Empowering Asean micro, small and medium enterprises on TikTok Shop

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  • aims to give MSMEs the ability to use electronic skills
  • Parties will work together to bring together their expertise to help the region advance modern transformation

Through a new collaboration with the Asean Foundation and the Asean Business Advisory Council ( Asean-BAC ), TikTok Shop is furthering its commitment to supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises ( MSMEs ) in Southeast Asia. This partnership brings the Supporting Our Artisans and Retailers ( SOAR ) Together initiative of TikTok Shop to the region, which aims to provide MSMEs with essential digital skills.

MSMEs play a crucial role in driving economic growth, especially within underserved communities, as the foundation of Asean’s business. Through our relationship with the Asean Foundation and Asean-BAC, we are continuing our determination to advance these businesses by providing practical training in e-commerce, life marketing, online advertising, and business growth through the TikTok Shop platform, said Chanida Klyphun, director of Southeast Asia public policy at TikTok.

It is appropriate that we are launching this program during Malaysia’s Asean Chairmanship in 2025 in support of the theme of” Inclusivity and Sustainability,” she continued with the intention of bolstering businesses and encouraging greater inclusivity and sustainable growth.

Through this partnership, TikTok Shop, the Asean Foundation, and Asean-BAC will use their complementary expertise to promote digital transformation and economic inclusion in the region. Through TikTok Shop, the program will provide customized support to the participating MSMEs, enabling them to grow both their local and regional operations and creative ventures.

This initiative also aligns with the Asean Strategic Action Plan for SME Development 2016-2025, which aims to develop SMEs into globally successful and innovative businesses, and with the Asean Economic Community Blueprint 2025, which emphasizes information and communication technology ( ICT) as a key driver of regional economic and social transformation.

MSMEs continue to be a significant contributor to employment growth, income contribution, and economic resilience. Around 70 million MSMEs make up 97.2 % to 99.9 % of the total business establishments in Asean, accounting for roughly 70 million. Despite their significance, many MSMEs still face persistent challenges, including those relating to limited funding, business development skills, and market connectivity. These issues are issues that the SOAR Together programme aims to address.

The application process is open to eligible MSMEs in Asean countries. Participants will get access to targeted capacity-building workshops on digital business skills, in-depth analysis from TikTok Shop experts, hands-on live selling training, networking opportunities, and policy-making opportunities with other business owners, policymakers, and stakeholders from the region.

Here is more information about the Asean SOAR Together program. Business owners may apply here.

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Hoopi secures seed funding led by Creative Gorilla Capital

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  • In 2025, expand to Indonesia & Thailand from Malaysia & Singapore.
  • Funds will be used to increase the system’s user base and promote regional growth.

Hoopi Holdings Pte Ltd ( Hoopi), a platform for collectibles and trading cards, has completed its first institutional funding round led by Creative Gorilla Capital ( CGC), a Jakarta-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage consumer-facing businesses. The investment may help Hoopi expand its core services and user ecosystem, facilitating growth in Southeast Asia.

Hoopi’s founders identified a business opportunity in Southeast Asia’s scattered doll collectibles and buying cards marketplace, which is characterized by concerns over authenticity and transparency. They had considerable innovative backgrounds in the gaming industry. The company offers a comprehensive set of services, including a consumer-to-consumer industry, native card grading services, and gamified experiences for unique, high-value collectibles.

Also, Hoopi is working with Robbi Art, a superior toy collectable brand known for its limited-edition figurines for the East Asian market.

Southeast Asia’s market for trading cards and collectible toys is estimated to be worth US$ 5.99 billion ( MYR 26.98 billion ) in 2025, and it is anticipated to grow at a compounded annual growth rate ( CAGR ) of 3 %, increasing to US$ 7 billion ( MYR 31.50 billion ) by 2030. There are several important factors that are driving this progress. The prominent position of sentimentality and emotional connection that are essential to the industry’s expansion are frequently invoked by cherished memories and a sense of individual history. Collectibles and childhood trading card games frequently help people feel nostalgic and connected to their past. These things offer stability and comfort, which keep many people coming back for more despite economic confusion.

