Advanced technology and the growing interconnectedness of devices are no longer futuristic concepts in health and life sciences – they’re driving a powerful transformation. Technology, combined with societal demands, is reshaping drug discovery, clinical trials, patient care, and even our understanding of the human body.
The potential to create more efficient, personalised, and effective healthcare solutions has never been greater.
Click here to download “Future Forward: Reimagining Health & Life Sciences” as a PDF.
Modernising HR for Enhanced Efficiency & Employee Experience
The National Healthcare Group (NHG), a leading public healthcare provider in Singapore, recognised the need to modernise their HR system to better support 20,000+ healthcare professionals and improve patient services.
The iConnect@NHG initiative was launched to centralise HR functions, providing mobile access and self-service capabilities, and streamlining workflows across NHG’s integrated network of hospitals, polyclinics, and specialty centres.
The solution streamlined HR processes, giving employees easy access to essential data, career tools, and claims. The cloud-based platform improved data accuracy, reduced admin work, and integrated analytics for better decision-making and engagement. With 95% adoption, productivity and job satisfaction surged, enabling staff to focus on care delivery.
Automating Workflows for Better Patient Outcomes
Gold Coast Health handles a high volume of patient interactions across a wide range of medical services. The challenge was to streamline operations and reduce administrative burdens to improve patient care.
The solution involved automating the patient intake process by replacing paper forms with electronic versions, freeing up significant staff time.
A new clinical imaging solution also automates the uploading of wound images and descriptions into patient records, further saving time. Additionally, Gold Coast Health implemented a Discharge to Reassess system to automate follow-ups for long-term outpatient care. They are also exploring AI to simplify tasks and improve access to information, allowing clinical teams to focus more on patient care.
Streamlining Operations, Improving Care
IHH Healthcare, a global provider with over 80 hospitals across 10 countries, faced a fragmented IT landscape that hindered data management and patient care.
To resolve this, IHH migrated their core application workloads, including EMRs, to a next-gen cloud platform, unifying data across their network and enhancing analytics.
Additionally, they adopted an on-prem cloud solution to comply with local data residency requirements. This transformation reduced report generation time from days to hours, boosting operational efficiency and improving patient and clinician experiences. By leveraging advanced cloud technologies, IHH is strengthening their commitment to delivering world-class healthcare.
Creating Seamless & Compassionate Patient Journeys
The Narayana Health group in India is committed to providing accessible, high-quality care. However, they faced challenges with fragmented patient data, which hindered personalised care and efficient interactions.
To address this, Narayana Health centralised patient data, providing agents with a 360-degree view to offer more informed and compassionate service.
By automating tasks like call routing and form-filling, the organisation reduced average handling times and increased appointment conversions. Additionally, automated communication tools delivered timely, sensitive updates, strengthening patient relationships. The initiative has improved operational efficiency and deepened the organisation’s patient-centric focus.
Reimagining Location Services for Digital Healthcare
Halodoc, a leading digital health platform in Indonesia, connects millions of users with healthcare professionals and pharmacies.
To improve key services like home lab appointments and medicine delivery, Halodoc sought a more cost-effective and secure location service.
The transition resulted in an 88% reduction in costs for geocoding and places functionalities while enhancing data security. With better performance monitoring, Halodoc processed millions of geocoding and place requests with no major issues. This migration not only optimised costs but also resolved long-standing technical challenges, positioning Halodoc for future innovation, including machine learning and AI. The move strengthened their data security and provided a solid foundation for continued growth and high-quality healthcare delivery across Indonesia.
Driving Efficiency & Accessibility through Integrated Systems
Lupin, a global pharma leader, aimed to boost patient care, streamline operations, and enhance accessibility. By integrating systems and centralising data, Lupin wanted seamless interactions between patients, doctors, and the salesforce.
The company implemented a scalable infrastructure optimised for critical business applications, backed by high-performance server and storage technologies.
This integration improved data-driven decision-making, leading to optimised operations, reduced costs, and improved medicine quality and affordability. The robust infrastructure also ensured near-zero downtime, enhancing reliability and efficiency. Through this transformation, Lupin reinforced its commitment to providing patient-centred, affordable healthcare with faster, more efficient outcomes.
