News In Brief

Welcome to our ‘News In Brief’ column in which we digest all the news releases for you in no more than five paragraphs. Below are snippets of all the media releases that we received from Nov 15 till 21. Please check back throughout the week for more updates.

JCB Contactless Payment Acceptance At NYC Subway

Los Angeles, Nov 15: JCB International Credit Card Co Ltd (JCBUSA), the US subsidiary of JCB Co Ltd Japan’s only international payment brand, and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NY MTA), the largest public transit authority in North America, are pleased to announce the enablement of JCB Contactless payment acceptance at all OMNY (One Metro New York) contactless subway and bus validator screens.
NY MTA is one of the largest transportation systems in the world and a vital infrastructure not only for locals, but also for travelers.
JCB has been one of NY MTA’s long-time fare payment options and now enabling contactless payments gives JCB cardmembers the convenience of tapping their cards wherever OMNY, NY MTA’s contactless fare payment system, is available.
“We look forward to working closely with JCB,” Sarah Meyer, Chief Customer Officer of NY MTA said.
“Huge numbers of visitors from Asia will be able to experience the seamlessness of OMNY when they are visiting New York City.”

Thousands Raised For NKF Malaysia Despite Pandemic

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 15: The National Kidney Foundation of Malaysia (NKF Malaysia) received a generous donation of RM16,000 from the Stella Maris International School (SMIS) in Bukit Damansara recently.
Topping last year’s amount of RM13,406, SMIS continues to live up to its name and commitment in helping NKF Malaysia and has raised a whopping RM85,000 over the past six years.
“Our sincere thanks to SMIS and to all the kind donors who gave so generously this year,” NKF Malaysia CEO Chua Hong Wee said who added that the funds are timely to help provide their patients with more care and support.
“It has been a real struggle to keep our operations running especially in this pandemic because even more patients, especially those from the lower income groups, are in a vulnerable state.
“I hope that more people will lend us a helping hand just like SMIS does annually,” he said.

SophosLabs Details New Malware Attack

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 15: SophosLabs researchers have published a blogpost detailing a new attack operation by a malware family known as BazarBackdoor or BazarLoader that begins with a highly targeted malicious spam campaign.
The campaign delivers malware through a novel mechanism: the abuse of the appxbundle format used by the Windows 10 App installer, a technique that does not appear to be widely used, according to SophosLabs researchers.
On November 4, Sophos employees were targeted with emails concerning an apparent customer complaint against them and purporting to come from a company manager.
The recipient was addressed by their name and that of the company and the wording of the message was abrupt and threatening – a classic scam technique to increase stress levels for the recipient.
The recipient is urged to click through to a website where the complaint has allegedly been posted for them to review; however the link, if clicked, will eventually lead the user to the malware.

Student Club Celebrates Anniversary With A Unique Offer

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 16: On the occasion of the first anniversary of Student Club, Qatar Airways Privilege Club is launching a unique offer, designed to serve and reward students across the world as they embark on their educational journeys.
Until today (Nov 18), the airline will offer Student Club members with twice the regular savings, with a discount of up to 40 per cent on flights, reinforcing its commitment to encouraging students to aim for the skies.
After the campaign ends, members will continue to benefit from exclusive discounts, as students who purchase their first ticket will get a 10 per cent discount; with their second ticket at a 15 per cent discount, and third ticket at a 20 per cent discount.
To join Student Club, visit: qatarairways.com/StudentClub.

Smartpay Launches Its First BNPL

Tokyo, Nov 16:  Smartpay K.K. today announced the launch of its new “Buy Now Pay Later” (BNPL) service, which combines an all-in-one payment experience and interest free payment solution, designed to solve Japanese consumer payment issues and improve merchant conversion rates.
Built out of a passion for enabling Japanese merchants to succeed in e-commerce, Smartpay aims to remove the anxiety of shopping online for Japanese credit card users with the first completely free and secure, seamless, fully automated, online payment experience.
The company is backed by several high-profile investors including SMBC Venture Capital (SMBC-VC) and Global Founders Capital (GFC), the largest global investor in BNPL.
A series of new BNPL innovations for consumers and merchants in Japan
Japan has an e-commerce cart abandonment rate of over 80 per cent, which is one of the highest in the world.
Smartpay aims to increase the conversion rate for Japanese merchants by removing the friction that exists between cart and order completion.

Ready! Flex! Ship! FedEx Bolsters Capabilities in AMEA 

Hong Kong, Nov 16: FedEx Express (FedEx), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), has strengthened its network and e-commerce capabilities in preparation for yet another busy holiday season in the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) region. 
The e-commerce boom accelerated by COVID-19 is expected to continue.
Global online spending is estimated to increase by 11 per cent year-on-year to $910 billion during the upcoming holiday season.
In Asia Pacific, a region that accounts for more than 60 percent of online retail sales, online shopping has already picked up.
For example, China’s biggest online shopping festival – Singles’ Day – is expected to spur further growth of online retail across the rest of the AMEA region.
In Southeast Asia, about 40 percent of e-tailers said festive season sales represent the bulk of their annual sales while in the Middle East and Africa, 22 per cent of consumers are ready to shop online during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Concirrus Bolsters Leadership Team With Aon Hire

