Archive for the ‘News’ Category

M1 & Nokia ups cellular & Wi-Fi networks in SMRT stations

Friday, June 3rd, 2016

M1 boosts network capacity, indoor coverage with Nokia in Singapore’s busiest MRT stations.

The new Flexi Zone small cells network in Orchard MRT, Raffles Place MRT and Jurong East MRT has increased 4G LTE download speeds by up to 2 times, compared to the performance over the existing base station and antenna system.

The new Flexi Zone small cells network in Orchard MRT, Raffles Place MRT and Jurong East MRT has increased 4G LTE download speeds by up to 2 times, compared to the performance over the existing base station and antenna system.

M1 Limited (M1) and Nokia have completed the installation of indoor small cells and WiFi networks to meet the surging data demand of mobile device users at Orchard MRT station, Raffles MRT Station, as well as Jurong East MRT station.

With the high adoption of advanced smart devices in Singapore, the demand for sharing and viewing high-resolution photos and high-definition videos have been growing.

To further improve customer experience in accessing data, M1 is working to provide high quality mobile coverage in MRT stations to thousands of passengers, particularly at the crowded zones during peak hours.

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Cloud data protection fuels Acronis growth in Asia Pacific

Friday, May 20th, 2016

Acronis aims for tenfold increase in service provider and cloud reseller partners in region to meet growing demand for backup and data protection solutions.

Service providers and cloud resellers that are interested in learning more about the Acronis Backup Cloud solution can sign up for a free trial here.

Service providers and cloud resellers that are interested in learning more about the Acronis Backup Cloud solution can sign up for a free trial here. Image: Acronis.

Acronis, a global leader in hybrid cloud data protection, has reported strong momentum in its global cloud data protection business as it broadens its market reach and expands its partner ecosystem across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.

“Acronis’ goal to become a global technology leader in hybrid cloud data protection can only be achieved through close relationships with our distributors, partners, and services providers. We will continue to strive to be market leader by going the extra miles to understand our customers needs and through strong channel model scale and accelerate our reach to provide the most comprehensive Cloud Data Management solution,” said Steve Goh, Vice President APAC & Emerging Markets at Acronis.

Following the launch of its new cloud architecture and data protection platform and the roll-out of its world-class partner program in 2015, Acronis has achieved an 800 percent year-on-year growth globally in bookings for Acronis Backup Cloud, its leading backup solution for service providers and cloud resellers.

This included a tenfold growth in managed Cloud storage and a more than 800% increase in the number of devices protected compared to the previous year.

In APAC, Acronis Backup Cloud bookings grew by more than 200 percent year-on-year in 2015, and in the first quarter of 2016 the cloud business doubled comparing to the second half of 2015.

Acronis is poised to build on this strong momentum in the APAC region as it carries out aggressive efforts to sign-up new partners and continue the expansion of its product portfolio in the region.

Tapping into the huge market demand for data protection in APAC

Today’s businesses in APAC face new challenges when it comes to data protection, including huge increases in data volume, man-made and natural disasters, and cyber-threats like ransomware.

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StarHub grows Singapore’s Cyber Security ecosystem with COE

Wednesday, May 18th, 2016

The telco collaborates with industry partners, academia and public-sector organisations to strengthen Singapore’s capabilities in cyber security. StarHub and the COE partners will jointly invest S$200 million over the next five years to support a sustainable cyber security ecosystem.

At the launch of the initiative (from left): Thien Kwee Eng, Economic Development Board assistant managing director; Tan Tong Hai, StarHub chief executive officer; S Iswaran, Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry); and  Professor Yitzhak Ben-Israel, StarHub's Cyber Security Centre of Excellence. Photo: StarHub.

At the launch of the initiative (from left): Thien Kwee Eng, Economic Development Board assistant managing director; Tan Tong Hai, StarHub chief executive officer; S Iswaran, Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry); and Professor Yitzhak Ben-Israel, StarHub’s Cyber Security Centre of Excellence. Photo: StarHub.

