How integrated enterprise systems help firms boost operations
Against this backdrop, Amitabh Sarkar, vice-president and head of Asia Pacific and Japan – Enterprise at Tata Communications, sees one overriding imperative: to uncomplicate technology.
'In boardrooms around the world, business and technology heads are dealing with fragmented systems, overlapping platforms and a patchwork of vendors that make integration a constant challenge,' he explains.
Amitabh Sarkar, vice-president and head of Asia Pacific and Japan at Tata Communications, helps regional enterprises harness connectivity for business growth. PHOTO: TATA COMMUNICATIONS
The tools – artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), and data-rich environments – are available and maturing. But as organisations look to digitise, automate and personalise, the very systems meant to deliver efficiency are creating friction.
AI opens up new opportunities, but also new vulnerabilities, such as adversarial attacks.
Data is moving faster than ever, yet poor data management leaves many organisations stuck with siloed information. Adding to this complexity are macro pressures: geopolitical tensions, economic instability and the ever-present threat of cyberattacks.
In this environment, simplification is no longer a luxury – it is a strategic imperative. Businesses need to weave their tools and systems into a resilient, secure and agile digital fabric that can withstand shocks, support rapid service delivery and enhance customer experience.
Customer experience should be the guiding star in navigating this complexity, stresses Sarkar. The big challenge is integrating fragmented infrastructure into one unified view – one control tower, he adds. 'Everybody is struggling with that.'
Building a strong digital fabric
At the core of this digital fabric is an end-to-end enterprise solution – a unified system that threads together infrastructure, applications and data. It provides the much-needed capability of discovery, visibility, management and security.
During the 2023 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, Tata Communications enabled real-time data transfer across continents – powering seamless race-day experiences. PHOTO PROVIDED BY TATA COMMUNICATIONS
Tata Communications helps businesses build this digital fabric by drawing on deep experience with Fortune 500 clients. Whether providing foundational technology or fully integrated platforms, the company enables transformation at scale.
Think of this fabric as being made up of four interwoven threads, each essential to the overall strength, flexibility and function of the enterprise.
Thread 1: Network providing strength and structure
Networks are the backbone of the digital economy – akin to highways that fuel commerce by reducing friction and enabling speed.
Tata Communications delivers high-performance connectivity – including 5G, cloud networking and the core infrastructure of the Internet – that empowers businesses to operate at scale.
For example, at the 2023 Formula One Singapore Grand Prix, Tata Communications transported over 500TB of data over its backbone across continents in real time – equivalent to streaming 70 hours of 4K video.
Similarly, for World Athletics this year, the firm is enabling global broadcasts with localised experiences using cutting-edge connectivity and content technologies.
Thread 2: Cloud and security for flexibility and intelligence
Much like a fabric's inner lining, cloud and security give the digital layer structure, breathability and protection.
Today, AI training, team collaboration and data storage all rely on the cloud. But with convenience comes risk, which is why security must be built in – not bolted on.
Tata Communications is working with Singapore Airlines to enhance productivity and employee collaboration through advanced communication tools. PHOTO PROVIDED BY TATA COMMUNICATIONS
To this end, Tata Communications offers GPU-as-a-Service. These graphics processing units (GPUs) can supercharge AI development, and along with security operations centre transformation services, help reinforce digital defences from the inside out.
Thread 3: Interaction 'blocks' to unify customer touchpoints across channels
From chatbots to live agents, businesses engage customers across a growing number of channels. But these multiple touchpoints often lead to disjointed experiences.
Tata Communications' Interaction Fabric and its Customer Interaction Suite unify these channels – enabling brands to offer seamless, truly omnichannel experiences.
In 2023, Tata Communications also announced a multi-year agreement with Singapore Airlines to transform the airlines' communications and collaboration tools to enhance its employee productivity and boost user experience.
Another recent innovation, Kaleyra AI, is set to redefine customer interactions by accelerating response times and resolving customer queries even during high-volume periods.
Thread 4: IoT to level up responsiveness
IoT is the special material in the digital fabric – enhancing responsiveness and contextual intelligence.
Tata Communications' eSIM solutions, for example, are making it easier for businesses to connect devices globally without hardware swaps or complex configurations.
Jaguar Land Rover's next-gen cars will stay connected in over 120 countries, even in remote areas, thanks to its partnership with Tata Communications. PHOTO: JAGUAR LAND ROVER
Tata Communications is also partnering with Jaguar Land Rover to power next-generation software-defined vehicles with always-on connectivity in over 120 countries – including remote areas – supporting real-time services and updates.
