Innovation & Technology Outputs

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GLOBAL INNOVATION INDEX 2020
ASIA PACIFIC

8 Singapore
10 South Korea
11 Hong Kong
14 China
23 Australia
26 New Zealand
33 Malaysia
42 Vietnam
44 Thailand
48 India
50 Philippines
85 Indonesia

https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2020/

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TNG launches GO+
By Farah Adilla March 29, 2021 @ 11:10am

KUALA LUMPUR: Touch 'n Go (TNG) Group has today launched GO+, a financially inclusive investment product.

This will allow Touch 'n Go eWallet users and all Malaysians to gain access to low risk money market investments for as low as RM10.

TNG Group chief executive officer Effendy Shahul Hamid said GO+ was the first step as the company moved into digital financial services.

"It was designed to address core customer pain points, promote financial inclusion and

"New norms in light of Covid-19 have seen a boost to everything digital, and we're fortunate to have been able to be agile and pivot to bring GO+ to the market ahead of time," he said during the virtual launch today.

On January 13, the company announced that its subsidiary TNG Digital Sdn Bhd had been granted conditional approval to operate as a Recognised Market Operator (RMO) by the Securities Commission (SC).

Touch 'n Go eWallet is the first eWallet provider to obtain approval to operate as a RMO by the SC.

The conditional approval will enable the company to directly distribute capital market products, including money market unit trust funds, through the Touch 'n Go eWallet platform, without having to be directed to third-party applications.

TNG said GO+ enabled an easy and convenient method for Touch 'n Go eWallet users to earn returns on their GO+ balance. The returns will be credited daily.

GO+ will also carry a "cash-out" feature that will allow movement of funds seamlessly between the user's eWallet and designated bank account.

In order to add greater usability, GO+ balances can also be used for all eWallet payments use cases.

The GO+ product is anchored on Principal e-Cash Fund, a money market fund managed by Principal Asset Management.

The product co-creation collaboration essentially combines Touch 'n Go eWallet's expertise in technology and ecosystems and Principal's core expertise in investment strategy and fund management.

GO+ is available effective March 29.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/2021...ng-launches-go

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NanoMalaysia to kickstart nanotechnology commercialisation
By NST Business
March 25, 2021 @ 4:07pm

KUALA LUMPUR: NanoMalaysia Bhd has partnered with 10000StartupsIndia and Malaysian-based Foodie Box Group to kickstart a nanotechnology commercialisation initiative involving local start-up and SME partners.

The collaboration is expected to accelerate and scale-up more than 1,000 India based start-ups, small medium enterprises (SMEs) and micro SMEs.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/2021...mercialisation

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AirAsia partners with MaGIC to explore urban drone deliveries
Wong Ee Lin March 06, 2021 12:24 pm +08

KUALA LUMPUR (March 6): AirAsia Group Bhd, via its logistics arm Teleport, is partnering with the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (MaGIC) — the lead secretariat of the National Technology and Innovation Sandbox (NTIS) — to launch the Urban Drone Delivery Sandbox and develop long-term viability of urban drone delivery services.

In a statement today, the low-cost carrier said the pilot project for the delivery of goods from AirAsia’s e-commerce platforms including airasia shop using automated drones is set to be carried out via a six-month phased approach at the third NTIS test site in Cyberjaya.

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/artic...one-deliveries

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Global Drone Services Provider
Aerodyne, which received RM20 million investment capital from the Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) via the latter’s wholly-owned VentureTECH Sdn Bhd, is now the world’s third-best drone services firm.


@ Cyberjaya

https://www.droneii.com/report-drone...r-ranking-2019

Celcom to co-develop 5G drone tech for smart cities and agritech
By Joe Devanesan | 31 July, 2020

• Drone maker Aerodyne and Malaysian telecoms company Celcom have signed an MoU
• The partnership will see them co-develop solutions for the smart city and smart agriculture markets

https://techwireasia.com/2020/07/cel...-and-agritech/

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Petronas inks MoU with Microsoft to advance digital transformation
By Azanis Shahila Aman
April 27, 2021 @ 3:16pm

KUALA LUMPUR: Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and Microsoft Corp are advancing digital transformation across the public and private sectors.

