In this week's TechNave Business Bytes Week 5 May 2024, there's a mix of news highlighting trends in AI, data centers, and e-invoicing. In the world of AI, GIGABYTE is hosting an exhibition showcasing the intersection of AI with art and technology. Visitors can experience AI-generated art and learn how AI PCs are being used in everyday life. Samsung is also pushing the boundaries of AI with its latest lineup of TVs featuring AI features for enhanced viewing experiences and optimized gaming.
Data centers are a hot topic, with Powerwell Holdings reporting a successful year fueled by high-value projects and a strategic focus on the growing data center market. Additionally, Mah Sing Group has partnered with Bridge Data Centres to launch a data center hub in Kuala Lumpur, targeting a range of service providers.
E-invoicing is another driver of growth, with AutoCount experiencing a significant sales increase thanks to its financial management software and the anticipated demand for e-invoicing services. Beyond these key areas, there's more to keep you informed. Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) reports a positive start to the year with revenue and profit growth. Infinix boasts exceptional smartphone shipment growth, while Xiaomi reports strong financial performance across its various business segments.
This edition also features hardware news with MSI winning several awards at COMPUTEX TAIPEI 2024. Security firm Kaspersky highlights a rise in cyber threats targeting businesses in Southeast Asia, urging companies to prioritize security solutions.
We round things out with news from the consumer tech world. Foodpanda Malaysia has launched its "bright" range of affordable groceries. U Mobile has partnered with Astro and Grab Malaysia to launch Sabah's first 5G bus. CelcomDigi is celebrating the harvest festival with the "Nadi" movie, promoting nature appreciation. Finally, TikTok Shop Malaysia is celebrating its second anniversary with deals and campaigns.
GIGABYTE Presents: "GIGABYTE AI New Era: Humanity X Art X Technology" Exhibition Highlights
GIGABYTE, will host the "GIGABYTE AI New Era: Humanity X Art X Technology" exhibition from June 1 to June 5, 2024, showcasing the intersection of AI with humanity, art, and technology. Attendees will experience AI-generated art, machine learning applications, and practical uses of AI PCs. Renowned generative AI artists from home and abroad will collaborate using GIGABYTE AI PCs to present their works.
The exhibition will also feature a unique battle system that combines arcade fighting games with generative AI, inviting gamers and AI prompt engineers to innovate. Visitors can explore how AI enhances everyday life in areas such as gaming, music, digital art, and more.
Powerwell Holdings PAT Tripled to RM19.71m in FY2024, intends to grow in Data Centre Sector for FY2025
Powerwell Holdings, has achieved record-high earnings in the financial year ending March 2024. The company's profit after tax tripled to RM19.71 million, driven by high-value projects in semiconductor plants, solar power plants, and data centers. Despite a slight revenue dip, Powerwell secured substantial revenue from projects in Bangladesh and various data centers and commercial properties.
The company's strategic focus on the growing data center market in Malaysia and Southeast Asia positions it for future growth. Powerwell declared a third single-tier dividend of 1.0 sen per share, bringing the total dividend payout for the year to 3.0 sen per share. With a strong cash balance, the company is poised for strategic growth through mergers and acquisitions and investments in technology and market expansion.
TM Announces a Positive Start in 1Q 2024, 1Q 2024 Key Highlights (vs 1Q 2023)
In Q1 2024, Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) reported a 1.8% revenue increase to RM2.84 billion, driven by TM Global's performance and Unifi's subscriber growth. TM's Profit after Tax and Non-Controlling Interests (PATAMI) rose by 28.7% to RM424.8 million. The company invested RM204 million in expanding its network infrastructure and submarine cable systems.
Unifi maintained its leadership in converged services with a 1.8% increase in fixed broadband subscribers, launching UniVerse, a comprehensive convergence plan. TM One, focused on enterprise and government solutions, launched innovation labs to accelerate digital services and solutions. TM Global, positioned as a regional digital hub, saw a 12.1% revenue increase, recognized for its infrastructure and initiatives at the Asian Telecom Awards.
Mah Sing launches Mah Sing DC Hub@ Southville City with Bridge Data Centres
Mah Sing Group and Bridge Data Centres (BDC) recently launched Mah Sing DC Hub@Southville City, a data center hub in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.The collaboration aims to create a holistic digital infrastructure ecosystem for AI, hyperscale, retail, and enterprise service providers. The first phase of the project will involve developing a data center with a planned capacity of up to 100MW on a 17.55-acre land.
Mah Sing envisions Southville City as a strategic triangle of data center hubs, leveraging its proximity to Cyberjaya and Bukit Jalil. The project aligns with Malaysia's digital transformation agenda and is expected to attract leading technology corporations, telecommunication giants, and financial institutions. Deputy Prime Minister Dato' Sri Fadillah Yusof praised the venture, highlighting its significance in positioning Malaysia as a prime location for data center investment in the Asia Pacific region.