Enabling seamless customer experiences
With all these threads woven together, businesses can look forward to better harnessing the technology capabilities available. Just as importantly, the structured approach enables them to cut through complexity and truly empower their operations.
As Amitabh Sarkar puts it: 'Every company is now a tech company. While businesses need to be digitally fluent, the real goal is to leverage this fluency to deliver differentiated experiences.'
Simplifying the underlying complexity in today's systems, which includes providing the hyperconnected infrastructure and other parts of the all-important digital fabric, should be left to experts who can help integrate various systems to improve business results, he adds.
Read more about Tata Communications' end-to-end enterprise solutions here.
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Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Stargazing sparking interest across Malaysia
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Avid stargazers in Malaysia often take trips within the country to spots where stars are more visible. It is pitch dark at the Empangan Sungai Selangor lookout point in Kuala Kubu Baru, Hulu Selangor. While this might not appeal to everyone, it's perfect for stargazers. The darkness only makes every star in the galaxy stand out, revealing their full glory. To get started, you'll need a telescope, smartphone, tripod and red flashlight to minimise impact on your night vision. First-timer Tristan Giles Fernando, 17, can vouch for the experience. After downloading a stargazing app on his smartphone, he was completely engrossed, identifying and taking photos of the constellations – those recognisable patterns or shapes formed by groups of stars in the night sky. Tristan and his friends spent close to three hours at the spot, taking photos of the stars using nothing more than their smartphones mounted on tripods. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business S'pore to launch new grant for companies, expand support for workers amid US tariff uncertainties World Trump to use presidential authority to send weapons to Ukraine, sources say World Trump nominates 'alpha male' influencer to be ambassador to Malaysia Opinion Whisper it softly, there's a new Japan rising Business Popiah king Sam Goi makes $123.5 million offer to buy rest of PSC Business Company in talks to buy Esso petrol stations in Singapore, said to be worth $1.28 billion: Sources World The $12.8m bag: Original Birkin smashes records at Paris auction Asia Tariffs overshadow diplomacy as Asean foreign ministers press on with meetings Young stargazer's dream What does one truly gain from looking at the night sky, staring into vast nothingness for long periods of time? Fourteen-year-old Che Ku Muhammad Umar Che Ku Ahmad Fuad from Kuching, Sarawak, said 'the answer lies in the stars and their ability to transform the dark sky into a canvas of shimmering light.' 'The first thing to know is how they are formed. All this is basic knowledge which can be found in our school Science textbooks. 'Then there is YouTube and the Internet,' he added. Having followed his parents for stargazing trips to Pantai Trombol in Petra Jaya, Sarawak, since he was 12, Muhammad Umar said Lundu and Tanjung Datu were ideal spots for stargazing. The planets are his current objects of fascination, he told StarMetro. 'I regard them as fossils as they have existed even before dinosaurs walked the earth.' Mu hammad Umar , who uses his mother's Celestron telescope to view the stars, said Jupiter, the largest and oldest planet in the solar system, was his current object of wonderment. 'The first time I went stargazing, it was an amazing experience. 'It made me ask questions about how they were formed. 'Eventually, this made me wonder how I came to be and what my mission is in the universe,' he added. An only child, Muhammad Umar wants to be an aerospace engineer when he grows up. He dreams of one day piloting his own inter galactic spacecraft to the Andromeda Galaxy – the closest galaxy to the Milky Way – a destination approximately 2.5 million light years from Earth. He hopes to come up with a technology to make such travel possible. It is no surprise to his mother, Ms Nurul Zaitul Syeema Baharuddin, that he took an interest in stargazing as his father, Mr Che Ku Ahmad Fuad Che Ku Abdullah, is a land survey teacher at Politeknik Kuching. Land surveying is a profession that requires knowledge in field astronomy to determine the true meridian. Ms Nurul Zaitul, a housewife, said they took Muhammad Umar to stargazing events where they bonded as a family. 'His curiosity was piqued when we brought him along to witness a meteor shower,' she said, adding that her son is also in the Scouts movement and some of the trips would include his Scouting buddies. 'In an age where the younger generation has become so preoccupied with computer games and smartphones, I feel that looking to the skies is a way of broadening their knowledge and sense of awareness so that they will not become too self- absorbed,' added Ms Nurul Zaitul. Novel way to recharge One avid stargazer, who has been making regular trips to unlit places for the clearest view of the night sky, is retired Physics lecturer Chong Hon Yew , president of the Astronomical Society of Penang (ASP). He was also president and later advisor of the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Astronomy Club from 1986 to 2015. 