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Adobe Research Reveals: Time To Get Personal

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Adobe announced a new research in October 2022 that revealed the growing importance of brands understanding customers at a personal level and interacting with them as individuals, in real time. How are the consumer market sentiments, trends and styles changing in this modern era of social media and internet driven environment that we live in? How do all these trends, sentiments, trends and styles differ across different countries and regions? The key takeaway from Adobe Research reveals: Time to get personal.

Singapore Market

For the Singapore market, the majority (88%) of consumers in Singapore want to be treated as an individual with unique interests and preferences, with almost 2/3 of consumers (65%) saying they feel negatively towards brands that interact with them based on broad assumptions and labels, including age-based stereotypes such as “Millennial” and “Gen-Z”.

Asia Pacific Market

Across Asia Pacific, customers are calling on brands to demonstrate that they know them, show them, and will help them in the moments that matter – not once, but all the time,” said Duncan Egan, Vice President of Marketing, Adobe Asia Pacific and Japan. “To meet that standard, brands need to unlock preferences in real-time through customer data, and use it to deliver relevant interactions and content at the right moment. Scaling that across up to millions of customers is the next step.”

Adobe’s research shows the emergence of a new consumer that is not defined by age, that refuses to be stereotyped, and expects to be understood as the unique person they are today. For brands and organisations seeking to meet the modern consumer’s new expectations, they must ensure that they are equipped with the latest customer data platform technologies, whereby they can create a complete single view of every customer capable of delivering personalised experiences in real-time.

Time to get personal

The Adobe survey of 5,000 APAC consumers (2,000 Australians, 2,000 Indians and 1,000 Singaporeans) reveals 3x as many APAC consumers feel closer to people who share their passions and interests (62%) than those of a similar demographic (19%). The vast majority (86%) of consumers want to be seen and treated as individuals based on their unique interests and preferences.

Singaporeans feel strongly about this, with more than one-quarter (28%) rejecting the stereotypes of their generation and 88% wanting to be seen and treated as an individual.

Individuality is key

Individuality is a key factor in today’s climate. Consumers today have high expectations for the brands they are engaging with – they expect brands to see them as unique people, keep up with their changing habits and interests, and respect their privacy preferences. Almost 2/3 of Singaporeans (65%) now expect businesses to have a clear understanding of who they are as individuals, and only contact them with information relevant to what they are interested in at any given moment. 65% of Singaporean consumers, the same proportion think negatively of brands that use broad assumptions and stereotypes to engage them.

73% of Singaporean consumers, almost 3/4 say they expect personalised experiences from brands they share data with, with 65% wanting real-time offers relevant to them. However, more than 27% of Singaporeans, a quarter of them say brands are not doing this well or are inconsistent in their efforts to keep up with their personal preferences. Regular efforts to engage consumers with bespoke offers related to their current interests is of the highest importance – more than 4x as many people want frequent, thoughtful gestures (70%) over bigger one-off moments (15%).

Change is the only Constant

Change is the only Constant holds true, it’s getting faster in recent years. Adobe found out that consumer preferences and tastes are constantly evolving, reinforcing the need for brands to move away from simple groupings based on age or other fixed demographic factors. The consumers’ collective experiences over recent years and months has only added to that rate of change.

Most consumers across Asia Pacific se themselves and their peer group differently from how they were pre-pandemic , and 79% have adjusted their preferences and tastes even further in the past three months. The average person takes on a new interest or hobby 6x a year, rising to 10x a year for people under the age of 25.

To understand Singapore market better, brands need to take note on their ability to keep pace with them because this is a significant expectation for Singaporean consumers. In the survey, 60% of Singaporeans responded that they have changed their favourite brands as their tastes and financial situation has changed. Real-time visibility and delivering experiences in line with emerging preferences is vital to keeping even the most loyal customers on side.

Meeting consumers where they are

Adobe Real-Time CDP empowers brands to continually meet members of this new generation where they are. This customer data platform allows organisations view and manage customer profiles, make updates in real-time, and activate customer insights through Adobe Experience Cloud applications across the entire customer journey.

Experiencing Adobe Digital Experience at Adobe Experience Makers

My experiences with Adobe is mostly at Adobe’s Creative Suite side of things, as my photography (business and personal) and my content creation are key areas of my business services. I would be sharing about Adobe MAX on my TGH Photography and Travel portal/blog.

Experiencing Adobe Digital Experience at Adobe Experience Makers, I was introduced to Adobe’s business market segments. From a technology writer, digital marketer and formerly from a local small medium business (SMB) background, I am able to relate and understand digital transformation for businesses and organisations.

Attending Adobe Experience Makers allowed me to hear first hand real life case studies of businesses from both local and regional, on their digital transformation journey and engagements with their customers. Digital transformation and SMB related topics are areas of interest in my technology and business topics coverage.

Understanding your market, consumer behaviour, sentiments, trends and styles are crucial especially in this fast paced ever changing social media and internet driven world. Businesses and organisations also need a holistic digital platform that would allow them to cater and handle digital transformation, not just for themselves, they would make the engagement with their consumers a better experience for all.

Whether you are a business owner, management staff, IT head/lead or handling digital marketing, a new age of digital transformation is ushering a new transformation and change in a constantly changing digital world that is changing faster than before. Having a solid digital experience platform and diverse suite of digital services and tools are a must have for your businesses and organisations.

The time is now for businesses and organisations to embark on your Digital Transformation 2.0  or maybe even Digital Transformation 3.0, and transform your workplace digital experiences for a new Future of Work, if you haven’t done so.

Adobe Digital Experience

For business organisations and institutions that are exploring new holistic digital experiences for your organisation and how you can go about implementing or transforming your current digital experiences, you can visit Adobe website https://www.adobe.com/sea/ and learn more about how Adobe is changing the world through its digital experiences.

