Author: Mei Ling Tan

  • UPS wins package network visibility tool award

    UPS wins package network visibility tool award

    UPS has been named to the 2016 CIO 100 listing for the successful launch and integration of the UPS Near Real-Time Service Performance Reporting tool (NRT) – marking the tenth time the company has been honored at the annual IDG CIO 100 Awards.

    The annual listing to recognize technology innovation is selected by the CIO editorial team, working with more than three dozen judges including industry experts, academics and former CIOs.

    A business intelligence platform, NRT uses advanced analytics to take traditional network management, package tracking and package visibility tools to the next level. It provides UPS operations with the ability to see the state and performance of the service network across all packages moving through all modes of transportation and all buildings, for all UPS customers.

    “NRT is an industry-first solution, designed to find new ways to improve our network performance, overall customer service, and ultimately, customer satisfaction,” said Juan Perez, UPS chief information officer.

    “NRT represent the next step in UPS’s big data and analytics journey, complementing proven customer visibility services like UPS My Choice, and our award-winning route optimization platform, ORION. It’s another example of how UPS is using data to transform our operations and continually improve the customer experience.”

    With the ability to execute complex analytics processes for over 1.5 billion information records daily, NRT consumes data at a rate of 8,700 transactions per second from multiple global sources around the clock, including pick-ups, sorting, transfers and deliveries being moved by truck, train or airplane.

    Applying predictive analytics, NRT provides the ability to proactively identify weather or other conditions that may require alternate plans to meet service commitments and maintain an on-time network. UPS ships more than four billion packages worldwide each year using this real time status monitoring platform.

    The end result is improved visibility across the supply chain and enhanced quality of service for millions of customers every day.

    “Delivering innovation and business value are top priorities for CIOs everywhere, and our CIO 100 awards program celebrates the leading IT organizations that excel at both,” said Maryfran Johnson, Editor in Chief of CIO Events.

    “Our 2016 winners are raising the bar even higher this year with their outstanding work in digital transformation, customer focus and IT-business collaboration.”

    The 29th annual award program recognizes organizations around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology.

  • Kemper introduces air monitoring system

    Kemper introduces air monitoring system

    Clearly verify the presence of dust in production: Companies check the hall air quality efficiently with the new air monitoring system AirWatch. Kemper GmbH’s sensor technology is able to determine and document the number and weight of nanoparticles and then analyze it with smartphone, tablet or PC and compare it to limit values.

    Raising employees’ awareness regarding fine dust risk.

    A traffic light display visualizes permanently the status of air quality. The system is suited for any workplace in production facilities, warehouses and logistics halls. With AirWatch, Kemper wants to raise awareness of the dangers behind fine dust.

    “With our new air monitoring system AirWatch, we introduce for the first time a system on the market that is in a position to efficiently measure the number of fine dust particles,” emphasizes Björn Kemper, Managing Director of Kemper GmbH. For this purpose, the highly sensitive sensor technology is essential as it can capture particles right up to the nano range.

    Checks are not depending on the workplace

    Whether industrial production facility, warehouse or logistics operation: AirWatch continuously monitors the air quality regardless of the type of workplace. The air monitoring system measures fine dust particles in a radius of up to 30 meters using a laser-powered sensor. An integrated fan draws in ambient air.

    It is possible to save individual limit values for hazardous substances. A traffic light shows the current air quality level measured against these values. At the same time, the system saves the data across a long time period. Users access the data simply using a smartphone, tablet or PC. A trend display for day, week, month or year also allows companies to analyze concentration of hazardous substances in more detail.

    Verify the presence of fine dust according to WHO standards

    AirWatch captures particles in the range of 100 nanometers up to 16 micrometers. This area includes the fine dust categories PM2.5 for alveolar common dust (A dust) and PM10 for all inhalable dusts (E dust) as defined by WHO. AirWatch automatically classifies the captured particles accordingly.

    In addition to checking the air quality, AirWatch also monitors the effectiveness of ventilation measures. Companies can independently check their compliance with regulations issued by professional associations apart from official checks made by professional associations.

