EXCLUSIVE! Relationship Matters: Deriving Value of Data from Connected Data

Data is increasingly at the core of any business or organisation and is underpinning digital strategies and initiatives more than ever. Data has become a key component of digitalisation and the driving force behind and fuel for analytics, machine learning, edge computing, cloud and other cutting-edge technologies.

As the need to respond more quickly, indeed in as near real-time as possible, data will rapidly become the key competitive advantage. A company’s capacity to compete will be determined by its ability to leverage data – apply analytics and generate intelligence.

Mohit Sagar, Group Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, OpenGov Asia agrees that “data is the new oil”. But like oil, raw data is not particularly useful in and of itself. Information – processed data – swiftly becomes a decision-making tool that allows businesses to react to market dynamics and make proactive and intentional decisions. The real value of data offers timely actionable insights, trends and projections that can help organisations survive and thrive in a VUCA world.

Generating data is not really the issue at hand. Both the public and private sectors, for the most part, hold massive volumes of data and continue to add to it. Albeit, this has been fairly unorganised and siloed, making it difficult to access and process.

The question is: how can agencies and organisations best derive real value from these mountains of data, which are often distinct, distant and diverse? How do they collect, analyse and rationally build patterns and interconnections to improve decision-making and planning?

While organisations have been deploying AI and ML to gain and analyse insights from the data, a new platform has emerged that has the potential to offer deeper insights – Graph Data Platform.

NikVoraNew1800x533 OpenGov Asia — Nik Vora Vice President Asia Pacific Neo4j

OpenGov Asia had the opportunity to speak with Nik Vora, Vice President, Asia-Pacific, Neo4j to gain his insights on the importance of a Graph Data Platform and how organisations can derive actual value from it.

Nik Vora is the Vice President of Asia-Pacific at Neo4j. Nik has over 12 years of expertise in the tech industry and joined Neo4j as the company was looking to grow its operations into the Asia Pacific area. In his present position, he oversees the APAC business, which develops solutions for businesses and communities to see the connections and linkages among massive amounts of data to make better decisions.

Genuine innovation or repackaging?

Mohit is keen to know, is this just old technology in new packaging or is there legitimate value-add? If yes, what do organisations gain from a Graph Data Platform?

Nik Vora is quick to clarify that the tool is important because it has the capability to extract the inherent value in the data itself. Data needs to be seen as a network and not merely discrete data points – and the best way to visualise these relationships is in graphs.

A Graph Data Platform considers the relationship between data to be just as significant as the data itself. The purpose of the technology is to store information without restricting it to a pre-defined model. The data is maintained in the same way that is initially collected, with each unique item connected to or related to others. In a native Graph Data Platform, accessing nodes and relationships is a speedy, constant operation that allows one company to traverse millions of connections per second per core.

Companies, agencies and any organisation in the ecosystem, according to Nik, are looking to exploit gain from data. Over the last 24 months, there has been a massive acceleration of digitisation – of supply chains, processes, services and transactions. This has pushed more information online and allows more data to be captured. In turn, businesses rely increasingly on data, leading to more optimisations, depending on how much value an organisation can create from data.

As data becomes more distributed, dynamic and diverse, it is important to capture it in real-time and process it to drive rapid action and feed into strategy, Mohit opines. This means that data needs to be on hand for those who need it. The importance of data availability and accessibility anytime and anywhere is even more pronounced in the current crisis. This is especially true for organisations engaged in providing mission-critical, customer-centric services.

Wholeheartedly agreeing, Nik says the greater the demand for data-driven insight and intelligence, the more important it is to grasp the importance of connectedness in existing data. A Graph Data Platform is uniquely positioned to do this. Since it is modelled as a graph and a network, a Graph Data Platform is the ‘most obvious approach’ to look at connections. “The value of relationships itself is the underlying drive for this technology,” he explains.

Investing in data analytics and technologies without first determining what your specific organisation need to succeed is indeed a waste. It is necessary to first build a big data strategy to get the most out of the data a company already has or plans to collect. A big data strategy lays out how data will be used in practice and what kinds of data a business needs to meet specific business goals.

However, does this means that all organisations should reconsider their entire data collection strategy, including how they acquire, store and distribute data? This, Mohit feels, would be markedly prohibitive.

The answer to this is actually a bit of both and while there is an investment involved it is not unreasonable, says Nik. Organisations do not need to modify their data, but they do need to change their perspective.

The key concern should be how data is connected and how it relates to other data sets and points. Organisations have spent many years building data lakes and data warehouses and that all the data that any organisation could need, already exists. What they need to do now is turn on the tab and start looking at the relationships between different data that are connected across silos, processes, networks and transactions.

The challenges and advantages are that it is a very dynamic world. And, given this new understanding of how interconnected everything is, if an organisation does not have a linked data strategy – where they look at data, how it connects and what relationships and dependencies exist – they are missing out on a huge potential.

Many businesses rely on data to assist rather than drive their operations. But why is that? After all, data is only valuable if it can be turned into actionable insights. Finding out what you want from your data and determining its worth is the first step in gaining these insights.

“We are all gaining insight from our existing data in some way,” posits Nik’s. “Organisations should be more intentional about it if they are to gain genuine advantages.”

Within an organisation’s ecosystem, there are many existing relationships and connections. With the plethora of technologies, ecosystems and capabilities available, Nik believes that the ideal time to start investing is NOW. But investment is not just in technology but in people!

Data and analytics leaders are often perceived as the gurus of graph technology, but the truth is, Mohit points out, many still don’t comprehend it themselves. This means that there has to be an upskilling of the entire workforce if a company wants to gain real value from data. So, how do companies get started?

The strategy, Nik believes, is two-pronged: training and staffing. Organisations must empower their existing workforce to understand the value of and how to use a Graph Data Platform. Above this, they need to bolster organisational capacity by hiring the right people. Although there is a lot of great talent in the market and a relatively large pool, Nik advises caution in recruitment as skills are relatively easy to fake.

“When you embark on a project or a journey, you have enough (and more talent) in the partner ecosystem, as well as the deployed developer ecosystem, where you can source people from,” Nik acknowledges.”However, it is essential to be careful that potential candidates go through a rigorous selection process.”

Big Data can have ‘infinite value’

There are a lot of one-line proverbs and truisms to push unnecessary products. One is “big data can have an “infinite value”. Is this factual or just another way to justify more expenses on the books.

“The simple answer is that it is up to an organisation to decide how they budget their funds. But it is better to look at it differently. It’s not intrinsically about just money,” Nik explains. “It’s the perspective organisations have of tech. Do they see it as an expense or an investment?”

Yes, companies, in the short term, and tangibly, invest their resources, time and effort, but, more significantly, they are investing their company’s future based on the decisions they make. A case in point is fraud.

“If you look at fraud detection alone, fraud detection has gone offline as well as online; it’s an omnichannel; it’s not just one Forster dealing with one credit card somewhere.”

Fraud detection and anti-money laundering depend enormously on exposing connections and patterns. With the new Neo4j Graph Data Platform, which incorporates both the Neo4j graph data science and the code database, detecting fraud is considerably easier now and Neo4j has discovered millions of new frauds from its technology.

So going in for a Graph Data Platform now does mean an expense in terms of investing in the technology, training people and setting systems; but it has massive RoI down the line, in addition to protecting a company’s most valuable assets – market reputation and customer trust.

Case Study

There is a whole new thrust of marketing to customers personally – It’s no longer just a store or an e-commerce website. With people are on social media, rating platforms and a host of mobile apps, getting a complete customer 360 is much more difficult and complex than before. Organisations are increasingly relying on numerous consumers touchpoints to gain a more comprehensive picture of each customer.

To add to the complexity, an organisation can have a million customers or more, with data points spread across billions of records from transactions, events and sensors.

One of their customers AirAsia – one of the largest and most well-known airlines in Southeast Asia – saw a 300% spike in the test group after employing Neo4j’s craft data science. This was because Neo4j was able to gain a significantly deeper grasp of the customer from a single consumer perspective.

To do this, Neo4j did not discard any of the other company’s technology, but instead layered theirs on top of the existing ones, combining all the company’s assets such as data lakes, data warehouses, and data science notebooks, to the power of the Graph Data Platform. As a result, there was a massive performance improvement.

