June 3rd, 2016
The Ericsson Mobility Report forecasts that 16 billion connected devices are expected to join the Internet of Things by end 2021.
Between 2015 and 2021, the number of IoT connected devices is expected to grow 23 percent annually, of which cellular IoT is forecast to have the highest growth rate.
Internet of Things (IoT) is set to overtake mobile phones as the largest category of connected device by 2018.
Between 2015 and 2021, the number of IoT connected devices is expected to grow 23 percent annually, of which cellular IoT is forecast to have the highest growth rate.
“IoT is now accelerating as device costs fall and innovative applications emerge. From 2020, commercial deployment of 5G networks will provide additional capabilities that are critical for IoT, such as network slicing and the capacity to connect exponentially more devices than is possible today,” said Rima Qureshi, Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, Ericsson.
Of the 28 billion total devices that will be connected by 2021, close to 16 billion will be IoT devices.
Western Europe will lead the way in adding IoT connections – the number of IoT devices in this market is projected to grow 400 percent by 2021.
This will principally be driven by regulatory requirements, for example for intelligent utility meters, and a growing demand for connected cars including the EU e-call directive to be implemented in 2018.
Smartphone subscriptions continue to increase and are forecast to surpass those for basic phones in Q3 this year.
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Tags: Business IT, cellular, Ericsson, Internet of Things, IoT, mobility, smartphones
Posted in Announce, Business IT, Enterprise IT, Ericsson, Exhibition, Figures, Mobile, Press Release, Reference, Study | No Comments »
June 2nd, 2016
Businesses compete today in an increasingly digital marketplace, with stakeholders that expect innovative, personalised and efficient interactions with modern digital businesses via interconnected digital technologies.
Brent Michael Nulf shares how enterprises can accelerate their speed of innovation through the adoption of APIs and Microservices.
Following the two keynote presentations at the one-day thought leadership conference by IBM in Singapore, there were two concurrent one-and-a-half-hour Garage Tracks, one on accelerating the speed of innovation and the second on insights-driven IT. I followed the former to find out more about how to extend infrastructure investments to drive innovation. This is the first presentation in this Track.
Brent Michael Nulf – who is a Business Unit Executive for MobileFirst Platform & Cloud, Asia Pacific, IBM Corporation – cited Starbucks, Peugeot and CitiBank as examples of companies that had reaped huge returns by disrupting through digitisation of their businesses.
Brent Michael Nulf on how to industrialise innovation
- Use design thinking to create better user experiences
- Launch of microservices with frequent feature updates
- Adopt cloud-based delivery that make it easy to grow.
- Leverage customer insight by connecting existing systems and data
- Empower employees with real-time mobile analytics
- Build an ecosystem of partners large and small. Eg. Run hackathons with partners to generate new innovative ideas.
The world’s most successful digital enterprises – such as Google, Facebook, Netflix, Twitter, eBay, Salesforce.com – are leveraging an API-base architecture to enable innovation and power growth.
Valuable business assets are exposed as APIs that are consumed by App Developers to develop innovative apps that result in a delightful experience for customers.
However, within enterprises, a fine balance needs to be struck between the demands by the lines of business for fast speed and agility in the digital ecosystem, against the slower pace of the IT departments for integration and scaling of the core enterprise to ensure stability.
The answer to this “Multi-Speed” conundrum is Microservices, which involves the implementation of the SOA architecture to create small autonomous services that work well together.
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Tags: acebook, API, AT&T Innovation, CitiBank, cloud, disruptive, eBay, Gilt, Google, IBM, IBM API Connect, IBM Hybrid Cloud., IBM MobileFirst, IBM SolutionsConnect 2016, LinkedIn, microservices, Netflix, Node.js, PayPal, Peugeot, Salesforce.com, Singapore, SOA, SolutionsConnect, Starbucks, technology, Twitter, Wallmart
Posted in App, Business IT, Cloud, Enterprise IT, Events, events, IBM, Opinion, Reference, Seminars, Software, software, Wiki | No Comments »
June 2nd, 2016
Disruption enables enterprises to cut costs involved in technologies whilst reducing the inefficiencies. Alan Lim shares how IBM Blockchain Labs can help you apply blockchain technology to make more efficient an application that is core to your business.
If your business is based on a network of partners, dealers, suppliers and customers; and if your success is based on a system that can be disrupted; AND if you want to become the next disruptor, you should take a serious look at Blockchain technology.
Enterprises can now leverage on the structured approach for an application or a system based on Blockchain tenets.
