Connected commerce: how brands can leverage tech for competitive advantage

Your technology estate is generating data. Are you using it? For many organisations, managed print services have traditionally focused on keeping devices operational, controlling costs and responding when something goes wrong. But today's print estates generate much more information than that. Device usage, locations, service activity and environmental impact all create data that can reveal how an estate is really performing. The opportunity is to move beyond simply managing devices and start using that data to make better decisions. That is the thinking behind Aura's Managed Portal (AMP). By bringing estate, usage, service and environmental data together in one secure environment, AMP gives organisations a clearer view of their managed print environment and where there may be opportunities to improve. You can't optimise what you can't see The first step towards effective print management is understanding what you have. For organisations operating across multiple sites, devices, contracts, locations, network information…

Higher education is evolving. Teaching has become more flexible, collaboration spans departments and continents and research environments are expected to support increasingly sophisticated ways of working. As universities continue to invest in new buildings and campus developments, technology plays a bigger role than ever before. But creating successful teaching and research spaces isn't about filling rooms with the latest equipment. It's about designing technology that works intuitively, performs reliably and supports people every day. That sounds straightforward, but in practice it's anything but. Modern university buildings often combine lecture theatres, seminar rooms, laboratories, collaboration spaces and meeting rooms under one roof. Each environment has different technical requirements, yet academics and students expect a consistent experience wherever they are on campus. The challenge is creating technology that feels simple to use while supporting increasingly complex teaching methods, hybrid learning and specialist research. It's an approach Aura has developed through many years…

The conversation around retail media continues to evolve and we are pleased to have been featured in dentsu's latest article exploring why in-store media represents one of retail's biggest opportunities for growth. The article looks at how retailers can create more meaningful experiences within physical stores, moving beyond traditional digital signage to build connected environments that support customers, brands and the wider business. It's a topic we are passionate about at Aura. For many retailers, the focus has understandably been on the technology. But successful in-store media isn't defined by the number of screens or the latest innovations. It starts with understanding the customer journey and designing experiences that genuinely add value. That's an approach we have championed for many years. Whether we're delivering retail media networks, digital signage or interactive brand experiences, our role is to help retailers create environments that feel connected, relevant and easy to manage over…

Strong partnerships are built on shared expertise, clear roles and a common goal. That's why it was great to see Aura Futures featured in Grace & Co's recent article exploring the future of in-store digital experiences. The piece, which features an interview with our CEO, Adam Wilson, looks beyond the technology itself to the bigger picture. It explores why successful digital screen networks start with understanding the business challenge, not simply specifying hardware, and why collaboration across retailers, technology providers and specialist partners is essential to delivering long-term value. One point we firmly agree on is that no single business can be an expert in every part of a modern retail media ecosystem. From strategy and customer experience to infrastructure, content, analytics and ongoing support, delivering successful in-store digital experiences requires a range of specialist skills working together. That's where partnerships like the one between Aura Futures and Grace &…

Managed print services (MPS) are usually associated with practical operational gains: reducing print costs, rationalising devices, simplifying support and giving organisations better control over their print estate. But that’s not where the value of managed print services stops. As ESG reporting becomes more evidence-led, MPS can also provide something more strategically useful - reliable operational data. This matters because sustainability claims are facing increasing scrutiny; organisations are under pressure to demonstrate responsible procurement, reduce environmental impact and show measurable progress against internal or external sustainability commitments. Stakeholders increasingly expect data that is repeatable, auditable and specific enough to show what has changed, where progress is being made and where further improvement is needed. This is also something Aura can demonstrate directly. In 2026, Aura was awarded the EcoVadis Bronze Medal, placing us in the top 35% of companies assessed globally. Within our own industry sector, our Environment score ranked us…