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The increasing alignment between IT and business functions, while crucial for organisational success, complicates the management of enterprise systems. Tech leaders must balance rapidly evolving business needs with maintaining system stability and efficiency. This dynamic adds pressure to deliver agility while ensuring long-term ERP health, making management increasingly complex.

As tech providers such as SAP enhance their capabilities and products, they will impact business processes, technology skills, and the tech landscape.

At SAP NOW Southeast Asia in Singapore, SAP presented their future roadmap, with a focus on empowering their customers to transform with agility.  Ecosystm Advisors Sash Mukherjee and Tim Sheedy provide insights on SAP’s recent announcements and messaging.

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Click here to download SAP NOW Southeast Asia: Highlights

What was your key takeaway from the event? 

TIM SHEEDY. SAP is making a strong comeback in Asia Pacific, ramping up their RISE with SAP program after years of incremental progress. The focus is on transitioning customers from complex, highly customised legacy systems to cloud ERP, aligning with the region’s appetite for simplifying core processes, reducing customisations, and leveraging cloud benefits. Many on-prem SAP users have fallen behind on updates due to over-customisation, turning even minor upgrades into major projects – and SAP’s offerings aim to solve for these challenges.

SASH MUKHERJEE. A standout feature of the session was the compelling customer case studies. Unlike many industry events where customer stories can be generic, the stories shared were examples of SAP’s impact. From Mitr Phol’s use of SAP RISE to enhance farm-to-table transparency to CP Group’s ambitious sustainability goals aligned with the SBTi, and Standard Chartered Bank’s focus on empowering data analytics teams, these testimonials offered concrete illustrations of SAP’s value proposition.

How is SAP integrating AI into their offerings?

TIM SHEEDY. SAP, like other tech platforms, is ramping up their AI capabilities – but with a twist.

They are not only highlighting GenAI but also emphasising their predictive AI features. SAP’s approach focuses on embedded AI, integrating it directly into systems and processes to offer low-risk, user-friendly solutions.

Joule, their AI copilot, is enterprise-ready, providing seamless integration with SAP backend systems and meeting strict compliance standards like GDPR and SOC-II. By also integrating with Microsoft 365, Joule extends its reach to daily tools like Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel.

While SAP AI may lack the flash of other platforms, it is designed for SAP users – managers and board members – who prioritise consistency, reliability, and auditability alongside business value.

What is the value proposition of SAP’s Clean Core?

SASH MUKHERJEE. SAP’s Clean Core marks a strategic shift in ERP management.

Traditionally, businesses heavily customised SAP to meet specific needs, resulting in complex and costly IT landscapes. Clean Core advocates for a standardised system with minimal customisations, offering benefits like increased agility, lower costs, and reduced risk during upgrades. However, necessary customisations can still be achieved using SAP’s BTP.

The move to the Clean Core is often driven by CEO mandates, as legacy SAP solutions have become too complex to fully leverage data. For example, an Australian mining company reduced customisations from 27,000 to 200, and Standard Chartered Bank used Clean Core data to launch a carbon program within four months.

However, the transition can be challenging and will require enhanced developer productivity, expansion of tooling, and clear migration paths.

How is SAP shifting their partner strategy?

As SAP customers face significant transformations, tech partners – cloud hyperscalers, systems integrators, consulting firms and managed services providers – will play a crucial role in executing these changes before SAP ECC loses support in 2027.

TIM SHEEDY. SAP has always relied on partners for implementations, but with fewer large-scale upgrade projects in recent years, many partner teams have shrunk. Recognising this, SAP is working to upskill partners on RISE with SAP. This effort aims to ensure they can effectively manage and optimise the modern Cloud ERP platform, utilise assets, templates, accelerators, and tools for rapid migration, and foster continuous innovation post-migration. The availability of these skills in the market will be essential for SAP customers to ensure successful transitions to the Cloud ERP platform.

