The week in digital: new shop-floor tools, AI assistants and an email warning

This week’s useful changes come with a question for the person running the office: who controls the next step? Shopify separates a stock count from approval, OpenAI’s new assistant brings existing app permissions with it, and Google’s new laptops arrive before their business-management tools. Here are five stories worth taking into next week.

1. Shopify brings local delivery and stock counts to the counter

Shopify’s 28 September updates let staff arrange local delivery during an in-store checkout and complete scheduled stock counts in POS. Both require POS Pro and version 11.16 or later. Delivery uses the location’s configured zones and rates; submitted stock counts wait for review and approval in Shopify Admin before inventory changes.

So what: check staff permissions and try a small count before the next stocktake. If you’re considering Pro, confirm the full subscription commitment before buying it for these features.

Read the Shopify changes and checklist.

2. An OpenAI dot is included, but access needs a review

OpenAI’s 29 September launch includes a first dot at no extra cost for eligible Pro and Business Premium subscribers. Access is rolling out gradually. Existing ChatGPT plugin permissions carry across; optional access to your own computer starts switched off.

So what: review connected apps before giving it business work. Our recommendation is one checkable task, a named reviewer and a one-week trial, with clear limits on what it may do.

Read who can try a dot and how to set boundaries.

3. Googlebooks arrive before their fleet controls

Google says its new laptops reach Australian shelves on 5 October, starting at A$2,299 RRP. Its admin guidance makes the catch clear: the consumer launch doesn’t yet support domain enrolment or central fleet management. Business-management capabilities start rolling out in the second half of 2027.

So what: don’t equate being able to sign in with a work account with being able to manage staff laptops. Our recommendation is to wait on fleet purchases until the controls your business needs are available.

Read the Australian Googlebook buying considerations.

4. Ask your email provider about Zimbra today

Microsoft’s 30 September research describes attacks exploiting CVE-2026-73570 on Zimbra email servers. The vulnerable setup uses the optional zimbra-snmp package with SNMP notifications enabled. Zimbra’s 10.1.20 release, available since July, contains the fix; Microsoft’s advice is to upgrade affected servers to that version or later immediately.

So what: ask your provider whether you use Zimbra, which version is running and whether it has checked for compromise. Installing a patch doesn’t establish that an already-attacked server is clean.

Read the Zimbra warning and provider checklist.

5. A human approval button doesn’t settle the privacy question

The OAIC’s new guidance explains the 10 December transparency obligation for covered businesses using personal information in significant software-made or software-assisted decisions. Human review doesn’t automatically put a decision outside scope. Most businesses with turnover of A$3 million or less remain exempt from the Privacy Act, but exceptions include health service providers.

So what: check coverage first, then map the decisions and software involved before updating the privacy policy. Start with the workflow rather than a list headed “AI tools”.

Read the OAIC guidance and preparation checklist.

Dates to watch

Date	What happens
5 October 2026	Googlebooks go on sale in Australia from A$2,299 RRP.
10 December 2026	Automated-decision privacy-policy disclosures begin for covered entities and decisions.
Second half of 2027	Google says business-management capabilities for Googlebooks start rolling out in phases.