StarHub has announced plans to grow the local cyber security ecosystem at the launch of its Cyber Security Centre of Excellence (COE) where S Iswaran, Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry), was the Guest-of-Honour.

“Cyber security is a top national and commercial security priority for Singapore as our Smart Nation vision takes shape, touching many aspects of our personal and business lives. StarHub is proud to work with top-notch partners to bolster the cyber security sector, which is important for a sustainable digital economy,” said Tan Tong Hai, StarHub Chief Executive Officer.

The COE established by StarHub, is supported by the Economic Development Board (EDB).

It serves as a hub for the cyber security ecosystem, bringing together the best of brains and expertise to tackle cyber threats, which are among other serious risks affecting economies globally today.

Internationally renowned security expert Professor Yitzhak Ben-Israel has been appointed as the Advisor to the COE, and he provides strategic advice and recommendations to the body.

Professor Ben-Israel is a member of Singapore’s Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council as well as the International Advisory Panel for Singapore’s S$130 million National Cybersecurity Research and Development Programme which was launched in 2015.

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Singtel launches Cyber Security Institute in Singapore

Tuesday, April 26th, 2016

The Singtel Cyber Security Institute (CSI) aims to hone cyber skills and preparedness of businesses and governments in Asia Pacific by providing holistic training for company boards, management, technology and operations personnel to deal with cyber attacks.

Update (18 May, 2016):

Competing telco StarHub announced plans to grow the local cyber security ecosystem with the launch of its Cyber Security Centre of Excellence (COE).

* All photos in this article provided by Singtel.

Chua Sock Koong, Group CEO, Singtel Group, giving her opening remarks at the launch of the Singtel Cyber Security Institute.

Chua Sock Koong, Group CEO, Singtel Group, giving her opening remarks at the launch of the Singtel Cyber Security Institute.

The CSI is a hybrid between an advanced cyber range and an educational institute.

“Based on our engagements with companies in Singapore, more than 85% do not have robust cyber response plans nor the opportunity to conduct realistic drills to test and sharpen such plans. This lack of cyber preparedness is worsened by the severe global shortfall of trained cyber security experts, which Forbes puts at some 1 million in 2016. This is why we’ve stepped up to the plate. We know we have to help companies secure themselves against a potential slew of increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks,” said Bill Chang, Chief Executive Officer, Group Enterprise at Singtel.

Singtel boasts that the CSI is the first-of–its-kind in the region to test and train companies in dealing with sophisticated cyber threats.

Housed in a permanent space of over 10,000 sq ft, the institute provides cyber skills development and education programmes tailored to the varying needs of company boards, C-suite management, technology and operational staff.

Boards and C-suite level participants will be trained in the areas of cyber threat awareness, risk management, business continuity planning and crisis communications preparation.

The cyber operations team will be trained in defence and response capabilities to sharpen their skills.

In conjunction with the launch of the CSI, Singtel announced that it is the first company in Singapore to work with the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore on the Cyber Security Associates and Technologists (CSAT) Programme to train infocomm professionals in cyber security.

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information, delivering his speech to open the new Singtel Cyber Security Institute.

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information, delivering his speech to open the new Singtel Cyber Security Institute.

Under this programme, Singtel will train fresh infocomm technology professionals and equip them with basic cyber security skills.

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Homegrown cyber security provider e-Cop rebranded as Quann

Monday, March 21st, 2016

The relaunched company is targeting growth by four times in the next four years, on a quest to establish itself as Asia-Pacific’s leading cyber security player.

“Following the relaunch, our new brand identity, renewed business focus and increased investments will bolster Quann’s capabilities to address the region’s growing need for cyber security services. This positions us well to achieve our ambition of four-fold growth by 2020 and become Asia-Pacific’s leading cyber security player,” said Foo Siang-tse, Managing Director, Quann.

“Following the relaunch, our new brand identity, renewed business focus and increased investments will bolster Quann’s capabilities to address the region’s growing need for cyber security services. This positions us well to achieve our ambition of four-fold growth by 2020 and become Asia-Pacific’s leading cyber security player,” said Foo Siang-tse, Managing Director, Quann.

e-Cop was a homegrown Managed Security Services Provider and a business unit of Singapore’s leading security organization Certis CISCO.

