Thoughts on fixing government procurement
For more than 30 years Enex TestLab has supported the efforts of government procurement with robust independent testing. We do not however suggest that effective and successful procurement lies simply in independent testing. As the saying goes it is more than the sum of the parts. Ultimately procurement is just one small step in a […]
Test & learn before you go public: how test quality affects everyday life
I’m not an election pundit, but I am interested in how voting sentiment surveys are run. And based on my experience so far, they’re hit and miss. That’s because they typically test small samples of the broad Australian population, then those results are extrapolated to vaguely predict the real-world election outcome. I say ‘vaguely predict’ […]
It’s worth getting product claims independently verified – and certified
Vendors like to make all kinds of marketing claims about their products, but how do buyers know if those claims are trustworthy? There are two common ways these claims can be proven: 1. Verification– the claims are tested and proven by a third party with expertise in product claims verification and validation; and 2. Certification […]
To evaluate vendors or not, that is the question. Part 2
Pt2: Independent evaluation versus the Four Horsemen of the Negative Relationship Apocalypse Author: Matt Tett (Enex TestLab) March 2022 It’s perfectly normal to feel a mix of hope and apprehension when starting a new relationship with any business. But if you’re trying to build a strong relationship, it pays to be honest from the start. […]
To evaluate vendors or not, that is the question*. Part 1.
To evaluate vendors or not, that is the question*. Pt1: What are you looking for when buying tech? [*If you’re professionally involved in procuring tech, I have a few more questions for you too…] Author: Matt Tett (Enex TestLab) March 2022 OK, I admit I have an odd obsession with tech. And mine’s maybe a […]
Independent Testing adds value and can save Billion$ – Just ask the Defence Force.
In the 33 years that Enex TestLab has existed we have been constantly amazed at the diversity of technical evaluation that we are asked to perform. From broadband, laptops and printers to testing an environmental setup for one of the world’s largest fast-food chains to crayons for a global manufacturer all the way through to […]
Literally a lightbulb moment (albeit Internet of Things connected)
The tech sector is legendary for hype and I’ve always made it my personal business to question claims about new products entering the market. My actual business is built on a more clinical and structured version of my attitudes about product claims in this sector: we can prove or disprove if a product lives up […]
Manufacturers’ claims aren’t worth much – until they’re independently evaluated
Believe it or not, some vendors only want to tell you all the wonderful things their widgets can do, while omitting all the bad things. You might call it hubris… or, as we like to call it at the Lab: ‘marketing’. Strange thing that marketing engine: it’s fuelled by slippery feature-benefit claims but grinds its […]
What Security Certification should you get?
Following on from our Thursday Throwback on “What Security Certification to start with?” the decision is not so simple as the decade ago when the original piece was written. The good news now is that there are many many areas of choice starting with under-graduate generalist qualifications through post-graduate reflecting highly specialised expertise. Paul Jerimy […]