Both companies inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to focus on the key areas of digital foundation, comprising talents' digital upskilling and infrastructure readiness.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/2021...transformation

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MOSTI begins vaccine tracing project using blockchain tech
Bernama March 03, 2021 01:06 am +08

KUALA LUMPUR, (March 2): The Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (MOSTI) and MIMOS Bhd, with the assistance of the Health Ministry, have begun a vaccine tracing project utilising blockchain technology at the proof-of-concept stage.

Its Deputy Minister Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim said vaccine tracing can be used not only for the Covid-19 vaccine, but also for other vaccines or medication in Malaysia.

"It will begin today with a series for each medication, with tracing done from the manufacturer until the supply chain and to the doctor who dispenses the medication and the individual who receives it.

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/artic...lockchain-tech

Covid-19 vaccine order exceeds 108% of Malaysia’s population
Bernama March 04, 2021 02:10 am +08
https://www.theedgemarkets.com/artic...ias-population

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Aerodyne and Kiwitech Join Forces in Transforming City Surveillance
By Press- 30 March 2021

CYBERJAYA, 30 March 2021 – Aerodyne Group, a DT3 (Drone Tech, Data Tech, and Digital Transformation) drone-based enterprise solutions provider and Kiwitech have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on transforming cities through Smart Surveillance.

This strategic partnership was driven by the need to leverage on Aerodyne’s capability in aerial intelligence, and Kiwitech’s existing strategic surveillance assets in 25 Malaysian cities. To date, Kiwitech owns 538 CCTV poles and 50 control centres nationwide. Aerodyne employs over 450 drone professionals and operates on an unprecedented level in the UAS services sector, having managed more than 320,000 infrastructure assets with 110,000 flight operations and managing over 120,000 km of power infrastructure across 35 countries globally.

The Aerodyne and Kiwitech strategic partnership is geared to support the implementation of Kiwitech’s Smart City Program with the local councils in 25 Malaysian cities for the next 3 years.

https://www.suasnews.com/2021/03/aer...illance/?amp=1

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Malaysia's first halal food delivery app 'Ode Jee' eyeing nationwide expansion
By T.N.Alagesh March 23, 2021 @ 10:07am

KUANTAN: Ode Jee, the country's first halal food delivery application, has set its sights on expanding its services across the country by the end of this year.

After starting operations in Johor last month, Ode Jee which will begin servicing vendors of various halal food and beverages in the east coast starting next month targets five million downloads by consumers in stages.

Ode Jee chief executive officer Yussaini Ali said next month the services will cater for consumers in Kuantan, Kuala Terengganu and Kota Baru followed by the Klang Valley, the northern states and West Malaysia by year end.

"Since its unofficial launch in January, the company has some 300 registered vendors who signed up through the application. We target at least 3,000 vendors to register in Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan, and aim for five million users nationwide in stages.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2...ing-nationwide

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TFP Solutions to provide fintech services to 12,000 Muslim restaurants
By Azanis Shahila Aman - April 20, 2021 @ 8:38pm

KUALA LUMPUR: TFP Solutions Bhd, through 80 per cent-owned OneCENT Sdn Bhd, has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Persatuan Pengusaha Restoran Muslim Malaysia (Presma) to provide fintech services.

TFP Solutions group executive director Datuk Indera Puteri Munawarah Syammiyah Munir said OneCent would provide a complete digital customer loyalty ecosystem to a total of 4,500 members and 12,000 restaurants under Presma.

The 40,000 foreign workers employed by the restaurants would also be provided with the OneCALL Mobile FinTech for their use, said Indera Puteri.

"OneCALL Mobile FinTech sim card comes with an approved e-Wallet powered by MobilityOne that can support employee salary disbursement via SmartHR & Payroll system.

