TechTouch Asia

By Vincent Tang, Regional VP, Asia, Epicor Getting something from point A to point B is straightforward work. That's probably why many distributors still rely on human labour and paper tracking. While the distribution industry hasn't always been an early user of new technology, new tools are about to transform operations. And the future is exciting. Artificial intelligence (AI) makes distribution faster and easier. Tools collect valuable data and suggest actions to streamline operations and boost profits. AI can predict consumer demand. And AI in distribution can give sales reps access to information to help them better serve their customers. By using AI technology, distributors can grow their businesses in three areas: Customer service and sales Customers want to feel valued, and AI can be a distributor's secret weapon to providing great service. For example, AI arms reps with information while they're on sales calls. Using a mobile device, they can check a custo...

• IT security professionals in Singapore noted a near-universal shift to work from home; only a third said it was “smooth” • Cloud infrastructure investments, access request, identity/access lifecycle management, identity process and workflow, and role management technologies all saw increased priority among at least half of security teams in Singapore • Twenty-eight percent of IT professionals surveyed in Singapore said COVID caused the increased priority for cloud infrastructure investments and twenty-seven (27%) percent shifted priorities for access request technologies IT security professionals globally (99%) said their organisation’s transitioned to remote work because of COVID-19, and in Singapore less than a third (29%) described that transition as “smooth”, according to research* from One Identity , an identity-centred security provider. The company commissioned a global survey that reveals IT and security team attitudes regarding their responses to COVID-19-driven work...

By Ho Chye Soon, Singapore Country Manager, Nutanix With its speed, ease and agility, it is easy to fall in love with cloud computing at first sight. But without disappointing any romantics, ‘love at first sight’ is usually nothing more than an illusion. Typically, once you get to know the object of your affection a little better, cracks begin to emerge. Cloud computing can be much like this. Once the haze of initial ‘romance’ has worn off, organisations are often left with some unpleasant surprises. For example, a recent survey showed that cloud users can incur unexpected costs, with 69% of respondents regularly overspending on their cloud budget by 25% or more. This translates to millions of dollars’ worth of unnecessary cloud spend. In the current environment, the potential for excess spending is of even greater concern. Given the impact of COVID-19 on the Singapore economy, businesses across all sectors are tightening their belts – and the resulting spill over effects on tech...

Boomi 's Asia-Pacific and Japan (APJ) edition of its virtual event series, Out of this World , will take place on November 12, 2020. Out of This World has been organised in place of the annual Boomi World conference . The event will focus on ensuring attendees learn how to achieve data readiness, pervasive connectivity, and user engagement by showcasing best practices from leading organisations across a range of industries, including energy and utilities, ecommerce, education, and aged care. At Out of this World , customers of the Dell Technologies business and the provider of cloud-based integration platform-as-a-service (iPaaS) from Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan – such as Native Union, JERA, Australian Red Cross, and the University of Canberra – will discuss key strategic priorities and challenges, and unveil how connecting data, system, processes, apps, and people has helped enable integrated rxperiences that instantly connect users to what they want. With...

By Chris Huff, Chief Strategy Officer, Kofax Source: Kofax. Huff. The current economic downturn and global disruption from the pandemic created a “digital awakening”. Boards and C-level executives are accelerating digital transformation initiatives to drive efficiency, growth, business resiliency and remain relevant and competitive in the new digital normal. To make effective decisions in a timely manner these executives need to automate the manner they capture, process, analyse and draw insights. If we agree that timely access to rich insights from data is the holy grail then the obvious question is “what do I need to reach this state of digital nirvana?” Over the next five minutes, we’ll take a hypothesis-based approach to focused outcomes, then back into the type of technology that can help executives achieve the value badly needed to navigate the current crisis while positioning for the rebound. Most of us likely agree that insights from data is extremely beneficial, in th...

With the recent shift in consumer needs sparked by the pandemic and global events, more businesses in Asia Pacific are accelerating their digital transformation efforts. A November 2019 study sponsored by Red Hat* found that 95% of APAC executives surveyed said digital transformation has gained importance and perceived it as a strategy for both survival and growth. COVID-19 has merely accelerated this trend. The APAC finance industry, for instance, was moderately impacted by COVID-19, with customers switching to digital transactions, said Arvind Swami, Director, financial services at Red Hat APAC. He said the digital element is here to stay, and named innovation, efficiency, automation, regulatory complpiance, security and resiliency as the main considerations for the industry. Organisations focused immediately on helping customers feel secure, reducing the risk in their investment portfolios, and also implemented remote working measures, and have now changed their priorities, he s...

Red Hat, the world's leading provider of open source solutions, has announced the winners of the Red Hat APAC Innovation Awards 2020 for their exceptional and innovative use of Red Hat solutions. This year’s awards honoured 27 Asia Pacific (APAC) organisations for digital transformation, hybrid cloud infrastructure, cloud-native development, automation and resilience. Dirk-Peter van Leeuwen, Senior VP and GM, APAC, Red Hat said: “2020 has been a year of uncertainties – but also possibilities. It’s inspiring to see how organisations in Asia Pacific are using open source to quickly and effectively meet changing market landscapes and consumer demands. Congratulations to this year’s winners, who we believe will become role models to other organisations looking for ideas to transform their business. We look forward to working with our customers to help them address the many real challenges our customers face today, and unlock the unlimited possibilities of taking the business forward...