Proof of the pudding is in the eating

While claims are easy to make, the test of the effectiveness of a technology is the success it has in real-life applications. AirAsia apart, the company has a wide spectrum of financial organisations that deploy their solutions.

Neo4j counts a whole host of banks as their satisfied customers including Standard Chartered, prominent banks in Singapore and one of Australia’s largest banks. Most recently. Neo4j partnered with DBS for their hackathon – DBS’s flagship event.

At the same time, Neo4j has a big number of on-premises start-ups, as well as cloud and digital native accounts, all of which are using the Neo4j cloud experience in APAC.

These organisations represent the best in their sectors, and they are at the top because they invest in technologies that help them progress. Findings indicate that Graph Data Platforms were used in 50% of all Artificial Intelligence projects. This is because incorporating a Graph Data Platform into an organisation’s existing AI strategy offers significant improvement at a low cost. The investment is minimal and corporations can increase confidence scores and outcomes for a fraction of expenditure in other solutions.

Embarking on a new transformational journey

Graph analytics applications use algorithms to traverse and analyse graphs to uncover and potentially identify intriguing patterns that represent business prospects.

Business operators can have a better understanding of what they are doing efficiently and inefficiently within their businesses by analysing data. Professionals with an analytics background are capable of answering critical questions once a problem has been recognised.

While Mohit concedes that businesses are on the top because they invest in technologies that help them progress, the pertinent question is: what made them decide to use this technology and how did they get started?

Answering with another truism – the early bird catches the worm, Nik feels that in all likelihood the leading companies had a combination of higher risk appetite, vision and gut instinct. With trailblazers leading the way, the question now isn’t so much about how do companies get started but when do they get started?

With the gains seen in the companies that already deploy Graph Data Platforms, others are eager to climb on board. But they seem to be unsure about timing and the most opportune stage to do so.

“We are seeing a lot of other companies that are inspired by these pioneering companies’ successes and are putting a lot of faith and stock in our technology,” Nik acknowledges. “Leaders in any organisation have to understand that technology is an investment and that everyone must embark on. The time is always right to invest in such technology!”

For more information on Neo4j visit https://neo4j.com/

In an era of rapid digital transformation, Malaysia recognises the importance of equipping its youth with the necessary skills to thrive in the digital economy. To address this crucial need, a strategic partnership has been formed to empower the next generation through youth skills development.

This alliance brings together key stakeholders from the government, the private sector, educational institutions and industry experts to collaborate on initiatives that enhance digital competencies among Malaysian youth.

The initiative aims to bridge the digital skills gap by offering comprehensive programmes that cater to the specific needs of Malaysian youth. It focuses on equipping them with the essential digital skills required for success in the modern workforce.

By developing a strong foundation in areas such as coding, data analytics, digital marketing and emerging technologies, youth will be ready to take on the challenges and opportunities in Malaysia’s digital economy.

The plans encompass a range of strategies, such as training programmes, mentorship opportunities, industry collaborations and granting access to digital resources. They not only foster technical skills but also emphasise critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity and entrepreneurship.

Envisioning a future where Malaysian youth lead the way in innovation and contribute to the growth and competitiveness of the digital economy, the partnership strives to empower the next generation with these essential skills. By doing so, they not only aim to fulfil the career aspirations of the youth but also ensure their active participation in driving the nation’s progress.

Fostering Youth Skills in Malaysia’s Digital Economy

Ir Ts Dr Aziyati Yusoff, Head of Strategic Partnership for Youth Skills Development, Ministry of Youth and Sports, emphasises Malaysia’s commitment to bridging the digital skills gap among its youth and aligning them with the demands of the digital economy.

With a forward-thinking approach, she acknowledges the significance of embracing new paradigms and perspectives to stay relevant in an ever-evolving digital landscape. By recognising the need to adapt and equip the younger generation with the necessary skills, Malaysia is poised to nurture a workforce that can effectively contribute to the country’s digital transformation and global competitiveness.

“Currently ranked 33rd in technological advancement, Malaysia aspires to become a regional leader,” Dr Aziyati reveals. “While physical platforms have been emphasised, other factors like education integration, cultural wellness, societal maturity, and economic stability are also important.”

Malaysia acknowledges the significance of coding and technical skills but also places value on soft skills and adaptability. School programmes in the country emphasise a well-rounded approach by incorporating STEM activities, innovation competitions, and even sports to enhance social interaction and problem-solving abilities.

This holistic approach ensures that Malaysian youth not only develop technical proficiency but also cultivate essential interpersonal skills, creativity, and the ability to adapt to various challenges. By nurturing a balanced skill set, Malaysia aims to prepare its youth for the multifaceted demands of the digital era, where both technical expertise and soft skills play integral roles in success.

Dr Aziyati acknowledges the importance of coding classes in Malaysia, recognising their role in fostering skills such as planning, problem-solving, and performance evaluation. The country’s education blueprint focuses on utilising information and communication technology (ICT) to enhance the quality of learning.

This is achieved through the implementation of online classrooms, robotics competitions, and government initiatives like the Digital MakerSpace and Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC). By leveraging these platforms and programmes, Malaysia is actively promoting the integration of technology into education and empowering its youth to thrive in the digital age.

The government promotes inclusivity and equal opportunities through various initiatives that aim to provide practical platforms for knowledge and anticipate the challenges and opportunities brought by technology.

These initiatives aim for wider engagement and to create an environment where students have access to digital resources, hands-on learning experiences and opportunities to showcase their skills.

Advancements in digital technology benefit the economy by creating jobs, improving employability rates, fostering digital content creators, supporting governmental agendas and providing a return on investment.

Smart partnerships with various ministries, including the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Communications and Digital, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and Ministry of International Trade and Industry, contribute to these benefits.

“Smart partnerships ensure the relevance of training and knowledge content, while industries are open to hiring special needs graduates, offering training tailored to their abilities,” Dr Aziyati reiterates.

In the modern world, diverse cultural values and socioeconomic achievements define our lifestyles, Dr Aziyati observes. The Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint embraces the globalised nature of information systems, which facilitates cultural exchange and emphasises the impact of digital technology on societal resilience and the future-proofing of the economy.

Despite economic challenges, Malaysia’s resources and diversity have facilitated national transformations. The government understands that consistent and continuous investment in youth development through training and education is crucial for ensuring sustainable progress and national sustainability.

The education system and institutions play a crucial role in facilitating successful partnerships and collaborations. Both national and institutional levels are open to innovative ideas and opportunities for partnerships.

The Ministry of International Trade and Industry supports initiatives by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education to establish partnerships with other countries. Collaboration with education institutions from countries like the UK, USA, Australia, Germany, European nations, Asian countries and APEC nations is pursued through international knowledge exchange.

Through such partnerships, a wide array of opportunities, initiatives, incentives, and projects are being implemented to benefit the citizens. These activities span various domains, including student and cultural exchange, expert sharing, technology transfer, intellectual discourse and skill mobility.

The aim is to foster mutual growth, facilitate the transfer of knowledge and expertise and create a dynamic environment that promotes innovation and skill development among individuals. As Malaysia promotes the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it requires a highly skilled workforce and smart citizens to attract investment for a better economy.

“To facilitate execution and foster innovation in the digital economy, proper planning and provision in the areas of manpower, machinery, and methods are crucial. Some also emphasise materials and mediums,” Dr Aziyati explains. “Youth entrepreneurs can adopt these approaches to boost productivity.”

Since 2013, the Federal Government has launched various initiatives and projects, including policies on science, technology, and innovation, IoT strategy, Smart City framework, cybersecurity, and the digital economy blueprint, with implementation planned until 2025.

Dr Aziyati agrees that expanding strategic relationships with other countries becomes easier with transparency as governance is visualised through paperless documents, faster approvals, efficient repayment methods and increased output capacity.

While online application processes are already in place, information security, cybercrime, cryptography and privacy concerns must be addressed, she reveals.

Over the past five years, Malaysia has experienced political changes and evolving government institutions. Despite these fluctuations, the youth and future generations remain focused on the impact and development of the digital economy.

“To achieve successful implementation of integrated e-governance, a nation must attain key elements such as political stability, economic prosperity, social harmony, technological modernisation, environmental sustainability, and legal strength,” Dr Aziyati opines. “These factors collectively contribute to effective governance and ensure a holistic approach towards leveraging digital technology for the betterment of society.”