Blockchain technology is suitable for any enterprise that involves multi-party, multi-layered transactions.
“Blockchain is the next stage of digitisation,” said Raymond Wong – Country Manager, Software, IBM Singapore – during his welcome address for IBM’s one-day thought leadership conference (“Technology Leadership in the Cognitive Era”) in Singapore.
Blockchain entails the principle of a shared ledger with shared data, leading to visibility of not only the entire history of transactions, but also the customer’s relationship data.
Alan Lim noted that some US$1 billion has been spent on Blockchain technology, and that the investment is moving away from BitCoin specific to the underlying Blockchain technology.
Lim is a Lead Software Architect with IBM Software.
Enterprises do not work in silos, instead they thrive in business networks, generating wealth in the marketplace through the transference of goods and services.
The key then is how to engineer trust among the various parties, especially when it is a challenge to monitor asset ownership and transfers/transactions.
Blockchain technology is based on a concept of a decentralised consensus network, introducing replicated, shared, permissioned ledgers for transparency, whilst privacy is maintained by ensuring that relevant parties can only see what they need.
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Tags: Blockchain, disruptive, IBM, IBM Garage, IBM SolutionsConnect 2016, Singapore, SolutionsConnect, technology
Posted in Blockchain, Business IT, Enterprise IT, Events, events, Howtos, IBM, Opinion, Reference, Seminars, Software, Technology, Wiki | No Comments »
June 2nd, 2016
With the blistering pace at which technology develops in this cognitive era, the mantra of the day is “disrupt or be disrupted”. IBM explores the possibilities of exploiting disruptive cutting-edge technologies through real-life case studies of how industry leaders have transformed their organisations and markets to lead the pack.
I am at a one-day thought leadership conference held by technology leader IBM at Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre in Singapore. The conference will discuss leading-edge technologies that organisations can exploit to win. I’m looking forward to the solutions showcase that will demo the latest in cloud, Internet of Things (IoT) and analytics, amongst other technologies of the day.
Brett Michael Nulf brought delegates through various examples of how technology-driven disruptions had decimated many traditional leaders in various industries in recent years, emphasising the importance for enterprises to stay vigilant in order to avoid getting eliminated because of disruption from existing competitors and new startups.
The impetus for disruptive innovation
At the rate at which devices proliferate, their numbers will reach 75 billion by 2020. In fact, some ninety percent of data created was in the last two years because of this proliferation of devices.
Computing systems nowadays are increasingly capable of taking in unstructured data in its many forms though IoT and the rise of the API economy. This has led to the rise of cognitive computing which is transforming digital organisations into cognitive enterprises.
As a result, new business models are emerging, with many of these based on mobile strategies.
New disruptive businesses are leveraging the confluence of analytics, IoT and cloud to create new applications, putting them ahead of incumbent leaders entrenched in legacy technologies.
To succeed in this competitive race, enterprises must be nimble and creative, despite their size.
In order to do this, winners need to accelerate innovation by evolving a progressive technology mindset, mastering technologies such as hybrid clouds and integrating into the API economy.
He mused at how more than seventy percent of companies have dropped off the Fortune 500 list, with the “Unicorn Club” of privately-funded startups reaching US$1bn in value becoming increasingly crowded.
Nulf is a Business Unit Executive for MobileFirst Platform & Cloud, Asia Pacific, IBM Corporation.
He cautioned that although the Fintech arena is currently seeing the most disruptions, other industries are also prone to technology-driven disruptions, such as in manufacturing, healthcare, and even traditional sectors with a long history – such as consumer packaged goods.
An interesting phenomenon that Nulf described was what he called the “Uber syndrome – where a competitor with a completely different business model enters your industry and flattens you”.
It was an interesting example where the innovative newcomer (in this case Uber) enjoyed rapidly growing revenue and market share at the expense of traditional taxis – while the overall pie remained the same.
One key reason why these disruptive newcomers do so well is the speed with which they move and innovate.
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Tags: API, Cisco, cognitive, disruptive, Flipkart, Google, GrabTaxi, IBM, IBM SolutionsConnect 2016, Kickstarter, Netflix, SAP, Singapore, SolutionsConnect, technology, VMware, WeChat, Yes Bank
Posted in Big Data, Business IT, Cloud, Enterprise IT, Events, events, IBM, Mobile, Opinion, SAP, Seminars, Technology, Uncategorized, VMware | No Comments »
June 1st, 2016
AirTies Wireless Networks, a leading supplier of advanced wireless products, has partnered Singtel to provide the telco’s fibre broadband subscribers with Singtel WiFi Mesh. Prices below.
