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Australian small and medium sized businesses are being offered free access to software to help them work remotely, with some of the worlds biggest technology companies banding together to do their bit in the COVID-19 war effort.

Peak tech industry body the Australian Information Industry Association has created a new Australian Business Continuity online resource centre , which is aimed at helping small businesses, government departments, students, and other employees to remain connected and productive following office closures.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said working remotely is foreign to many businesses but is now essential.Joel Carret

Free offers available via the site include remote working and teleconferencing software like Telstra Virtual Meeting Room, Googles G Suite Hangout meetings, ServiceNow software to let organisations send alerts to their workers, Ciscos Webex virtual meetings, Facebooks Workplace Advanced product for government agencies and emergency services, Microsofts Office 365 E1 and Teams products, Adobes collaboration and video conferencing product as well as its Creative Cloud for students home learning, Salesforces patient and health relationship platforms and SAPs Ariba Discover marketplace for connecting buyers and sellers online .

AIIA would like to thank the companies who have already signed on for their support in assisting Australian businesses, schools, students, governments and workplaces for contributing to this online resource in what is proving to be a challenging time for all businesses, AIIA CEO Ron Gauci said.

As we saw from the innovation technology industrys response through the bushfires, once again, AIIA and its members have come together quickly to make available these amazing productivity platforms during this difficult time for our country.

In a statement from Communications Minister Paul Fletcher and Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews, the government said the new site would give organisations clear and targeted information to support them using alternative work arrangements and new technologies during the current period.

Working remotely is foreign to many businesses but is now essential as they practice social distancing and I encourage all businesses to explore the new hub and see how it could help them make it to the other side of this outbreak, Minister Andrews said.

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Tech sector bands together to offer small businesses free software - The Australian Financial Review