Southeast Asia’s market for trading cards and collectible toys is expected to grow to US$ 5.99 billion ( MYR 26.98 billion ) in 2025, growing to US$ 31.50 billion by 2030, with a 3 % Rate. The main vehicles are personal associations and memories, as collectibles evoke fond thoughts and a sense of personal history.

Also, the market benefits from a community-driven tradition, with passionate fans participating in tournaments, forums, and events that maintain interest and inspire creativity. Also, items are increasingly viewed as other investments, with unique items increasingly being viewed as assets with long-term price. These elements aid in the market’s endurance in the face of economic issues.

Hoopi has gained popularity since its official release in September 2024, and as of February 2025, it had roughly US$ 2.25 million in gross products value as a result of more than 40, 000 paid orders placed. More than 3, 000 registered retailers and more than 20, 000 active users are currently a part of the program. It is already in use in Singapore and Malaysia, and it intends to expand there in April 2025, with Thailand expected to follow later this month.

Michael, the company’s CEO and co-founder, praised this progress, saying,” The funding from CGC has strengthened Hoopi’s primary corporate pillars and supported the establishment of its growing presence in Malaysia, Singapore, and immediately Indonesia, marked by the upcoming release of the Hoopi Store in Jakarta.

I’m confident that Hoopi and its integrated ecosystem are uniquely positioned to redefine and lead the collectibles experience in Southeast Asia, he said, supported by an established supply and distribution network, consistent GMV growth, soon-to-be-launched offline physical stores, and our proprietary in-house grading service, Grade Master.

Meanwhile, Benz Julio Budiman, managing partner at CGC, stated that he is confident that Southeast Asia’s trading cards and collectibles market will experience significant growth, helped by the region’s dynamic gaming culture, and by the region’s rapid digital adoption. Hoopi’s creative strategies, commitment to community engagement, and focus on sustained value creation enable it to succeed in generating sustainable revenue streams despite the region’s macroeconomic volatility.

I have full confidence in the founding team’s ability to address market complexities and propel Hoopi toward profitability because of their deep industry expertise and proven success scaling previous ventures. I’m confident that Hoopi will continue to innovate in the trading cards and collectibles industry, leading to significant market share and contributing to shaping Southeast Asia’s future,” he added.

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Ingram Micro on navigating the future of virtualization

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  • Panel discussion with various market officials about the potential of virtualization for IT companies.
  • Workouts from Sangfor Technologies, Dell Technologies, Microsoft, Nutanix, and Virtuozzo &

(From Left) Keith Lee, Cloud Business Director Sangfor Technologies; Vijayan Selvam, Services Delivery Manager, Ingram Micro Malaysia; Thet Htun Aung, ASEAN Leader (AVS, Azure Infra & SAP) Microsoft; Surak Thammarak, Systems Engineering Manager for Thailand & GEMS Nutanix; Miguel Rivera, Infrastructure Solutions Group Director, Dell Technologies; Yoon Kam Fei, Executive Managing Director, Ingram Micro Malaysia; Deepak Waghmare, APJC, Chief Technology Officer, Dell Technologies; and, Ahmed Amni, Vice President of APJ Sales & Global Business Development, Virtuozzo.

Ingram Micro Malaysia just hosted a panel dialogue on The Future of Virtualization in partnership with Sangfor Technologies, Dell Technologies, Microsoft, Nutanix, and Virtuozzo. By definition, cloud entails creating simulated environments and virtual representations of actual systems like backup, networks, operating systems, servers, and various components. These business experts came to terms with their points of view and agreed that while there are difficulties, there are ways to slow down market changes.

Ahmed Amni, vice president of APJ Sales & Global Business Development at Virtuozzo, Keith Lee, head of Dell Technologies ‘ Asia-Pacific Business Unit, Miguel Rivera, director of infrastructure solutions group at Dell Technologies, Thet Htun Aung, ASEAN Leader ( AVS, Azure Infra and SAP ), and Surak Thammarak, systems engineer for Thailand & GEMS Nutanix.