“Security is in our DNA and we provide a unique value proposition to our clients. By combining cutting-edge technologies with the skills, insights and experience of our cyber security professionals, we are able to provide organizations with comprehensive and customized security solutions, which are underpinned by robust processes and resilient infrastructure,” said Foo Siang-tse, Managing Director, Quann..

The company has now relaunched as Quann – pronounced “kwan” as in the word “quantity”.

The initiative comes with the expansion of its security offerings and next-generation Security Operations Centers (SOCs), as well as investments in manpower development.

This will enable Quann to expand its current regional footprint across Asia-Pacific and beyond.

The relaunch also introduces a new logo and tagline, which represent Quann’s business focus and objectives.

The logo symbolises the continuous circle of protection afforded to customers.

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Samsung Pay to expand globally beyond Korea & USA

Wednesday, March 9th, 2016

The payment service from Samsung set to expand globally in 2016 to new countries and partners.

In 2016, Samsung Pay will be expanding to new countries and major payment networks such as American Express.

In 2016, Samsung Pay will be expanding to new countries and major payment networks such as American Express.

In 2016, Samsung Pay will start global expansion beginning with China in March, followed by Australia, Brazil, Singapore, Spain and the U.K. later in the year.

“Since its introduction last year, Samsung Pay has changed the way people pay and use their smartphones. We’ve already seen significant consumer adoption and we continue to see great momentum. Our aim is to expand Samsung Pay to even more locations around the world, and our customers should expect to see more features in the year to come,” said InJong Rhee, EVP and Head of R&D, Software and Services of Mobile Communications Business at Samsung Electronics.

Canada will be added to the new launch roadmap.

According to Samsung Electronics, Samsung Pay now has about five million registered users over 500 million dollars processed in the first six months, showing a strong adoption rate in South Korea and the U.S since the launch of the payment service in these two countries in August and September 2015 respectively.

Samsung Pay is currently available on select Galaxy devices including S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+, Note5 as well as premium and mid-range options such as the 2016 models of both Galaxy A5 and A7.

Samsung Pay will also expand its enhanced services to more than just credit or debit cards, adding transit passes, coupons and membership cards to its available payment modes.

Samsung Pay is now available on Google Play as a free download for compatible devices.

A photo posted by John Tan (@tech4tea) on

The 2016 versions of the A5 and A7 smartphones will be compatible with Samsung Pay. Seen here at the launch of the A3, A5 and A7 in Singapore.

Extensive Partnership Ecosystem

Samsung Pay started its service in South Korea and the U.S. last year, and now supports eligible credit and debit cards from more than 70 major and regional banks.

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Epson partners MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One (F1) Team

Monday, February 2nd, 2015

Epson will become an Official Team Partner of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS, providing its expertise in the product areas of inkjet printers, scanners, 3LCD projectors and wearables, including smart glasses and health/sports sensing products.

"We are extremely proud to enhance our global brand profile by becoming an official partner of the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. The partnership aligns two world-renowned champion brands committed to the relentless pursuit of innovation, the attainment of global leadership positions and the creation of products and services that continue to exceed expectations and emotionally engage stakeholders worldwide," said Epson President Minoru Usui.

“We are extremely proud to enhance our global brand profile by becoming an official partner of the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. The partnership aligns two world-renowned champion brands committed to the relentless pursuit of innovation, the attainment of global leadership positions and the creation of products and services that continue to exceed expectations and emotionally engage stakeholders worldwide,” said Epson President Minoru Usui.

The Epson logo will be visible on the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS race cars, along with branding on the helmet visors and racesuits of the team’s drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

The new livery for the 2015 season was revealed by MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS when Formula One testing began on February 1.

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Singtel partners Ericsson in MOU to explore the future of 5G

Tuesday, January 27th, 2015

The partnership will evaluate and test 5G technologies for future standardisation, as well as joint planning and exploration of 5G technology and architecture. Areas of interest include cloud core, radio technologies and Machine Type Communications.