Sustaining the momentum of digital economy efforts and utilising strengths and opportunities can lead to enhanced business, partnerships and economic growth. Transformation and readiness for change are key factors for success, along with incorporating fresh ideas from young minds and a skilled workforce.

Dr Aziyati is convinced that aside from financial assistance, Malaysia can secure long-term stability and progress by implementing a thorough and consistent transformation programme.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports in Malaysia is responsible for the supervision and advancement of eSports players. However, there are existing challenges concerning the welfare of developers within this domain. As a result, the ministry is actively seeking new policies and measures to address and strengthen this aspect, ensuring the well-being and support of young developers in the future.

In her new role overseeing Training Management for skills institutions, Dr Aziyati continues to prioritise partnerships with industry to promote digital technology advancement. To improve governmental institutions, she proposed the following:

Increase budget allocations for youth in the digital economy
Expand youth development programmes for mastering digital skills
Provide more incentives to support youth in adapting to the fast-paced digital world
Implement transformative programs in STEM, digital education, and school projects
Foster flexible ideas for national digital improvements
Reduce bureaucracy in project decision-making processes
Encourage creativity by minimising organisational hierarchy limitations
Minimise the use of paper forms
The transition from old-school work delegations to foster flexibility through collaborative discussions and cooperative deliveries

To realise these improvements, both financial support and organisational adjustments are necessary.

The Ministry of Education has identified a concerning trend where nearly 50% of school leavers are choosing not to pursue higher education. This issue is influenced by several factors, including the high cost of education, a perceived lack of job guarantees, and the belief that courses offered may not provide sufficient marketability compared to the appeal of social media businesses and gig economy jobs.

Dr Aziyati feels it is crucial to conduct a study that examines the relevance of current school curricula, the courses offered by higher education institutions and the demands of industries. Recognising the interdependence among these entities is vital, as failure to address outdated education content and maintain the status quo could result in a substantial gap in producing high-quality graduates.

By understanding the evolving needs of industries and aligning educational programmes accordingly, Malaysia can ensure that its education system remains responsive, equipping students with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the demands of the job market effectively.

“To inspire young people, it is important to emphasise the importance of passion and willingness to continuously learn, improve and contribute to society,” Dr Aziyati says. “Success requires effort and perseverance, as reflected in the quote: genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.”

While young people may encounter misleading information and failure, it is part of the learning process. She believes that patience, persistence, and perseverance are key in this journey if one’s pursuits are beneficial to society.

Dr Aziyati strongly believes that by consistently pursuing personal growth and making significant contributions, success and recognition will naturally follow. She feels that this journey should not solely revolve around personal improvement, but also include a commitment to leaving a positive legacy for future generations.

Additionally, it is crucial to acknowledge the inherent value of the learning process itself, which cannot be easily replaced. However, Dr Aziyati acknowledges that individuals may sometimes be influenced by the opinions of others and consequently choose paths that they are not genuinely passionate about.

While quick money-making opportunities may come and go, Dr Aziyati underscores the enduring value of education and the credentials earned through hard work. She encourages individuals to prioritise long-term gains, as the knowledge and skills acquired through education will have a lasting impact throughout their lives.

“By channelling the passion of young people towards constructive and educational endeavours that bring benefits to the nation, we can unleash their potential and make meaningful contributions to their personal and societal growth,” Dr Aziyati concludes.

Vietnam’s Enhancing E-commerce Governance

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued Directive No. 18/CT-TTg, which aims to enhance data connectivity and sharing to foster the growth of e-commerce, prevent tax loss, and safeguard monetary security.

The directive acknowledged that the rapid expansion of the e-commerce market has presented significant challenges in effectively managing e-commerce activities and tax administration. It emphasised the need for close collaboration among specialised management agencies to regulate payment transactions and verify the information of businesses, individuals, and taxpayers in response to the evolving digital business landscape.

The Prime Minister has assigned specific tasks to various ministries and agencies in the directive. They will enhance efficiency and facilitate digital transformation in the governance of e-commerce activities, digital platform trading, cross-border business, and data sharing among ministries and agencies for the advancement of e-commerce.

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has been assigned the responsibility to collaborate with other relevant ministries in the process of amending legal documents pertaining to e-commerce. This includes streamlining administrative procedures and implementing strict measures to address tax and customs violations.

It has also been assigned the responsibility of developing a comprehensive plan for data connection and sharing with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC), the Ministry of Public Security (MoPS), the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), and other relevant agencies. This plan aims to strengthen tax administration for e-commerce activities and the provision of cross-border digital products and services. The deadline for completing this plan is set for the third quarter of this year.

MoIC is tasked with coordinating efforts among ministries and agencies to standardise, digitise, connect, and share data pertaining to e-commerce. SBV has been directed to collaborate with MoF and other relevant agencies to establish a mechanism for overseeing payment transactions. This mechanism will specifically support tax administration for cross-border service provision, in accordance with the Law on Tax Administration and other related legislations.

MoPS has been urged to accelerate the integration of the national population database with the databases and information systems of ministries, agencies, and local authorities. This integration is crucial for implementing e-identification and e-authentication systems. The MoPS is also tasked with collaborating with relevant agencies to refine specialised laws and policies that safeguard e-commerce development and monetary security, as well as prevent tax loss.

The Government Office will coordinate with relevant ministries in continuing to promote the integration and provision of online public services, and online payment in the fields of taxation and e-commerce on the National Public Service Portal.

Earlier this week, SBV urged banks, foreign bank branches, and intermediaries in payment services to actively support the advancement of cashless transactions and the implementation of the national digital transformation programme.

The move aims to aid the plan on developing the application of resident data and electronic identification and authentication to support the national digital transformation agenda during the period of 2022-2025, with a vision extending to 2030.

As OpenGov Asia reported, the banks, foreign bank branches, and intermediaries in payment services will persist in their efforts to devise favourable programmes and policies concerning payment and intermediary payment service fees for customers. The SBV has also urged them to waive account maintenance fees and cash withdrawal fees for customers entitled to the social security policy. They have been instructed to proactively engage in practical initiatives to commemorate Cashless Day 2023, which takes place on 16 June, and to continue their efforts throughout the entire month.

China Launches Data Security Technology Certification

Data has increasingly become a significant element of production to support economic development and the core asset of businesses in recent years as the digital economy of China has grown.

Data security is a requirement for enterprise data elements and is highly appreciated by businesses across industries. This aims to boost the new economic development drive, extend the digital economy, and create new competitive advantages on a national level.

The development of enterprise data security capabilities is a key focus for the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), which in November 2021 initiated a national-level certification project for Data Security Management Capabilities (DSMC) for the whole sector.

More than 120 businesses have completed the audit and certification work thus far, representing 70 different industries.

In-depth study and discussions with businesses revealed to CAICT that new methods of data leakage have evolved, and enterprise data security work is facing several new issues because of the growth of data security management capacity certification work.

This is because the enterprise’s data security technical capabilities are insufficient, resulting in uneven data security work, and it is impossible to determine whether the enterprise’s own technical capabilities meet business risks in terms of data classification and protection, API interface security control, and data leakage prevention, among others.

CAICT has actively conducted research, enriched the data security certification system based on the previous DSMC, and conducted related work on Data Security Technology Capability Certification (DSTC) to effectively assist enterprises in overcoming the challenges of data security technology work.

DSTC certification will be effectively linked to DSMC certification, with a focus on indicators relating to enterprise technical capabilities, such as data assets and data identification, authority management and operation specifications, data leakage prevention and traceability, sensitive data protection, business flow risk monitoring, and sensitive operation discovery.

Consider some technology-related management capabilities requirements, such as organisational structure and personnel protection, management and control of data use, partner organisation, and self-evaluation of data security work.

Together, the DSTC and the already-launched DSMC will comprise a comprehensive data security certification system for enterprises, facilitating the development of high-quality data security capabilities across industries.

The DSTC is now officially accepting business registrations, and the first group of companies to pass the certification will receive a data security technology capability certificate. National Certification and Accreditation Administration’s official website contains pertinent certification results.

Certification of data security technology in China is crucial because it ensures that organisations have implemented robust data security measures to protect sensitive information. This is especially important in a time of rising cyber threats and data intrusions.

Certification demonstrates a company’s commitment to data security and inspires confidence among consumers, partners, and other stakeholders. It improves the company’s reputation and provides a market advantage.