Leveraging AI for Cloud Security
Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma’s “VISION 30” seeks to deliver personalised healthcare by 2030, focusing on precision medicine and digital solutions. The company is investing in advanced digital technologies and secure data infrastructure to achieve these goals.
To secure their expanding cloud platform, the company adopted a zero-trust model and enhanced identity management.
A security assessment identified gaps in cloud configuration, prompting tailored security improvements. GenAI was introduced to translate and summarise security alerts, reducing processing time from 10 minutes to just one minute, improving efficiency and security awareness across the team. The company is actively exploring further AI-driven solutions to strengthen security and drive their digital transformation, advancing the vision for personalised healthcare.
The education sector is evolving rapidly, driven by technological innovation and shifting societal needs. This transformation extends beyond digitisation, requiring a fundamental rethink of how students and employees engage. AI-driven personalisation, immersive virtual environments, and data analytics are reshaping curricula, teaching strategies, and operational efficiency.
Here are recent examples of transformation across the Asia Pacific.
Click here to download “Future Forward: Reimagining Education” as a PDF.
Streamlining Service Delivery
Griffith University struggled with fragmented systems and siloed information, leading to inconsistent service and inefficiencies. Managing support for over 45,000 students became unsustainable, demanding a streamlined solution.
By adopting an enterprise service management platform, Griffith consolidated multiple portals into a single system, automating ticketing, request management, and AI-driven self-service.
Starting with library services, the transformation expanded across IT, HR, legal, and other functions, improving accessibility and collaboration. The impact was immediate: self-service surged by 87%, first-contact resolution jumped by 43%, and incident resolution time dropped by 25%. Call volume fell 31% and email inquiries 46%. Now scaling the platform university-wide, Griffith is streamlining service for students and staff.
AI for Recruitment & Content
The Indian Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) sought to improve recruitment efficiency and enhance educational content creation. Manual hiring processes were slow and inconsistent, while developing high-quality learning materials was resource-intensive.
IIHM implemented an AI-driven platform to automate candidate assessments and generate accurate, engaging educational content.
This transformation cut interview times by half, improved hiring precision to 90%, and boosted student job placements by up to 30%. AI-generated materials reached 95% accuracy, creating a more effective learning experience. With stronger recruitment and enriched education, IIHM continues to reinforce its leadership in hospitality training.
AI-Accelerated Research
La Trobe University sought to harness GenAI to streamline research operations and accelerate market entry. Researchers faced challenges in accessing university-approved knowledge efficiently, while limited development capabilities slowed the commercialisation of research findings.
By implementing a retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) system, La Trobe enabled rapid, AI-powered access to research data, initially tested on autism studies.
Simultaneously, the university co-developed an AI-driven application to transform research into market-ready solutions faster. AI-driven development reduced time from months to weeks, with core components built in under a week. By leveraging in-house AI tools, La Trobe achieved an 8.7x cost reduction compared to outsourcing. This initiative positioned the university as a leader in AI-driven innovation, bridging the gap between academia and industry.
AI-Driven Personalisation
BINUS University aimed to future-proof its operations and student learning experiences. With GenAI reshaping education, the university sought to integrate AI into administration and teaching to boost efficiency and deliver adaptive, personalised learning.
BINUS has integrated AI across key areas, driving efficiency and personalisation.
AI-powered student intake predictions have reached 90% accuracy, optimising resource allocation across 14 campuses. GenAI automates Diploma Supplement Document (DPI) creation, reducing manual effort and improving accuracy. AI enhances the library system with personalised book recommendations and powers the AI Tutor for faster, tailored academic feedback. AI-driven language learning platforms further boost student engagement.
Unified Digital Workflows
Western Sydney University (WSU) faced inefficiencies from over 32 shared email addresses and paper-based forms, causing delays, poor inquiry tracking, and complicated administration – hindering timely, effective support.
WSU launched WesternNow to replace outdated systems with a unified digital platform, streamlining service requests, enhancing case tracking, cutting manual processes, and improving the user experience for students and staff.
