Digital Transformation Trends: Insights from Kyndryl's ASEAN Managing Director
Singapore - The rapid evolution of digital technologies over the past few years has left many organizations scrambling to adapt. From the urgent digitalization spurred by the 2020 global health crisis to the widespread adoption of cloud technologies in 2021, and the recent surge in generative AI applications, the landscape of technology has been dramatically reshaped. Alayaran.com spoke with Andrew Lim, ASEAN Managing Director at Kyndryl, to gain insights into these transformative trends.
From Digitalization to Optimization
Lim highlighted that following the initial rush to digitalize, companies are now in a phase of reviewing and optimizing their digital investments. "The focus has shifted towards understanding how these digital assets can be leveraged for maximum efficiency," he explained. He identified three key trends:
Cyber Resilience: With cyber threats on the rise, exemplified by incidents like the CrowdStrike outage, businesses are increasingly focusing on strengthening their cybersecurity measures.
Cloud-Based Technologies: There's a notable increase in the adoption of infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and software as a service (SaaS), with companies like ServiceNow and SAP seeing significant growth.
Leveraging Data for AI: The vast data generated through digitalization is being harnessed for AI applications, with companies setting up specialized AI departments, particularly in sectors like financial services.
Opportunities in ASEAN
Lim sees immense potential in the ASEAN region for IT infrastructure services. Countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia are not only investing in AI strategies but are also fostering environments ripe for IT innovation. "We see tremendous opportunities for growth, and the challenge now is to scale quickly to meet the market demands," Lim stated. He also noted a renewed interest from large corporations in upgrading IT infrastructures, a sector that saw little investment during the height of the global health crisis.
Preparing for AI
Addressing AI readiness, Lim emphasized the need for a robust digital foundation. "You can't effectively implement AI without first establishing a strong base in data strategy, quality, and governance," he pointed out. Education on AI usage is crucial, both for Kyndryl's staff and their clients, to prevent misuse that could lead to security breaches.
Kyndryl, which was spun off from IBM three years ago, has actively upskilled its workforce, achieving over 350 Azure certifications, more than 100 AWS certifications, and a similar number with Google Cloud. "Our teams are eager to learn and adapt to new technologies, which is essential in our line of work," Lim added.
As digital transformation continues to evolve, organizations in ASEAN and beyond are navigating these changes with strategic investments and a keen eye on emerging technologies, ensuring they are not only keeping pace but are also setting the stage for future innovations.