In addition, a reputable data security certification programme in China can facilitate international collaboration and partnerships by ensuring that organisations adhere to global data security standards. It facilitates data exchanges and encourages cross-border data transfers.

Also, certification programmes promote industry-wide best practices and data security standards. They promote continual improvement and innovation in data protection methods across industries, resulting in a safer and more secure digital environment. It ensures that consumers’ data is managed safely, encouraging them to continue engaging with businesses and digital services.

University of Western Australia Empowering Digital Innovation

Perth’s newest technology hub has been established through a partnership between the University of Western Australia and a prominent Australian multinational bank, aiming to cultivate the future generation of skilled professionals. The Bankwest and CBA Perth Tech Hub have been created to bolster the digital economy in Western Australia by supporting an expanding group of digitally proficient professionals.

The Perth Tech Hub is anticipated to generate over 100 new job openings, encompassing roles in data science, cybersecurity, and software engineering. These positions will contribute to projects that bring advantages to customers, employees, and the communities in which CBA and Bankwest operate.

The collaboration was warmly received by the Head of the Department for Computer Science and Software Engineering at UWA, who recognized its potential to offer invaluable career experience for upcoming technology professionals. The shared focus on teaching and research in emerging digital technologies, including computer science, cybersecurity, data science, artificial intelligence, and software engineering, was emphasised.

Through this partnership, a range of joint activities will be pursued, such as industry-led skills workshops, collaborative projects, work-integrated learning placements, and technology-focused events. These initiatives aim to equip UWA students with the necessary skills and knowledge to address the existing technology skills shortage not only in Australia but also on a global scale.

According to the Bank’s CIO, the establishment of the Perth Tech Hub aligns with their nationwide effort to drive technological advancement and expand their team of skilled technology professionals in Western Australia. The Hub is envisioned as an innovative and collaborative space that will cater to highly skilled technologists, dedicated engineers, analysts, and developers.

The bank believes that its early careers programme in the technology industry is among the finest and expresses its ambition to foster its growth in WA. The partnership with prominent universities in the state is expected to facilitate a comprehensive enhancement of technology capabilities, talent pipeline, and innovation across the sector.

The Tech Council of Australia (TCA) Research, unveiled at Parliament House by the Minister for Industry and Science, and the Minister for Skills and Training, has disclosed a noteworthy development in tech employment.

According to the research, there has been an 8% surge in tech jobs in the previous year, resulting in a total tech workforce of 935,000 as of February 2023. This figure accounts for 78% of the target set by Prime Minister Albanese in 2030.

The report found that 10,500 jobs were added to the tech sector in the past three months, up until March 2023. Notably, the majority of this growth occurred in the indirect tech sector, referring to tech-intensive roles within non-tech industries. This expansion was observed across various sectors such as retail, banking, professional services, government, and mining.

While reports suggest downsizing in tech firms, it is noteworthy that jobs in the direct tech sector have remained stable. Surprisingly, the research conducted by TCA reveals a fascinating trend: for every job lost in the past quarter, a remarkable 20 new jobs have been created. This signifies strong resilience and growth within the direct tech sector.

The growth observed, as highlighted by the CEO of TCA, is seen as a demonstration of the integral nature of tech jobs within all sectors of the Australian economy. The focus of the world’s leading economies is believed to be on digitally upskilling their workforce should also be a priority for Australia. The intention is for Australia to be positioned at the forefront of this transition.

The expansion of tech jobs in non-traditional tech industries is seen as an indication of a long-term structural change in the Australian economy. Furthermore, it indicates the deep integration of digital skills into all aspects of the economy.

EXCLUSIVE! Data-Driven Governance: Empowering Public Agencies for Enhanced Public Services

The data-driven governance paradigm emphasises using data and analytics to inform decision-making and improve public services. In today’s increasingly digital world, the abundance of data presents public agencies with an unprecedented opportunity to leverage information and insights to improve citizen outcomes.

Public agencies can acquire a deeper understanding of societal challenges, identify trends and develop evidence-based policies and interventions that address the needs and aspirations of the public by harnessing the power of data.

One of the primary advantages of data-driven governance is its capacity to facilitate well-informed decision-making. Traditional approaches to governance frequently rely on intuition or limited data, which can result in suboptimal outcomes.

Data-driven governance enables public agencies to enhance the delivery of public services. By analysing data on citizen preferences, utilisation patterns and satisfaction levels, agencies can tailor their services to meet the unique requirements of distinct population segments.

However, adopting a data-driven governance strategy presents obstacles that must be overcome. Providing data privacy and security is one of the major obstacles. Protecting sensitive citizen data from unauthorised access or misuse requires public agencies to establish robust protocols and safeguards. Data collection, storage and sharing should be governed by precise rules and regulations that ensure transparency and accountability.

The availability and accessibility of high-quality data is another obstacle. Government agencies frequently must negotiate fragmented data sources, inconsistent data formats and silos. Data interoperability and integration initiatives are essential for overcoming these obstacles and establishing a comprehensive and dependable data infrastructure that facilitates data-driven decision-making.

To realise the maximum potential of data-driven governance, agencies must invest in developing data analytics capabilities and fostering a data-driven culture. This includes training employees in data literacy and analytics, establishing partnerships with academia and the private sector and promoting a culture of evidence-based decision-making at all organisational levels.

The OpenGov Breakfast Insight held on 24 May 2023 at the Shangri-La The Fort Manila, aimed to provide the latest data integration and analytics benefits for the Philippine public sector.

Opening Remarks

Commencing the session, Mohit Sagar, the CEO & Editor-in-Chief of OpenGov Asia, acknowledges the paramount significance of data in the modern era, surpassing conventional assets like oil and gold. With the exponential advancement of technology, the world now generates vast quantities of data every second.

Companies and organisations are well aware that strategic utilisation of data can lead to substantial competitive advantages, enriched consumer experiences, and improved operational efficiency. They know the potential of harnessing data to gain a competitive edge and deliver exceptional value to their customers. Such information provides deep insights into consumer behaviour, market trends and decision-making processes.

With the relentless progress of technology, the inevitability of data proliferation becomes increasingly apparent. The prevalence of smartphones, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and digital platforms have resulted in an unprecedented amount of data being generated.

“With data-driven approaches rapidly gaining importance across industries, the ability to accumulate, analyse, and leverage data has emerged as a critical determinant of success in the contemporary era,” Mohit explains. “Consequently, data has become the most sought-after and protected asset in today’s economy.”

Through the integration of data strategies, organisations can effectively minimise redundancy, dismantle data silos and increase data quality and consistency. This enables businesses to derive valuable insights, identify trends and connections, and ultimately make informed and improved decisions.

Data integration promotes cooperation and efficiency, facilitating seamless data interchange among multiple stakeholders, systems and departments. Moreover, when policies align and complement each other, it becomes easier to foster such collaborations and reduce the wastage of resources and time.

A sound data strategy establishes a solid foundation for advanced analytics, machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives, where accurate and integrated data play a vital role in modelling and achieving high prediction accuracy.

“By leveraging integrated data, organisations can unlock the potential of cutting-edge technologies, maximise the value of their data assets, drive innovation and gain a competitive edge,” Mohit reiterates.

As the volume and complexity of data continue to grow exponentially, scalability becomes crucial for effectively managing and handling this data. The ability to scale resources and infrastructure allows organisations to accommodate the expanding demands of data processing, storage, and analysis. Scalability ensures that systems can effectively handle the ever-increasing data volume without compromising performance or efficiency.

Virtualisation technology has driven a paradigm shift in the scaling of services and storage in the digital environment. By decoupling physical resources from the underlying hardware, virtualisation enables the efficient allocation and utilisation of processing power, memory and storage resources. This technology empowers organisations to optimise their resource utilisation, leading to enhanced efficiency and flexibility in managing their digital infrastructure.

Using virtualisation, businesses can dynamically expand their infrastructure as needed, scaling services and storage space to meet the demands of expanding data needs. It offers flexibility and agility without being constrained by physical hardware, enabling businesses to respond swiftly to shifting needs.

“Companies can meet the needs of a data-driven world by successfully managing data expansion, enhancing scalability, and optimising resource utilisation via virtualisation,” Mohit observes.

Once access and authorisation protocols are established within policies, individuals across different agencies can work more efficiently and expediently. These protocols create a streamlined process for granting appropriate access to relevant data and systems, ensuring that only authorised personnel can retrieve the information they need in a timely manner.