    Highlight the value of employee health
    With the system, Kemper aims to raise awareness of the fine dust risk. “Companies are wise to continuously check air quality with regards to employee productivity.” Yet, dust in warehouses is also a threat to the quality of products and can develop into a tremendous cost factor.

    A best-practice example shows how it is done: Once the Airwatch traffic light jumps to red at the workplace of a metal processor, the employees ask the welder to switch on the extraction and filter plant. “Not only employees consider their health more thanks to AirWatch,” explains Kemper. Employers show that they consider their employees’ health as important. “Within the framework of a successful recruitment of specialists, they place themselves as a sustainable business.”

    Verify hazards despite adherence to limit values

    Counting fine dust particles has great advantage compared to applicable limit values, which analyze the weight of fine dust: If coarse dust particles in the production move around then a limit value is surpassed quickly.

    Mr Kemper explains that the invisible fine dust on the other hand often remains undetected – with fatal consequences: “Millions of fine dust particles which do not reach the weight of the specified limit value make employees sick.”

    Even if the limit value is adhered to, a permanent exposure to fine dust can lead to serious health problems. Current studies show that fine dust is the cause of increased heart attack risk, accelerates dementia, causes cancer and may even lead to death. The WHO classes fine dust as a direct cause of lung cancer.

  • Relaunch of Freightbook with new online ratings feature

    Relaunch of Freightbook with new online ratings feature

    Based in the UK, Freightbook Ltd was formed by Rachel Humphrey who has been actively involved with global freight networks since the mid-90s.

    Rachel Humphrey launched Freightbook www.freightbook.net in July 2009 as a new concept of linking forwarders together at a low-cost and as an alternative to a traditional freight network.

    Since then 1500+ companies in 140+ countries have registered and are promoting their services on a global scale whilst at the same time driving traffic to their own websites.

    Today, Freightbook is enjoying an exciting relaunch with a fabulous new feature inspired by the fact that ratings are now an essential element to any online directory.

    “Personally, I always refer to customer ratings before purchasing products online. This applies to service providers too. A recent survey showed that 91% of businesses are influenced by recommendations when making a decision to use a company so we’ve made it super quick and easy to share feedback on our advertisers,” said Rachel Humphrey, Founder.

    She also recently launched v3.0 of their Smartphone Service at m.freightbook.net where forwarders and suppliers to the freight industry can be found quickly on mobile devices

    The online directory costs £50 for 2 years registration and boasts additional benefits including contact details listed in the monthly FB Index, dedicated online news/PR service, direct quote request leads (approved by in-house staff to avoid spam), automatic amendments to profile pages and the ability to post ratings and reviews for fellow advertisers.

    “Freightbook is an online business directory dedicated to the transportation industry. There are no rules, registered users are not governed and Freightbook offers no financial protection or arbitration. There are many freight networks already established but some forwarders dislike the ties that are enforced by membership. Freightbook provides an alternative solution for forwarders to find overseas agents … and to be found,” said Humphrey.

  • Asia leads Tiffany sales decline

    Asia leads Tiffany sales decline

    Asia has led a decline in global sales for US jeweller Tiffany & Co in both the first half year and the second quarter periods to July 31.

    Same-store Tiffany sales plunged 13 per cent in the six months in Asia-Pacific – excluding Japan where they rose 10 per cent, but fell on a constant currency basis.

    Sales growth in China and Korea was offset by a continuation of significant declines in Hong Kong and more moderate declines in most other markets, the company reported.

    Same-store North America sales declined 9 per cent in the six months, largely due to declining spending by Chinese tourists in the US.

    “The global environment continues to reflect well known challenges that we believe have had broad effects on spending by local customers, as well as foreign tourists, especially from China,” said CEO Frederic Cumenal.

    “We are managing expenses efficiently, but also maintaining our marketing spending as a percentage of sales and continuing to invest in key strategic initiatives and opportunities to further strengthen Tiffany’s competitive position among global luxury brands.”

    In the Asia-Pacific region, total sales of US$230 million in the second quarter and US$469 million in the first half were down 6 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively, and comparable store sales declined 12 per cent and 13 per cent. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, total sales and comparable store sales declined 3 per cent and 9 per cent in the second quarter and 4 per cent and 11 per cent in the first half.