"This system will provide convenience of bill payments, purchase prepaid top-up, subscribe data plan and the exciting part is, workers can send money back home to their families using OTR (OneTransfer Remittance)," she said.

Presma president Datuk Jawahar Ali said the association aims to upgrade the "digital capacity" of its Indian Muslim restaurant members, in line with the government's objective to get all businesses adopt cashless transactions by 2022.

Jawahar said Presma aimed to be a role model to all other restaurants to go digital, in line with the government's MyDigital aspiration.

"We will transform our members and their employees by adopting a FinTech lifestyle by enlisting them in OneCENT's digital community, which offers a holistic lifestyle ecosystem with spending rebates that are shared within the group," he said.

TFP Solution expects the collaboration to further solidify itss position as one of the leading FinTech solution providers in Malaysia that focuses on the B40/rural population, petty traders, and underserved business communities.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/2021...im-restaurants

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Techna-X inks deal with industry experts to develop EV drivetrain system
By NST Business - April 21, 2021 @ 6:18pm

KUALA LUMPUR: Techna-X Bhd has entered into an electric vehicle(EV) market with development of a low voltage drive system.

The company via its subsidiary HK Aerospace Beidou New Energy Industry Technology Co Ltd (HKAB) today signed a joint venture (JV) agreement with Monika Mikac and Igor Pongrac, former co-founders of Rimac Automobili, a technology powerhouse in electrical hypercars together with Nordin Catic, a materials specialist and Benjamin Bozic, an electronic systems design expert.

The joint venture company has been registered as E-Rex d.o.o. (E-Rex). Techna-X will own 51 per cent equity of E-Rex while the co-founders will hold the remaining 49 per cent, Techna-X in a statement said.

According to Techna-X, E-Rex will initially focus on the development of a low voltage powertrain suitable for low voltage electric vehicle passenger cars and commercial vehicles up to 2.5 turbo, which currently using battery with 250 and 800 V voltage range for drivetrain.

This will include the design and development of key low voltage drive system (LVDS) components, that are suitable for small vehicles of low speed and power, industrial machines, forklifts, small boats and other commercial applications, it said.

Techna-X executive director Datuk Jared Lim said the company is excited to have these partners who are considered pioneers in the EV industry.

Given what they have achieved with Rimac Automobili in the supercar EV space, the company will be able to leverage on their experience and expertise to revolutionise the industry by developing a low voltage system, said Lim.

"There will be tremendous synergies with our ultra capacitor and super battery technologies.

"Together with our partners, our aim is to have E-Rex develop electric mobility solutions for new EV technologies. Our LVDS will be designed and patented by us where we will partner with or license to manufacturers of EV", said Lim.

E-Rex will develop systems for electric mobility that are competitive in price and performance to existing solutions in the market, and other solutions related to electric mobility including battery management system, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and big data, that are suitable for commercial applications.

Lim said this powertrain will be competitive in price and performance compared to vehicles powered by internal combustion engines.

He said other areas that the company will cover include the development of ADAS with high accuracy only using camera, big data applied for ADAS and battery analytics and battery development with laboratory services.

"Companies will have to learn how to store the data properly and then extract relevant information.

"E-Rex will be a key player in providing electric mobility solutions and aims to capture the EV market in Asia," added Lim.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/2021...vetrain-system

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MYSA eyes RM3.2 bil GDP contribution from space sector via NSP 2030
By Bernama - April 21, 2021 @ 3:28pm

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA) has set a target for the national space sector to contribute about 0.3 per cent or RM3.2 billion to the country's gross domestic product (GDP) and create up to 5,000 jobs within the next 10 years via the National Space Policy (NSP) 2030.

"We are also targeting our space sector to become the top three in research and development in Southeast Asia with 50 per cent self-reliance in space technology by 2030," director-general Azlikamil Napiah said in a webinar entitled "Satellite Communications and the Next Stage of Malaysia's Digital Transformation" today.