Singtel Group Chief Technology Officer, Tay Soo Meng and Region Head Ericsson South East Asia and Oceania, Sam Saba at today’s MOU signing ceremony for Singtel and Ericsson’s partnership to explore the future of 5G. “5G will enable the full potential of Ericsson’s vision of the Networked Society, where everything that can be connected will be connected,” said Saba of the partnership.

Singtel Group Chief Technology Officer, Tay Soo Meng and Region Head Ericsson South East Asia and Oceania, Sam Saba at today’s MOU signing ceremony for Singtel and Ericsson’s partnership to explore the future of 5G. “5G will enable the full potential of Ericsson’s vision of the Networked Society, where everything that can be connected will be connected,” said Saba of the partnership.

Singtel is partnering strategic vendors as part of its 5G exploration programme.

“5G is the next generation mobile network technology standard. It will deliver key improvements such as near-zero delay for real-time applications for remotely operated machines, super high data throughput speeds of more than 1Gbps, and enable multiple connected intelligent devices,” said Tay Soo Meng – Singtel’s Group Chief Technology Officer.

Singtel today signed a memorandum of understanding with Ericsson to study the future of 5G networks and its applications for both consumers and enterprises.

The partnership will include workshops to align 5G requirements, exchange ideas and trails on potential technologies.

Earlier in November, Singtel announced plans to launch a 5G Joint Innovation Programme with Huawei.

The initiative will serve as a research platform for 5G mobile broadband technologies.

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VMware expands vCloud Air to new service location in Australia

Tuesday, November 4th, 2014

The company also announced the general availability of its Hybrid Cloud Service in Japan.

VMware to continue vCloud Air global expansion to new service location in Australia.

VMware to continue vCloud Air global expansion to new service location in Australia.

VMware, a global leader in virtualisation and cloud infrastructure, has announced that it will extend VMware vCloud Air (previously VMware vCloud Hybrid Service) to Australia.

“VMware vCloud Air, combined with the VMware vCloud Air Network of service providers makes VMware the largest hybrid cloud network in the Asia Pacific region with more than 40 service locations in Asia,” said Bill Fathers, executive vice president and general manager, Cloud Services Business Unit, VMware.

Complementing the VMware vCloud Air Network of service provider options, the new Australian service location will provide customers with a hybrid cloud option operated by VMware that addresses local compliance and data protection concerns.

The service is expected to be available in Australia in the first half of 2015.

Additionally, the company announced vCloud Air will be generally available in Japan in the coming weeks, after completing a successful beta program that began in July of this year.

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Infosys and Hitachi Data Systems expand partnership on infra & data centers

Friday, September 19th, 2014

Infosys and Hitachi Data Systems (HDS) is expanding their partnership to deliver next-generation infrastructure and data center transformation solutions to enterprises.

Infosys will also establish a center of excellence to co-create ‘pay-per-use’ solutions with HDS.

Infosys will also establish a center of excellence to co-create ‘pay-per-use’ solutions with HDS.

The new solutions will help improve operational efficiencies and facilitate smooth transition of their IT infrastructure to new cloud-based environments.

“Hitachi Data Systems and Infosys have a long history of collaboration. We are pleased to take our relationship to the next level by delivering the latest Hitachi Data Systems ‘Continuous Cloud Infrastructure’ solutions to help our mutual customers, around the world, deploy the most available, automated and agile environment for next-generation data centers and cloud solutions,” said Brian Householder, Chief Operating Officer, Hitachi Data Systems.

Enterprises can then convert a significant share of their capital expenditure, related to infrastructure and data center management, into operational expenditure.

The new data center transformation solutions, developed by Infosys and HDS, are tailored to meet refresh cycles of enterprise data centers.

The two partners will also create reference architectures and solution frameworks to accelerate private cloud deployments.

Infosys Cloud Ecosystem Hub is a first-of-its-kind solution that helps enterprises build and manage a unified hybrid cloud environment.

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