* Information courtesy of Adobe and WE Communications *

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Updates and Thoughts – 15th November 2022

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We are halfway through the month of November 2022, getting nearer to the end of year 2022. My last updates were in September, on this website, followed by my month of October articles: reflecting Q3 2022 and plans for Q4 2022 (technology/other business and personal) and reflecting Q3 2022 and plans for Q4 2022 (photography and travel). A month has passed, here’s another updates and thoughts – 15th November 2022.

There are a number of updates, thoughts and feelings on my mind right now, it’s not going to be everything written and published below, just selective and focusing on the bigger news/stuff that I am working on or taking place right now.

Twitter Saga

If you are on the Twitter platform, you would have already knew about the ongoing Twitter saga under a new ownership and Twitter users are now facing a lot of uncertainties and challenges ahead.

I started my journey on Twitter in June 2009, it had been a great platform for me to know creative folks from various genres, from photography, writing, filmmaking etc etc, to technology and business networks as well.

That’s a number of stuff, thoughts and feelings going through my mind now. Initially, I wanted to write and publish them early, however after chatting with Fernando Gros on Twitter (he’s someone whom I respect a lot, a huge inspiration to me especially in my writing and unlocking my creativity), I decided to hold back first, let me observe and follow the developments and changes on Twitter before I summarise my thoughts, feelings and future plans down the road in a separate article.

Oh yes, do follow me on Twitter! Here’s my profile – https://twitter.com/tangenghui

New WFH workstation configuration setup

My Apple MacBook Pro (MBP) 15” Early 2013 laptop is coming to a 10 years usage lifespan pretty soon in 2023. Therefore, I have to make adjustments to my workflow setup by adding a 2nd hand Apple iMac 21.5 2017 to my workstation setup (and I have been wanting a desktop computer too), not just as a backup computer, it’s also another work computer too.

My case + keyboard for my Apple iPad Air 3 has also deteriorated, the case was peeling off and rubber components breaking off, the keyboard was also a goner. With recent concern from others on my iPad Air 3 that looked terribly bad, I decided to look for a new keyboard case and I managed to get a good condition used Logitech Slim Combo Touch keyboard case for Apple iPad Air 3.

This is my new WFH workstation configuration setup for now, adding more accessories to my WFH workstation configuration setup, as well as my remote working setup. In the pipeline, a new MBP 14” with the M1 Pro chip is on the cards for Q1 or Q2 2023. I have pushed my 2013 MBP 15” for a solid 10 years, the time is now to get a replacement.

Ongoing discussions for photography business collaborations / projects

I decided to write and share some quick update for my TGH Photography business segment here, there are ongoing discussions for my photography business collaborations / projects, that would not just encompass photography, my visual story telling and videography would be coming into play as well.

New / Second photography zine would soon be officially announced and launched

Yes, finally finally, I am going to write and publish an article to officially announce the launch of my second photography zine. I am trying to get some photographs of my final 3rd mock up zine in a suitable setup/surrounding that I can use inside my article. If you like to know more about my 2nd photography zine, more information can be found inside this article!

Keep a look out for my announcement on my TGH Photography and Travel portal/blog!

Why am I posting lesser on my technology and business portal/blog?

I am not going to lie, I am posting lesser on my TGH Technology and Business portal/blog, it’s getting more challenging to strike a balance finding revenue for my business while maintaining media news coverage (non-paid).

Would I be able to handle more technology brands (consumer and enterprise) media coverage news down the road? I am not too sure yet, on the other hand, I am planning to work on a few areas that I am more interested in.

Anything happening in the final Q4 2022?

Is there anything exciting or happening in my final Q4 2022? I don’t know yet and I don’t think so, as I am keeping a low profile even though you will see tweeting away on Twitter a lot more than you can imagine. I just don’t show and share as much on social media with pictures.

Thank you for your support! Stay tuned for more updates!

I would like to sincerely thank everyone reading for your support! Stay tuned for more updates, let’s see where my final sprint in Q4 2022 would lead me to at the end of Year 2022 and my start to a brand new year 2023!

Business, Dreams, Essential Planning, Goals, Information Technology, Life Experiences, Personal Stories, Social Media, Team Development, Training and Development

Blue Prism World 2022 APAC in Singapore

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SS&C Blue Prism, a global leader in intelligent automation, held its first APAC conference, Blue Prism World 2022 APAC in Singapore on 6th July 2022. An informative, enriching, networking and eye opener conference held in Singapore, sharing knowledge, tips and business operations experiences, to empower and reimagine the future with Robotic Process Automation (RPA) and Intelligent Automation (IA) in Asia Pacific.

Blue Prism World 2022 APAC in Singapore conference was held in a hybrid format, with 130 in-person attendance and over 300 virtual attendees across Asia Pacific (APAC) in senior leadership roles from critical industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and financial services. The conference gave rise to panel discussions and sharing sessions on the opportunities, latest trends and innovative use cases of RPA and IA. The conference welcomed speakers from major corporations such as Schroders, Advantest, National Australia Bank, and Air New Zealand, that shared how RPA and IA solutions are transforming their business operations.

“It is heartening to witness technology leaders in automation, innovation, and digital transformation share their perspectives and innovative ways of unlocking the potential of automation technologies. To construct agile enterprises of the future, we need to harness the collaborative power of people and intelligent automation. At SS&C Blue Prism, we are committed to offering best-in-class services for our customers to increase their capabilities and competitiveness,” said Sunny Saha, Chief Operating Officer, APAC, SS&C Blue Prism.

Future of Work and Digital Transformation via RPA and IA

In a post-pandemic world, a new future of work is upon us. How does the future of work and digital transformation via RPA and IA, help APAC businesses? At the Blue Prism World APAC 2022  in Singapore conference, there are a number of experiences, examples and sharing rom this conference, one noteworthy takeaway is that automation is the one of the biggest drivers of overall organisational productivity and also plays a strategic role in digital and business transformations.