He said the NSP 2030, which was launched in 2019, is now in the process of developing two clusters, namely the user segment, which focused on systems, demand creation, expert share and open data; and the ground segment, which includes network services and data acquisition programming.

"We have yet to establish the other two clusters in the space exploration programme which are the space segment and continuation of the knowledge segment," he said.

Azlikamil said to date, the agency has developed close to 40 application systems based on space technology development to provide solutions to problems in various sectors such as disaster management, environmental health, natural resources management, and security and defence.

"It is still not enough for us to provide solutions to many existing problems in multiple sectors. By 2030, we set the target to reach at least 90 application systems that will benefit around 110 agencies and government departments.

"We are also looking into how satellite communication can facilitate the operation of the application system throughout the country, as well as the impact of the application system to users and public at large," he added.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/2021...ector-nsp-2030

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TM ONE inks cybersecurity deal with Spain's Telefónica Tech
By NST Business - April 21, 2021 @ 2:44pm



Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM), via its enterprise and public sector business solutions arm, TM ONE, recently signed a master service agreement (MSA) with Spanish multinational telecommunications company Telefónica Tech, through Telefónica Global Solutions.

KUALA LUMPUR: Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM), via its enterprise and public sector business solutions arm, TM ONE, recently signed a master service agreement (MSA) with Spanish multinational telecommunications company Telefónica Tech, through Telefónica Global Solutions.

The partnership aims to strengthen its digital infrastructure solutions which enables TM ONE to offer global cybersecurity solutions for the Malaysian enterprises and public sector against cyber threats.

TM ONE executive vice president and chief executive officer Ahmad Taufek Omar said as part of TM Group, the company continuously strengthen its digital infrastructure to further facilitate the adoption of digital technologies, leveraging on cloud and cybersecurity.

"This will enable us to offer end-to-end products and solutions that enhance digital lifestyle and provide complete business solutions.

With TM ONE's cybersecurity services and solutions (CYDEC), the company is well primed to empower and accelerate the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (MyDigital) agenda and provide cyber resiliency through connectivity, cloud, data centres and cybersecurity," he said in a statement today.

The MSA was signed by Ahmad and Telefónica Global Solutions chief executive officer Julio Beamonte.

The MSA will enable TM ONE to further develop and implement a global cybersecurity strategy for Malaysian market.

Telefónica Tech will provide consultancy to support and build a holistic cybersecurity program for the development of TM ONE Global Cyber Security Operations Centre (G-CSOC).

This includes training in cybersecurity services to increase the digital intelligence and skillset of its local workforce.

TM ONE CYDEC is a fully managed security services provider (MSSP) that offers real-time visibility via predictive protection across private and public networks.

This is provided by G-CSOC, an around-the-clock monitoring centre of cyber threats with active cyber defence (ACD) and global cyber threat intelligence (CTI).

It is a complete suite of security services that brings multiple benefits including protection of brand and reputation, online fraud and minimize business disruptions.

"The accelerated business digital transformation comes with its accompanying cybersecurity risk and vulnerabilities.

"Organisations need to protect and safeguard their business, customer data and brand reputation from cybercriminals. So it is essential for organizations to understand their capability and capacity to detect and respond to a cyberattack.

"They need to have the right tools, process and, above all the people which refers to a team of cyber-intelligence experts or security analysts ready at all times," Ahmad Taufek said.

Meanwhile, Julio said this project affirms the company's commitment to its customers, providing them with the best quality services anywhere in the world, thus contributing to strengthening their leadership in the markets where they operate and improving their offer to their customers.

TM ONE CYDEC includes professional services such as consulting and advisory services to help enterprises and public sector determine their cybersecurity strategy.

Adopting renowned frameworks such as MITRE adversarial tactics, techniques and common knowledge (ATT&CK) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), CYDEC offers a complete and holistic view of an organisation's security landscape that delivers the ability to detect, prevent, respond and recover to cyber threats effectively.

With CYDEC, organisations can effortlessly ensure that in-house information technology (IT) resources can focus on the core business.