When data is handled and used correctly, it has the potential to greatly enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the work and duties at hand. The proper handling and utilisation of data by the right people enable the identification of areas for improvement, streamlining processes and allocating resources more effectively.

By analysing data, organisations gain a deeper understanding and valuable insights by uncovering patterns and trends. Through sophisticated data analysis techniques, they can extract meaningful information and identify correlations that might not be apparent at first glance.

“By leveraging data-driven insights, staff can make informed decisions, improve service delivery and result in better outcomes for citizens and a higher level of public trust and satisfaction,” Mohit concludes.

Welcome Address

According to Armstrong Mejilla, Senior Director, APJ Presales at Qlik, the phrase “Data Everywhere, Data Everything” succinctly captures the pervasive nature of data in today’s world. It highlights the imperative to address the challenges and seize the opportunities arising from the abundance of data. Furthermore, it underscores the critical significance of responsible and effective data management and utilisation to harness its full potential.

The ubiquitous presence and extensive utilisation of data in today’s digital world emphasise the integral role it plays in people’s lives, permeating every facet of personal and professional activities. Data has become an inseparable component, shaping and influencing various aspects of daily life, from personal decision-making to professional endeavours. Its omnipresence underscores the significant impact and reliance on data in today’s interconnected society.

“Data continues to grow at astounding rates, creating exciting opportunities for public sector organisations to improve citizen services, enhance financial performance and better meet their missions,” Armstrong acknowledges. “But when it comes to generating true value from business intelligence and data analytics investments, the differentiator often comes down to culture.”

Many businesses have made attempts, but often faced failures, in implementing digital transformation projects aimed at fostering a culture of innovation. However, it is crucial for businesses to shift their focus towards cultivating the concept of ‘digital business agility.’

Rather than solely aiming for transformation, organisations should prioritise agility, which allows them to swiftly adapt and respond to the evolving digital landscape. By embracing digital business agility, businesses can foster a mindset that embraces change, experimentation and continuous improvement, enabling them to thrive in the dynamic and competitive digital realm.

The three primary pillars of digital business agility – heightened awareness, informed decision-making, and swift execution – allows organisation’s to respond swiftly and effectively to emerging threats and seize new market opportunities before their competitors even notice them.

“These pillars are not technologies,” Armstrong clarifies. “ They are, rather, capabilities and a mindset facilitated by a proper understanding and implementation of technology.”

Hyperawareness refers to a company’s ability to detect and monitor changes in its business environment. The business environment encompasses both internal and external factors that impact the company’s opportunities and risks. It signifies the heightened capacity of a company to stay vigilant and cognizant of the dynamic factors that can shape its success or pose potential threats.

Armstrong emphasises that companies with hyperawareness are less susceptible to being taken by surprise and are difficult to disrupt because they can detect their vulnerabilities and modify their models and processes accordingly.

For instance, hyperaware companies have a deep understanding of when and why their customers experience dissatisfaction. They prioritise identifying the true value that customers attribute to their products, rather than fixating on the delivery methods within the existing value chain.

Similarly, when a company is acutely aware of its competitive landscape, it has a deep understanding of the strengths and vulnerabilities of its traditional competitors. Furthermore, it recognises the potential impact that new business lines or acquisitions may have on its position in the market. In addition, it can anticipate which non-traditional competitors could threaten their market position and the disruptive strategies they could employ.

Informed decision-making is a company’s ability to make optimal decisions in every situation, Armstrong believes. To excel at informed decision-making, businesses must develop sophisticated data analytics capabilities that augment human discretion.

“To achieve this, it is crucial to analyse, scale, package and disseminate the data derived from the company’s hyperawareness throughout the entire organisation,” Armstrong elaborates.” This ensures that relevant and valuable insights are effectively shared and utilised across the various departments and stakeholders within the company.”

Fast execution refers to a company’s capacity to carry out its plans efficiently and swiftly. “Companies must be informed of every step of the transition to have the flexibility to adjust. Again, data plays a role,” reiterates Armstrong.

Qlik has made significant investments to help the federal and regional sector agencies. Qlik Cloud Government offers customers a modern data and analytics platform that is specifically designed to cater to the following needs and requirements:

Speed: Qlik Cloud Government accelerates data and dev-ops with a platform that streamlines the entire analytics pipeline from – data ingestion and management to insight generation and action.
Security: Ensuring customers feel safe and protected, Qlik Cloud Government has been built with security designed at its core following industry-leading security and compliance controls.
Scale: It is beyond critical that an analytics platform can scale and grow in stride with an organisation. Qlik Cloud Government offers scalability across infrastructure, administration, security, and delivery.

Governments now have the opportunity to leverage technology and harness their data in ways that were previously unexplored. This enables them to gain unprecedented insights, leading to improved outcomes and more efficient practices. By effectively utilising their data, governments can drive positive changes and enhance their overall operational effectiveness.

According to Armstrong, data holds boundless possibilities and has the potential to truly transform the world. The example of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an illustration of this. The EPA required agency-wide visibility and self-service analytics for their field analysts, but their existing legacy analytics system (Business Objects) proved to be slow and inflexible.

As a result, the EPA decided to implement Qlik Sense, enabling them to analyse environmental health and safety data across various regions. They successfully distributed Qlik Sense to over 200 analysts nationwide, empowering them with the necessary tools and capabilities to efficiently access and analyse the data.

Within 30 days of going live (before the announcement), they had 100 users and currently, they have reached 200 users and continue to grow. Analysts across the country, in every region, are utilising the platform to analyse environmental health and safety information specific to their geography, such as pollution and water quality in Region 3.

Additionally, Furthermore, Qlik Cloud offers the analytics data pipeline through its Active Intelligence tool. This comprehensive solution provides companies with all the necessary data integration and analytics services to transform raw data into valuable information that aids in decision-making.

In addition to the core analytics services, Qlik Cloud also offers a variety of foundational services to support companies in their data-driven journey. It is the sole cloud platform specifically designed for Active Intelligence. Its purpose is to assist organisations in transitioning from passive toolsets to active systems that provide real-time information and compels action.

With this open SaaS platform, companies get cloud-agnostic and hybrid setup options that give them the most freedom and choice in how and where to store and analyse data, whether in one cloud or many.

Recognising that the value of data lies in its actionable utilisation, organisations can prioritise the development of skills, infrastructure, and a proactive mindset to maximise the potential of their data assets. This involves investing in data analytics expertise, technology infrastructure, and decision-making processes that facilitate effective and timely actions based on insights derived from data.

“By fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making and enabling the necessary resources, organisations can unlock the full value of their data assets and drive meaningful outcomes,” Armstrong concludes.

In Conversation with

Data-driven governance in the Philippines entails using data and analytics to educate and guide governance policies, improve service delivery, increase transparency and promote evidence-based decision-making at all levels of government.

The Philippines can harness the potential of data to address societal concerns, drive evidence-based decision-making and improve public service delivery by embracing data-driven governance. It has the potential to lead to more efficient, effective and citizen-centred management, ultimately contributing to the country’s and its people’s development and well-being.

According to Dr Czar Jakiri Sarmiento, Chairman of the Department of Geodetic Engineering at the University of the Philippines, a potential solution to tackle technological challenges within an organisation is the implementation of centralised data management processes. This approach can achieve consistency across reporting, agencies and structures.

It is essential to consider national and local policies, such as implementing rules and regulations like the Freedom of Information. Resources should be made accessible and user-friendly, and there should be a focus on providing training to government agencies.

“When working with government agencies on research projects, sustainability and capacity-building should be considered to ensure long-term success,” says Dr Czar. “Four factors – centralised data management, policy consideration, resource accessibility and capacity-building – are crucial in addressing the challenge effectively.”

Ensuring consistency in outdoor activities in national data regions and government teams is essential, contributing to safety and accuracy. Additionally, contextual data integration is crucial, as it helps address specific problems and supports decision-making.

Data integration can improve efficiency, speed up processes and reduce costs. However, considerations such as government procurement and hiring processes should be considered, along with the capacity of employees to adapt to new technologies.

Transparency and accountability are essential, but departments must be flexible enough to adopt sustainable technologies. Collaboration with stakeholders is necessary to ensure accessibility and understanding of concepts. Building foundational knowledge is essential before expecting sustained development.