SASH MUKHERJEE. SAP’s partner strategy emphasises business transformation over technology migration. This shift requires partners to focus on delivering measurable business outcomes rather than solely selling technology. Given the prevalence of partner-led sales in Southeast Asia, there is a need to empower partners with tools and resources to effectively communicate the value proposition to business decision-makers. While RISE certifications will be beneficial for larger partners, a significant portion of the market comprises SMEs that rely on smaller, local partners – and they will need support mechanisms too.

What strategies should SAP prioritise to maintain market leadership?

TIM SHEEDY. Any major platform change gives customers an opportunity to explore alternatives.

Established players like Oracle, Microsoft, and Salesforce are aggressively pursuing the ERP market. Meanwhile, industry-specific solutions, third-party support providers, and even emerging technologies like those offered by ServiceNow are challenging the traditional ERP landscape.

However, SAP has made significant strides in easing the transition from legacy platforms and is expected to continue innovating around RISE with SAP. By offering incentives and simplifying migration, SAP aims to retain their customer base. While SAP’s focus on renewal and migration could pose challenges for growth, the company’s commitment to execution suggests they will retain most of their customers. GROW with SAP is likely to be a key driver of new business, particularly in mid-sized organisations, especially if SAP can tailor offerings for the cost-sensitive markets in the region.

(Clicking on this link will take you to the IBM website where you can download the whitepaper)

Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) governs how the private sector handles personal data, emphasising data minimisation and imposing fines of up to USD 75,000 for non-compliance.

The US data protection landscape is a patchwork of state laws influenced by the GDPR and PIPEDA. The California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) and other state laws like Virginia’s CDPA and Colorado’s CPA reflect GDPR principles, requiring transparency and limiting data use. Proposed federal legislation, such as the American Data Privacy and Protection Act (ADPPA), aims to establish a national standard similar to PIPEDA.

The GDPR’s impact extends beyond EU borders, significantly influencing data protection laws in non-EU European countries. Countries like Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland have closely aligned their regulations with GDPR to maintain data flows with the EU. Switzerland, for instance, revised its Federal Data Protection Act to ensure compatibility with GDPR standards. The UK, post-Brexit, retained a modified version of GDPR in its domestic law through the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. Even countries like Serbia and North Macedonia, aspiring for EU membership, have modeled their data protection laws on GDPR principles.

Data Privacy: A Local Flavour in Emerging Markets

Emerging markets are recognising the critical need for robust data protection frameworks. These countries are not just following in the footsteps of established regulations but are creating laws that address their unique economic and cultural contexts while aligning with global standards.

Brazil has over 140 million internet users – the 4^th largest in the world. Any data collection or processing within the country is protected by the Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (or LGPD), even from data processors located outside of Brazil. The LGPD also mandates organisations to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) and establishes the National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) to oversee compliance and enforcement.

Saudi Arabia’s Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) requires explicit consent for data collection and use, aligning with global norms. However, it is tailored to support Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation goals. The PDPL is overseen by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), linking data protection with the country’s broader AI and digital innovation initiatives.

Closer Home: Changes in Asia Pacific Regulations

The Asia Pacific region is experiencing a surge in data privacy regulations as countries strive to protect consumer rights and align with global standards.

Japan. Japan’s Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI) is set for a major overhaul in 2025. Certified organisations will have more time to report data breaches, while personal data might be used for AI training without consent. Enhanced data rights are also being considered, giving individuals greater control over biometric and children’s data. The government is still contemplating the introduction of administrative fines and collective action rights, though businesses have expressed concerns about potential negative impacts.

South Korea. South Korea has strengthened its data protection laws with significant amendments to the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), aiming to provide stronger safeguards for individual personal data. Key changes include stricter consent requirements, mandatory breach notifications within 72 hours, expanded data subject rights, refined data processing guidelines, and robust safeguards for emerging technologies like AI and IoT. There are also increased penalties for non-compliance.

China. China’s Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) imposes stringent data privacy controls, emphasising user consent, data minimisation, and restricted cross-border data transfers. Severe penalties underscore the nation’s determination to safeguard personal information.

