itelligence AG, a full-service provider for SAP business software, has strengthened its partnership with the German ERP company SAP by implementing SAP Concur solutions for travel management in Asia and Europe. This development enables intelligence to offer consistent service quality in these strategic regions.

Norbert Rotter, itelligence AG CEO, said:

“In light of the growing commercial demand for solutions in the area of software as a service, the portfolio from SAP Concur is of great strategic importance for itelligence.”

“We follow SAP’s Intelligent Enterprise approach. With this background, itelligence figures once again among the top providers and pioneers in the consulting sector,” he added.

The partnership between SAP and itelligence for SAP Concur implementations were limited to Europe until this announcement. India, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines and other wide parts of Asia have been leveraging SAP Concur solutions since January 2020.

“We are proud to be able to support our national and international customers in transforming and optimizing their business travel management processes in all important core countries,” expressed Uwe Bohnhorst, itelligence AG COO.

As a globally successful consulting company, itelligence houses SAP experts in SAP Concur solutions implementation who can provide customers globally with consistent quality through the corporate network. Through itelligence, global players and SMEs with global operations alike will be able to integrate their solutions across the SAP Concur platform. 

itelligence, one of the largest SAP Concur partners in the world, is now able to offer a combination of SAP applications that enables cost management across different business areas – from purchasing and human resources to all the steps involved in requesting, approving, booking, and accounting for business trips with SAP Concur. SAP Concur solutions also champion efficiency in the field of HR Management, more so adding greatest value, when the cloud portfolio is utilised in conjunction with SAP S/4HANA, procurement solutions from SAP Ariba and SAP SuccessFactors cloud solutions. 

About itelligence AG

Germany-based itelligence AG is part of the global SAP Platinum Partner NTT DATA Business Solutions Group together with NTT Data Business Solutions APAC . NTT DATA Business Solutions Group leverages its global expertise to deliver quality outcomes in a countrywide operation or multinational scale. The enterprise has over 9,000 SAP experts across 29 countries, an undisputed leader in SAP S/4HANA with about 500 SAP HANA clients and over 300 SAP S/4HANA clients.

itelligence supports SMEs and large enterprises’ digital transformation through a range of services including IT strategy and transformation consulting, software deployment and implementation, as well as application management and managed cloud services. itelligence has been working with SAP since 1993 building a strong relationship, delivering unparalleled service to customers and ensuring customers get the most of SAP solutions. In 2018, itelligence AG has achieved Partner Centre of Expertise (PCOE) certification from SAP.

The consulting company has added Amazon Web Services (AWS) to its partner network enabling a comprehensive delivery of global IT and business services with the flexibility and cost-efficiency of SAP-related hybrid cloud technology.

itelligence generated about 1 billion euros in total revenues in 2019.

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ThePrint reported that a new poll organised by SAP and Qualtrics through its survey platform indicated that most people all over the world feel that local schools are not equipped nor prepared to help students be job-ready. Additionally, results reveal that only two regions had respondents that rated their schools as ‘good’ or ‘excellent.’

The Qualtrics survey platform asked the question, ‘how would you rate local schools when it comes to preparing students to get jobs today?’

The majority of the poll participants responded with a rating that says the local schools are underperforming. Overall, only East Asia and the Pacific and South Asia respondents voted with a positive rating.

Outside of the regions of the Americas and South Asia, the majority of the respondents believe that access to good education is still a privilege instead of something that the majority of the population of the countries can enjoy.

Delivering quality education is the fourth key part of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted all of the United Nations Member States in the year 2015 for its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The results show that there is still work that needs to be done, especially with the impact that came with the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The survey also asked questions that gauged global cooperation and rendered positive results.

Across all regions, the respondents noted that it is ‘important’ or ‘very important’ for nations to work harmoniously towards a common goal.

South Asia and the Sub-Saharan Africa regions were mostly in favour. Western Europe turned out to be the least in favour. Although, globally, more than one-third of the respondents think that it is crucial.