By leveraging CYDEC's pool of security professionals and comprehensive cybersecurity solutions, organisations can allocate more time and resources to their internal team, enabling sustained focus on business-critical areas, such as data security, identity monitoring and internal threat hunting across systems.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/2021...C3%B3nica-tech

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ARB Bhd's tops 2020 Asia Pacific Technology Fast 500 index
By NST Business - April 21, 2021 @ 12:31pm

KUALA LUMPUR: Main Market-listed ARB Bhd is the top company in the Southeast Asia region in Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd (DTTL)'s 2020 Asia Pacific Technology Fast 500 index.

This was based on the 2020 Asia Pacific Technology Fast 500 index that was recently released by DTTL.

ARB executive director Datuk Sri Larry Liew Kok Leong said being recognised as the top company in the Southeast Asia region under Deloitte Touche's list is a reflection of the proactive measures and innovation undertaken by the group especially during a year impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We can see from the list that only eight of the Southeast Asia companies made it to the list. It also shows the competition that we are facing in the Asia Pacific region.

"Nonetheless, I'm proud of the hard work put in by the group in our transformation to grow both our topline and bottom line over the last three years as we shift our focus into our information technology (IT) and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions," Larry said in a statement today.

The index is an annual ranking of the fastest-growing Asia Pacific companies in the hardware, software, communications, media, life sciences and clean technology industries.

Awardees are selected for the Technology Fast 500 ranking based on their percentage of fiscal year revenue growth over three years.

ARB beats an Indonesian company, five Singapore-based companies and another Malaysian company to top the list in Southeast Asia region with 799 per cent growth rate over three years.

ARB's growth rate also surpassed the average revenue growth of 551 per cent of the top 500 companies in Technology Fast 500 this year.

The company is also among only two Malaysian companies who made it to the index while only eight Southeast Asian companies are on the list.

Further, the company has seen its revenue jumped by 114 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to RM219.45 million from RM102.64 million for the financial year ended December 31, 2020 (FY20) while net profit has also seen a sharp increase of 25 per cent to RM43.46 million from RM34.77 million during the same period.

This was despite the negative impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the domestic economy that has led to a gross domestic product (GDP) contract by 5.6 per cent in 2020.

ARB has two core main business namely enterprise resource planning (ERP) and IoT.

"We expect to see our ERP and IoT segments continue to drive strong growth for the company.

"Since the outbreak of the Covid-19, businesses have opted for cloud-computing services as part of the measures to navigate their business operations to adapt to the new norm of working from home," Larry said.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/2021...fast-500-index

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Globetronics embarks on RM50.2mil expansion
By Ayisy Yusof - April 21, 2021 @ 11:39am

KUALA LUMPUR: Globetronics Techology Bhd (GTB) will allocate RM50.2 million to establish a cloud-based platform through the adoption of Industry 4.0 processes in their high volume mass production operations.

The miniaturised optical sensors manufacturer said the expansion will incorporate artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics and extended reality (AR+VR) into their end-to-end intelligent supply chain and manufacturing.

This will enable higher levels of customisation, reduction of cycle times and superior quality traceability for a diversified product portfolio and dynamic customer needs.

GTB said the move towards integrating intelligence into the company's machines and business processes is timely in addressing the non-skilled labour acquisition challenges as well as increasing the resilience in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The implementation of automation to its processes will also help GTB to focus on high revenue generation activities such as predictive and prescriptive data to maximise machine operations.

The initiative maps the path for the company's 'Lights Off' factory within the next five years.

Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) chief executive officer Arham Abdul Rahman said GTB's expansion will pave the way for enhancement in productivity, job creation and deepening the Malaysians skill set by leveraging on technology and emerging AI capabilities.

This was in line with the government's aspiration to spearhead rapid digital transformation in the manufacturing sector.

"The introduction of Industry4WRD policy, served as a strategic direction for Malaysia to fully embrace Industry 4.0, including smart manufacturing and smart cities, smart grids, as well as smart solutions.