Southeast Asia. Southeast Asian countries are actively enhancing their data privacy landscapes. Singapore’s PDPA mandates breach notifications and increased fines. Malaysia is overhauling its data protection law, while Thailand’s PDPA has also recently come into effect.

Spotlight: India’s DPDP Act

The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act), officially notified about a year ago, is anticipated to come into effect soon. This principles-based legislation shares similarities with the GDPR and applies to personal data that identifies individuals, whether collected digitally or digitised later. It excludes data used for personal or domestic purposes, aggregated research data, and publicly available information. The Act adopts GDPR-like territorial rules but does not extend to entities outside India that monitor behaviour within the country.

Consent under the DPDP Act must be free, informed, and specific, with companies required to provide a clear and itemised notice. Unlike the GDPR, the Act permits processing without consent for certain legitimate uses, such as legal obligations or emergencies. It also categorises data fiduciaries based on the volume and sensitivity of the data they handle, imposing additional obligations on significant data fiduciaries while offering exemptions for smaller entities. The Act simplifies cross-border data transfers compared to the GDPR, allowing transfers to all countries unless restricted by the Indian Government. It also provides broad exemptions to the State for data processing under specific conditions. Penalties for breaches are turnover agnostic, with considerations for breach severity and mitigating actions. The full impact of the DPDP Act will be clearer once the rules are finalised and the Board becomes operational, but 97% of Indian organisations acknowledge that it will affect them.

Conclusion

Data breaches pose significant risks to organisations, requiring a strong data protection strategy that combines technology and best practices. Key technological safeguards include encryption, identity access management (IAM), firewalls, data loss prevention (DLP) tools, tokenisation, and endpoint protection platforms (EPP). Along with technology, organisations should adopt best practices such as inventorying and classifying data, minimising data collection, maintaining transparency with customers, providing choices, and developing comprehensive privacy policies. Training employees and designing privacy-focused processes are also essential. By integrating robust technology with informed human practices, organisations can enhance their overall data protection strategy.

(Clicking on this link will take you to the NEC website where you can download the Roundtable Summary Report)

At the Nutanix .NEXT 2024 event in Barcelona, it became clear that the discourse around cloud computing has evolved significantly. The debate that once polarised organisations over whether on-prem/co-located data centres or public cloud was better has been decisively settled. Both cloud providers and on-prem equipment providers are thriving, as evident from their earnings reports. 

Hybrid cloud has emerged as the clear victor, offering the flexibility and control that organisations demand. This shift is particularly relevant for tech buyers in the Asia Pacific region, where diverse market maturities and unique business challenges require a more adaptable approach to IT infrastructure. 

The Hybrid Cloud Advantage 

Hybrid cloud architecture combines the best of both worlds. It provides the scalability and agility of public cloud services while retaining the control and security of on-prem systems. For Asia Pacific organisations, that often operate across various regulatory environments and face unique data sovereignty issues, this dual capability is invaluable. The ability to seamlessly move workloads between on-prem, private cloud, and public cloud environments enables enterprises to optimise their IT strategies, balancing cost, performance, and compliance. 

Market Maturity and Adoption in Asia Pacific 

The region shows a wide spectrum of technological maturity among its markets. Countries like Australia, Japan, and Singapore lead with advanced cloud adoption and robust IT infrastructures, while emerging markets such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines are still in the nascent stages of cloud integration. 

However, regardless of their current maturity levels, organisations in Asia Pacific are recognising the benefits of a hybrid cloud approach. Mature markets are leveraging hybrid cloud to refine their IT strategies, focusing on enhancing business agility and driving innovation. 

Ecosystm research shows that 75% of organisations in Australia have a hybrid, multi-cloud strategy. Over 30% of organisations have repatriated workloads from the public cloud, and only 22% employ a “cloud first” strategy when deploying new services.  

Meanwhile, emerging markets see hybrid cloud as a pathway to accelerate their digital transformation journeys without the need for extensive upfront investments in on-prem infrastructure. Again, Ecosystm data shows that when it comes to training large AI models and applications, organisations across Southeast Asia use a mix of public, private, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments. 

