Small Business (SMB) stories

Avalara opens registration for virtual event Avalara NEXT 2026, spotlighting “agentic” always-on tax and compliance automation for builders.

Decidr and ICON team up to bring AI-driven Procure-to-Pay automation to SAP users across Asia-Pacific, targeting high-volume finance tasks.

Entrepreneurs increasingly see AI as a tool for efficiency and cost-cutting, not a springboard to new markets or sustainability goals.

AI 'leaders' in finance rush to pilots but lack rules, data and governance to scale tools into core, high‑accountability workflows.

Malaysia pitches itself as a regional AI hub, but new research shows workplace adoption lags far behind the technology's potential.

Mastercard launches Global Commerce Suite in Hong Kong, targeting SME cross-border payments as Asia Pacific digital trade surges.

LINE Plus launches ActEngine AI, an agent platform automating merchant support and sales, after big gains at Thailand's LINE MAN Wongnai.

SMBs are bullish on AI but a new ECI report finds poor data, scarce skills and unclear use cases are stalling real-world results.

AI is speeding up shorter workdays but piling on more tasks, with rising collaboration, multitasking and weekend work, a study finds.

SeeBiz launches a social B2B wholesale marketplace, blending product catalogues, ordering tools and feed-based networking for trade users.

Mastercard launches its Virtual C-Suite AI agents, starting with a Virtual CFO, to give small firms automated executive-style insights.

Cohesity debuts sovereign cloud tie-ups, AI-driven threat tools and midsize bundle to harden data protection as enterprises scale AI.

Ransomware attacks in Asia-Pacific surged 59% in 2025 as rapid digitalisation and AI adoption fuel faster, more targeted cyber extortion.

LastPass launches Secure Access Essentials, a browser-focused suite to secure access to workplace apps, SaaS and unsanctioned AI tools.

IVECO adds AI theft recovery to its connected services, offering 24/7 managed stolen vehicle assistance to boost commercial fleet security.

Nvidia survey finds AI now widely embedded in operations, driving revenue gains, cost cuts and fresh spend as firms move beyond pilots.

Swift enlists over 50 banks to launch common rules for faster, clearer cross-border retail payments, with first flows live by June.

Wise forecasts that by 2026 agentic AI will run core business tasks, pushing firms to embed tools, tighten oversight and rethink outsourcing.

Women in tech urge daily, visible backing over token gestures, saying sustained support boosts careers.

Origami unveils a chat-based AI that builds sales lead lists from plain-English prompts, starting at USD $80 a month on flat pricing.