience combined, Better Built Homes merges thoughtful design and superior craftsmanship to achieve the highest quality home for every family who entrusts their dream to them.
Their intelligent systems and processes result in more efficient builds and allow them to provide better value for their clients.
Connectors Utilised
Google Analytics
Email Connector
Excel
Sugar CRM
Advertising Advantage
Challenge
Advertising Advantage, a company seeking to automate its TV spot attribution and client reporting workflow, faced several challenges.
They lacked a comprehensive data management infrastructure and relied on manual processes for data sourcing, storage, transformation, visualisation, and sharing.
This manual approach was time-consuming, prone to errors, and hindered the efficient analysis of data. Additionally, there was a need to standardise mapping requirements and streamline network files, which further complicated their workflow.
To address these issues, Advertising Advantage sought a solution that would automate their processes, improve data management, and enhance overall efficiency.
Solution
9X5 proposed implementing Domo as the core data management solution for Advertising Advantage.
Domo offered a complete, fully cloud-hosted data management platform that supported all stages of the spot attribution and client reporting workflow.
By leveraging Domo’s capabilities, Advertising Advantage would be able to automate data connections, streamline data sourcing and storage, transform and standardise data, visualise insights, and share reports with stakeholders.
The solution involved integrating various connectors, including Domo’s Email Connector, Google Analytics Connector, Adalyser Connector, TheTradeDesk Connector, and Snowflake Connector, to facilitate seamless data integration from different sources.
A 7-day Proof of Value (PoV) was completed in order for Advertising Advantage to see the value and power of Domo for their business.
Impact
Domo’s comprehensive data management platform automated various stages of the Advertising Advantage’s workflows, including data connections, sourcing, storage, transformation, visualisation, and sharing. By eliminating manual processes, Advertising Advantage saved valuable time and reduced the risk of errors, allowing their team to shift their focus to analysing data and delivering valuable insights to their clients.
Domo provided Advertising Advantage with a fully cloud-hosted data management solution that greatly improved their overall data management capabilities. The integration of various connectors allowed for seamless integration of data from different sources. This streamlined the data sourcing, storage, and transformation processes, resulting in improved data quality and accuracy. With standardised mapping requirements and streamlined network files, Advertising Advantage established a solid foundation for effective data management, ensuring that they had access to reliable and consistent data for their reporting and analysis.
The reporting and visualisation capabilities of Domo had a significant impact on Advertising Advantage’s ability to deliver insights to their clients. With customisable dashboards and visualisations, they could present data in a compelling and meaningful way, facilitating better understanding and decision-making for their clients. The automation of the reporting process through Domo not only saved time, but also ensured that clients received up-to-date, accurate, and easy to understand reports. This enhanced reporting capability gave Advertising Advantage a competitive advantage over their competitors who still relied on manual processes and lacked a comprehensive data management solution.
The completion of a 7-day Proof of Value was instrumental in demonstrating the value and power of Domo for Advertising Advantage. The Proof of Value Project was quickly implemented into a full project, with Advertising Advantage now a long-term client of 9X5, enhancing their analytics suite as new capabilities come online.
Within a short period, Advertising Advantage experienced firsthand how Domo supported their spot attribution and client reporting workflow. This rapid PoV accelerated their understanding and adoption of Domo, allowing for a faster and smoother transition to the new data management solution.
Client Overview
Advertising Advantage is a full-service, independent, specialist growth agency established in 2003 in Sydney. They have offices in Australia, the USA and the UK.
Advertising Advantage creates powerful ads for all types of mass media and tailors hard-working media plans that deliver maximum reach and maximum results for their clients.
Connectors Utilised
Google Analytics
Email Connector
Excel