    During the second quarter, worldwide net sales declined 6 per cent to $932 million and comparable store sales declined 8 per cent. Net earnings rose 1 per cent to $106 million, in the prior year. Net earnings declined 5 per cent from the prior-year period’s $111 million, which excludes a specific charge in that period.

    In the first half, worldwide net sales of $1.8 billion were down 7 per cent and comparable store sales declined 9 per cent. On a constant-exchange-rate basis, worldwide net sales and comparable store sales declined 6 per cent and 9 per cent, respectively.

    Net earnings for the half year were $193 million.

    Gross margin increased to 61.9 per cent in the second quarter and 61.6 per cent in the first half, due to lower product input costs, changes in product sales mix and price increases taken in the past year.

  • Carrefour Taiwan launches digital vouchers

    Carrefour Taiwan launches digital vouchers

    In a world first, Carrefour Taiwan has launched the supermarket’s first digital voucher service.

    Carrefour Ticket Xpress enables both retail and mobile payments, and was launched jointly with international payment service Edenred.

    Partners in Taiwan include banks as well as loyalty and employee benefit programs. The vouchers can be distributed, managed and redeemed easily via mobile devices. It offers mobile payments for Carrefour’s consumers in Taiwan, and the company plans to roll out the service in other countries.

    carrefour voucher

    In Taiwan the service partners include 113, Cathay United Bank, Chunghwa Telecom online mall, CTBC Bank, E.Sun Bank, Hua Nan Commercial Bank, JihSun Bank, MyCard, PayEasy, Ta Chong Commercial Bank, Taishin Bank and Tree Mall.

    Consumers can use reward points to have Carrefour Ticket Xpress vouchers delivered directly to their mobile device, and cash them in by scanning the barcode at any of 87 Carrefour stores in Taiwan.
    Carrefour Taiwan has also updated its mobile app with the “reward wallet”, an in-app Carrefour Ticket Xpress gift catalog for CTBC and E.Sun credit card holders. An “e-voucher clip” feature is also available for consumers to manage vouchers received outside the app.

  • Pizza Hut develops diet pizza range

    Pizza Hut develops diet pizza range

    Pizza Hut Japan has teamed with Rizap, a Japanese company promoting nutrition and exercise, to create a ‘diet pizza’.

    The two companies aim to make the fast-food favourite more healthy, and have released three sugar-reduced varieties with Pizza Hut Japan.

    Six stores around Tokyo’s Kanto area are offering the healthier options, including thick-cut bacon and grilled vegetables, savory bulgogi and teriyaki egg. They come baked fresh in a personal pan size.

    As well as take-out, deliveries are available, each of the pizzas costing 1000 yen (US$9.99).

    Each pizza crust has had its sugar content halved, while overall the new pies contain less than 30g of sugar (regular pizzas contain 55.2g).

    Unfortunately, the healthy-style pizzas will be offered only until October 23.

  • Korean wave exports boom

    Korean wave exports boom

    Outbound shipments of Korean food, beauty, fashion and personal care products soared in the first half of the year on the back of the growing popularity of the Korean Wave, or hallyu.

    Official data released today by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), shows exports of such goods amounted to US$6.79 billion in the January-June period, up 15.2 per cent from a year earlier.

    Industry watchers said the growth is attributable to the cultural wave of “hallyu” in China and other Asian countries, which refers to the boom of South Korea-made entertainment goods, including pop music, movies and TV dramas. The popularity of hallyu helped turn its fans into consumers of South Korean products.

    The growth was driven by cosmetics-related goods with their exports rising 38.5 per cent to reach $1.81 billion during the first half of the year.

    Exports of foods also rose 3.5 per cent year-on-year to reach $2.43 billion, the data showed.

    The association said South Korea’s diversified product portfolio helped meet demand from customers in overseas markets.

    Last year, exports of such products amounted to $12.21 billion won, the data showed.

    Earlier data also showed that exports of South Korea-made cosmetics more than tripled over the past five years.