As a leading technology firm for the international information technology ecosystem, Ingram Micro Malaysia distributes various cloud options that provide consumers with a full set of options. Ingram Micro Malaysia’s senior managing director Yoon Kam Fei, who likewise moderated the panel, stated that the purpose of holding a combined panel discussion with key industry players to shed light on the future of virtualization and the methods we can use to stay lean and to meet the needs of contemporary enterprises.

He added that users are searching for digitally reusable, cost-effective alternatives to cloud. Customers can examine the options these vendors have available to them in order to support a prosperous migration path through this debate.

According to Yoon, CIOs and IT professionals are constantly faced with the difficult task of managing ever-increasing IT costs and would need assistance in determining the appropriate technologies for their particular surroundings in the next few months and mid-term of more than three to five years.

Ahmed of Virtuozzo claimed that the business offers freedom to the business by switching from a custom solution to a scalable open-source option that can be integrated into the patient’s ecosystem. In order for customers to avoid feeling tied to a particular vendor if they wish to switch out of a particular supplier in the future, Lee agreed that it is crucial for them to work with vendors with an empty ecosystem.

Customers may be concerned about chance if they switch platforms, according to Dell’s Rivera. Companies would want to safeguard the investments they have already made, so we are here to assist and provide assessments. The cost of movement can be expensive.

While there are many options available, There are pros and cons, according to Thet of Microsoft, and distributors must take into account various factors when making decisions. As a result, vendors must play a vital role as trusted advisors to users based on their business needs.

Surak observed the revolutionary tendency of developing hybrid multi-cloud and cloud-native applications as well as an increase in the use of fog services and open-source systems.

Collectively, panelists identified key elements that could influence the success of any of their solutions, and they all agreed that one of the important elements is having a local reputation on the market to provide prompt assistance. This team may include distant support, delivery, and operational specialists. Participants stressed the need to convince customers of the power inherent in their systems and proven track record of client references and success stories in order to build trust among indecisive customers.

The participants concurred that the participants should complement one another rather than compete to be successful. With no one-size-fits-all approach, offering the best solution to customers may focus on each use case and business outcome. The key to achieving success is to develop a unique solution that can be used to join the business needs of the client. &nbsp,

To learn more about Ingram Micro Malaysia and how it supports your business ‘ virtualization journey, visit https ://my .ingrammicro-asia.com/.&nbsp or email [email&nbsp, protected].

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Sachin Chawla to lead MongoDB in India and Asean

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  • joined MongoDB to take over the Indian business in February 2022.
  • has more than 20 years of sales encounter, including positions at AWS and BMC Software.

In order to promote growth and customer value in both the Indian and Asean markets, MongoDB, the world’s leading database for modern applications, has announced Sachin Chawla ( pic ).

Sachin joined MongoDB in February 2022 to guide the India firm, having held leadership positions at Amazon Web Services and BMC Software. Working with clients like Tata Digital, Canara HSBC, Zepto, Zomato, and Intellect AI, he has played a crucial role in driving strong growth in the area since then. Sachin will travel to Singapore as part of his expanded position.

Over the past three decades, there has been a 70 % increase in staff at MongoDB India, in addition to a number of initiatives, including a national efforts to provide more than 500, 000 individuals with crucial data and AI knowledge.

MongoDB now has a strong reputation throughout Asean as the nation’s leading contemporary document database provider. Along with having a sizable and active designer group, Aktivo Labs, Dkatalis, M-DAQ, and Grab are just a few examples of its growing clientele in the region.

MongoDB stands out as a leader in the adoption of AI across APAC for its ability to support various workloads, adequacy of data management, and speed up application modernization. Businesses are now able to stay on top of their needs with the development of a thoroughly integrated, AI-ready information program.

” Asean and India each have expansive developer communities and active business climates. Both are perfectly positioned for expansion in the Artificial period. I’m convinced that Sachin will be the right person to develop MongoDB’s appearance in Asean and offer true value to our customers, teams, and partners,” said Simon Eid, senior vice president of APAC at MongoDB.