Winners of Customers Excellence Awards

The winners of the annual Blue Prism Customer Excellence Awards were also announced at the conference, for outstanding innovation and transformational use of Blue Prism RPA and IA solutions.

Award winners from APAC include:

  • Head of Intelligent Automation of the Year: Steve Blunt, The University of Sydney
  • Total Transformation APAC: Westpac Banking Corporation
  • Innovation Excellence APAC: Midland Credit Management
  • ROM Excellence APAC: Shell PLC
  • Pinnacle Award: Exec’s Choice APAC: Westpac Banking Corporation

What exactly does SS&C Blue Prism do?

SS&C Blue Prism provides leading enterprise intelligent automation technology worldwide. They empower customers to reimagine how work gets done with a secure and scalable intelligent digital workforce. In a modern era and a new future of work, the world is moving towards a digital workforce, that would increase efficiency, reduces operating costs and returns millions of hours to the employees to focus on the things that matter most to them.

Beyond enterprise business technology solutions provision, they are into Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities too. As part of its ongoing CSR commitments, SS&C Blue Prism had pledged to donate £25 (S$36) for each in-person attendee and £5 (S$7) for each virtual attendee to the International Rescue Committee.

Personal key takeaways, thoughts and views from Blue Prism World APAC 2022 in Singapore

Attending Blue Prism World APAC 2022 was a good experience for me, learning more about RPA and IA, in a modern era of work, digital transformation and a new future of work dawning upon us.  This was also one of my first few B2B / Enterprise technology events that I attended in-person  as safe management measures were gradually eased since the global pandemic situation that disrupted our work and living over the past two and a half years.

The sharing sessions from the panel discussions by various business organisations across different industries gave insights into how things had transformed for their organisation with RPA and IA.

Beyond the business and technology sharing sessions, there was a particular session by a speaker, Ms. Wong Su-Yen on “Transforming to Win in Future of Work”, that left a deep impression on me. The Future is Now – 4 things to do:

  • Challenge assumptions
  • Learn, Unlearn, Relearn
  • Stay the Course
  • Dare to Try

Her amazing sharing and experiences would definitely left some lasting impacts and impressions to the attendees in both physical and virtual attendance, as SS&C Blue Prism 2022 APAC in Singapore navigates and leads the digital transformation journey through RPA and IA for businesses.

Coming from a small business owner perspective (as a sole-proprietorship business owner in photography services), being tech savvy and understanding technology are not enough, how would RPA and IA help me in my particular business sector? As well as a digital marketer and content creator role in a digital agency setup?

Coming from a technology writer/editor (in both consumer and enterprise sectors) and content creator/digital marketer perspective, with working experiences from various industries, from hospitality operations to financial advisory services, to a few years of experiences working in small and medium business (SMB) sector. Digital transformation had been on my radar in recent years as I started to cover on enterprise/business sectors, not just from Singapore’s economic push and quest in digital transformation, also from my own personal business operations experience in an SMB that continues my coverage of enterprise/B2B technology developments and macro level economic and business news in Singapore and around the world.

My personal opinions are that the SMB sectors in Singapore are still not fully onboard the digital transformation journey, not only are they underserved by technology providers, they also don’t have the necessary and adequate trained technology people to lead the digital transformation change.

Digital transformation via RPA and IA is an area that I feel would greatly help SMB sectors in their digital transformation journey. This would be an area that I hope to explore and share further down the road.

If you are a business owner, or the CTO or IT lead in charge of the IT and digital transformation for your company, and would like to know more about SS&C Blue Prism, please visit their website and find out more about them.

If you like to know more about the full list of speakers at Blue Prism World 2022 APAC in Singapore, please visit this link and find out more about them.

* Information courtesy of SS&C Blue Prism and WE Communications *

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Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG) 2022

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Asia’s flagship technology event, Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG) 2022 took place from 31st May to 3rd June 2022 in Singapore. A return back to face-to-face exhibitions/conferences/events, it was great to be able to attend ATxSG technology conferences/exhibitions again (CommunicAsia, BroadcastAsia).

With reopening of Singapore’s borders, along with relaxation of safety management measures, ATxSG 2022 brought together 16,600 hybrid attendees from 93 countries and regions, and 26,000 event visits. Held at the Singapore Expo, ATxSG 2022 hosted 600 exhibitors showcasing their latest tech products and services, and more than 350 speakers who shared expert insights across 200 conference sessions.

Attendees at ATxSG 2022 were presented with insights from top-notch thought-leaders from both the public and private sectors, covering the latest technology trends, challenges, and opportunities arising from the ongoing digitalisation of the economy. During my visits to ATxSG 2022, I tried to balance between attending talks and visiting the booths by the exhibitors. There were some very interesting and insightful talks that I managed to attend and listen.

“In collaboration with our partners, we successfully gathered more than 2,000 guests and 80 speakers from 30 countries to discuss current and emerging tech issues and the opportunities to harness the power of digital, to build an inclusive digital future. Singapore also announced our commitment to grow trust in the digital domain with the launch of the National Digital Trust Centre, stepped up our efforts to contribute to the Global Partnership on AI and furthered regional cooperation through a new MoU with Brunei. We would like to thank our esteemed partners, speakers and guests for truly making ATxSummit 2022 a success, and we look forward to them coming back for a more impactful ATxSG 2023,” said Ms. Foo Chi Hsia, Assistant Chief Executive, IMDA.

One of my key highlights at ATxSG 2022 was listening to Mr Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Executive Chairman of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, he also made an appearance on-site at the ATxEnterprise Headliners to discuss the ongoing technology revolution and how governments and industries can best leverage technology to aid global change.