For Armstrong Mejilla, Senior Director, APJ Presales, Qlik, aligning business goals and customer preferences when identifying solutions is essential. “Showcasing successful implementations to other departments and providing guidance on replicating them can be beneficial.”

Embracing a fearless attitude towards failure and adopting technology without hesitation can drive positive behavioural changes within the organization. This includes fostering a data-driven approach and empowering leaders.

Although managing organisational change can be challenging, its profound impact on citizens is undeniable. It’s important to remember that technology plays a supporting role in the overall process, and a patient implementation strategy is key to success.

Dennis Magsajo, Head, Solutions Architects, ASEAN Emerging Markets – Worldwide Public-Sector, Amazon Web Services, acknowledges that government agencies and diversity in government are essential factors in achieving success. Collaboration between technology providers and government agencies is necessary to ensure access to essential data points.

“Finding providers who offer the necessary features and capabilities is crucial. Although specific examples may have been mentioned, further information might be needed to understand their relevance,” Dennis is convinced.

In the current governance landscape, the involvement and contribution of multiple stakeholders are essential. There is a growing emphasis on fostering collaboration among diverse agencies to enhance public services and facilitate the provision of efficient information for informed decision-making by government officials. This collaborative approach seeks to leverage the collective expertise and resources of various parties to drive improvements in governance processes and outcomes.

Closing Remarks

According to Armstrong, it is crucial to look at data as facts supported by thorough research and analysis when it comes to decision-making. “Data-driven insights form an integral part of the solution-seeking process.”

It is crucial to note that implementing technology to leverage the potential of data requires a systematic approach. Often, legacy systems present a challenge as they may not be easily readable, necessitating efforts to effectively transform and integrate them into modern systems.

Visualisation plays a vital role in decision-making as it helps comprehend complex information and facilitates informed choices. Hence, successfully integrating processes, technology and a culture that values data-driven insights is critical to effective decision-making and problem-solving.

Mohit agrees that change can be a daunting endeavour. However, recognising the inherent challenges that come with change and actively overseeing the transition allows for successful navigation and the discovery of new possibilities and opportunities.

Technology partnerships enable organisations to leverage collective strengths, drive innovation, share costs and risks, access specialised expertise, and gain a competitive advantage. “By working together, partners can achieve outcomes that may not have been possible individually, leading to mutual benefits and growth.”

“Partnerships can accelerate the development and implementation of technology-based solutions. Technology partnerships enable organisations to leverage specialised expertise that may not be available internally,” Mohit concludes. “Collaborating with technology experts grants access to cutting-edge knowledge, research capabilities, and technical skills, empowering organisations to stay at the forefront of technological advancements and drive innovation.”

EKSKLUSIF! Pemerintahan Berbasis Data: Peningkatan Pelayanan Publik Melalui Pemberdayaan Lembaga Pemerintahan

Sistem pemerintahan berbasis data sejatinya menekankan pada pemanfaatan data dan analisis terkait pembuatan keputusan dan peningkatan pelayanan publik. Dalam era perkembangan digital yang cepat, keberadaan sumber data yang cukup masif ini dapat menjadi peluang bagi lembaga pemerintahan dalam pemanfaatan informasi dan wawasan demi meningkatakan produktivitas masyarakat.

Melalui sistem tersebut, lembaga pemerintahan dapat memperoleh pemahaman mendalam terhadap permasalahan sosial dan tren. Hal ini dapat menjadi modal untuk mengembangkan kebijakan berdasarkan bukti nyata, menekankan pada aspirasi dan kebutuhan publik melalui pemanfaatan data secara maksimal.

Salah satu keunggulan pemerintahan berbasis data lainnya adalah terkait pelayanan penyediaan informasi yang valid. Sistem pemerintahan konvensional seperti sekarang ini masih bergantung pada intuisi akibat keterbatasan data, sehingga hanya akan menghasilkan informasi yang suboptimal.

Pemerintahan berbasis data juga memungkinkan lembaga pemerintahan untuk dapat memperkuat pelayanan publiknya. Melalui analisis preferensi masyarakat, pemanfaatan pola, dan tingkat kepuasan pelayanan, lembaga pemerintahan dapat menetapkan kebijakan berdasarkan segmentasi masyarakat yang terarah.

Walaupun begitu, dalam pengaplikasian sistem pemerintahan berbasis data, seringkali juga dihadang oleh tantangan ke depan. Penyediaan privasi data dan keamanan menjadi salah satu hambatan. Perlindungan privasi data masyarakat dari pihak yang tidak berkepentingan atau penyelewengan data membutuhkan perlindungan yang kuat dari lembaga pemerintahan.

Kemudahan dalam mengakses data yang berkualitas juga menjadi tantangan selanjutnya. Seringkali, lembaga pemerintahan harus menghadapi permasalahan seperti sumber data yang terfragmentasi, format data yang berbeda, dan ruang data yang terpisah.

Oleh karena itu, untuk memahami potensi sistem pemerintahan berbasis data secara maksimal, lembaga pemerintahan harus mengembangkan kemampuan analitik data dan meningkatkan kebiasaan masyarakat yang berbasis data. Hal ini dapat dilakukan dengan menyelenggarakan edukasi terkait literasi analisis data, menjalin kerja sama dengan akademisi dan pihak swasta, serta mendorong kebiasaan pengambilan keputusan berbasis data di semua sektor dan organisasi.

OpenGov Breakfast Insight yang diselenggarakan pada tanggal 24 Mei 2023 di hotel Shangri-La The Fort Manila bertujuan untuk mendiskusikan integrasi data terbarukan dan kelebihan dari analitik bagi sektor publik Filipina.

Pengantar Awal

Sesi Awal, Mohit Sagar, CEO & Pimpinan Redaksi, OpenGov Asia mengakui bahwa data menjadi sebuah komoditi utama di era digital ini. Keberadaan data melebihi sumber daya lama seperti minyak dan emas. Sebagai bukti sebuah pertumbuhan teknologi yang cepat, dunia mampu menghasilkan kuantitas data yang besar setiap detiknya.

Ia menambahkan bahwa informasi data dapat menjadi sebuah gambaran pemahaman terkait kebiasaan konsumen, tren, dan langkah pembentukan prosedur. Perusahaan dan institusi harus memperhatikan strategis dalam penggunaan data untuk dapat menghasilkan keunggulan yang kompetitif, menunjang pelayanan konsumen, dan memperkuat metode yang efisien.

Mohit menjelaskan, “dikarenakan pendekatan berbasis data mengalami peningkatan yang cukup drastis di berbagai sektor industri, kelebihan untuk mengakumulasi dan memanfaatkan data menjadi kunci utama dalam era modern ini. Data menjadi aset primadona dalam pertumbuhan ekonomi saat ini.”

Lebih jauh, ia menekankan bahwa dengan perkembangan teknologi yang terus berinovasi, data akan meningkat secara terus menerus. Berbagai institusi akan menghasilkan data dengan kuantitas yang belum pernah terjadi sebelumnya secara berkepanjangan. Hal ini disebabkan oleh penyebaran smartphone (telepon genggam pintar), Internet of Things (IoT), dan platform digital yang masif.

Dengan kelebihan tersebut, berbagai institusi dapat meminimalisir risiko kelebihan data yang berulang, menghilangkan silo data, serta meningkatkan kualitas dan konsistensi data dengan pengintegrasian. Bisnis pun dapat menerima pemahaman pasar, tren, dan keterkaitan capaian, sehingga menghasilkan keputusan-keputusan yang relevan ke depannya.

Integrasi data terus mendorong aspek kolaborasi dan efisiensi yang menghasilkan pertukaran data lebih cepat dari banyak pihak, sistem, dan departemen. Lebih jauh, hal ini dapat membangun basis sebagai standar analisis baru, machine learning (ML), dan artificial intelligence (AI), di mana ketepatan dan integrasi data merupakan hal yang penting sebagai modal prediksi yang akurat.

Mohit menekankan bahwa integrasi data memudahkan bisnis dalam memaksimalkan hasil analisis data, mendorong inovasi, dan membangun kebermanfaatan yang kompetitif saat ini. Ketika kebijakan saling komplemen satu dengan lainnya, kolaborasi antar pemerintahan juga akan menjadi sangat mudah untuk dikembangkan. Hasil dari kerja sama tersebut akan berbuah kepada peningkatan efisiensi kebijakan.