MongoDB recently expanded the MongoDB Atlas presence in Southeast Asia, launching aid for AWS areas in Thailand and Malaysia. The decision comes in response to a significant increase in the area, where personnel has increased by over 200 % in the last two years.

” I’m proud of the group we’ve assembled in India and the positive impact our efforts have had on local clients who are developing revolutionary software. I’m energized by the possibilities that lie ahead in Asean now that AI is popular. It’s exciting at this time for these two areas, Sachin said, using technology like MongoDB.

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Cinch raises US.8 mil to expand device-as-a-service platform across Asia

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  • To create an OS for robust system membership, money will be used.
  • claims it has reduced e-waste, increased value for consumers & businesses, and increased it affordability

The leadership team at Cinch

Cinch, the largest device-as-a-service ( DaaS ) platform in Asia, has announced a funding round of up to USD$ 28.8 million ( RMRM 129 million ) to expand its subscription-based tech ecosystem. Monk’s Hill Ventures led the large, while Faeda Ventures, 1982 Ventures, Ratio Ventures, DCG, Feedback Ventures, and Z Venture Capital also participated.

This boost will help Cinch advance toward the development of a distributed elliptical machine at scale, opening the door to technology that enables distributors, telcos, and retailers to easily integrate device subscriptions into their current sales and service models.

Access to devices like smartphones, laptops, and tablets is made possible by Cinch’s subscription model, which is flexible, affordable, and responsible. Consumers can switch to the most recent technologies with affordable monthly rates, avoiding long-term contracts and upfront costs. Cinch simplifies system purchasing, financing, and lifecycle management for businesses, maximizing both cost and efficiency.

The company uses a circular subscription design to minimize economic impact while maximizing device life. Cinch claims that repurposing and repurposing equipment throughout several lifetimes will reduce e-waste and increase the price of goods both for consumers and businesses. Cinch claims its amazing system combines embedded financing, active costs intelligence, and automated lifecycle management, ensuring capital efficiency while enabling devices to produce long-term value beyond a single ownership cycle.

Modify and responsible disposal are incorporated into the base of engineering consumption, according to the company, which improves economic accessibility and supports international sustainability goals.

” Tech is changing the way people consume it. Cinch is leading the movement toward round software due to rising costs, funding gaps, and growing regulatory strain on e-waste. Beyond a system, we’re tying the dots between Asia’s facilities for a green tech economy, according to Mahir Hamid, CEO and co-founder of Cinch.

The business has quickly established itself as Asia’s largest spiral tech provider, enabling sustainable distribution of high-quality products at level across essential markets. Samsung Electronics Singapore is one of its key partners, and Cinch was recently announced as its standard membership mate for the Galaxy S25 Series in Singapore. Shoppers may pay a monthly fee for Samsung’s premier smartphone that comes with harm security and an upgrade choice at the end of the word.

Working with Cinch, we’ve chosen to support our sustainability goals while also offering our customers in Singapore a flexible and economical option to own our most recent products. The brand’s important goal is to achieve tool incoherence for our goods throughout their whole life cycles, and Cinch’s device-as-a-service supports this goal while keeping the aspirations of consumers to have access to the most recent technological innovations in the market, according to Timothy Tan, director and head of integrated B2B, Samsung Electronics Singapore.

Cinch works at the intersection of upholding consumer aspirations, promoting industry digitalization, and promoting environmental sustainability. These value propositions are particularly relevant in Southeast Asia, where young people and a growing middle class aspire to own the newest devices, and where businesses are rapidly digitalizing through mobile technology, according to Kuo-Yi Lim, co-founder and managing partner at Monk’s Hill Ventures.

This also extends the life of electronic devices and reduces e-waste, making it ultimately a win-win-win for everyone. We are pleased to be a key member of the Cinch team in this crucial mission, he continued.