ATxSG 2022 MOUs and announcements

At ATxSG 2022, participating exhibitors inked several memoranda of understanding (MOU) and made announcements that reaffirmed Singapore and Asia’s continued attractiveness to attract global digital-first disruptors, as well being a regional home to some of the world’s largest and fastest growing digital economies. Here are some of the MOUs and announcements:

  • NCS Telco+ signed an MOU announcing its partnership with Advanced Info Service (AIS), Thailand’s leading provider of mobile services and mobile network operator, to address the digital transformation needs of AIS and other enterprises in the country. The agreement formalises NCS’ support for the digitalisation journey of AIS and the pursuit of joint projects in 5G and IoT transformation, cloud and cybersecurity, enabling enterprises in Thailand to benefit from the combined strengths of AIS’ market leadership and the digital services capabilities of NCS.
  • Global infrastructure as a service (IaaS) company, OneQode, signed an MOU with PLDT Global, the international arm of the Philippines’ largest integrated telco network PLDT Inc. This will help fast-track the deployment of OneQode’s cloud presence in Manila, allowing users in the Philippines to access OneQode’s network and cloud. A presence in Manila will also provide existing OneQode users in Singapore with a redundant connection, should disruptions occur between Guam and Singapore.
  • Quebec-based QSTC Inc, which provides advanced space engineering solutions, signed an agreement with PT. Wahana Telekomunikasi Dirgantara (WTD), a leading provider of satellite services to satellite fleet operators and end customers with in-orbit satellites as a business for their fleets. The agreement sees QSTC Inc providing turnkey UHTP Ka and Q/V band services satellites using a dedicated smart Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite. The satellite will provide coverage over Southeast Asia while demonstrating new and innovative digital communication payloads.

Networking and business opportunities for exhibitors at ATxSG 2022

From C-Suite or key decision makers at their respective organisations, to the delegates and visitors, ATxSG presented significant networking and business opportunities for exhibitors.

  • Mr. Jared Ching, Business Development Manager at DeepBrain AI Inc, a Korean company focused on the use of AI to create lifelike human-based avatars, said: “The event is well-organised, and we are happy with the overall results of our participation at ATxSG. Exposure and turnout were good, with our booth receiving significant foot traffic. This is the first time DeepBrain AI has participated at ATxSG, but we’ll definitely be back.”
  • Mr. Zoro Jiang, Regional Sales Manager, SEA at iBwave, a telecom radio planning software provider, said: “This year’s in-person event is better than 2021’s fully virtual event that we participated in. We were initially anxious in view that this is our first physical event in Singapore, especially as it took place post-COVID-19, but we’re happy with the high-quality leads that we captured. We’re satisfied with how the overall event turned out, and we will most likely be a part of the Canadian Pavillion again next year.”
  • Mr. Kenneth Cheng, Director of Sales, Asia Pacific at NuraLogix Corporation, one of Canada’s fast rising tech companies, said: “ATxSG was the first exhibition in Southeast Asia that NuraLogix participated in to raise awareness of Anura, our patented, science-backed, award winning world’s first contactless blood pressure and health vital sign monitoring solution through a 30 second facial scan. We are extremely encouraged by the number of visitors to our booth trying this state-of-the-art technology, which included international delegates from verticals such as health tech, insurance, automotive, smart home, smart city, wellness, telecommunication, creating significant business leads for NuraLogix. The resumption of physical events and the interaction was a refreshing change from the past two years, and we look forward to the next iteration of ATxSG in 2023.”
  • Ms. Audrey Leong, Founder and CEO, at FloatingOn, a Singapore startup that delivers sustainable life and work solutions that float on water, said: “We are delighted to have successfully showcased our sustainable floating accommodations at InnovFest x Elevating Founders, one of the co-located events at ATxSG. Our participation at the event was fruitful, having met many potential business partners and investors, including venture capitalists (VCs), accelerators, incubators, as well as business and government decision-makers interested in green technology solutions. Face-to-face interactions at the event facilitated deeper and more meaningful conversations and exchange of ideas, helped start or build relationships, and provided an important platform for startups like FloatingOn to launch and showcase our innovative products and solutions.”     

Visiting Start Ups at ATxSG 2022

Whenever possible, I would make a point to visit and check out start ups pavilion at various technology conferences/exhibitions. Visiting start ups at ATxSG 2022 was an eye opener for me, it’s good to see them back in action. While I am unable to visit and chat with all the start ups present, I tried my best to visit and check out as many as possible.

One of the start ups at ATxSG 2022 that came into my radar was FloatingOn. What their business were doing and developing caught my attention and interest, I went to check out their booth and I met Ms. Audrey Leong, Founder and CEO at FloatingOn, had a good chat with her, learning and understanding more about FloatingOn.

What is FloatingOn all about? They are a Singapore start-up, they also announced the launch of a sustainable solution in the form of accommodations that float on water. These modular units can utilise a diverse range of renewable energy sources, which can help land-scarce countries such as Singapore reduce waiting time and cost for new builds. They can also potentially contribute to the creation of an off-grid living environment that can help accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future.

ATxSG – Synergies and Opportunities

With the co-located events at ATxSG, talks and technology showcases, providing synergies and opportunities arising from various segments of the digital economy.

ATxSG has provided opportunities for both public and private sectors, from policymakers, global technology leaders , and public-private decision makers to network, debate, and exchange ideas on the latest technologies that would continue to drive digital innovation, changes and transformation across all sectors of society, thus impacting how people work, live, play and live with technology.

“We would like to congratulate IMDA and Informa Tech on a successful ATxSG, one of the largest business events to take place since the start of the pandemic. ATxSG has reaffirmed Singapore’s ability to stage effective in-person events, which strengthens our position as a leading MICE destination in a post-pandemic world. We look forward to its continued growth in the coming years as Asia’s flagship tech event,” said Mr. Yap Chin Siang, Deputy Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board.