"While digitalisation is the antidote for business survival and growth in innovation-led value creation, GTB's Industry 4.0 adoption will complement the electrical and electronics industry by producing advanced semiconductor photonic products through the utilisation of autonomous robots and smart manufacturing", he said in a statement.

GTB's IR4.0 transformation focuses on workforce transformation, reimagining manufacturing and workforce training via extended reality.

The company's ER technology will bridge the gap between the digital and physical world by superimposing live-streamed images with its extensive database of machines learnt data from research and development as well as manufacturing phases.

The new recharacterising of GTB's manufacturing processes will be the testbed to proliferate and intensify the use of big data across its end-to-end supply chain and manufacturing system.

The workforce transformation will position the company to be the front runner in Malaysia in establishing a data-driven culture and hub to attract data science talents, locally and globally.

The expansion would also demonstrate GTB's commitment to continually invest in emerging technologies that are critical to support the constantly evolving landscape to ensure its business sustainability.

GTB's new platform is set to gear up for exciting next generation semiconductor wafer-level packaging technology including the 2.5D, where the stacking of dies will be replaced by flip-chip on a silicon interposer.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/2021...2mil-expansion

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AirAsia extends financial services via airasia money
By Ayisy Yusof - April 23, 2021 @ 12:00pm



AirAsia Group Bhd has partnered RinggitPlus to expand its financial services via airasia money, tapping on its existing 65 million customers to drive financial inclusion in Asean.

KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Group Bhd has partnered RinggitPlus to expand its financial services via airasia money, tapping on its existing 65 million customers to drive financial inclusion in Asean.

AirAsia group chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes said the low-cost carrier continues disrupting the industry and partnering with RinggitPlus to kickstart the financial marketplace.

"This allows us to offer greater and more affordable access to financial products and services. The financial marketplace will be integrated under AirAsia super app.

"airasia money will be the one-stop financial center for all our customer's needs, starting with Malaysia and followed by other Asean countries, including Indonesia by the second quarter of 2021, the Philippines (third quarter) and Thailand (fourth quarter)," he said at a press conference after launching airasia money here today.

Fernandes said airasia money serves as an aggregator, bringing the best-matched options for customer's needs while helping them finance or achieve them.

The platform will focus on the current needs with options for financial solutions, awareness, and education.

"Customers can access the platform for the best personal finance news, information, guidance and make the best choices for their immediate needs," he said.

airasia money currently offers credit card and personal loans in partnership with RinggitPlus.

It will also introduce comparisons of financial products and solutions like insurance, investments, financial awareness and education, payments, as well as Islamic financial products and services.

The marketplace is modular and scalable through tactical partnerships and collaboration with other financial technology (fintech) players.

airasia money head Mohamad Hafidz Mohd Fadzil said airasia money would be responsible for payments innovation and technology for AirAsia group, driving a seamless user experience and making online payments invisible.

"Financial marketplace is our new consumer fintech offering within our airasia super app that gives our banked and underbanked customers a comparison of bite-sized financial solutions.

"With strategic partners like RinggitPlus, we provide safe, customer-centric solutions tailored just for you," he said.

Mohamad Hafidz said airasia money is also expected to launch in Singapore in early next year.

"However, it is highly regulated and it is a very mature market. We will work with the emerging markets first," he said.

Comparison of other financial products and solutions will be introduced soon.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/2021...-airasia-money

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XOX chooses Webex Contact Centre solution to enhance contact centre service offering
By NST Business - April 23, 2021 @ 5:56pm



XOX Bhd and MLabs Systems Bhd today inked a supply and installation agreement (SIA) for the implementation of Malaysia’s and Asean's first remote cloud-based contact centre powered by Cisco’s Webex.

KUALA LUMPUR: XOX Bhd and MLabs Systems Bhd today inked a supply and installation agreement (SIA) for the implementation of Malaysia's and Asean's first remote cloud-based contact centre powered by Cisco's Webex.