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 17: Market leading insurtech, Concirrus, has further bolstered its leadership team with the appointment of Brian MacInnes as Chief Analytics Officer.
Brian is a well-recognised figure in the insurance industry having spent the last 12 years at Aon, most recently focused on building out Portfolio Solutions and analytics capabilities within the broker’s London Market wholesale insurance business.
At Concirrus, he will own the role of analytics ambassador in the market, and drive an ambitious analytics strategy for the business, leveraging his experience across major global specialties.
“Currently, there is often a lack of alignment and subsequent barriers in the partnership that are required between technical data and analytics capabilities and the trading environment, to ensure the business-led development and use of analytics,” said MaInnes.
“This also limits the opportunity to maximise the impact from innovation and new technology to drive meaningful change at pace.

Leading Malaysia Insurtech Platform Fatberry.com Expands to Thailand

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 18:  Malaysia’s  leading insurtech platform Fatberry.com expands to Thailand.
Through collaboration with  its majority investor, ASEAN Fintech Group (AFG), Fatberry.com, has acquired Bangkok based MooMoo Non-Life Insurance Broker (MooMoo) at an undisclosed  amount.
Founded in 2017, Fatberry.com is a leading Insurtech platform that started in Malaysia with plans to expand regionally across Southeast Asia.
Fatberry.com provides flexible and affordable insurance products to the masses via an easy-to-use online insurance  platform from its partnered underwriters.
It is currently a market leader in the digital insurance market in Malaysia. 

Cloud4C Enhances Its Sap Line

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Kuala Lumpur, Nov 18: Cloud4C, the world’s leading cloud managed services provider, has welcomed industry veterans, Hoden Wan and Herman William as senior executives to lead the SAP services line of business, across Asia Pacific and Japan region.
Hoden comes with more than 25 years of professional experience – ranging from management accounting roles in his initial days to setting up highly successful SAP services companies.
Through his prior practice, he implemented multiple projects for multinational organisations such as Johnson & Johnson and Sumitomo Group.
Herman joins Cloud4C with 21 years of experience in handling multiple pre-sales engagement of SAP-related products and services.
An SAP-certified trainer in the area of Enterprise Performance Management (ERP) and analytics, he has been instrumental in driving the strategic pre-sales and delivery of consulting projects across different clients that include renowned global organisations such as Deloitte and Johnson & Johnson.

Top Glove Signs MOU to Support Local TVET Graduates 

Shah Alam, Nov 18: Top Glove, the world’s largest manufacturer of gloves,  today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Education (MOE),  Malaysia, to support the development of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)  in the country. 
The MOU signing ceremony that was held at Top Glove Tower, Shah Alam, marks the beginning  of a five year cooperation between the Company and MOE aimed at advancing TVET in  Malaysia, increasing the nation’s employment rate, and promoting the development of a knowledge  based economy in which the production of goods and services is the result of knowledge intensive  activities from the advancement in technical and vocational innovation. 
Through this collaboration, local TVET students and graduates from 84 vocational colleges under  the Ministry would have access to internship, gainful employment and scholarship opportunities  with Top Glove, based on a structured internship and recruitment process. 
This collaboration is in line with Top Glove’s ambition of increasing Malaysia’s knowledge based  workforce by 2025, considered as the nation’s most valuable asset of a 21st century organisation for  their high level of productivity and creativity.
A knowledge based workforce is also expected to  support the Company’s increased use of automation, digitalisation, robotics, and artificial  intelligence across its operations as it expands to meet increased demand for its high quality gloves  and other personal protective equipment. 

NI Announces RM830,000 Donation To (GET) Program

Penang, Nov 18: NI (Nasdaq: NATI) has donated RM830,000 to Penang Science Cluster (PSC), an industry-led initiative, in collaboration with the Penang state government.
This amount will be distributed over the next four years to fund the Girls in Engineering and Tech (GET) Program following the successful completion of a pilot program this year.
The GET Program will be an annual program providing participants with 21st century capabilities including technical skills, soft skills, and character development. It is designed to encourage girls to pursue their studies and career pathways in engineering and technology and provide a long-term and sustainable supply of female students in both engineering and technology.
This donation is aligned with NI’s “Changing the Faces of Engineering” policy, which is part of its 2030 Corporate Impact Strategy.
For more information on NI’s corporate impact strategy, visit here.

The World’s First Elevator Series With Built-In Digital Connectivity

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 19: KONE, a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry, is introducing its newest product the DX Class Elevator.
Everything is connected in a growing new digital era, the KONE DX Class Elevators redefine the elevator experience with built-in connectivity for improved people flow, supporting the formation of an experience that connects on all levels. 
“The flexibility to adjust and update elevator experiences based on needs today and in the future is a fundamental benefit for KONE customers. KONE 24/7 Connected Services uses data gathered from the cloud to provide predictive maintenance, allowing problems to be discovered and resolved efficiently before they cause a breakdown or service disruption,” Edward Loy, Managing Director, KONE Malaysia said.
In line with recreating Malaysia as a sustainable city through enhanced eco-efficiency, performance, and aesthetics, KONE DX Class Elevators have built-in connectivity as standard. KONE DX Class Elevators revolutionises the role of elevators in future smart buildings – the elevator is no longer merely a way to travel between floors, but an integral and integrated platform that offers intuitive, ambient and connected experiences that extend from the parking entrance and throughout the building.  