“We are thrilled at the resounding success of ATxSG 2022. It demonstrates the welcomed return of large scale MICE events in Singapore, and the feedback we have received from our delegates, sponsors, exhibitors and partners has been very positive and encouraging,” said Mr. Tom Cuthell, Vice President of Global Festivals, Informa Tech. “The increasing pace of innovation and technological advancement will surface many new developments to explore and showcase, and we look forward to Informa’s continued role in shaping the region’s digital transformation with an even bigger, broader ATxSG in 2023.” 

ATxSG 2023

ATxSG 2023 edition returns 6-9 June 2023, looking forward to 2023 edition. The world is still emerging from the lockdowns and downtime from the global pandemic over the 2020 to 2022 period, we should see an even bigger and better turnout for companies, exhibitors, speakers, delegates and visitors for ATxSG 2023.

* Information courtesy of ATxSG and Team Lewis *

Business, Essential Planning, Goals, Information Technology, Life Experiences, Personal Stories, Social Media

FUJIFILM Business Innovation launches Scalable Print Solutions with new Apeos A3 MFD

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FUJIFILM Business Innovation launches Scalable Print Solutions with new Apeos A3 Multi-Function Devices (MFD) on 19th May 2022. They are the digital A3 colour (Apeos C2060/C2560/C3060) and monochrome (Apeos 2560/3060/3560) MFD. With ten newly available printers to choose from, businesses would find it handy to choose from, that will augment the productivity and work efficiency, especially for Small to Mid-sized Businesses (SMBs) with seamless workflows emphasising strong security, space and cost optimisation, and finally scalable print solutions as the SMB businesses grow over time.

As the world enters into a new hybrid future of work, companies have to adapt and change, it is imperative for businesses to deploy an operationally savvy system that can support their employees that are either working at home or in the office with secure information sharing at any time. Both the new colour and monochrome Apeos series, offer seamless scan workflow solution and cloud services (1), which not only help to digitise data, they also create effortless information sharing solutions especially for repetitive tasks between multiple destinations by a simple operation.

Apeos 3060

The new Apeos printers comply with U.S. security standard NIST SP800-171 (2), that ensures the safety of network connections and the prevention of data leakage from storage devices installed in the printers. They also support the new protocol, WPA3, that enhances security for wireless LANs, thus creating a robust security environment for offices.

Users with the FUJIFILM Business Innovation’s Print Utility (mobile) app can now set the job parameters of Copy, Print, Scan and Fax operations from their smartphone (iOS and Android) directly. This would give them additional protection and convenience for their mobile working lifestyle.

Apeos C2560

The new MFD also offer scalable features such as increasing paper capacity by opting for additional paper trays and adding business solutions such as Workflow & Print Management systems. Businesses can now optimise their cost and add in required features as their business expands.

There is a new staple-free finisher option that comes with the new models, they can bind up to ten paper sheets without any needle (2 options for binding position). This would help to create a safe yet eco-friendly post-print processing environment. This is definitely an eco-friendly measure, binding without metal staples is an optimal choice for pre-schools, kindergartens or childcare centres, and as well as the food & beverage industry who are constantly focusing on improving overall safety operational safety.

Key features of A3 colour and monochrome Apeos printers

  • Print resolution of 1,200×2,400dpi combined with the auto-correction technology produces accurate print images with fine colour registration
  • Models with duplex scanning and automatic document feeding improves work efficiency with high-speed scanning of 80 pages per minute
  • Safe and eco-friendly staple-free finisher compresses up to ten sheets of paper (3) rather than punching holes in either one or two locations
  • Print from anywhere with Universal Print(4) , the Microsoft cloud-based print solution

A3 colour and monochrome Apeos printers

Product Names Major Functions
Apeos C2060 (Model-CPS) Colour Multifunction Devices

Copy Print and Scan
Duplex automatic document scanning at 55 pages per minute
Apeos C2560 (Model-CPS)
Apeos C2560 (Model-CPS-B) Colour Multifunction Devices

Copy Print and Scan
Single-pass duplex automatic document scanning at 80 pages per minute
Apeos C3060 (Model-CPS-B)
Apeos 2560 (Model-CPS) Monochrome Multifunction Devices

Copy Print and Scan
Duplex automatic document scanning at 55 pages per minute
Apeos 3060 (Model-CPS)
Apeos 3560 (Model-CPS)
Apeos 2560 (Model-CPS-B) Monochrome Multifunction Devices

Copy Print and Scan
Single-pass duplex automatic document scanning at 80 pages per minute
Apeos 3060 (Model-CPS-B)
Apeos 3560 (Model-CPS-B)

For more information on the new new Apeos A3 MFD as well as the full list of FUJIFILM Business Innovation Singapore’s products, please visit FUJIFILM Business Innovation Singapore website.

Notes:

(1) Requiring subscription to the cloud storage service “Working Folder” and the optional Scan delivery kit

(2) A guideline of security standards stipulated by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and mandated by the U.S. Department of Defense on its suppliers

(3) 80gsm paper or less

(4) Windows 10/11, Microsoft 365 E3/E5/A3/A5/F3 or Microsoft 365 Business Premium subscription required.

* Information and pictures courtesy of FUJIFILM Business Innovation Singapore *

Business, Dreams, Essential Planning, Financial Advisory, Information Technology, Life Experiences, Personal Stories, Social Media

Fireblocks Raises $550 Million In Series E Funding

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Fireblocks, the direct custody platform that supports over 800 major institutions, and powers digital asset and crypto products for today’s largest custodians, fintech, crypto exchanges, lending desks, super apps and asset management firms, has raised $550 Million In Series E Funding.

The funding round, co-led by D1 Capital Partners and Spark Capital with participation from General Atlantic, Index Ventures, Mammoth, CapitalG (Alphabet’s independent growth fund), Altimeter, Iconiq Strategic Partners, Canapi Ventures, and Parafi Growth Fund represents a watershed moment for Fireblocks, bringing the company’s valuation to over $8 billion.