Strategic Flexibility Without Compromise 

One of the most compelling messages from the Nutanix .NEXT 2024 event is that hybrid cloud eliminates the need for compromise when deciding where to place workloads – and that is what the data above represents. The location of the workload is no longer a limiting factor. Being “cloud first” locks organisations into a tech provider, whereas agility was once exclusively in favour of public cloud providers. Whether it’s for performance optimisation, cost efficiency, or regulatory compliance, tech leaders can now choose the best environment for every workload without being constrained by location. 

For example, an organisation might keep sensitive customer data within a private cloud to comply with local data protection laws while leveraging public cloud resources for less sensitive applications to take advantage of its scalability and cost benefits. I recently spoke to an organisation in the gaming space that had 5 different regulatory bodies to appease – which required data to be stored in 5 different locations! This strategic flexibility ensures that IT investments are fully aligned with business objectives, enhancing overall operational efficiency. 

Moving Forward: Actionable Insights for Asia Pacific Tech Leaders 

To fully capitalise on the hybrid cloud revolution, APAC tech leaders should: 

1. Assess Workload Requirements. Evaluate the specific needs of each workload to determine the optimal environment, considering factors like latency, security, and compliance. 
2. Invest in Integration Tools. Ensure seamless interoperability between on-premises and cloud environments by investing in advanced integration and management tools. 
3. Focus on Skill Development. Equip IT teams with the necessary skills to manage hybrid cloud infrastructures, emphasising continuous learning and certification. 
4. Embrace a Multi-Cloud Strategy. Consider a multi-cloud approach within the hybrid model to avoid vendor lock-in and enhance resilience. 

Conclusion 

The hybrid cloud has definitively won the battle for enterprise IT infrastructure, particularly in the diverse Asia Pacific region. By enabling organisations to place their workloads wherever they make the most sense without compromising on performance, security, or compliance, hybrid cloud empowers tech leaders to drive their digital transformation agendas forward with confidence. Based on everything we know today*, the future of cloud is hybrid. Reform your sourcing practices to put business needs, not cloud service providers or data centres, at the centre of your data decisions. 

*In this fast-changing world, it seems naïve to make sweeping statements about the future of technology! 

All eyes (including those of 15 million tourists) will be on Paris as they host the 2024 Olympics Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently introduced an AI-powered monitoring system to protect athletes from online abuse. This system demonstrates AI’s practical application, monitoring social media in real time, flagging abusive content, and ensuring athlete’s mental well-being. Online abuse is a critical issue in the 21^st century. The IOC chose the right time, cause, and setting. All that is left is implementation. That’s where reality is met.  

While the Googleplex doesn’t emanate the same futuristic aura as whatever is brewing within its walls, Google’s AI prowess is set to take centre stage as they partner with NBCUniversal as the official search AI partner of Team USA. By harnessing the power of their GenAI chatbot Gemini, NBCUniversal will create engaging and informative content that seamlessly integrates with their broadcasts. This will enhance viewership, making the Games more accessible and enjoyable for fans across various platforms and demographics. The move is part of NBCUniversal’s effort to modernise its coverage and attract a wider audience, including those who don’t watch live television and younger viewers who prefer online content. 

From Silicon Valley to Main Street 

While tech giants invest heavily in GenAI-driven product strategies, retailers and distributors must adapt to this new sales landscape. 

Perhaps the promise of GenAI lies in the simple storefronts where it meets the everyday consumer. Just a short drive down the road from the Googleplex, one of many 37,000-square-foot Best Buys is preparing for a launch that could redefine how AI is sold. 

In the most digitally vogue style possible, the chain retailer is rolling out Microsoft’s flagship AI-enabled PCs by training over 30,000 employees to sell and repair them and equipping over 1,000 store employees with AI skillsets. Best Buy are positioning themselves to revitalise sales, which have been declining for the past ten quarters. The company anticipates that the augmentation of AI skills across a workforce will drive future growth.  