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CelcomDigi in AI-driven autonomous network MoU with Ericsson

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  • Optimise system ops to remain delivering exceptional knowledge
  • Integration of AI features to help system integration &amp, reform

CelcomDigi Bhd and Ericsson ( Malaysia ) Sdn Bhd signed a MoU yesterday to collaborate on advancing autonomous network operations. The program aims to employ AI-driven system analytics to optimise CelcomDigi’s system operations, enabling it to continue delivering better networking experience for its customers throughout Malaysia.

With rising 5G implementation, system difficulty continues to grow due to an increasing number of related devices and various use cases. To solve this, CelcomDigi and Ericsson will simultaneously observe the development of sophisticated, intent-driven intelligent systems.

Key elements of the partnership include:

    AI-driven technology – Utilising AI technologies to enhance system performance and optimise performance.

  • 5G service confidence – Ensuring better, distinguished 5G services for businesses and consumers.
  • Enhanced customer experience – Improving service quality and operational efficiency through autonomous solutions.

As part of the collaboration, Ericsson will bring its global expertise and industry-leading AI Intent-Based Operations ( IBO ) to accelerate the pace of developing the autonomous network operations. The integration of AI-driven autonomous capabilities will also support CelcomDigi’s ongoing network integration and modernisation efforts, building the nation’s leading digital network for Malaysian enterprises and consumers.

Idham Nawawi ( pic ), CelcomDigi’s CEO said,” Malaysia’s 5G adoption is accelerating, and thus it is critical that we evolve our network capabilities to manage increasing complexity while delivering a superior customer experience. As an extension of our ongoing partnership with Ericsson, we are taking steps towards intent-based autonomous networks, harnessing AI and automation to transform how networks operate, optimise performance, and improve sustainability”.

David Hägerbro President and CEO of Ericsson Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, said,” We are particularly excited about the potential to leverage AI technologies in autonomous network operations, which will further improve efficiency and customer experience. The MoU aims to drive operational efficiency enhancements, boost service quality, and elevate user experiences. We aim to help CelcomDigi stay at the cutting-edge of digital innovation”.

By pioneering autonomous network operations, CelcomDigi and Ericsson aim to set new benchmarks in network efficiency, service differentiation, and customer satisfaction.

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JCI Inspire Fest 2025 spotlights Malaysia’s young leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers

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  • aims to highlight the success stories of JCI and its younger officials
  • Celecrates embodies conservation, innovation, and leadership.

The JCI Inspire Fest 2025, which was jointly hosted by Radiant and JCI Entrepreneur Metropolitan (JCI E-Metro ), was held at DSpace, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. Through a three-day display of inspiring individuals, thought-provoking ideas, and cooperative community initiatives, this youth-focused festival highlights the power of management, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.

The event, which has the style” Young Hands, Leading Change, Building Tomorrow,” aims to raise awareness of Junior Chamber International (JCI), its vision, and the victory reports of its award-winning fresh officials. The event highlighted the goods, services, and activities spearheaded by renowned JCI consumers like the Ten Excellent Young Malaysians, Creative Young Entrepreneur Award, Ten Excellent Young People of the World, and Sustainable Development Award.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia announced in a press release that Inspire Youth Day will be held at Sunway Velocity Mall on April 19, 2025. Her appearance highlights the significance of enhancing the voices of young people and nurturing the next generation of Malay changemakers.

The JCI Inspire Fest is more than just a festival; it’s a system for exchange, support, and meaningful activity. We want every Malaysian to hear the faces, tales, and accomplishments of our country’s brightest young talents, according to Friday Chua, the organising president of JCI Inspire Fest and a seasoned event expert.

The event features three themed time: 18 to 20 April 2025; it runs from April 18 to April 20.

  • Inspire Entrepreneur Day on April 18th,
  • Inspire Youth Day on April 19 ( officiated by YB Hannah Yeoh )
  • Inspire Environment Day on April 20

Every morning features people forums, solution showcases, ESG Power Talks, and networking opportunities for the consumer. All of these activities are intended to persuade, educate, and mobilize young people in the areas of leadership, innovation, and social impact.