Adding to the support of existing investors such as Sequoia Capital, Coatue, Ribbit, Bank of New York Mellon, Paradigm, DRW Venture Capital, Tenaya Capital and SCB10x, Fireblocks has become the highest valued digital asset infrastructure provider to date. With $2 trillion in digital assets transferred, the Fireblocks’ platform now supports more than 20 blockchains and 1,000 cryptocurrencies, and is powering digital asset use cases across trading, gaming, NFTs, digital securities, and payments that will allow more businesses, web 2.0 leaders and enterprises, including all financial institutions, to participate in the digital asset economy.

In recent months and years, buzzwords such as Cryptocurrencies, NFT, Web 3.0, digital assets, not only have they got more mainstream, they would soon be part of how we run a business and how we transform a business in the coming years. From institutions to end consumers, the buzzwords would soon become a more common language and way of running a business, working and living in the years to come.

Cryptocurrencies is already disrupting the financial sector, they have reached the point of no-return, and over the next decade every business will become a web 3 business. According to a recent Gartner report, one-fifth of major organizations will utilize digital currencies by 2024, indicating that the adoption of crypto by large corporations will accelerate in 2022 and beyond. In the last year alone, consumers and companies alike have become increasingly interested in innovative payment alternatives, such as Airbnb, Microsoft and AT&T. In fact, Visa’s new survey revealed that 25% of small businesses in nine countries plan to accept crypto payments in 2022.

In 2021, Fireblocks grew at an exponential pace from 150 to over 800 customers around the world, with institutions in the Asia Pacific and Europe, the Middle East and Africa regions leading the way. The Fireblocks Network, which connects members to the crypto capital markets ecosystem and enables instant settlements, is used by customers such as Bank of New York Mellon, Revolut, Galaxy Digital, Crypto.com, BlockFi, Deribit, eToro, CoinShares, SwissBorg, 3AC, B2C2 and more. To date, Fireblocks customers have amassed $45 billion assets under custody on the platform. Additionally, with the launch of Aave Arc, Fireblocks has become the first to enable decentralized finance for institutional players.

“The adoption of cryptocurrencies across the financial and commercial sectors is going to accelerate in 2022, and Fireblocks’ mission is to be a strategic partner for these new market entrants,” said Fireblocks CEO, Michael Shaulov. “We are thrilled to be joined by the top growth investors. The new round of financing will accelerate our ability to support our clients globally, as well as heavily invest in innovation for DeFi, NFTs and payments, and allow new and established financial institutions to employ direct custody rather than relying on third parties, which will increase their competitive advantage.”

Fireblocks is the pioneer of MPC technology for digital assets, they have established a secure multi-layer infrastructure that is the heart of its platform. Along with these advancements, every business now has the capacity to accept digital assets and cryptocurrencies securely and conveniently, paving the way for all enterprises to become crypto businesses.

“Fireblocks has become a key driver of crypto market growth around the world, with an estimated 15% of daily crypto transaction volume secured through their infrastructure,” said Dan Sundheim, founder of D1, a New York based investment firm. “This new injection of capital will further enable Fireblocks to onboard the next wave of businesses into the digital asset ecosystem.”

The digital asset market in year 2022 is going to continue expanding and growing, Fireblocks is determined to have an exceptional year, as they intend to continue its strategic expansion, broadening all alliances, adding to their client base and stakeholders, and tailoring their commitment to extending their ecosystem.

As more consumers are requesting brands to support crypto, Fireblocks is creating opportunities for institutions that want to further acclimate their portfolios into the ecosystem.

About Fireblocks

Fireblocks is an enterprise-grade platform delivering a secure infrastructure for moving, storing, and issuing digital assets. Fireblocks enables exchanges, lending desks, custodians, banks, trading desks, and hedge funds to securely scale digital asset operations through the Fireblocks Network and MPC-based Wallet Infrastructure.

Fireblocks serves over 800 financial institutions, has secured the transfer of over $2 trillion in digital assets, and has a unique insurance policy that covers assets in storage & transit.

For more information, please visit www.fireblocks.com.

* Information courtesy of Fireblocks and WE Communications *

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Reflecting Year 2021 (Technology, Business and Personal)

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Today is Friday 31st December 2021, the last day for the Year 2021. A lot of things had happened during the year, here I am, reflecting Year 2021 (Technology, Business and Personal), writing down my inner deep thoughts, feelings and emotions on a very turbulent, difficult, tough and testing year for me.

Technology

Consumer Technology

For this segment, it has been stable since establishing this website in January 2008, consumer technology news take up approximately 70% of my technology content media news coverage.  While I am still covering consumer technology news, I have also diversified and expanded into the fields of Fin-tech, blockchain, cryptocurrency and NFT that I have a keen interest in. They are not just for news coverage, I have an intrinsic interest in them for both business/investments as well as cross-disciplinary work with my commercial photography.

Enterprise Technology

This is still a relatively small and growing segment for my website. This is not an easy sector to cover and write due to the niche industries, you might/usually need industry and technical expertise as well. I am still working on growing enterprise technology sector news coverage, I would also like to thank the agencies that I am working with by linking up relevant enterprise technology companies with my website.

Business

Digital Marketing/Social Media Marketing/Digital Agency

An area that I identified earlier in the year that I can diversify into that integrates both my photography and travel website, social media, digital marketing and writing together. I went for upgrading courses to get myself certified too. The establishment of TGH Digital Studio is still relatively new and unknown, a lot of work still needs to be done, strategic planning and directions, and finding suitable partners to work together with.   

Media Relations

Although Year 2021 had been a very difficult year for me in many aspects, there were some good growth and developments in media relations segment. My networks and engagements went beyond the shores of Singapore, I am getting media news updates from agencies based in Hong Kong, Australia, Malaysia and England.

I hope to build on those new connections and networks, expanding not just in the fields of technology, business and in the areas of my photography and travel sectors as well.