'I was doing astrotourism long before the word was invented,' said Dr Chong. One of his favourite destinations was Pulau Singa Besar, an uninhabited island off Pulau Langkawi, which he visited almost every month from 1989 to 2001. 'You can see the Milky Way with your naked eye there. 'We'd go there with our telescopes to take pictures of nebula, which are giant clouds of dust and gas in space,' said Dr Chong. One trip that remained vivid in his memory was to Pusat Falak Sheikh Tahir at Pantai Acheh in Balik Pulau, Penang, for the 2004 Geminid meteor shower. 'Within the span of eight hours we saw up to 1,103 showers in one night. 'Every time the lights streaked across the sky, there were shouts of jubilation. 'The next morning, when it was time for me to teach a class, I realised I had lost my voice from all that shouting,' he added. On a deeper level, Dr Chong said these trips had helped him rejuvenate and destress. 'When you are under the sky, it is as if the stars are talking to you. 'It is an unexplainable feeling, like an indirect communication with the universe.' Ultimately, these trips will certainly beckon the adventurous, said ASP committee member Kenny Loh, who was also a member of the USM Astronomy Club during his student days. In 2019, the father of two organised a trip for ASP members to watch the annular solar eclipse in Pulau Kukup, Johor. Two years ago, Mr Loh was in Australia to witness the total solar eclipse and this year he will be taking a trip to Iceland with his wife to witness the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. Mr Loh, an avid astro photographer, also has a four-wheel drive vehicle to carry all his gear when he goes stargazing. 'The trickiest part about stargazing is patience. You may have just finished setting up your telescope only to spend 10 seconds observing one part of a sky before it is covered in clouds. 'One also has to be hardy and have some knowledge of survival skills as there are locations that have minimal light pollution and are devoid of basic comforts like electricity, water supply or toilets. 'In some locations, safety also needs to be looked into especially when it comes to ensuring that one's vehicle does not obstruct traffic during such trips. 'Drivers should park in parking bays. Ideally, stargazers should go in a group as there is safety in numbers,' he said. To overcome these challenges, Mr Loh planned to set up remote telescopes to view the sky on a tablet from the comfort of his home in Penang. He has established a connection with his friend's observatory in Johor and plans to set up the next one in Perlis. Skywatching tour For Mr Muhammad Mustaqim Rosden, who is marketing and communication director of an adventure travel and tour company, rising interest in astronomical activities and celestial events has led to the inclusion of more dark places in their packages. This has resulted in stargazing being included in the itinerary to tours to Taman Negara and Pulau Tioman, both in Pahang. However, the market has progressed to a point where they are able to organise trips solely dedicated to stargazing to locations like the Gombak Selangor Quartz Ridge, Pulau Mawar in Mersing, Johor, and tea plantations in Cameron Highlands, Pahang. 'We have organised over 30 astro tours since 2023 with each trip seeing about 50 participants. 'The average age of participants is between 25 and 70 years. 'Children whose parents are interested in astronomy and nature also tag along.' Mr Muhammad Mustaqim said children made up 40 per cent of total participants while teenagers formed 30 per cent and adults 30 per cent. 'In private tours, children make up between 20 per cent and 30 per cent of the number of participants,' he added. He also touched on challenges in ensuring a successful trip, with weather being the main one as it was beyond the organiser's control. Mr Muhammad Jazlan Rozali, who runs a marketing consultancy business, said even if the weather was rainy or cloudy, the journey would ultimately be worth it. According to the social media ad campaigner, the best spots are the ones with very minimal light pollution, which means that most of these places are usually away from the city. 'People who like stargazing also love nature and activities like hiking and camping. 'During the night what can you do? Look at the sky, of course. 'To me, it is so beautiful; nothing compares to it,' he added. On how stargazing can be best promoted, Ms Nurul Fatini Jaafar, rector of Akademi Falak Malaysia, an institution under Persatuan Falak Syar'i Malaysia, said it all boiled down to hands-on experience. The founder of Sahabat Langit Utara, a community organisation, said the Orang Asli have their own names for constellations and star patterns that are woven into their local folklore and stories. 'During my fieldwork with the Semelai Orang Asli at Tasik Bera, Pahang, I was thrilled to discover they have their own interpretations of Orion, Taurus and the Pleiades. 'Examples are bintang peyh (meaning spring spear trap) which is part of Orion, bintang jekat (wild boar's jaw) which is part of Taurus and bintang kerancong (mousedeer's dung) which refers to the Pleiades cluster.' Ms Nurul Fatini suggested that parents and teachers take young ones to observatories and science centres to nurture their curiosity. She added that it was time for tourism players, such as tour guides and resort staff, to be trained in basic astronomy, so that they can offer enriching nighttime experiences alongside daytime tours. 'I also wish to see more film and animation studios producing impactful content that portrays stargazing and celebrates our local astronomy heritage. 'Just like Moana inspired young viewers to learn about ancient Polynesian way-finding and celestial navigation, we need a culturally rooted film or programme that will boost public interest in science and astronomy, just like how the Angkasawan programme once did. 'Local councils and faith-based centres should include stargazing into weekend or monthly community programmes,' she said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Business Times