    Outbound shipments of makeup products reached $2.45 billion in 2015, surging 53.1 per cent from $1.56 billion a year earlier, according to the data by Korea Customs Service (KCS).

    The 2015 figure soared more than threefold from $698 million in 2011, with an annual average growth of 36.9 per cent over the 2011-2015 period.

    The total volume of cosmetics exports stood at 90,491 tons in 2015, compared to 31,606 tons tallied in 2011.

    China is the biggest buyer of South Korean beauty products, importing $999.5 million last year, or 40.6 per cent of the country’s entire cosmetics exports.

  • Loss deepens for FJ Benjamin Holdings

    Loss deepens for FJ Benjamin Holdings

    Restructuring has taken its toll on FJ Benjamin Holdings’s bottom line.

    The fashion and lifestyle brand management company has deepened its full-year net loss to S$23 million (US$16.9 million) for its latest financial year, compared to S$17 million the previous year.

    Group turnover subsided 14 per cent to S$253.6 million. Excluding the translation effects of foreign currency, the fall was 10 per cent.

    Turnover from the fashion business declined 9 per cent to S$212.5 million, while timepieces fell 13 per cent to S$51.6 million, after excluding currency translation loss.

    FJ Benjamin attributes the turnover decline to the closing of non-performing stores, discontinued businesses and the closure of its north Asian business, plus a S$10.4 million loss in converting Malaysian ringgit to Singapore dollars. These factors more than offset a slight increase in sales from franchise brands.

    Gross profit margin was 39 per cent against 41 per cent in the previous year because of increased promotional expenses.

    The group operating loss, excluding a one-time gain of S$19.6 million from the sale of mandatory convertible bonds and the sale of properties last year, was 32 per cent lower year on year at S$19.9 million.

    FJ Benjamin says it expects the trading environment to remain challenging amid uncertain economic slowdown in its key markets.

    “The restructuring that started in 2013 has been substantially completed, and associated losses are unlikely to recur,” says the group.

  • Amazon India eyes private label

    Amazon India eyes private label

    Amazon India is planning to expand its private label fashion offer to gain a bigger foothold in the growing eCommerce sector.

    Deal Street Asia reports that the US-based company sees private label fashion and electronics lines will help give the brand additional pulling power with Indian consumers in a crowded, but booming online retail market.

    “Launching private labels is tricky as India bans foreign direct investment (FDI) in online retail, but allows 100 per cent FDI in the marketplace model, under which sites such as Amazon and Flipkart are supposed to simply connect third-party sellers with customers,” Deal Street Asia noted in a report online.

    Private label products may also be added to its grocery offer, which it markets through the Amazon Now app.

    Amazon recently hired former Myntra chief creative officer Gautam Kotamraju to lead its push into private brands in fashion. Kotamraju, who has worked 18 years in the fashion business, helped create Myntra’s large private brands business, which generated more than 20 per cent of Myntra’s gross sales within two years of its launch.

    Amazon hasn’t decided on a timeline for the launch of its proposed private brands in fashion, the report said, quoting sources familiar with the matter.

    Read more on Deal Street Asia

  • Cybercriminals use insiders to attack telcos

    Cybercriminals use insiders to attack telcos

    Cybercriminals are using insiders to gain access to telecommunications networks and subscriber data, recruiting disaffected employees through underground channels or blackmailing staff using compromising information gathered from open sources.

    This is among the findings of a Kaspersky Lab intelligence report into security threats facing the telecommunications industry.

    Telecommunications providers are a top target for cyber-attacks. They operate and manage the world’s networks, voice and data transmissions and store vast amounts of sensitive data. This makes them highly attractive to cybercriminals in search of financial gain, as well as nation-state sponsored actors launching targeted attacks, and even competitors.

    To achieve their goals, cybercriminals often use insiders as part of their malicious ‘toolset’ to help them breach the perimeter of a telecommunications company and perpetrate their crimes.

    New research by Kaspersky Lab and B2B International reveals that 28% of all cyber-attacks and 38% of targeted attacks now involve malicious activity by insiders. The intelligence report examines popular ways of involving insiders in telecoms-related criminal schemes and gives examples of the things insiders are used for.