The Next Generation of User-Software Interaction 

We are slowly evolving from seeking solutions to seamless integration, marking a new era of User-Centric AI.  

The dynamic between humans and software has mostly been transactional: a question for an answer, or a command for execution. GenAI however, is poised to reshape this. Apple, renowned for their intuitive, user-centric ecosystem, is forging a deeper and more personalised relationship between humans and their digital tools.  

Apple recently announced a collaboration with OpenAI at its WWDC, integrating ChatGPT into Siri (their digital assistant) in its new iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia rollout. According to Tim Cook, CEO, they aim to “combine generative AI with a user’s personal context to deliver truly helpful intelligence”.  

Apple aims to prioritise user personalisation and control. Operating directly on the user’s device, it ensures their data remains secure while assimilating AI into their daily lives. For example, Siri now leverages “on-screen awareness” to understand both voice commands and the context of the user’s screen, enhancing its ability to assist with any task. This marks a new era of personalised GenAI, where technology understands and caters to individual needs. 

We are beginning to embrace a future where LLMs assume customer-facing roles. The reality is, however, that we still live in a world where complex issues are escalated to humans. 

The digital enterprise landscape is evolving. Examples such as the Salesforce Einstein Service Agent, its first fully autonomous AI agent, aim to revolutionise chatbot experiences. Built on the Einstein 1 Platform, it uses LLMs to understand context and generate conversational responses grounded in trusted business data. It offers 24/7 service, can be deployed quickly with pre-built templates, and handles simple tasks autonomously.  

The technology does show promise, but it is important to acknowledge that GenAI is not yet fully equipped to handle the nuanced and complex scenarios that full customer-facing roles need. As technology progresses in the background, companies are beginning to adopt a hybrid approach, combining AI capabilities with human expertise.  

AI for All: Democratising Innovation 

The transformations happening inside the Googleplex, and its neighbouring giants, is undeniable. The collaborative efforts of Google, SAP, Microsoft, Apple, and Salesforce, amongst many other companies leverage GenAI in unique ways and paint a picture of a rapidly evolving tech ecosystem. It’s a landscape where AI is no longer confined to research labs or data centres, but is permeating our everyday lives, from Olympic broadcasts to customer service interactions, and even our personal devices. 

The accessibility of AI is increasing, thanks to efforts like Best Buy’s employee training and Apple’s on-device AI models. Microsoft’s Copilot and Power Apps empower individuals without technical expertise to harness AI’s capabilities. Tools like Canva and Uizard empower anybody with UI/UX skills. Platforms like Coursera offer certifications in AI. It’s never been easier to self-teach and apply such important skills. While the technology continues to mature, it’s clear that the future of AI isn’t just about what the machines can do for us—it’s about what we can do with them. The on-ramp to technological discovery is no longer North-South Highway 101 or the Googleplex that lays within, but rather a network of tools and resources that’s rapidly expanding, inviting everyone to participate in the next wave of technological transformation.

In my previous blogs, I outlined strategies for public sector organisations to incorporate technology into citizen services and internal processes. Building on those perspectives, let’s talk about the critical role of data in powering digital transformation across the public sector.

Effectively leveraging data is integral to delivering enhanced digital services and streamlining operations. Organisations must adopt a forward-looking roadmap that accounts for different data maturity levels – from core data foundations and emerging catalysts to future-state capabilities.

Click here to download ‘Building Resilient Public Services Through Advanced Data Management‘ as a PDF

1. Data Essentials: Establishing the Bedrock 

Data model. At the core of developing government e-services portals, strategic data modelling establishes the initial groundwork for scalable data infrastructures that can support future analytics, AI, and reporting needs. Effective data models define how information will be structured and analysed as data volumes grow. Beginning with an Entity-Relationship model, these blueprints guide the implementation of database schemas within database management systems (DBMS). This foundational approach ensures that the data infrastructure can accommodate the vast amounts of data generated by public services, crucial for maintaining public trust in government systems. 