This made WSU’s service delivery more responsive and efficient. The platform drastically improved efficiency, cutting request logging time from over 4 minutes to seconds. Staff tracked and resolved cases seamlessly without sifting through emails. Workflow digitisation eliminated most paper forms, saving time and resources, while consolidating forms into services reduced their number by 40%.
Over the past year, Ecosystm has conducted extensive research, including surveys and in-depth conversations with industry leaders, to uncover the most pressing topics and trends. And unsurprisingly, AI emerged as the dominant theme. Here are some insights from our research on the Healthcare industry.
Click here to download ‘AI in Healthcare: Success Stories & Insights’ as a PDF
AI is transforming the healthcare industry, offering unprecedented opportunities to improve patient outcomes and streamline operations. However, the successful implementation of AI in healthcare is not without its challenges. Those who can navigate these complexities and harness the power of AI will emerge as industry leaders, driving innovation and shaping the future of healthcare.
Despite the challenges, Healthcare organisations are witnessing early AI success in these 3 areas:
- 1. Diagnostics
- 2. Care Management
- 3. Operational Efficiency & Optimisation
Diagnostics
- Image Analysis. Analysing medical images (e.g., X-rays, MRIs) to detect diseases and abnormalities
- Diagnosis. Assisting clinicians in identifying and diagnosing diseases
- Early Detection. Detecting diseases at an early stage for more effective treatment
“Diagnostics is where our AI journey began – starting with image analysis for eye diseases, evolving to x-ray screening tools, and most recently, investing in digital stethoscopes for our doctors and nurses.” – CLINICIAN LEADER
Care Management
- Clinical Decision Support. Providing clinicians with recommendations and insights to improve patient care
- Personalised Treatment Plans. Personalising treatment protocols based on patient data and genetics
- Chronic Disease Management. Monitoring chronic diseases over multiple years
“Clinical decision support isn’t new, but AI has revolutionised it by enabling the system to send alerts and warnings proactively, rather than only when prompted.” – CLINICIAN LEADER
Operational Efficiency & Optimisation
- Supply Chain Management. Optimising inventory and supply chain processes
- Appointment Scheduling. Automating appointment booking and management
- Workflow Optimisation. Streamlining workflows and improving efficiency of clinical staff
“Patient satisfaction extends beyond clinical outcomes. Aspects like shorter waiting times during appointments, the availability of medications, and automated responses to common queries significantly enhance patient satisfaction. These are areas where we have successfully implemented AI.” – COO
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:
- Assess Workload Requirements. Evaluate the specific needs of each workload to determine the optimal environment, considering factors like latency, security, and compliance.
- Invest in Integration Tools. Ensure seamless interoperability between on-premises and cloud environments by investing in advanced integration and management tools.
- Focus on Skill Development. Equip IT teams with the necessary skills to manage hybrid cloud infrastructures, emphasising continuous learning and certification.
- 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!
The technology market in Thailand continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, creating both exciting opportunities and significant challenges for tech leaders in the country. Real-world AI applications and cloud expansion define the future of IT strategies in 2024, as organisations push digital transformation forward. Understanding these trends is crucial for navigating today’s market complexities and achieving exponential growth. Here are the opportunities in the Thailand technology landscape and insights on how to address them effectively.
Tech Modernisation: Breaking Free from Vendor Lock-in
Data centre consolidation and infrastructure modernisation remain top priorities for organisations in Thailand. These processes catalyse the ‘de-requisitioning’ removing outdated or unnecessary technology from an organisation’s infrastructure. But vendor lock-ins pose challenges for organisations, mainly stifling organisational flexibility, hindering innovation, and exposing them to business disruption risks.
44% of organisations in Thailand are focused on consolidating data centres and modernising tech stacks to mitigate vendor lock-ins and enhance operational efficiency.
Modernising infrastructure reduces reliance on single vendors and improves scalability and resilience. Despite the widespread adoption of hybrid and multi-cloud environments, effectively managing these systems remains challenging and requires additional strategic investments.
Over-reliance on a single provider can expose organisations to new risks. This is why CIOs in Thailand are taking decisive steps to combat technology vendor lock-in. They are centralising and modernising their data centres and enhancing cross-platform tools to reduce vendor dependency.
This approach is key to their long-term growth and innovation, allowing them to remain at the forefront of the digital transformation landscape, ready to leverage emerging technologies and adapt to expanding business challenges.