Treasure Data Unveils Security Foundation

Singapore, Nov 19: Treasure Data, the leading enterprise customer data platform (CDP), today introduced the Treasure Data Trusted Foundation.
The suite of features enables marketers to manage all data privacy and consent preferences related to individuals in the unified customer data record with data access permissions and controls – all within one smart platform.
With Treasure Data’s best-in-class privacy, consent management, compliance and security controls, teams can quickly leverage trusted customer data to deliver both personal and ethical customer experiences.
Marketers become better equipped to navigate an increasingly complex privacy landscape while benefiting from access to advanced audience segmentation, personalisation and activation. 

Fortinet Announces Commitment To Become Carbon Neutral By 2030

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 19:  Fortinet, a global leader in broad, integrated and automated cybersecurity solutions, today announced its environmental sustainability commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030, and the completion of its new net-zero Sunnyvale headquarter campus as part of its broader commitment to social responsibility.  
In alignment with the Science-Based Target Initiative (SBTi) methodology and global efforts to reduce carbon emissions, Fortinet will become carbon-neutral by 2030 through the use of renewable energy, energy and carbon efficiency methodologies, and emissions offset programs across its owned operations globally, including offices, warehouses, and data centers. 
Currently, Fortinet has measured its Scope 1 and 2 emissions and will capture the inventory of its Scope 3 emissions in 2022. 
This information will be disclosed in Fortinet’s first sustainability report to be published by mid 2022. 
Fortinet’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) includes delivering on our company vision – a digital world you can always trust – by innovating sustainable security technologies, diversifying cybersecurity talent, and promoting responsible business across our value chain. 

FedEx Express Named Asia’s Best Third-Party Logistics (3PLs) For Vaccines

Hong Kong, Nov 19: FedEx Express (FedEx), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp (NYSE: FDX) and one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, has been named “Asia’s Best 3PLs for Vaccines” at the Asia Pacific Vaccine Excellence Awards 2021 (AVEA 2021).
FedEx was selected as “Asia’s Best 3PLs for Vaccines” by almost 1,700 voters, for its leading role in protecting shipment integrity and keeping vaccines moving across the globe. 
“We are honoured to receive this award. It is a true testament to the extraordinary efforts of our team members, who united behind the purpose of delivering mission-critical shipments safely and reliably to communities within our region,” Kawal Preet, president, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa Region, FedEx Express said.
By using its robust networks, professional healthcare expertise and best-in-class cold chain and temperature monitoring technologies, FedEx has transported nearly 14,000 COVID-19 humanitarian aid shipments throughout the world since the start of the pandemic. 
In its inaugural year, the Asia Pacific Vaccine Excellence Awards 2021 (AVEA 2021), organised by IMAPAC, celebrates the outstanding achievements of biopharmaceutical organizations, supply chain experts, and the newest technology solutions deployed in Asia for the development and distribution of vaccines. 

Indonesia to Witness the Largest BFSI Gathering at World Financial Innovation

Jakarta, Nov 19: With an aim to support Indonesia and its Financial Services Authority (OJK) in acknowledging the latest BFSI innovations, while also addressing the lucrative opportunities presented by its growing digital economy, Tradepass is back in Indonesia with its 8th Edition of World Financial Innovation Series (WFIS 2021) – INDONESIA, scheduled to take place virtually on 1-2 December.
Coupa Software, SmartMessage, CREALOGIX, AppsFlyer, GitLab, Freshworks, Contentsquare, Snowflake and Thought Machine, have taken the initiative to lead the conference that will also host 1000+ technology and business heads from 100+ leading Banks, Insurance & Micro-Finance institutions across Indonesia to network and explore a wide range of cutting-edge solutions for the BFSI sector.
For more information about the summit go here.

Key Retail Trends Highlighted At The Recent Asia Retail Leaders Conference 

Singapore, Nov 19: A total of 304 participants attended the Asia Retail Leaders Conference 2021 staged by the Retail Centre of Excellence at Singapore Management University on 17 November in Singapore.
The full day hybrid conference revolved around the current developments and challenges faced by the retail industry such as prolonged and rising disruptions to businesses from the pandemic, changing consumer behaviour and up-and-coming technological innovations. 
Ten industry experts from the retail sphere and academic shed light on the critical relationship between digital transformation, trends, insights and topical issues such as sustainability, in empowering retailers and attendees with the required knowledge to emerge from and thrive in the post-pandemic environment.
Technology that is aiding retailers to develop cost-effective omnichannel touchpoints with their customers has emerged as a critical factor to succeed in the rapidly evolving futuristic retail ecosystem. 
With the changed consumer’s shopping behaviour as a result of the pandemic, progressive technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have significantly altered the way brands engage with and sell to consumers.