Cloud Databases. Cloud databases provide flexible, scalable, and cost-effective storage solutions, allowing public sector organisations to handle vast amounts of data generated by public services. Data warehouses, on the other hand, are centralised repositories designed to store structured data, enabling advanced querying and reporting capabilities. This combination allows for robust data analytics and AI-driven insights, ensuring that the data infrastructure can support future growth and evolving analytical needs. 

Document management. Incorporating a document or records management system (DMS/RMS) early in the data portfolio of a government e-services portal is crucial for efficient operations. This system organises extensive paperwork and records like applications, permits, and legal documents systematically. It ensures easy storage, retrieval, and management, preventing issues with misplaced documents.  

Emerging Catalysts: Unleashing Data’s Potential 

Digital Twins. A digital twin is a sophisticated virtual model of a physical object or system. It surpasses traditional reporting methods through advanced analytics, including predictive insights and data mining. By creating detailed virtual replicas of infrastructure, utilities, and public services, digital twins allow for real-time monitoring, efficient resource management, and proactive maintenance. This holistic approach contributes to more efficient, sustainable, and livable cities, aligning with broader goals of urban development and environmental sustainability. 

Data Fabric. Data Fabric, including Data Lakes and Data Lakehouses, represents a significant leap in managing complex data environments. It ensures data is accessible for various analyses and processing needs across platforms. Data Lakes store raw data in its original format, crucial for initial data collection when future data uses are uncertain. In Cloud DB or Data Fabric setups, Data Lakes play a foundational role by storing unprocessed or semi-structured data. Data Lakehouses combine Data Lakes’ storage with data warehouses’ querying capabilities, offering flexibility, and efficiency for handling different types of data in sophisticated environments.  

Data Exchange and MOUs. Even with advanced data management technologies like data fabrics, Data Lakes, and Data Lakehouses, achieving higher maturity in digital government ecosystems often depends on establishing data-sharing agreements. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) exemplify these agreements, crucial for maximising efficiency and collaboration. MoUs outline terms, conditions, and protocols for sharing data beyond regulatory requirements, defining its scope, permitted uses, governance standards, and responsibilities of each party. This alignment ensures data integrity, privacy, and security while facilitating collaboration that enhances innovation and service delivery. Such agreements also pave the way for potential commercialisation of shared data resources, opening new market opportunities. 

Future-Forward Capabilities: Pioneering New Frontiers 

Data Mesh. Data Mesh is a decentralised approach to data architecture and organisational design, ideal for complex stakeholder ecosystems like digital conveyancing solutions. Unlike centralised models, Data Mesh allows each domain to manage its data independently. This fosters collaboration while ensuring secure and governed data sharing, essential for efficient conveyancing processes. Data Mesh enhances data quality and relevance by holding stakeholders directly accountable for their data, promoting integrity and adaptability to market changes. Its focus on interoperability and self-service data access enhances user satisfaction and operational efficiency, catering flexibly to diverse user needs within the conveyancing ecosystem. 

Data Embassies. A Data Embassy stores and processes data in a foreign country under the legal jurisdiction of its origin country, beneficial for digital conveyancing solutions serving international markets. This approach ensures data security and sovereignty, governed by the originating nation’s laws to uphold privacy and legal integrity in conveyancing transactions. Data Embassies enhance resilience against physical and cyber threats by distributing data across international locations, ensuring continuous operation despite disruptions. They also foster international collaboration and trust, potentially attracting more investment and participation in global real estate markets. Technologically, Data Embassies rely on advanced data centres, encryption, cybersecurity, cloud, and robust disaster recovery solutions to maintain uninterrupted conveyancing services and compliance with global standards. 

Conclusion 

By developing a cohesive roadmap that progressively integrates cutting-edge architectures, cross-stakeholder partnerships, and avant-garde juridical models, agencies can construct a solid data ecosystem. One where information doesn’t just endure disruption, but actively facilitates organisational resilience and accelerates mission impact. Investing in an evolutionary data strategy today lays the crucial groundwork for delivering intelligent, insight-driven public services for decades to come. The time to fortify data’s transformative potential is now. 