Update (6 April, 2017):
Linksys has launched in Singapore their Velop whole-home Wi-Fi mesh system based on Tri-Band modular Wi-Fi routers. One to three packs available.
The AirTies 4920 1600 Mbps 802.11ac Video Grade Wireless Booster is available in Singapore exclusively to Singtel Fibre Broadband subscribers.
Singtel WiFi Mesh is a broadband add-on that helps users mitigate Wi-Fi dead zones within their home, improving customers’ surfing experience.
“APAC registered the largest absolute growth in internet user numbers with an impressive 12% year-on-year growth, the global operators are seeking for more stable and reliable broadband solutions to satisfy their customers, and AirTies meet the market needs. In Singapore, we are pleased to be working exclusively with Singtel, the largest broadband provider in the country,” said Philippe Alcaras, CEO, AirTies.
Singtel WiFi Mesh with Client Steering technology actively switches devices seamlessly between APs (access points) dynamically, to improve Wi-Fi performance from any corner of your home.
Unlike Wi-Fi range extenders or boosters, the smart WiFi Mesh technology enables the devices to “talk” to one another to select the best wireless transmission path for your device from any corner of your home.
With band steering capabilities, it switches your device to the optimum band (2.4GHz or 5GHz) whenever you move from one room to another, to ensure seamless wireless surfing.
WiFi Mesh can be easily connected to a Singtel-issued router (Aztech 7000, 7002, 7003 and 7009) or your own router to extend Wi-Fi coverage in your home.
AirTies was at CommunicAsia in Singapore and I got a peak at the range of Wi-Fi mesh boxes they have on display.
Depending on your home layout and size, you can choose the number of WiFi Mesh devices you need at home.
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Tags: AirTies, broadband, extenders, fibre, Mesh, repeaters, Singapore, SingTel, Singtel WiFi Mesh, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Mesh
Posted in Accessories, Events, events, Exhibition, Gadgets, gadgets, Internet, Launch, Network, newArrivals, Press Release, Prices, Range Extenders, Wi-Fi | 1 Comment »
June 1st, 2016
Kathrein, an internationally leading specialist for reliable, high-quality communication technologies, sees APAC at the forefront of the digital revolution and is strengthening its presence in the region.
Ashwini Bakshi, a senior professional with a strong track record in communication technologies, joined Kathrein as Managing Director APAC at the beginning of this year. His mandate is to set up a new regional headquarter in Singapore and to steer business and sales activities in Asia-Pacific.
Kathrein is showcasing its expertise and capabilities in the fields of indoor and broadcast mobile communications, at CommunicAsia, Asia’s largest integrated ICT event (31 May to 3 June 2016).
“We are very excited to be in APAC. Asia-Pacific is one of the most vibrant regions in the world. We have been active in Asia-Pacific for several decades, tracing back to the 1960s when we completed first broadcast projects. More recently, with the onset of mobility, we have been supplying mobile communication antennas to leading network operators in APAC,” says Ashwini Bakshi, Managing Director of Kathrein’s regional operations.
With its passion to connect, Kathrein offers superior value to customers on three levels: technology, business and end-user.
Based on the company’s expertise across multiple segments, the privately-owned company offers the technical capability to master increasing complexity and convergence.
From a business perspective, investments into Kathrein solutions minimise Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) while maximising Total Value of Ownership (TVO).
And finally, being at the sharp edge of the network, Kathrein’s quality and reliability solutions have a strong impact on end-user experience and customer satisfaction.
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Tags: APAC, German, Kathrein, networking, Singapore
Posted in audioVisual, Brief, Business IT, Enterprise IT, Events, events, Internet, Press Release | No Comments »
May 31st, 2016
Available in multiple battery sizes (1X, 2X, 3X, 5X, 8X), the powerstation line provides dynamic, on-the-go charging options with up to 15,000mAh. Prices below.
Users will enjoy up to 54 additional hours of talk time, 59 additional hours of web browsing, 59 additional hours of video playback, and 272 additional hours of audio time.
Mobile battery case maker Mophie has launched its next generation powerstation lineup of universal battery solutions for mobile devices.
The new mophie powerstation 3X and mophie powerstation 8X are currently available in all mophie authorised dealers at S$119 and S$224 respectively.
This marks the release of mophie’s slimmest collection of universal power products to date.