Autocount Q1 Sales Surge on e-Invoicing and Regional Expansion
Autocount recently experienced a significant growth in revenue by 31.22% to RM13.67 million in 1Q FY2024 compared to the corresponding quarter of the preceding year, driven primarily by strong sales in financial management software. Profit before tax rose 13.73% to RM5.38 million, with a solid profit margin of 39.33%, underscoring the fundamentals of its business operations. The anticipated demand for e-invoicing services is set to significantly contribute to further growth, with Autocount's existing client base of over 210,000 businesses poised to benefit from enhanced invoicing processes and compliance.
The Group is strategically positioned to leverage on government digital transformation initiatives across Southeast Asia, forecasting continued growth and innovation in its offerings. Autocount Dotcom Berhad reported strong financial performance in Q1 FY2024 with revenue rising 31.22% to RM13.67 million. Profit before tax increased by 13.73% to RM5.38 million, while net profit grew by 11.03% to RM4.07 million. The company's core segments, including financial management software distribution and technical support services, contributed significantly to these results.
Autocount is optimistic about the growth prospects for the remainder of the year, driven by ongoing digital transformation initiatives and the anticipated growth in the financial management software industry. The integration of e-invoicing services is expected to further enhance the company's product offerings and contribute to its growth trajectory.
Samsung: [Voices of Galaxy] Meet the Para-Sprinter Helping the Next Generation Navigate the Road Ahead
Samsung Galaxy users' real stories are featured in the series Voices of Galaxy. German para-sprinter Johannes Floors received his first pair of running prosthetics at 18, allowing him to run again after his amputation at 16. Through meticulous training and determination, he became a world-class para-sprinter.
Johannes aims to change perceptions of prosthetics, foster discussions in the Paralympic community, and inspire the next generation. He is committed to making a positive impact on his life, his community, and the world. Check out the video below.
foodpanda Malaysia launches "bright" range of high-quality and affordable groceries
foodpanda Malaysia recently introduced an expanded range of groceries under its private house label, bright, available exclusively on pandamart. bright offers over 200 items across three sub-brands: brightfarms, brightyums, and brightspots. The new product range follows the successful introduction of foodpanda's house brand offerings on pandamart, which debuted as brightfields in 2021. bright products are procured directly with suppliers, resulting in cost efficiencies that enable items to be priced competitively.
foodpanda also has full supervision of the manufacturing process and implements strict quality control to ensure consistency in standards. The launch of bright is part of foodpanda's efforts to become the go-to platform for online grocery shopping, especially at a time when customers are increasingly price sensitive. Check out their site for more details.
Samsung: How AI is Transforming the Home Entertainment Experience
Samsung recently unveiled its 2024 audio-video lineup with AI innovation, including the Neo QLED 8K featuring the NQ8 AI Gen3 processor. Samsung also hosted a Southeast Asia Tech Seminar in Bangkok, showcasing new devices and AI features. Samsung's AI TVs enhance viewing experiences with sharper images and features like AI Motion Enhancer Pro and 8K AI Upscaling.
Samsung TVs elevate gaming experiences with AI Auto Game mode, automatically adjusting picture and sound settings for different game genres. Samsung's human-centered philosophy shapes users' AI experience, with features like Audio Subtitles for inclusivity and SmartThings AI Energy Mode for sustainable living. Samsung prioritizes security and privacy with Samsung Knox and Knox Vault, ensuring protection for devices and data. Check out their site for more details.
Infinix Achieves Highest Year-on-Year Global Market Share Growth in Q1 2024
Infinix, recently reported exceptional growth in Q1 2024. Its global smartphone shipments surged by 150.6% year-on-year, achieving four consecutive quarters of rapid growth. Infinix secured top 5 positions in smartphone market share in over 20 countries and recorded impressive year-over-year growth rates, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia.
The brand's success is attributed to its innovative products, such as the Infinix NOTE 40 Series and Infinix GT 20 Pro, which cater to young consumers' needs for fast charging and gaming performance. Infinix's commitment to making advanced technology accessible to a broader global audience has been widely recognized, earning it spots in prestigious rankings like Kantar and Google's Top 50 Chinese Global Brand Builders Report and Fast Company's World's Most Innovative Companies of 2024.
Xiaomi Q1 2024 Adjusted Net profit Doubles YoY to approximately RM 4.3 billion
Xiaomi reported a 27% YoY revenue increase to RMB75.5 billion in Q1 2024, with adjusted net profit surging by 100.8% to RMB6.5 billion. Xiaomi's smartphone business achieved its fourth consecutive quarter of growth, with global shipments rising by 33.7% YoY to 40.6 million units. IoT and lifestyle products revenue grew by 21% YoY to RMB20.4 billion, while internet services revenue hit a record high of RMB8 billion.