The Webex Contact Centre solution will enable a more efficient, effective, and inclusive remote work experience for XOX's contact centre team to deliver support to its 2.5 million customers and 20,000 dealers nationwide.

XOX group chief executive officer Ng Kok Heng said in tandem with the growth of users in the company's ecosystem, XOX needs a robust system that has the capability to cope with its expansion demands.

"Cisco's Webex Contact Centre solution offers greater cost efficiency for our contact centre to solve the ever-increasing customers' demand.

"Most importantly, it allows us to be operationally flexible, adapting to the new normal," said Ng in a statement.

Implementing the system also opens up more job opportunities for those who seek to work from home as an option while opening up opportunities for single parents or people with physical disabilities to have an equal chance to be hired.

Ng said the Webex Contact Centre solution allows the company to access a wider pool of talents.

"Last year, XOX succeeded in creating more than 20,000 jobs for Malaysians through Dealer Affiliate Program, and we need support teams to cater to our users.

"XOX remains committed in seeking innovative technologies in our working environment as per the country's digital aspirations," he said.

Meanwhile, MLabs research deputy general manager Will Phua said the company is fully committed to strengthening its client's business digitalisation capabilities.

"This cloud-based solution is designed to be an open, extensible, and customisable platform which provides XOX the flexibility to integrate with future customer relationship management (CRM) applications and scale to keep up with their business future needs," said Phua.

The AI-powered digital solution powered by Cisco's Webex enables enriched customer engagement experiences between businesses and their customers.

The Webex Contact Centre solution dynamically predicts each customer's needs and matches that need with the best agent, improving performance, first contact resolution, and customer satisfaction.

The solution also offers an omnichannel feature that allows the agents to attend multiple customers via phone call, text chat, and email simultaneously without forgoing service quality and breakage.

MLabs has been assigned to replace and transform XOX's existing contact centre system in stages with Webex Contact Centre solution utilising the latest intelligent system to improve the agent service deliveries and customer outcome satisfaction.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/2021...centre-service

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SMART, IBM collaborate to future-proof manufacturing operations
By NST Business May 4, 2021 @ 3:29pm



Smart Modular Technologies Sdn Bhd general manager Vejay Kumar and IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd managing director Catherine Lian at the signing ceremony.

KUALA LUMPUR: Smart Modular Technologies Sdn Bhd (Smart) has collaborated with IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd to transform its manufacturing facility operations into the Industry 4.0 agenda.

Smart will deploy IBM Maximo Visual Inspection integrated with AI-powered collaborative robots (Cobots) to develop manufacturing solutions while empowering its workforce with the latest technology skills.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/2021...ing-operations

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Time dotCom embarking on multi-cloud growth strategy via subsidiary AVM Cloud
By NST Business May 4, 2021 @ 2:38pm



Time dotCom Berhad executive vice president (enterprise division) Kit Au (left) and AVM Cloud Sdn Bhd chief strategy officer Srinivas Rao working together to expand the group’s customer base through a multi-cloud growth strategy.

KUALA LUMPUR: Time dotCom Bhd (TIME), through its subsidiary AVM Cloud Sdn Bhd (AVM), is embarking on a multi-cloud strategy to further grow its enterprise division's customer base.

TIME executive vice president, enterprise division Kit Au said the future of cloud computing lies in the use of multi-cloud architectures, which in essence comprises multiple cloud computing and storage services in a single network architecture.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/2021...iary-avm-cloud

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Boustead, Next Gen to develop algae plantation, produce carbon neutral crude algae oil
By Azanis Shahila Aman April 19, 2021 @ 5:34pm

KUALA LUMPUR: Boustead Holdings Bhd, together with Next Generation Oil Sdn Bhd, is developing a new ecosystem with renewable algae biofuel technology.

Boustead group managing director Datuk Seri Mohammed Shazalli Ramly said they would develop algae plantation and produce carbon neutral crude algae oil that would result in a reduction of greenhouse gas emitted by traditional fossil fuels.

https://www.nst.com.my/business/2021...-neutral-crude