These quick-charging devices sport an aluminum finish, and integrate with the company’s mobile power management app, mophie Power.
Also showcased at the launch in Suntec City in Singapore was this waterproof batterycase from Mophie. The JuicePack H2PRO for iPhone 6 & iPhone 6 plus are now available in black for S$189 in Singapore. Waterproof, dropproof, dustproof, dirtproof. 2,750mAh battery, for 14hrs additional talk time, 10hrs additional web browsing, 11hrs additional video playback, 50hrs additional music playback.
The mophie Power app allows users to concurringly monitor and manage the battery life of their smartphone and bluetooth-enabled powerstation units (5x and 8x models only).
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Tags: battery, case, H2PRO, mobile, Mophie, powerstation, Singapore, smartphones
Posted in Accessories, battery, Events, events, gadgets, Launch, Mophie, Press Release, Prices, Specifications | No Comments »
May 27th, 2016
The new HP Spectre is only 10.4mm thin (as thin as an AAA battery) and weighs only 1.11kg. Available in Singapore in June from S$2,299.
The stylised logo on this HP Spectre is the new HP logo for its premium line of products.
A carbon fiber bottom creates a thin profile that is both durable and lightweight, keeping the total weight of the notebook at just 1.11kg.
The new HP Spectre – seen here at the launch in Singapore at ParkRoyal on Pickering.
High gloss copper accents reflect a hand-polished, jewelry-like finish and a hidden piston hinge creates the illusion of a hinge-less design to offer an unmatched premium look-and-feel.
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Tags: B&O, Bang & Olufsen, HP, Intel, laptops, notebooks, Spectre, Windows
Posted in Events, events, Gadgets, gadgets, HP, Launch, newArrivals, Notebooks, notebooks, Prices, Specifications | No Comments »
May 26th, 2016
Jimmy Fitzgerald – Vice President of Asia Pacific & Japan at ServiceNow – shares six ways to help your employees work smarter, not harder. This guest blog was contributed by Fitzgerald.
Jimmy Fitzgerald’s team at ServiceNow helps customers to eliminate reliance on email, spreadsheets and other manual processes so their employees can work smarter, not harder.
In recent years, online retail platforms such as Zalora have truly streamlined their processes of browsing, checkout and payment, wooing shoppers with their speed, efficiency and superior user experience.
Consumers in Singapore now hold speedy deliveries and seamless experiences as the standard when they shop online.
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Tags: byline, guest blog, Jimmy Fitzgerald, opinion, ServiceNow
Posted in Business IT, Enterprise IT, Howtos, Interview, Opinion, Reference, Tips | No Comments »
May 24th, 2016
The Linksys Max-Stream AC1900 MU-MIMO Gigabit Wi-Fi Router (EA7500) will launch at Challenger, Hachi.Tech and the PC Show on 2 June 2016 at an SRP of S$329.99. Promotions and specs below.
The next-gen EA7500 Wi-Fi AC1900 Router can connect multiple devices to a network, including multiple 4K and HD video streams simultaneously.
The new Linksys AC1900 MU-MIMO router leverages the 802.11ac Wave 2 MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output) technology.
“If you have or are planning to purchase a 4K TV you will need a Max-Stream router to ensure you have a seamless 4K online streaming experience,” said Jaimohan Thampi, head of Linksys BU, International Markets.
The technology helps ensure uninterrupted Wi-Fi connectivity to multiple devices in the home and functions as if multiple devices have their own dedicated router.
With MU-MIMO, the whole household can enjoy 4K and HD TV streaming to multiple devices as well as play video games, listen to music, check email, shop, and more – all at the same time.
Perfect for families with multiple users with their own streaming devices, the Max-Stream AC1900 leverages MU-MIMO functionality which helps make Wi-Fi networks more efficient when delivering high bandwidth 4K streams to multiple devices at the same time.
Promotions
The Linksys Max-Stream EA7500 will be available at the PC Show at an introductory offer of $299. This special deal will also be available for all Challenger Value Club Members.
As part of a special joint launch bundle, Singtel will be offering the Max-Stream EA7500 at a special deal of $229 to all consumers who sign up for their Singtel Broadband Fibre Plans at the PC Show.
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Tags: AC1900, IoT, Linksys, MaxStream, MUMIMO, networking, routers, Singapore, WiFi
Posted in Accessories, events, Gadgets, gadgets, Launch, Linksys, Network, newArrivals, Press Release, Prices, Promotions, Router, Specifications, Visits | 1 Comment »