Xiaomi's smart EV business gained traction with the launch of the Xiaomi SU7 Series, receiving over 88,000 locked-in orders and delivering 10,000 vehicles within 15 days. The company plans to invest heavily in R&D and expand its sales and service network for its smart EV business. City Navigate on Autopilot (NOA) on Xiaomi Pilot Max is scheduled to be rolled out across 10 cities in mainland China by the end of May 2024, with nationwide coverage expected by August 2024.
Kaspersky: Over 36K web threats daily aimed at businesses in SEA 2023
Kaspersky has reported that they detected and blocked over 13 million web threats in Southeast Asia from January to December 2023, a 31% increase compared to 2020. The Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand experienced significant increases in web threats, with the Philippines facing a 243% jump. Kaspersky's B2B products recorded these statistics.
A recent study revealed that 28% of businesses in Southeast Asia acknowledge increased exposure to cyberattacks due to digitalization. Kaspersky launched Kaspersky Next, a next-generation product line, to provide adaptive and intelligent security solutions to businesses in the region. Check out their site for more details on Kaspersky Next.
MSI wins COMPUTEX 2024 Best Choice Golden Award
COMPUTEX TAIPEI 2024, the largest B2B PC exhibition in Asia, will run from June 4 to June 7. MSI recently won 5 prestigious awards, including the Golden Award for the Prestige 16 AI Evo Slim AI Laptop, Category Awards for the Claw Gaming Handheld, GeForce RTX™ 4090 24G SUPRIM FUZION Graphics Card, and Modern AM273Q Series All-in-One PC, and the Sustainable Tech Special Award for the Cubi NUC Series Mini PC.
The Prestige 16 is the industry's only 16-inch laptop that integrates exceptional mobility, security, and connectivity. The Claw is a groundbreaking handheld gaming device powered by Intel® Core™ Ultra processors and featuring Intel® XeSS technology. The SUPRIM FUZION is an innovative all-in-one hybrid liquid-cooled graphics card that combines the convenient installation process of air cooling with the thermal properties of water cooling. The Modern AM273Q AI Series All-in-One PC is designed with several innovative features and an eco-friendly design. The Cubi NUC Series Mini PC is compact, energy-efficient, and has an FSC sustainable packing design.
U Mobile partnered with Astro and Grab Malaysia to launch Sabah's 1st 5G Bus for Kaamatan celebrations
In conjunction with the Kaamatan celebrations, U Mobile is hosting Cara U Sabah: Kaamatan from May 27 to 31, 2024, opposite the Kadazan-Dusun Cultural Association in Sabah, Malaysia. The event features a 5G bus with free shuttle services, VR gaming, karaoke, live performances, and a neon-lit photo wall with prizes for participants. Visitors can enjoy various activities, win prizes, and meet local celebrities.
U Mobile recently opened its first store in East Malaysia and organized the successful Cara U Sabah Fest. These initiatives aim to expand the brand's presence in the region. Check out their Facebook page for more details.
CelcomDigi celebrate the harvest festival with 'Nadi' movie
CelcomDigi encourages Malaysians to reconnect with nature during the upcoming harvest festivals, Pesta Kaamatan and Hari Gawai. The company recently presented 'Nadi', a music project created using sonification technology to transform plants' vibrations into soundwaves. The film highlights the vital connection between humans and nature and features musicians from East Malaysia composing an instrumental piece using sounds from plants and trees.
CelcomDigi aims to inspire Malaysians to appreciate and respect nature, preserving it for future generations. During this festive season, CelcomDigi offers exciting deals such as 500GB of high-speed internet for RM7 and free 3 months of fiber for home subscriptions in Sabah. The company also supports festive activities in Imago Mall, Kota Kinabalu, and provides free e-hailing rides for customers.
TikTok Shop celebrates 2nd anniversary in Malaysia with Deals
TikTok Shop Malaysia recently celebrated its second anniversary, marking significant growth and milestones in empowering local sellers and creators. The platform introduced increased subsidies and 0% commission, resulting in a nearly 100% sales increase during the 11.11 Sales Campaign. Standout sellers like Moncherilive and Uncle Siang exemplify the transformative power of resilience and innovation, showcasing how dedication and creativity can lead to entrepreneurial success.
To mark the occasion, TikTok Shop is hosting a three-week celebration, including the TikTok Shop 6.6 Countdown campaign and TikTok Shop 6.6 Birthday Fiesta, offering immersive entertainment, exclusive vouchers, and free shipping deals. TikTok Shop Malaysia remains committed to empowering local businesses and fostering a supportive community.
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