We spoke about what public sector agencies should consider when building citizen-centric services. Integrating technology into organisational processes requires a similarly strategic approach that considers immediate needs, emerging enablers, and futuristic innovations.

Here is a comprehensive look at what public sector organisations should consider when integrating technology into processes.

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Click here to download ‘Transforming Public Sector Processes: A Roadmap to Unlocking Efficiency’ as a PDF.

1. Process Essentials: Laying the Groundwork

The immediate view focuses on deploying technologies that are widely adopted and essential for current digital service provision. These foundational technologies serve as the backbone for enhancing process efficiency.

• Code. At the most basic level, the foundation is built on code – the programming languages and frameworks used to create digital services. This includes technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Java, Python, etc. A typical approach is to have a front-end web layer for the user interface and a back-end application layer for processing.
• Monolithic ERP. These systems are also crucial, especially in the early stages. These integrated software suites help manage core functions like customer management and document handling. They provide comprehensive, pre-built solutions that can be customised to specific needs. ERPs enable organisations to effectively manage complex processes from the start.

2. Emerging Catalysts: Accelerating Processes

As organisations establish foundational technologies, they should look towards second-generation enablers. Although less mature, these technologies offer emerging digital opportunities, and can significantly enhance service differentiation, through improved processes.

• PaaS. As digital services mature, organisations can leverage platform-as-a-service (PaaS) solutions hosted in the cloud. PaaS provides greater scalability, flexibility, and reduced infrastructure management overhead compared to custom development approaches. Adopting a microservices architecture on PaaS allows for developing independent components that can be updated independently, promoting continuous improvement. This modern, modular approach is highly efficient.
• Low Code/ No Code. LC/NC platforms further simplify application development by providing intuitive, visual tools that don’t require extensive coding expertise. They build on PaaS capabilities while minimising the need for deep technical skills. These environments also facilitate collaboration by enabling partners and third-parties to easily create custom solutions that integrate with the organisation’s systems. This spurs innovation through an ecosystem of complementary apps and services.

3. Future-Forward Capabilities: Next-Gen Processes

The futuristic view focuses on forward-looking technologies that address long-term roadblocks and offer transformative potential. These technologies are currently speculative but hold the promise of significantly reshaping the market.

• Complex RPA and ML. Robotic process automation (RPA) and machine learning take technological maturity to the next level by automating routine tasks and optimising decision-making through intelligent algorithms. The integration of RPA with machine learning goes beyond simple automation to enable more complex, data-driven decision processes across the workflow. Analysts predict that by 2025, up to 50% of work could be automated this way, drastically improving efficiency.
• Enterprise-Wide Microservices Architecture. An enterprise-wide microservices architecture represents an advanced approach suitable for collaboration between agencies, technical service providers, and partners. Each microservice is designed to be independently deployable, testable, and focused on specific capabilities. This decentralised model allows services to be updated or replaced without disrupting the entire system, enhancing resilience. On a PaaS platform, it enables an agile, scalable approach aligned with modern e-government needs.
• Industry Cloud. The Industry Cloud is essentially a highly configurable PaaS solution, designed to meet the specific needs of not just one government agency or jurisdiction, but with adaptability for broader use.

Ecosystm Opinion

A comprehensive roadmap should outline how to build upon current process foundations with emerging catalysts like cloud platforms and low-code development, while actively preparing for future-forward capabilities around automation, microservices architectures, and industry cloud solutions.

By taking a long-term, systematic approach to integrating technology at every stage of the process lifecycle, agencies can cultivate an adaptable digital process ecosystem that continually evolves in lockstep with technological innovation. The goal is to foster processes that don’t just endure disruption, but fundamentally improve because of it – cementing organisational resilience and agility for decades to come.

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Click here to download ‘Transforming Data Centres: Equinix’s Platform and Service Integration’ as a PDF

Small Details, Big Impact

TIM SHEEDY. The tour of the new Equinix data centre in Sydney revealed the complexity of modern facilities. For instance, the liquid cooling system, essential for new Nvidia chipsets, includes backup cold water tanks for redundancy. Every system and process is designed with built-in redundancy.