In addition to this, the Qualtrics survey also gathered results indicating that people think it is a good idea and beneficial to do so. The majority of the respondents from every region responded with ‘mostly good’ with only 12{aa282f308afcc222aaa21b0478c79e01a8fedd01972e2180867097bd93930f22} voting with ‘mostly bad.’

The results revealed that nations need to work together to meet common goals and deliver better and more positive results.

Ten thousand five hundred respondents from 30 countries all over the world participated in the survey, which represents three-fourths of the global population.

The recent poll was not the first time SAP and Qualtrics assisted in organising global surveys. In 2019, Qualtrics organised a survey and gathered opinions at the 2019 India Economic Summit to gauge the Indian population’s response to technology. The poll also comprised of more than 10,000 respondents from 29 countries.

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Shopee, the leading e-commerce online shopping platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, has recently adopted nap pods at work after recognising the link of productivity loss due to poor sleep. The Singapore-based company encourages its employees to use the nap pods in its new premises in Kent Ridge.

Shopee’s new six-storey regional headquarter in Kent Ridge, which opened last month, sacrificed office space on almost every floor for rooms with double-decker capsule beds, soft and warm lighting and blackout curtains to complete the ambiance. Coders, developers and data analysts now have a place to zone out and get some quick recuperation.

Lim Teck Yong, Shopee’s head of regional operations and people team, explained how a good nap not only drives people to continue to work but, more importantly, increase productivity level as well. He said:

“All of us have occasions when we just need that 30 minutes, (or) that one hour of a quick power nap. And that can enable us to work more efficiently.”

Their nap pods are, thus, designed to be conducive to rest, to “extract the most out of their 30-minute nap”.

Nap Pods Break the Monotony of Coding

Shopee’s nap pods are meant for developers and data analysts who spend long hours at their computer screen. Since Shopee is operating 24/7, coders, developers and data analysts work non-stop to keep the app working, including fixing issues that arise. 

Employees prefer to make use of the 40 nap pods scattered around the building instead of taking advantage of the free use of the office gym, pool tables, and massage services. Most common nap times are during lunchtime and in the late evenings.

 “We maintain hotel-standard cleanliness in our nap pods. So we change the sheets every day,” said Lim.

Shopee employs over 1,000 staff whose average age is about 27 are dynamic, seeking to make a change in the world.

“Millennials today tend to work a bit harder, and hence providing these staff benefits will help ease some of the stress and the workload … and make it a bit easier for them to work,” he added.

According to Lim, benefits such as sleep pods at work keep employees happy and, consequently, productive. He said that nap pods might soon become basic office facilities in every company. He stressed:

“In Singapore, productivity improvement is a top priority … and as a tech company in a fast-paced industry, I think we ought to improve productivity and find all ways possible to achieve that.”

Tech giants SAP Singapore and Google Singapore have already installed nap pods fro members who need a quick recharge. SAP Singapore is known to be one of the coolest workplaces in the country having reclining sofa fitted with a helmet-like dome for privacy, painted black on the inside and comes with built-in audio speakers.

Last year, Nanyang Technological University has also set up a rest pod in a library for its students.

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SAP Cloud Platform services’ tier 1 vendors have been focusing on the Asia Pacific region, eyeing the opportunities with significant growth across various industries including BFSI, consumer goods, IT & telecom and manufacturing. This was one of the key findings in Fact.MR’s assessment of the SAP Cloud Platform services market for the period of 2018-2028.

Top IT companies SAP, Accenture Plc, Infosys Limited, and IBM Corporation have collectively contributed over 30{aa282f308afcc222aaa21b0478c79e01a8fedd01972e2180867097bd93930f22} to the platform’s market, and, consequently, significant revenue shares.

With the huge distribution infrastructure and geographical reach in the cloud services marketplace along with their alliances in the Asia Pacific, these tech global leaders are forecasted to contribute to SAP Cloud Platform services’ sales growth. The recent activities from some of the Top 4 companies demonstrate the potential of the platforms’ services in the region.