Environmental, Social, and Governance ( ESG) will be a key area of the program this year in addition to youth leadership. The organizers have cited efforts from important ESG-aligned lovers, such as:

  • Legacy Partners: Sateera and the HERSTORY Healthcare Foundation, who continue to support green community development through activities in education, healthcare, and independence.
  • Social Good Partners: Maria International and MUSE Collection, both actively supporting equitable effect initiatives, especially for women and underrepresented populations, are CSR &amp.
  • EAS Academy and Rurutiki, whose educational and environmental initiatives are promoting sustainable practices in Malaysia, are ESG Partners.

These organizations “exercise the mission.” Their contribution to advancing ESG, education, health, and social responsibility is a crucial component of what this festival is all about, Chua continued.

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Google Cloud appoints Hana Raja as country manager for Malaysia

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  • may submit a review to Malaysia and Singapore’s country director Serene Sia
  • brings 16 years of experience to shaping business strategies and benefits.

Hana Raja ( pic ) has been named as the country manager of Google Cloud’s business in Malaysia. She will be in charge of Google Cloud and Google Workspace’s regional go-to-market strategy and operations, as well as working closely with Google’s business transformation team to implement enterprise-grade, AI-powered sky systems.

Hana is in charge of overseeing both the public sector, business business, and enterprise segments under the leadership of Serene Sia, country director, Google Cloud, in Malaysia and Singapore.

Following management positions at Cisco and Bain &amp, Company, Hana joins Google Cloud. She brings over 16 years of experience advising and working with senior executives of well-known companies in the public sector, including those in the financial services, retail, customer packaged goods, care, mechanical, power, and utilities, to develop sustainable development plans and enhance customer experiences.

Hana joins us as we enter a new era of the expansion of Google Cloud in Malaysia, according to Serene Sia. We’re also supporting large-scale initiatives like AI at Work 2.0 with the Ministry of Digital and National AI Office, Teraju AI Selangor with the State Government of Selangor, and the Gamuda AI Academy by supporting large-scale initiatives like a sovereign cloud with Dagang NeXchange Berhad, a Google data center, and a Google Cloud region.

Hana will play an important role in advancing our growth journey in this crucial market with her vision, experience, industry network, and focus on people and culture. We are confident that her leadership will enable more neighborhood organizations to flourish in the up-to-date digital economy, which is estimated to be worth up to US$ 70 billion ( RM311 billion ) by 2030, she continued.

Hana Raja stated that” Google Cloud has established itself as a trusted partner for data- and AI-powered innovation for Malaysian organizations, providing best-in-class infrastructure, platform services, industry solutions, and consultancy expertise to supercharge how they interpret and act on crucial information. I’m excited to work for Google Cloud and carry out this crucial work.

We have ambitious plans for growing in Malaysia, and I’m excited to develop our partner ecosystem and local team. We can expand the scope and breadth of our collaborations with government and businesses by building on the company’s successes to date. She continued,” This will ultimately make Malaysia’s position as a global technology hub stronger by accelerating the delivery of next-generation digital services to better serve Malaysians.”

Organizations in Malaysia have turned to Google Cloud to support their expansion and address pressing business issues. These include startups like Asia Mobiliti, Carsome Group, and Mindvalley, as well as public sector bodies like the Ministry of Digital, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education, the State Government of Selangor, the National AI Office, the National Digital Development Authority, and the Malaysia Productivity Corporation.

Google made a$ 2 billion ( RM9 billion ) investment in a new Google data center and the Malaysian Cloud region in May 2024. Elmina Business Park, Selangor, where construction of these facilities began in October 2024. This investment is a part of Google’s ongoing partnership with the Malaysian government to improve the country’s digital competitiveness and promote AI innovation.

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U Mobile names Edgepoint as preferred 5G IBC infrastructure partner for upcoming 5G rollout 

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  • With smooth protection and user support, partnership will be the driving force behind 5G adoption.
  • Both parties may use 5G IBC solutions to improve performance and customer experience.