As power needs grow, so do operational and capital costs. The diesel generators at the data centre, comparable to a small power plant, are supported by multiple fuel suppliers from several regions in Sydney to ensure reliability during disasters.

Security is critical, with some areas surrounded by concrete walls extending from the ceiling to the floor, even restricting access to Equinix staff.

By focusing on these details, Equinix enables customers to quickly set up and manage their environments through a self-service portal, delivering a cloud-like experience for on-premises solutions.

Equinix’s Commitment to the Environment

ACHIM GRANZEN. Compute-intensive AI applications challenge data centres’ “100% green energy” pledges, prompting providers to seek additional green measures. Equinix addresses this through sustainable design and green energy investments, including liquid cooling and improved traditional cooling. In Singapore, one of Equinix’s top 3 hubs, the company partnered with the government and Sembcorp to procure solar power from panels on public buildings. This improves Equinix’s power mix and supports Singapore’s renewable energy sector.

TIM SHEEDY Building and operating data centres sustainably is challenging. While the basics – real estate, cooling, and communications – remain, adding proximity to clients, affordability, and 100% renewable energy complicates matters. In Australia, reliant on a mixed-energy grid, Equinix has secured 151 MW of renewable energy from Victoria’s Golden Plains Wind Farm, aiming for 100% renewable by 2029.

Equinix leads with AIA-rated data centres that operate in warmer conditions, reducing cooling needs and boosting energy efficiency. Focusing on efficient buildings, sustainable water management, and a circular economy, Equinix aims for climate neutrality by 2030, demonstrating strong environmental responsibility.

Equinix’s Private AI Value Proposition

ACHIM GRANZEN. Most AI efforts, especially GenAI, have occurred in the public cloud, but there’s rising demand for Private AI due to concerns about data availability, privacy, governance, cost, and location. Technology providers in a position to offer alternative AI stacks (usually built on top of a GPU-as-a-service model) to the hyperscalers find themselves in high interest. Equinix, in partnership with providers such as Nvidia, offers Private AI solutions on a global turnkey AI infrastructure. These solutions are ideal for industries with large-scale operations and connectivity challenges, such as Manufacturing, or those slow to adopt public cloud.

SASH MUKHERJEE. Equinix’s Private AI value proposition will appeal to many organisations, especially as discussions on AI cost efficiency and ROI evolve. AI unites IT and business teams, and Equinix understands the need for conversations at multiple levels. Infrastructure leaders focus on data strategy capacity planning; CISOs on networking and security; business lines on application performance, and the C-suite on revenue, risk, and cost considerations. Each has a stake in the AI strategy. For success, Equinix must reshape its go-to-market message to be industry-specific (that’s how AI conversations are shaping) and reskill its salesforce for broader conversations beyond infrastructure.

Equinix’s Growth Potential

ACHIM GRANZEN. In Southeast Asia, Malaysia and Indonesia provide growth opportunities for Equinix. Indonesia holds massive potential as a digital-savvy G20 country. In Malaysia, the company’s data centres can play a vital part in the ongoing Mydigital initiative, having a presence in the country before the hyperscalers. Also, the proximity of the Johor Bahru data centre to Singapore opens additional business opportunities.

TIM SHEEDY. Equinix is evolving beyond being just a data centre real estate provider. By developing their own platforms and services, along with partner-provided solutions, they enable customers to optimise application placement, manage smaller points of presence, enhance cloud interconnectivity, move data closer to hyperscalers for backup and performance, and provide multi-cloud networking. Composable services – such as cloud routers, load balancers, internet access, bare metal, virtual machines, and virtual routing and forwarding – allow seamless integration with partner solutions.

Equinix’s focus over the last 12 months on automating and simplifying the data centre management and interconnection services is certainly paying dividends, and revenue is expected to grow above tech market growth rates.