Personal

Mental Health and Emotional Health

Year 2021 was my most emotionally and mentally drained year till date in my life. This was also the time I started to know more about mental health, the issues, awareness, why it matters. The ongoing global pandemic has disrupted not only our daily and working life, it has also seriously impacted and affected our mental and emotional well-being.

The elevated stress and pressure from running and operating a business during a global pandemic crisis with many uncertainties and unknowns, add in family matters concerns and a very personal situation, combining all together resulting in falling and spiralling into a rut. That period was very dark for me personally. I am very grateful and thankful to a few friends who pulled me out from a tipping point.

Photography by Ryan Cheng

Running a business brings many additional levels of stress and pressure, throw in a global pandemic crisis into the equation, the levels are at an unprecedented level that we can ever imagine, understand and handle, unless you are right in the deep end of it.

There were many lessons on life, business, mental and emotional health/well-being that were bestowed upon me, in both good and bad ways in the Yr2021. I will learn from them, from both good and bad points.

A reminder to myself to constantly remind myself to never let myself fall as low as I did in Yr2021.

Last but not least

Year 2021 had been a very turbulent year of many ups and downs, disappointments and heartaches from unnecessary expectations. There were many life and business lessons handed out to me, priceless and painful.

Do visit my TGH Photography and Travel Portal/Blog too! I have also published a reflection, thoughts and views article in my photography (business and leisure) and travel segments.

Signing off Year 2021 with a beautiful sunset to say goodbye to Year 2021, good riddance to bad rubbish. It’s been a very painful time, very difficult and tough, mentally, emotionally and financially for me personally. I will learn, remember and apply the good and bad lessons from this year. I will also make sure that I will never let myself fall as low as what happened to me in 2021.

Year 2022 is starting soon, a new year, a fresh and brand new start in an ongoing global pandemic situation. I would share more about my plans and directions in the Year 2022 for my technology, business and personal segments inside my upcoming Theme and Goals for Year 2022 article.

To all those who had pulled me up when I was down at the bottom, as well as those who supported and encouraged me throughout this very difficult Year 2021, I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart, no amount of words can show my utmost appreciation towards what you all had done for me.

It’s time to say Goodbye Year 2021 and Welcome Year 2022.

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LG to acquire vehicle cybersecurity risk assessment solution provider Cybellum

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LG Electronics (LG) Board of Directors approved the acquisition of Cybellum, a leading vehicle cybersecurity risk assessment solution provider, in September 2021. This deal allows LG to assume an approximate 64% stake in the technology company valued at USD $140 million. This is a strategic move that will enhance LG’s cybersecurity capabilities and accelerate its efforts to become an Innovation Partner for Future Mobility.

As for the remaining shares, it will be acquired in the near future with the final valuation and total investment amount to be confirmed at that time. On top of this initial investment, LG committed to a simple agreement for future equity (SAFE) to invest an additional USD $20 million in Cybellum upon conclusion of the trading process in the fourth quarter.

Cybellum is a leading vehicle cybersecurity company founded in 2016 in Tel Aviv. The company has about 50 employees and they are currently collaborating with key industry players, successfully delivering its products to vehicle manufacturers and suppliers worldwide. Beside Israel, Cybellum has operations in Japan, Germany and North America. Cybellum will remain and independent entity and brand, continuing to grow and support its customers and partners with the same commitment level and standards that Cybellum customers have become accustomed to.

The types and numbers of cybersecurity threats are on the rise around the world. With the global automobile industry transitioning into the connected car era, the area on vehicle cybersecurity is getting more important making secure connectivity essential for the future of connected cars. As cars of the future evolve into organically connected systems with complex interrelationships between their various components, vehicle cybersecurity will only become more important over time in the very near future.

Cybellum will enable LG to preemptively secure a sustainable growth engine in the rapidly growing automotive cybersecurity industry and deliver more value in key areas such as parts design, development and operation by optimising software security.

Cyber Digital Twins Platform is one of Cybellum’s most advanced solutions to protect vehicles from cybersecurity threats. This platform creates a detailed representation of a vehicle’s software components without accessing the source code and automatically exposes any risks that could potentially be exploited. The platform relies on real-time threat intelligence feed to check for vulnerabilities and delivers a full assessment of those vulnerabilities as well as providing recommended solutions.

The acquisition of Cybellum is the first for LG in Israel and in the cybersecurity domain. This investment underscores the importance and significance of this growing category, it’s also a key part of LG’s strategy to strengthen its business portfolio through strategic acquisitions, alliances and partnerships, with a strong focus on its vehicle component business.

In August 2018, LG acquired Austria’s ZKW Group, a leading player in the automotive lighting market. In July, LG launched a joint venture with Magna International, the world’s third largest auto supplier, to create LG Magna e-Powertrain, boosting the competitiveness and future growth potential of both partners.

“We’re excited about this partnership with LG and the great return we’ve been able to deliver to our stakeholders,” said Slava Bronfman, CEO of Cybellum. “Cybellum has developed the most comprehensive product security management offering in the industry and joining forces with LG will enable us to further accelerate the realization of our vision. We expect to grow significantly in the near future.”

“It’s no secret the critical role software plays in the automotive industry and with it comes the need for effective cybersecurity solutions,” said Dr. Kim Jin-yong, president of the LG Electronics Vehicle component Solutions Company. “This latest deal will further strengthen LG’s solid foundation in cybersecurity, enabling us to be even more prepared for the era of connected cars.”

LG’s VS (Vehicle Component Solutions) Company is founded in 2013, they have recorded sales of USD $5.18 billion in 2020, a 6.1% increase over 2019. Through its investment in vehicle cybersecurity, LG is committing to increasing the competitiveness of its infotainment systems, electric vehicle powertrains and vehicle lighting capabilities, the three pillars of the automotive component industry.