From left to right: Wong Heang Tuck, CEO, U Mobile; Woon Ooi Yuen, chief technology officer of U Mobile; Muniff Kamaruddin, CEO, EdgePoint Towers; Suresh Sidhu, CEO of EdgePoint Group.

A leading ASEAN-based separate communications infrastructure firm, EdgePoint Infrastructure Sdn Bhd, and Malaysia’s next-generation 5G network operator, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding. According to the parties in a joint statement, EdgePoint will become one of U Mobile’s preferred 5G in-building ( IBC ) infrastructure partners, helping to expedite the company’s plan to roll out 5G IBC infrastructure across Malaysia.

Both parties will work closely together to implement 5G IBC system as part of the agreement, with an emphasis on creating and implementing custom solutions for each webpage to improve network performance and user experience. They will also work together to make sure a implementation is both affordable and quick. This collaboration aims to facilitate the implementation of 5G technology while ensuring smooth connectivity and coverage across essential locations. It also addresses the changing demands of both consumers and businesses.

Additionally, the collaboration will see U Mobile and EdgePoint collaborate on connectivity enhancement solutions that will enable faster data speeds, ultra-low overhead, and seamless inclusion of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, bright cities, and intelligent systems. Also, both businesses will look into potential 5G IBC solutions growth and innovation.

” U Mobile is pleased to have EdgePoint as one of our chosen IBC system companions for our future nationwide 5G implementation. We are Malaysia’s leading provider of 5G solutions, both indoors and outdoors, particularly in high-traffic places and business centers, and we are dedicated to providing high-quality, trustworthy, and ultra-fast 5G services to consumers and companies. Woon Ooi Yuen, U Mobile’s Chief Technology Officer, stated,” We want all Malay to live in the modern economy.”

By ensuring trusted communication that supports AI-driven technology, IoT-enabled buildings, and more, our relationship with EdgePoint also underscores our responsibility to accelerating 5G implementation and technology, he added.

” Our continuous and productive agreement includes working with U Mobile to promote the 5G deployment in Malaysia as the natural next step. We have regularly collaborated to improve communication across the nation over the years, and this new collaboration allows us to advance that work, said Muniff Kamaruddin, CEO of EdgePoint Towers.

” We are excited to keep strengthening our collaboration with U Mobile and make sure that 5G connectivity is flawless both on the Peninsular and East of Malaysia.” We are committed to improving inside connection and meeting the growing need for high-quality, trustworthy networks in buildings by utilizing our cutting-edge IBC solutions. This collaboration may enable Malaysians to fully experience the transformative potential of 5G, leading to economic growth, boosting productivity, and encouraging creativity in both business and daily existence, he added.

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2025 will be the year of ‘Industrial AI’

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  • Automation, aircraft &amp, energy shift create excellent setting for AI
  • Trifecta of 5G, sky &nbsp, AI is turning idea of freedom into commercial real

The excitement about synthetic intelligence is evident – turn on your phone now and it won’t be long before you are fed the next great AI-related history. In just a couple of years we have grown accustomed to AI helping us full simple daily tasks – from getting cafe advice to editing selfies.

But these capabilities sit at the very idea of the AI iceberg, only scratching the surface of what this paradigm-shifting technologies may achieve. Dig deeper and AI is set to change economy on a worldwide level. It is going to alter the way full industries operate and reinvent the nature of function within these sectors.

If the past few years have been about AI penetrating daily living, 2025 is going to be the year of AI for industries – and we will see a radical motion of the trip to professional autonomy as a result.

The AI opportunity across three compelling megatrends

The difference between industrial automation ( where we are today ) and autonomy ( where we are going ) is key to understanding this opportunity. While automation involves machines following pre-programmed instructions, autonomy leverages AI to enable systems to adapt and make decisions in dynamic conditions.

The path to full autonomy may be an incremental one for most industries, but many are already rapidly accelerating AI investments in pursuit of it. AI has immense transformative potential in almost all business areas, and companies are placing big bets to enable new ways of working, drive new business models and unlock new routes to growth.