    Compromising employees

    According to the Kaspersky Lab researchers, attackers engage or entrap telecoms employees in the following ways:

    • Using publicly available or previously stolen data sources to find compromising information on employees of the company who they intend to hack. They then blackmail targeted individuals – forcing them to hand over their corporate credentials, provide information on internal systems or distribute spear-phishing attacks on their behalf.
    • Recruiting willing insiders through underground message boards or through the services of “black recruiters”. These insiders are paid for their services and can also be asked to identify co-workers who could be engaged through blackmail.

    The blackmailing approach has grown in popularity following online data breaches such as the Ashley Madison leak, as these provide attackers with material they can use to threaten or embarrass individuals. In fact, data-leak related extortion has now become so widespread that the FBI issued a Public Service Announcement on June 1, warning consumers of the risk and its potential impact.

    The insiders most in demand

    According to the Kaspersky Lab researchers, if an attack on a cellular service provider is planned, criminals will seek out employees who can provide fast track access to subscriber and company data or SIM card duplication/illegal reissuing. If the target is an internet service provider, the attackers will try to identify those who can enable network mapping and man-in-the-middle attacks.

    However, insider threats can take all forms. The Kaspersky Lab researchers noted two non-typical examples, one of which involved a rogue telecoms employee leaking 70 million prison inmate calls, many of which breached client-attorney privilege. In another example, an SMS center support engineer was spotted on a popular DarkNet forum advertising their ability to intercept messages containing OTP (One-Time Passwords) for the two-step authentication required to login to customer accounts at a popular fintech company.

    “The human factor is often the weakest link in corporate IT security,” Kaspersky Lab security expert Denis Gorchakov said.

    “Technology alone is rarely enough to completely protect the organization in world where attackers don’t hesitate to exploit insider vulnerability. Companies can start by looking at themselves the way an attacker would. If vacancies carrying your company name or some of your data start appearing on underground message boards, then somebody somewhere has you in their sights. And the sooner you know about it, the better you can prepare.”

  • DJI To Open Flagship Store In Hong Kong

    DJI To Open Flagship Store In Hong Kong

    DJI, the world leader in unmanned aerial vehicle technology, said Monday it will soon open a flagship store in Hong Kong featuring flight cages, experience zones, an aerial photo gallery, technical support center and DJI’s full range of consumer and professional products.

    Located at the center of Hong Kong’s busiest shopping district in Causeway Bay, the three-story, 10,000+ square-feet store will open at the end of September 2016. In keeping with the scintillating Hong Kong skyline, the building will display animated DJI logos and drone silhouettes to add to the Victoria Harbor evening backdrop.

    More than just a retail outlet, the Hong Kong flagship store will provide a location where the worldwide community can connect to share their experience of flight and explore the latest UAV products and aerial cameras. The ground floor will have on display DJI’s full range of aerial and handheld products, while the SkyPixel Gallery on the first floor will showcase breathtaking examples of aerial photography from around the world. The second floor will house the technical support center and a dedicated space for workshops, seminars and special events.

    “As interest around our aerial technologies continues to grow, the expansion of our flagship business will provide a  place for people to see, touch and learn about our products first hand,” said Frank Wang, DJI Founder and CEO. “Discovery is an important part of the learning process and when people understand how easy it is to use the technology, they will find ways to incorporate it into their lives or for their businesses.”

    The Hong Kong flagship store is DJI’s third foray into retail after the December 2015 opening of its first flagship store in in Shenzhen, China, followed by the Seoul, Korea flagship in March 2016.

    “Hong Kong is an important market for DJI here in Asia and remains a tourist hot spot for people from around the world,” said DJI Hong Kong Regional Manager Sarah Chuang. “The store will provide an opportunity for us to engage consumers from all walks of life, from local photographers to aerial enthusiasts across Asia to travelers visiting Hong Kong looking for the coolest and latest technologies. We want to provide a truly unique DJI experience for anyone who walks into our store.”

    On display and for sale will be DJI’s consumer products, such the Phantom series of drones and the Osmo stabilized 4K handheld camera, as well as professional products, including the Inspire 1 and Matrice series, the Zenmuse Z3, X5R, and XT cameras, and the Ronin handheld three-axis camera gimbal line.