Take the recent development of Infosys Limited as an example. The technology services & consulting firm announced its recent expansion plans in the Asia Pacific by initiating a joint venture with Temasek, a Singapore based company. This joint venture adds another sales funnel to the SAP Cloud Platform services portfolio by facilitating the expansion of IBM in Southeast Asia in the software services marketplace.

Similarly, the multi-zone cluster strategy of key vendors can also increase the SAP cloud platform services sales just like in the case of IBM Corporation. The IT goliath continues to expand its cloud footprint across Sydney and Tokyo in the Asia Pacific and other regions including the UK, Germany, Dallas, Washington DC, and Texas.

SAP Cloud Platform Services in demand

SAP Cloud Platform services have been receiving increased popularity in the market due to its capability in regulating processes under disruptive business models.

·     Facilitating digital transformation and offers flexible software that enables quick adaptation

·     Scalability in processes without altering existing software

·     Real-time business data along with agility in application development that can enhance business proficiency and profitability

Other key findings

·     Well-established companies, startups, developers and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) have been utilizing SAP cloud platform services to achieve faster ROI and profitability. This has been demonstrated in the cases of Pacific Drilling and the National Football League.

Pacific Drilling, an industry-leading offshore drilling company that delivers prototypes to end-users, utilized SAP Cloud Platform services enhancing app creation by around 75 {aa282f308afcc222aaa21b0478c79e01a8fedd01972e2180867097bd93930f22}.

After adopting SAP cloud platform services (HANA) to provide statistics and figures to enthusiasts along with player analysis, the NFL’s site achieved 45{aa282f308afcc222aaa21b0478c79e01a8fedd01972e2180867097bd93930f22} growth in terms of usage and content consumption.

·      SAP cloud platform services market is expected to witness significant growth with its robust cloud architecture linking enterprise applications with next-gen technologies including machine learning, IoT and blockchain.

About Fact.MR

Fact.MR is an independent, pure-play market intelligence firm incorporated to deliver high quality, customized market research solutions that help its clients successfully go to the market equipped with actionable insights capable of impacting crucial business decisions. The company has 600+ dedicated analysts supported by an exclusive global network of data providers to gather data on more than 30,000 niche markets. Fact.MR has offices in Ireland, the US, and India.

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SAP Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) President Scott Russell shared in a recent interview with CNBC his insights on how SAP helps startups take off through the ERP Software giant’s accelerator programs.

Russell explained how the accelerator programs provide startups opportunities for openness in all aspects. He said:

“Particularly, in technology, it means that the platform can be applied in many different ways so you’re not using propriety technology. In fact, you’re using open technology in connecting to companies like SAP.”

He expressed that SAP provides its customers with the best-choice application that they can extend or connect, either in the cloud or on-premise.

How SAP helps

Connecting to the SAP Ecosystem

Russell said that the massive 46,000 SAP Asia customers give startups the advantage of connecting to SAP and an unparalleled opportunity to be part of the German tech company’s ecosystem while attracting their own customers as well.

More wiggle room for R&D

Having saved from investing in software through the open-source technology that SAP provides, startups can utilize a portion of its capital on planning for R&D.

“In planning the R&D and also when they go to market, it’s all about attracting the right customers, giving those firsts, making sure that its successful, said Russell.

Building powerful companies

He emphasized that working with SAP gives customers the end-to-end choice and a better platform to solve their needs. According to him, SAP’s technology combined with the startups’ becomes a really powerful combination for companies across the world.

What’s on demand

AI is emerging

The SAP APJ President confirmed that AI is an emerging trend that entrepreneurs look into as demonstrated in the startups in the Foundry. In Japan and Singapore, the startups are leveraging AI and Machine learning.

Female-led enterprises

Russell shared:

“And the other thing that we are really proud of, which is quite interesting in Asia, is that 40{aa282f308afcc222aaa21b0478c79e01a8fedd01972e2180867097bd93930f22} of their startups are being led by female entrepreneurs, really dynamic leaders.”