Lebih jauh, metode skala layanan dan ruang penyimpanan dalam digitalasasi telah mengalami transformasi sepenuhnya berkat teknologi virtualisasi. Mohit menekankan bahwa virtualisasi membuat kerjasama lebih mudah untuk mengalokasikan dan menggunakan kapasitas sumber penyimpanan secara efisien karena dapat memisahkan perangkat fisik yang biasa digunakan pada umumnya.

Pengaplikasian virtualisasi juga menawarkan fleksibilitas dan kemampuan beradaptasi. Melalui pengaplikasian virtualiasasi data, sebuah bisnis dapat mengembangkan infrastrukturnya secara dinamis sejauh yang dibutuhkan, serta dapat memperbesar layanan dan ruang penyimpanan untuk memenuhi tuntutan kebutuhan data yang berkembang. Hal ini tentu menjadikan bisnis mampu merespon perubahan secara cepat.

“Institusi maupun lembaga dapat memenuhi kebutuhan data dengan mengelola data secara baik, memperkuat skalabilitas, dan mengoptimalkan pemanfaatan sumber virtual,” jelas Mohit.

Setiap agensi nantinya akan bekerja lebih produktif setelah mengakses keseluruhan data. Mekanisme protokol juga akan diimplementasikan dalam kebijakan untuk memastikan bahwa izin dan akses diberikan kepada entitas yang membutuhkannya secara tepat.

Jika digunakan secara kompeten, data dapat membantu pemerintah dalam mengerjakan tugas secara efektif. Pelayanan dan kepuasan publik akan berimbas dikarenakan efisiensi dan keberhasilan kinerja yang efektif. “Pemerintah mampu mendapatkan pemahaman dari pola dan tren yang dikelola dengan maksimal dari analisis sebuah data,” tutupnya.

Salam Pembuka

Menurut Armstrong Mejilla, Senior Director, APJ Presales di Qlik, frasa “Data Everywhere, Data Everything” secara ringkas menggambarkan perluasan data yang masif saat ini. Hal ini menekankan pentingnya menghadapi tantangan dan memanfaatkan peluang yang muncul dari keberlimpahan data. Selain itu, ia juga menekankan pentingnya pengelolaan dan pemanfaatan dalam pengoptimalan potensi data secara efektif.

Kehadiran yang merata dan penggunaan data yang luas dalam dunia digital saat ini menekankan peran integral dalam kehidupan manusia. Hal ini menyebar ke setiap aspek aktivitas pribadi maupun profesional.

Data telah menjadi komponen yang tidak terpisahkan, membentuk dan memengaruhi berbagai aspek kehidupan sehari-hari, mulai dari pengambilan keputusan pribadi hingga ranah profesional. Kehadirannya yang merata menunjukkan dampak signifikan dan ketergantungan masyarakat yang dapat dengan mudah saling terhubung saat ini.

“Data terus tumbuh dengan kecepatan yang mengagumkan, menciptakan peluang menarik bagi sektor publik untuk meningkatkan layanan kepada masyarakat, meningkatkan kinerja keuangan, dan memenuhi misi mereka secara lebih,” tegas Armstrong. “Akan tetapi, ketika datang investasi dalam kecerdasan bisnis dan analitik data, faktor yang menjadi masalah seringkali terletak pada budaya dan kebiasaan.”

Banyak bisnis telah mencoba melaksanakan proyek transformasi digital yang bertujuan untuk menumbuhkan budaya inovasi, namun sering menghadapi kegagalan. Penting bagi bisnis untuk beralih fokus dan menumbuhkan konsep ‘agilitas bisnis digital’.

Alih-alih bertujuan untuk transformasi, organisasi harus memprioritaskan agilitas, yang memungkinkan mereka untuk dengan cepat beradaptasi dan merespons perkembangan lanskap digital yang terus berubah. Dengan mengadopsi agilitas bisnis digital, bisnis dapat membangun pola pikir yang menerima perubahan, percobaan, dan perbaikan berkelanjutan, memungkinkan mereka berkembang dalam dunia digital yang dinamis dan kompetitif.

Dalam melaksanakan proyek transformasi digital yang bertujuan untuk menumbuhkan budaya inovatif, banyak bisnis telah mencoba namun gagal. Maka dari itu, penting bagi bisnis untuk berfokus pada konsep ‘percepatan bisnis digital’. Hal ini termasuk kecepatan beradaptasi dan merespons perkembangan digital yang terus berubah. Melalui kegiatan percepatan bisnis digital, sebuas bisnis dapat membangun pola pikir untuk menerima perubahan, percobaan, dan perbaikan berkelanjutan, memungkinkan mereka berkembang dalam dunia digital yang dinamis dan kompetitif.

Melalui 3 pilar utama dari kelincahan bisnis digital–peningkatan kesadaran, pengambilan keputusan yang terinformasi, dan eksekusi yang cepat–memungkinkan institusi untuk merespons secara tanggap terhadap ancaman yang muncul. Dengan demikian, institusi dapat memanfaatkan peluang pasar baru.

“Hal ini bukan sepenuhnya teknologi yang bekerja,” tambahnya, “melainkan adalah pola pikir yang difasilitasi oleh pemahaman implementasi teknologi yang tepat.”

Sesi Pembicara

Pemerintahan berbasis data di Filipina melibatkan penggunaan data dan analitik untuk mendidik dan membimbing kebijakan pemerintahan, meningkatkan penyampaian layanan, meningkatkan transparansi, dan mendorong pengambilan keputusan berdasarkan bukti di semua tingkatan pemerintahan.

Filipina dapat memanfaatkan potensi data untuk mengatasi masalah-masalah sosial, mendorong pengambilan keputusan berbasis bukti, dan meningkatkan penyampaian layanan publik dengan mengadopsi pemerintahan berbasis data. Ini akan menciptakan manajemen yang lebih efisien, efektif, dan berpusat pada masyarakat. Hal ini pada akhirnya akan berkontribusi pada pembangunan dan kesejahteraan negara dan masyarakatnya.

Menurut Dr. Czar Jakiri Sarmiento, Ketua Departemen Teknik Geodesi di Universitas Filipina, solusi potensial untuk mengatasi tantangan teknologi dalam sebuah organisasi adalah dengan menerapkan proses manajemen data secara terpusat. Pendekatan ini dapat mencapai konsistensi dalam pelaporan hasil yang terstruktur.

Penting untuk mempertimbangkan kebijakan secara nasional dan lokal, seperti pelaksanaan peraturan “Kebebasan Informasi”. Sumber daya juga harus dapat diakses dengan mudah serta perlu adanya penyediaan.

“Ketika bekerja dengan lembaga pemerintah dalam proyek penelitian, keberlanjutan dan kapasitas pembangunan harus dipertimbangkan untuk memastikan keberhasilan jangka panjang,” kata Dr Czar. “Empat faktor – manajemen data terpusat, pertimbangan kebijakan, aksesibilitas sumber daya, dan pembangunan kapasitas – sangat penting dalam mengatasi tantangan secara efektif.”

Memastikan konsistensi dalam kegiatan luar ruangan di wilayah data nasional dan pemerintahan merupakan hal yang penting untuk berkontribusi pada keamanan dan akurasi. Selain itu, integrasi data secara kontekstual sangat penting, karena dapat membantu mengatasi masalah-masalah spesifik dan mendukung pengambilan keputusan.

Integrasi data dapat meningkatkan efisiensi, mempercepat proses, dan mengurangi pembiayaan. Akan tetapi, pertimbangan seperti proses pengadaan kerjasama atau pembuatan kebijakan, serta perekrutan karyawan harus dipertimbangkan bersamaan dengan kemampuan adaptasi karyawan dengan teknologi baru.

Transparansi dan akuntabilitas merupakan hal yang penting, namun departemen harus cukup fleksibel untuk mengadopsi teknologi yang berkelanjutan. Kolaborasi dengan para pemangku kepentingan sangat diperlukan untuk memastikan aksesibilitas dan pemahaman yang komprehensif terhadap konsep-konsep tersebut. Membangun pengetahuan dasar merupakan hal yang penting sebelum melakukan perkembangan berkelanjutan.

Bagi Armstrong Mejilla, selaku Senior Director, APJ Presales di Qlik, menyelaraskan tujuan bisnis dan preferensi pelanggan saat menganalisis solusi merupakan hal yang penting. Mengadopsi teknologi tanpa takut terhadap kegagalan dan keraguan dapat mendorong perubahan perilaku positif dalam organisasi. Hal ini termasuk mendorong pendekatan berbasis data dan memberdayakan para pemimpin.