We view global industry through the lens of three compelling megatrends – automation, the future of aviation, and the energy transition. Across all three megatrends, there is already a large installed base of highly connected technology and vast amounts of data that – with the right tools in place – create the perfect environment for AI to thrive.

AI can move us closer to energy security by dynamically controlling an increasingly complex and diverse energy mix and identifying inefficiencies across industrial operations in real-time.

In aviation, AI is a critical enabler of connected aircraft and, in the future, of autonomous flight that is central to a rapidly scaling advanced air mobility sector.

AI is also powering the operator copilots and predictive maintenance systems needed to maximize the safety and operational stability of complex, automated industrial plants.

These outcomes are becoming increasingly important to bridge the demand-supply gap of technologically skilled workers available to support industrial growth. The problem is getting worse, either as skilled workers retire with fewer fully skilled workers available to replace them or as economies scale rapidly without a skilled industrial talent pool that can keep pace.

AI-enabled autonomous industrial operations can directly address the skills shortage. Not by eliminating workers but by providing AI-powered tools that can train and upskill them, helping even inexperienced workers perform like seasoned experts and loosening one of the binding constraints to growth.

AI will change the nature of industrial roles to make them more strategic, while allowing tomorrow’s workforce to jump quickly into jobs that they’ll find more challenging and rewarding, enabled by the power of new technologies at their fingertips. It is imperative that workers are equipped with the tools and the learning opportunities to embrace AI in their jobs and be prepared to explore its potential to avoid being left behind.

The’ technology trifecta’

Another driver is that, until recently, the huge volume of industrial data that has been growing exponentially over the past decade has largely been locked within local machine loops.

Put simply- the technologies to free it from its silos, aggregate and analyze it in one single place have not existed. Industrial datasets can be vast and lack the connectivity to transfer them, large repositories to store them, and powerful data processing capabilities to convert them into actions.

This is what we call the’ technology trifecta’ of 5G, cloud and AI, and it is turning the theory of autonomy into an industrial reality. By bringing these elements together, industrial companies are now finally able to leverage the full extent of their operational data to make every day their best day of production.

Their success will be determined by the ability to connect their Operational Technology ( OT ) – the patchwork of physical sensors, systems and controllers within a typical industrial operation– with the Information Technology ( IT ) infrastructure at a large scale. And, by connecting their OT in this way, they will also need to make the right cybersecurity investments to ensure their entire OT and IT infrastructure is secured from increasingly sophisticated threats.

The right partnerships for AI-led transformation&nbsp,

These technical hurdles can be solved today through cross-industry partnership on AI. That is why we are already working closely with some of the world’s leading firms in the areas of connectivity, cloud and AI to bring the right solutions to market.

For example, Honeywell Forge, our IOT platform, transforms data into insights across virtually any industrial operation. To help achieve this, the platform can harness the power of Microsoft Azure’s cutting-edge cloud and AI capabilities to help operational workers identify opportunities across digitalization, energy optimization, asset reliability, OT cybersecurity, and building efficiency. &nbsp,

In another example, we recently announced a collaboration with Google to bring its Gemini Large Language Model and Vertex, Google Cloud’s AI platform, together with enterprise-wide industrial data from Honeywell Forge. This convergence of tools and data supports the rapid upskilling of a remote workforce and enables predictive maintenance – which reduces downtime and increases productivity.

We are also expanding partnerships across semiconductors and technology architecture – working with leaders including NXP and Qualcomm to ensure AI can be enabled at the edge across a wide range of applications from refineries to warehouses and even aircraft cockpits.

To complete the ecosystem we are adding the advanced capabilities of telecommunications providers like Verizon, to leverage their 5G capabilities for the transfer of large datasets from edge-to-cloud.

Such partnerships are important because they combine deep domain and data expertise across industries with the very latest technologies across the’ trifecta’ to finally make industrial AI accessible.

Industrial businesses around the world are now poised to turbocharge the path to autonomy, and in 2025 we will see bold bets made in industrial AI technologies that are going to radically increase productivity, improve efficiency and unlock much-needed growth.

Anant Maheshwari is President and CEO Global Regions, Honeywell

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