He added that SAP is embracing a diverse ecosystem of Start-ups, which is a reflection of SAP’s advocacy on diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Focusing on the Experience Economy

Russell stressed that the goal of SAP is to meet the Experience Economy through the combination of machine learning, AI and the enterprise scout technology.

“So it’s not just about solving a problem but it’s about enhancing somebody’s experience, whether be a consumer or an employee, brand or a product. The experiences are so important and that’s where these technologies can really help,” the SAP leader said.

5G helps

When CNBC asked if 5G helps or hinders the process, Russell is quick to say that “no doubt” it helps by providing startups access to the next generation technology.

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New CEO Appointed

Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited (HKIRC) has appointed Information Technology industry veteran Wilson Wong as its new CEO. HKIRC is a non-profit-distributing, non-statutory company limited by guarantee designated by the Government of the HKSAR to undertake the administration of Internet domain names under the .hk country code top level domain. HKIRC provides registration services for English domain names ending with .com.hk, .org.hk, .net.hk, .edu.hk, .gov.hk, .idv.hk, .hk, Chinese domain names and other domains to be introduced from time to time in Hong Kong.

In his new role, at HKIRC, Wong will be responsible for encouraging a better understanding and more effective use of the Internet and related technology in Hong Kong and across the region, in addition to promoting Hong Kong as an international centre of e-commerce.

Before HKIRC

Mr. Wong is a seasoned professional within the IT industry, with over 20 years of management experience in the field. Before joining HKIRC, he was the General Manager of IT Industry Development Division of Hong Kong Productivity Council (“HKPC”). Prior to that, he was the Managing Director of SAP Hong Kong and held various key management positions in Microsoft Hong Kong.

Wong previously served as the general manager of IT Industry Development Division of Hong Kong Productivity Council (“HKPC”). He has also served in senior industry positions, such as various senior roles at Microsoft Hong Kong.

 “We are delighted to have Mr Wong taking up the helm,” said Simon Chan, chairman of HKIRC. “He brings an exceptional track record in areas that are important for us, and has proven skills in multi-level management.” “We look forward to Mr Wong’s insights and skills providing the impetus for HKIRC to step up to new levels of achievement for industry, business and public community in the years ahead.”

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Executive Placement for the New Year

BackOffice Associates, a leader in solutions that solve complex data transformation challenges, their executive placement with Zarina Lam Stanford as Chief Marketing Officer. Stanford joins this innovative. company as it extends its leadership.  BackOffice Associates also plans to expand their reach into new industries and geographies worldwide with the help of Zarina Lam Stanford’s expertise. Reporting to CEO David Booth, Stanford will oversee all aspects of the company’s global and corporate brand and marketing strategy and operations..

Zarina Lam Stanford was formerly Chief Marketing Officer of SAP Asia Pacific and Japan. Prior to SAP Asia Pacific and Japan, she was Vice President at IBM, serving global, North America, and growth markets in IBM’s Systems and Software business units. Stanford was named a CMO Fellow by a UK-based Marketing Academy and received the distinction of “Woman of the Decade in Technology and Innovation” at the Women Economic Forum in 2018. A champion for diversity and inclusion initiatives, Stanford also serves on the Board of Directors at Beyond Diversity Foundation.

Data Driven Leadership

“Data as a currency is a global phenomenon that presents unprecedented challenges and opportunities for businesses of all sizes. I look forward to working with our regional presidents, the world-class BackOffice team of consultants, and the entire BackOffice team to advance our customers’ business goals and data journey to bring relevance and drive engagement along the way. With Dave and the executive team, as well as our blue-chip Board and fellow associates, I am in good company.”

“We are ecstatic to have Zarina join the BackOffice family and are eager to leverage her passion, creativity, industry knowledge, and proven leadership to deliver exceptional business growth and customer experience,” said Booth.

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