3 days ago
- Business Times
Members-only social clubs: Conversations, passions and why they're ‘so badly needed'
[SINGAPORE] The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions and activity on the private members-only club scene. To the shock of staff and members, 1880 abruptly closed after racking up debt when it expanded to Hong Kong and Bali. Then came the good news that its staff are partnering the former club's landlord to reopen it under a different name next month, and its 2000-plus members can transfer their memberships to the new business. Amid the turbulence, 67 Pall Mall and Mandala Club both announced expansion plans. 67 Pall Mall, which started a decade ago in London, will open in Shanghai. It also has an outpost in Verbier, Switzerland and three others coming up in Melbourne, Australia and France's Bordeaux and Beaune. Meanwhile, Mandala Club will spend S$2 million to take over its neighbour's building in Bukit Pasoh to expand its footprint by 50 per cent, and is also building a beachfront property in Bali, which will have a 35-key hotel component. Both 67 Pall Mall and Mandala Club say their membership base is about equally split between locals and expatriates, and members can use the facilities at its clubs outside Singapore. There's even a new private club in the works. Vanta, which positions itself as an 'invite-only private members club', held a preview in May and is slated to open in the fourth quarter. And when the new club at the former 1880 premises opens in Robertson Quay, it's not going to be business as usual either. The plan is to raise the club to the next level by focusing on the membership experience and curating the right mix of members to bring out the magic of being part of a community. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up Don't worry, we make money For starters, private clubs here are profitable. Ben Jones, chief executive and founder of The Mandala Group, has said the club is 'in the healthiest profitability and capitalised situation we've ever been' and 'can fund potential growth or merger and acquisition strategies'. Earlier this year, the club joined the Icon1c Group – a luxury hospitality collective co-founded with tech entrepreneur Patrick Grove's Kuala Lumpur-based Internet company, Catcha Group. 'With the backing of Icon1c, this is not just added space – it's a strategic investment in the future of our flagship and a reflection of Mandala's position as a cultural and social platform with regional resonance,' says Jones. Over at 67 Pall Mall, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation stood at just over S$5 million for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2024, with a net profit of S$1.8 million. 'Is it a good business? Yes, if you're in the right location, got the right products, curate your members and make sure they stay happy,' founder and chief executive Grant Ashton tells The Business Times. Its programming is centred around wine, with its masterclasses – a recent one costing S$1,250 a seat – usually full. Even the local operations of 1880 were believed to be profitable, thus attracting a few potential buyers before it was placed into provisional liquidation. Still, 67 Pall Mall, which opened in Shaw Centre in 2022, is halving its entry fees for new members to S$2,000, but raising monthly subscription fees for them by S$60 to S$360. 'The reality is that we have capacity at this point in time,' says Ashton, a former banker. 'Because, as you can see, the F&B scene is softer – witness 1880 and all the other things that have gone on in terms of restaurants.' The ties that bind Dinesh Sathisan, a founding member of 1880, says the club 'was a breath of fresh air' when it opened in 2017 – at a time when people wanted to join 'the big old neocolonial clubs where there's a long waitlist to get in, you spend a lot of money and it came with a whole slew of restrictions'. 'The very essence of 1880 when it started out, which is to build a network through conversations, was very, very appealing,' says Sathisan, who works in international affairs. The notion of privacy and discretion was also a draw, and he could relax, conduct meetings and network at the club. 'You meet like-minded people who, for example, attend a talk by the Ukrainian ambassador about the Ukraine war. These people are interested in foreign affairs and there would be an extension of those discussions taking place in the club. And that, for many of us, was brilliant.' Meanwhile, on the social side of things, there were 'great events', theme parties and 'an absolutely amazing' executive chef in the form of Colin Buchan. Sathisan's also a founding member of 67 Pall Mall, which he says does not claim to be what it's not. 