Meskipun mengelola perubahan sebuah organisasi bisa menantang, namun dampaknya yang mendalam terhadap masyarakat tidak dapat dipungkiri. Penting untuk diingat bahwa teknologi memainkan peran pendukung dalam proses keseluruhan, dan strategi implementasi merupakan kunci kesuksesan.

“Menemukan penyedia yang menawarkan fitur dan kemampuan yang tepat adalah hal yang penting, meskipun contoh-contoh spesifik mungkin telah disebutkan,” tegas Dennis Magsajo selaku Kepala Arsitek Solusi, Perkembangan Pasar ASEAN – Sektor Publik Internasional, Layanan Web Amazon.

Dalam lingkup pemerintahan saat ini, keterlibatan dan kontribusi dari berbagai pemangku kepentingan menjadi hal yang utama. Pentingnya mendorong kolaborasi antarlembaga untuk meningkatkan layanan publik dan memfasilitasi penyediaan informasi adalah hal yang harus ditekankan. Pendekatan kolaboratif ini bertujuan untuk memanfaatkan keahlian dan sumber daya kolektif dari berbagai pihak untuk mendorong perbaikan dalam proses pembuatan kebijakan secara efisien.

Salam Penutup

Armstrong manyatakan bahwa ketika mengambil keputusan, sangat penting bagi individu untuk menilik fakta melalui data dalam proses penelitian dan analisis. “Pemahaman berbasis data membentuk bagian integral dalam sebuah proses pencarian solusi,” ucapnya.

Pendekatan struktural merupakan sebuah metode yang digunakan dalam pemanfaatan kekuatan data dalam pengimplementasian teknologi. Terlebih, penggunaan sistem-sistem lama menciptakan sebuah tantangan tersendiri dikarenakan tidak memiliki kemampuan dalam membaca data dengan baik. Hal ini memerlukan upaya lebih untuk mentransformasikan dan mengintegrasikan data secara efektif.

Armstrong menambahkan bahwa ketika sedang menentukan sebuah keputusan, visualisasi menempati peran penting untuk menunjang keseimbangan kompleksitas informasi dan mengelola pemilihan informasi. Oleh karenanya, keberhasilan sebuah proses integrasi data, teknologi, dan kebiasaan yang menghasilkan pemahaman data adalah sebuah kunci untuk meningkatkan efektifitas pengambilan keputusan dan pemecahan masalah.

Lebih jauh, Mohit meyakini bahwa perubahan dapat menjadi sebuah tantangan tersendiri ke depannya. Pernyataan tersebut menunjukkan pentingnya mengakui tantangan yang terkait dengan perubahan dan mengambil tindakan aktif untuk menghadapi perubahan.

Ia menambahkan bahwa kerjasama dalam bidang teknologi dapat medukung institusi-institusi untuk memanfaatkan kekuatan kolektif, meningkatkan inovasi, meminimalkan potensi kerugian, meningkatkan dan mengakses keahlian spesifik, dan mendapatkan keunggulan kompetitif dalam bentuk dapat mengakses sumber daya di luar institusi.

“Dengan melakukan kerjasama, sebuah kelompok akan menghasilkan capaian yang menguntungkan kedua belah pihak,” tegas Mohit.

Lebih jauh, ia melengkapi pernyataannya bahwa dengan melakukan kerjasama teknologi dalam lingkup institusi, hal ini dapat memungkinkan sebuah organisasi untuk mengakses keahlian secara khusus yang tidak dimiliki secara internal. Kerjasama dengan para ahli teknologi dapat membuka akses terhadap pembaharuan keilmuan, kapabilitas penelitian, dan keahlian teknikal. “Dengan demikian, pengembangan dan implementasi solusi berbasis teknologi dapat ditingkatkan dengan cepat,” tutup Mohit.

Thailand’s National-Level Priority in Digital Rights

Professor Wisit Wisitsorn-at, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES), presided over a meeting at the Office of the National Digital Economy and Society Commission in Bangkok to discuss strategies and initiatives aimed at promoting digital rights. In attendance were Mr Puchphong Nodthaisong, the Secretary-General of the National Digital Economy and Society Commission (SOD), as well as other relevant officers.

Thailand is actively advancing its digital economy to position itself as a prominent digital hub within Southeast Asia. To guide this transformation, the country introduced the Thailand Digital Economy and Society Development Plan (Digital Thailand Plan) in 2016, outlining a comprehensive 20-year strategy. This forward-thinking plan sets long-term policy objectives with clear and measurable targets, organised into distinct phases.

During the initial phase, the plan focused on establishing robust digital foundations, with a particular emphasis on enhancing digital infrastructure across the country. While digital inclusion took centre stage, aiming to ensure that all segments of society can participate and benefit from the digital economy in the subsequent phase.

As of 2023, Thailand is undertaking Phase 3 of the Digital Thailand Plan, which ambitiously aims to achieve full-scale digital transformation by the year 2027. This phase involves the comprehensive adoption of digital technologies across various sectors and industries.

Ultimately, Phase 4, the final phase of the plan, envisions Thailand as a global leader in the digital economy, leveraging its digital prowess to drive innovation, economic growth, and international competitiveness.

Mr Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES), along with Mr Puchphong Nodthaisong, Secretary-General of the Digital Economy and Society Committee of Thailand national rights established the digital community last April 2023. It is a community centre project that aims to leverage the power of digital technology in driving economic and societal progress. These centres serve as valuable hubs for public learning and engagement with digital technologies. Currently, there are digital community centres established in 77 provinces, spanning over 2,000 locations nationwide.

These centres play a significant role in providing individuals with the crucial skills to navigate in digital landscape effectively. By offering access to technology resources, programmes and educational initiatives, digital community centres encourage and empower the public to embrace digital innovation to participate in the digital economy.

Additionally, they enhance the accessibility and efficiency of health information exchange, leading to improved patient care and better coordination among healthcare institutions. In a collaborative effort, Mr Chaiwut Thanakmanusorn, the Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES) and the Government Big Data Institute (GBDi) are responsible for developing Health Link, a system that facilitates the connection of patient medical records among hospitals nationwide. It enables the seamless sharing of health information with the public system.

Thailand is currently focusing on key priority areas outlined in its digital plans to drive the development of the digital economy, including building country-wide high-capacity digital infrastructure, leveraging the economy with digital technology, creating an inclusive digital society, promoting e-government solutions to the public sector, encouraging workforce for the digital era, fostering the security in the digital realm.

June 6, 2023

8th Annual Malaysia OpenGov Leadership Forum 2023, 22 JUNE 2023 - CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

We are creating some awesome events for you. Kindly bear with us.

EXCLUSIVE! Relationship Matters: Deriving Value of Data from Connected Data

Vietnam’s Enhancing E-commerce Governance

China Launches Data Security Technology Certification

University of Western Australia Empowering Digital Innovation

EXCLUSIVE! Data-Driven Governance: Empowering Public Agencies for Enhanced Public Services

EKSKLUSIF! Pemerintahan Berbasis Data: Peningkatan Pelayanan Publik Melalui Pemberdayaan Lembaga Pemerintahan

Thailand’s National-Level Priority in Digital Rights

Recommended Stories

Vietnam’s Enhancing E-commerce Governance

China Launches Data Security Technology Certification

University of Western Australia Empowering Digital Innovation

EXCLUSIVE! Data-Driven Governance: Empowering Public Agencies for Enhanced Public Services

EKSKLUSIF! Pemerintahan Berbasis Data: Peningkatan Pelayanan Publik Melalui Pemberdayaan Lembaga Pemerintahan

Singapore’s Vision to be a Global Hub for Responsible AI Innovation

India Approves Production Incentive Scheme for IT Hardware

NSW Expanding Drone Capabilities to Enhance Emergency Response

Exploring the Potential of the 6 GHz Band in Thailand

Trusted Cloud’s Role in China’s Cloud Computing Industry

Digital Transformation in Vietnam’s Banking Sector

MENU

PARTNER

Qlik

PARTNER

CTC

PARTNER

Planview

SUPPORTING ORGANISATION

SIRIM

PARTNER

HashiCorp

PARTNER

IBM