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| Source: VMware infographic. |
VMware, the global player in virtualisation and cloud infrastructure, today revealed findings of the vForum Singapore Business Survey* highlighting positive sentiments in hybrid cloud - using a mix of public cloud services and cloud technology in-house - as an enabler for growth, efficiency and innovation. Almost all (90%) businesses indicated confidence in cloud’s role in enabling innovation, with nearly half of businesses (44%) favouring the adoption of the hybrid cloud approach to their IT infrastructure.
Resource optimisation (34%) was the key business imperative for Singapore businesses, in line with the nation’s calls for productivity and the need to do more with less. This was followed by delivering a personalised customer experience (29%) and driving greater collaboration within their ecosystems (28%). The survey also revealed that businesses in Singapore want technologies that are scalable (36%), flexible (25%) and simple to manage (29%).
While security remains a key priority in 2016, 25% of businesses have reduced their security spend in the last year. Cost was the top barrier to technological adoption (46%), with 64% of respondents indicating that the efficacy of security in virtualised environments is dependent on the vendor. The findings allude to cautious security investments with Singapore businesses’ preference for embedded security offerings, and not add-ons, as they can lead to higher costs.
High importance was placed in the enablement of business mobility (83%) with mobile penetration at over 140%**. The top concerns for business mobility was managing data security (53%), followed by application integration (30%).
"With the increased digitisation of our nation, Singapore has seen an increase in innovative business models like Airbnb and Uber, redefining the way we work, live and grow. Recently ranked 7th on the Global Innovation Index***, businesses in Singapore have the support and environment to innovate and transform in today’s mobile-cloud era. In line with businesses’ demand for IT to be scalable, flexible and simple to manage, VMware is committed to helping businesses stay relevant and competitive by providing cloud and business mobility solutions that enable them in their IT transformation journey,” said Ron Goh, VP and GM, VMware ASEAN.
Mobile-cloud technology is driving fundamental change across every vertical, redefining how companies operate and how they engage with their customers. Results from the vForum Singapore Business Survey highlight the key role of a hybrid cloud approach and business mobility solutions in addressing this change. According to Pat Gelsinger, CEO, VMware, the five business imperatives to enable success are:
Asymmetry in business – innovate like a startup and deliver like an enterprise:
As one of region’s largest and fast growing mobile economies****, businesses in Singapore are forced to look at technologies that enable agility, greater connectivity and productivity - the ability to scale up and innovate faster than ever before. In today’s business world, upstarts have nothing to lose as they aggressively embrace new business models that change the rules of the game. Large, established businesses must recognise that the benefits of incumbency are declining. The pressure is on to innovate like a start-up and deliver like an enterprise.
Enter the professional era of cloud:
VMware believes that the cloud industry will now move toward a more connected and compatible Professional Era of Cloud. This unified hybrid cloud represents the future of IT, providing the foundation for years to come.
Protect people, apps and data:
Singapore is ASEAN’s most competitive mobile market****, and the deluge of devices mean more security vector points with more companies potentially affected by security issues that hamper growth. Virtualisation provides a critical translation layer between the IT infrastructure sitting below and the apps and data that reside above. According to VMware, technologies like its NSX help businesses leverage virtualisation as a foundational architecture to strengthen the networking core.
Look at proactive technology:
The proactive future will be built on intelligent automation, giving people to predict (almost) anything. The power of predictive analytics enables business intelligence that can be a great value-add, enabling greater innovation and smarter businesses.
Tech-driven change:
Inaction is the greatest risk today. As IT drives transformation, businesses today have the opportunity to be the entrepreneurs and innovators at the forefront of change.
Interested?
Read the TechTrade Asia blog post about VMware's role in Ayeyarwardy Bank's success
*Two hundred and twenty-five business and IT managers and decision makers from Singapore participated in this survey, conducted from September to October 2015 by VMware. They shared their perspectives on business imperatives and IT priorities for 2016, and the role of technology and innovation in driving their business.
**Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, Telecommunications Statistical Charts, Mobile Penetration Rate
****GSM Association, The Mobile Economy, Asia Pacific 2015