'They're very clear that it's a wine lovers' club.' For another 1880 member, access to a diverse group of people from very different backgrounds, nationalities and businesses was attractive. As was the fact that as a single working female in Singapore, the club was a safe space to both conduct business and socialise with friends. 'The service you get at places like 1880 was on a different level. All the staff members know you personally and it's like a second home,' says Juliet Stannard, who's also a member of Tanglin Club. 'The food was always excellent and a step up from other restaurants or bars that you would go to.' Sometimes, it's a specific passion – and a younger demographic – that matters. At just 29, avid wine lover Kuo Tzu-En is already a member of wine societies including Commanderie de Bordeaux Singapore, on whose council she sits. Still, she put her name on 67 Pall Mall's waitlist before she got her membership. 'I joined because it's a very good place for socialising, there are many young members and lots of wine tastings and events,' says Kuo, who's also a member of The American Club. 67 Pall Mall's wine list of 5,000 by the bottle, of which 1,000 can be had by the glass, is another draw. 'You can still try a glass of the more expensive wines if you don't have the spending power to open a bottle.' Tony Morris, another 67 Pall Mall member, joined after visiting the club in London. 'Wine is a journey of discovery and the club's sommeliers are very well-equipped in terms of knowledge and experience to guide you,' says Morris, who runs an investment firm. While a market observer has wondered if the business model of expanding overseas is right for members-only clubs which should be a high-touch experience, Morris says: 'Be it here, London or Verbier, the locations are fantastic and you consistently get that warm, friendly welcome.' Shaken and stirred, but still palatable While 1880's sudden closure has caused some gnashing of teeth, it hasn't quite put the fear of a repeat elsewhere. 'I think 67 Pall Mall has got its head screwed on correctly,' says Kuo, who helps run her family's businesses. Morris concurs. He bought a stake in the club, whose other shareholders include the Les Amis Group. 'This is not a project that's unbacked, as it were, taking on large debts and so on,' he explains, adding that shareholders are able to ask questions and challenge the way the club is run during its annual general meetings. 'There are checks and balances and you're not at the mercy of financial markets or institutions. The club is genuinely supported by people who like to be in it, which gives it a very different atmosphere.' Even the shock of 1880's closure isn't putting Stannard off club memberships. 'A club like 1880 is so badly needed because they offer something different, like curated discussion panels and events that you won't necessarily get under one roof with other regular F&B places,' explains the director of a real estate agency. 'It's so unique.' Sathisan says everyone's waiting to see where the new club goes in the next three or four months after it reopens. 'But I think we're all quietly confident. It has built a very strong network of very interesting people and it would be a shame to lose them all now as a result of what happened.'
Business Times
5 days ago
- Business Times
Grab to roll out autonomous shuttle bus trial at one-north
[Singapore] Grab announced the launch of its first autonomous electric shuttle bus pilot on Tuesday (Jul 8) in Singapore, in collaboration with Autonomous A2Z (A2Z), a Korean full-stack autonomous vehicle technology manufacturer. Starting tomorrow, the self-driving shuttle will operate on a fixed 3.9km route between Grab's headquarters at one-north and the nearby one-north MRT station. The autonomous shuttle will serve Grab employees for two hours daily during off-peak periods, with additional hours dedicated to further training. Grab and A2Z will closely monitor ride performance and safety outcomes before opening up more time slots. The vehicle is equipped with A2Z's full-stack autonomous technology and Grab's Internet of Things (IoT) systems, and will operate with a trained safety driver onboard at all times. It is also equipped with 11 sensors and has a 360-degree view of its surroundings, enabling it to detect and safely manoeuvre around new objects and sudden obstacles. 'Safety is Grab's top priority, and we are committed to taking a cautious and calibrated approach to autonomous technology pilots,' said Yee Wee Tang, Grab's regional head of operations. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up 'Through this initiative, we are evaluating the safety performance of autonomous technologies and exploring the potential new job opportunities this sector could create,' he added. A2Z's managing director Ryan Kim said the trial is the company's first deployment in Singapore and will help test the commercial viability of autonomous shuttles in Singapore, as well as explore their potential to alleviate manpower shortages in Singapore's public transport sector. As part of the trial, Grab is also training driver-partners and members of the National Private Hire Vehicles Association to become part-time safety drivers, with five already enrolled in the programme. The pilot comes on the heels of Grab's regional partnerships with several autonomous vehicle firms, and is part of its broader strategy to support Singapore's autonomous vehicle ambitions.