* Information courtesy of LG Electronics and APRW *

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Canon launched Xephilio OCT-S1: A wide-field swept source Optical Coherence Tomography

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Canon launched Xephilio OCT-S1: A wide-field swept source Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). This eye care machine is capable of capturing high-resolution images of up to 23 x 20 mm in a single scan. The product will be unveiled to the eyecare medical practitioners at the APACRS-SNEC (Asia Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons- Singapore National Eye Centre) joint event from 30 – 31 July.

What is Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)?

OCT is used for non-contact observation of the ocular fundus and the tomographic shape of the retina. The shape, structure and pathology of the ocular fundus and retina of the examined eye can be observed and measured from the obtained image data.

Super Wide-Angle OCT Imaging Angiography

Canon’s deep scanning swept source technology allows super wide angle shooting of about 80-degrees possibility. Confirmation of vascular abnormalities (non perfusion, new blood vessels, etc) in the surrounding area with a single image such as diabetic retinopathy and arteriovenous obstruction, is attainable. The large wide-field OCT scan area as wide as 23 x 20 mm, and 5.3mm deep imaging can be very beneficial for retina thickness observation of retinal detachment or retinitis pigmentosa. Canon’s unique swept source scanning technology enables high speed scanning which shortens the examination time and minimize the discomfort for the patient.

Superior AI Noise Reduction Processing (Intelligent Denoise)

Xephilio OCT-S1 enables superior penetration of dense objects and provides outstanding tomographic images. In addition, Intelligent Denoise – the system’s Deep Learning AI technology – offers a new quality of OCTA (optical coherence tomography angiography) images with increased details, improved visibility and reduced noise within just seconds, thereby improving the efficiency regardless the size of the image.

“The new Xephilio OCT-S1 is equipped with a super wide-angle OCT imaging which offers a shooting area that surpasses the panoramic mode of conventional models with a single shot. This enables wider, deeper and higher resolution imaging of the retina, allowing early detection of eye diseases that occur at the periphery,” said Subash Babu, Director of Medical Equipment Product, Canon Singapore. “Through visualizing details of the retinal vitreous down to the choroid and assessing highly curved myopic eyes all in one single OCT capture, the equipment makes it easier for medical practitioners to provide a more accurate diagnosis whilst reducing the examination time for the patient.”

While most of us are familiar with Canon’s legacy and branding in the photography/digital imaging industry, the Canon EOS cameras, EF and RF lenses, this is their Canon Consumer market segment. Canon has a business (B2B) market too, from commercial printing, broadcast solutions, network visual solutions and medical solutions. I had the opportunity to see for myself and know more about the different Canon Business market products and solutions when I visited Canon EXPO 2016 Shanghai.

For the ophthalmologists, optometrists and healthcare professionals, do check out Xephilio OCT-S1: A wide-field swept source Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) that was recently launched by Canon.

For enquiries on the Xephilio OCT-S1, please reach out to cspl_medical@canon.com.sg.

* Information and picture courtesy of Canon Singapore and GLOO PR *

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LG Transparent OLED Signage x Coffee Kiosk

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We are currently in an era of minimised physical and face-to-face contact with people, from work to everyday living and activities. A new era requires a new and modern-day solution to innovate and adapt to the current and future needs. For the business owners, the LG transparent OLED signage might be of interest to you and on how you operate your business. LG Electronics (LG) presents a modern-day solution, LG Transparent OLED Signage x Coffee Kiosk, with the innovation of its transparent OLED signage, unveiling a 55-inch transparent OLED signage (model name: 55EW5F-A) installed at Singapore’s fully automated coffee kiosk, Ella, The Robotic Barista by Crown Digital.

Having knowledge of LG signage from my coverage a few years back, and having seen The Robotic Barista in action at various technology and media events some years back, it was fitting and easier for me to pick up and continue from here with the LG Transparent OLED Signage x Coffee Kiosk.

Ella, The Robotic Barista, by Crown Digital, this autonomous kiosk is situated at the first floor of Plaza Singapura, located along Orchard Road, Singapore’s largest retail downtown area. When you are at the coffee kiosk, you will be greeted with the LG transparent OLED signage and Ella, an AI-powered barista that sits behind the screen. If you are not sure on how to use this unmanned kiosk, information is available and it would be flashed on the transparent OLED screen. Thereafter, customers can place an order through an unmanned ordering system or a dedicated app. After they finished ordering, they can relax and watch the robotic barista in action, making coffee through the transparent screen.

The LG transparent OLED offers an elevated platform for information display via s see-through view and brings content to life by overlaying information over objects. Customers not only can admire how the coffee is made through the screen, watching the video being played on the screen simultaneously, allowing them to have an immersive experience while getting a quick caffeine fix.

How can the LG transparent OLED signage plays a role in your business or organisation? 

From the example above with Ella, The Robotic Barista, it is meaningful as it signifies a blueprint for diverse opportunities for businesses, not just in retail and services, but also for other organisations and institutions such as schools, transport hubs, museums and banks. The transparent OLED signage provides a safe, seamless and contactless solution in the non-face-to-face era. They can also be used in the interior of autonomous vehicles or aircraft cabins in the future.

LG’s OLED technology features self-lighting pixels, maintaining accurate and vivid colours, delivering awe-inspiring picture quality even when viewing from wide viewing angles. The customizable and expendable design allows for the signage to be used in various ways, even tiled together to create an immersive large screen.

“Leveraging on the company’s expertise in OLED technology, our transparent OLED signage continues to deliver innovative, contactless solutions to accelerate digitalization of businesses in the new normal,” said Chun SungHo, Managing Director of LG Electronics Singapore. “We are excited to work with our partners to drive their business goals and tap on the unlimited potential of the usage of our screens.”

For more information on LG transparent OLED signage and how they can play a part in your business, please visit https://www.lg.com/global/business/oled-signage/lg-55EW5F-A.

* Information and pictures courtesy of LG Electronics and Asia PR Werkz *