The Hybrid Cloud Labyrinth: Managing Complexity for Success
Nearly 60% of Thailand organisations have embraced hybrid and multi-cloud environments, but the challenges of managing the complexity are often underestimated.
Hybrid strategies offer numerous benefits, such as increased flexibility, optimised performance, and enhanced disaster recovery capabilities. However, managing different cloud providers, each with its unique interface and operational management tools can be challenging.
The challenges of managing a hybrid IT environment are indeed multifaceted. Integration requires harmonising various technology services to work together seamlessly, which can be complex due to differing architectures and protocols. Security is another primary concern, as managing security across on-premises and multiple cloud providers necessitates consistent policies and vigilant monitoring to prevent breaches and ensure compliance. Additionally, efficiently utilising resources across hybrid clouds involves sophisticated monitoring and automation tools to optimise performance and cost-effectiveness. These challenges are real and pressing, and they demand attention and action.
Alarmingly, only 1% of organisations in Thailand plan to increase their investments in hybrid cloud management in 2024.
Organisations can ensure seamless integration, consistent security readiness, and efficient resource utilisation across diverse cloud platforms by investing in robust tools and practices for effective hybrid cloud management. This mitigates operational risks and security vulnerabilities and leads to cost savings due to well-managed cloud environments.
It’s crucial for CIOs in Thailand to urgently prioritise investing in new comprehensive management solutions and developing the necessary skills within their IT teams. This involves training staff on the latest hybrid cloud management technologies and best practices and adopting advanced tools that provide visibility and control over multi-cloud operations. Cracking the hybrid/multi-cloud code empowers CIOs to not only navigate these environments, but also unlock the potential of advanced technologies like AI, ultimately driving superior IT services and expanded business growth. The urgency of this task cannot be overstated, and the sooner you act, the better prepared your organisation will be for the future.
The Future of Work: AI Adoption for Enhanced Productivity
AI is a powerful tool for improving employee productivity and transforming internal operations.
However, only 12% of Thailand’s organisations invest in AI to enhance the employee experience.
This represents a missed opportunity for organisations to utilise AI’s potential to streamline processes, automate repetitive tasks, and provide personalised support to employees.
AI can significantly enhance operational efficiency by automating routine tasks, enabling staff to focus on strategic initiatives. For instance, AI-driven analytics platforms can process vast amounts of data in real time, providing actionable insights that help businesses make informed decisions quickly. AI frees employees to focus on higher-level tasks like developing innovative solutions and strategies. This empowers them to take on more strategic roles, fostering personal growth and career advancement.
The early adopters of AI in Thailand are already reaping the benefits, gaining significant competitive edge by enhancing employee productivity and satisfaction.
In Thailand AI adoption is gaining momentum within tech teams – 44% are exploring its potential for various use cases.
However, its capabilities extend far beyond. AI encompasses a wide range of technologies that can generate content, such as text, images, and code, based on input data. These versatile capabilities are not limited to tech teams, but can also be used for content creation, process automation, and product design in various industries. The success of these early adopters should inspire other Thailand organisations to consider AI adoption as a means to stay ahead in the market.
The enthusiasm for AI has yet to extend beyond tech teams, with only 19% of business units considering its adoption.
This difference highlights an opportunity for CIOs in the country to play a crucial role in advocating for broader AI adoption across the organisation. By demonstrating the tangible benefits, such as increased efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced innovation, CIOs can drive more widespread acceptance and use. Encouraging cross-departmental collaboration and training on AI applications can further support its integration across business operations. CIO leadership is crucial for successful AI adoption.
The Importance of a Collaborative Ecosystem
Together, we can navigate the intricacies of advanced technologies and foster innovation in Thailand organisation. These market trends should guide you on how to establish a resilient and adaptable IT infrastructure that facilitate long-term growth and innovation. Emphasising modernisation and the strategic use of AI will enhance operational efficiency and position your organisation to harness emerging technologies effectively, all while being part of a supportive and collaborative community.
Stay tuned for more Ecosystm insights and guidance on navigating the Thailand technology landscape, ensuring your organisation remains at the forefront of digital transformation.