    The Hong Kong Flagship store is located at TOWER 535, Shop G07, 535 Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. More details will be announced closer to the grand opening day in late September.

  • Prada Asia heads online as sales slip

    Prada Asia heads online as sales slip

    The Italian-headquartered, Hong Kong-listed luxury brand says its Asia Pacific sales slumped  18 per cent on a constant currency basis in the first half of this year.

    “The negative economic backdrop continued to impact performance in both Hong Kong and Macau, but signs of improvement have been visible since July across Greater China,” the company noted in its results.

    And after a period of consistent growth since 2010, sales in Japan fell 9 per cent, mainly due to lower tourist flows from China caused by a less favourable exchange rate.

    CEO Patrizio Bertelli says the company will now make China, Hong Kong and Singapore its priorities in roll out its new eCommerce platform, which is expected to be global within to years.

    “At the same time there will be a constant enhancement of the online shopping experience,” he said. “Our eCommerce offer will also leverage new partnerships with international leaders in the sector.”

    Globally, Prada achieved net revenues of €1.6 billion, down 13 per cent on a constant currency basis. The decline was largely in the retail channel while Prada’s wholesale business remained stable thanks to an initial positive contribution from recent partnerships with international e-tailers and its licensing division, where good progress from royalties driven by the success of the new fragrances and eyewear.

    Net profit margin was down from 24 per cent of revenues in the first half of last year to 21 per cent. Net income amounted to €142 million, representing 9 per cent of consolidated revenues (10 per cent in 2015).

    Bertelli is upbeat about the remainder of 2016.

    “With the implementation of the first phase of rationalisation of various management and operating processes and with the launch of a series of new initiatives that will allow the group to respond quickly to the requirements of a rapidly evolving market, I see 2016 as a turning point.”

    He said the company’s retail network is subject to rigorous review including closure of non- strategic locations and selective openings in high potential markets.

    “Part of this process will also include the launch of new concepts such as the recent restyling of the Prada stores at Plaza 66 in Shanghai and GUM in Moscow, redesigned to offer a new and exclusive shopping experience for increasingly demanding clients.”

  • SmarTone FY16 profit falls 15%

    SmarTone FY16 profit falls 15%

    Hong Kong’s SmarTone has reported a 15% slump in net profit for the financial year ending in June, as the company felt the brunt of the ongoing maturation of the smartphone market.

    Net profit declined to HK$797 million ($102.7 million), as handset earnings crashed 77% back to historical levels due to the impact of this maturation on the smartphone segment.

    Group total revenue fell 2% to HK$18.36 billion, with service revenue also declining 2% due in part to lower roaming and pre-paid revenue.

    But net of handset subsidy amortization service revenue stayed flat at HK$4.79 billion due to underlying growth in the operator’s local postpaid business.

    Hong Kong customer numbers grew 1% to 1.97 million, with postpaid churn remaining unchanged at 0.9%. Mobile postpaid ARPU meanwhile rose 2% to HK$301.

    While SmarTone noted that the Hong Kong telecoms market remains competitive, the operator expressed optimism about its prospects for the current financial year. SmarTone’s financial report notes that the company is “well-placed to capture industry opportunities and bring value to both customers and shareholders in the long term.”

  • Taiwan Eyes More than 200,000 Indonesian Tourists

    Taiwan Eyes More than 200,000 Indonesian Tourists

    Taiwan is eyeing as many as 200,000 tourists from Indonesia to visit Taiwan this year, or an increase from that in 2015, where at around 177,743 Indonesian tourists visiting Taiwan.

    Taiwan Tourism Bureau Director David Tsao said that to meet the target, it has held a tourism exhibition at Grand City Surabaya Mall & Convent on 26 to 30 August, 2016.

    “In 2015, tourists visiting Taiwan reached 10.439 million of them and 177,743 of them are Indonesian tourists,” he said in Surabaya.

    He added that one of the attractions of Taiwan’s tourism is its landscape that is different from the sights in Southeast Asian countries.

    “For example in the northern region of Taiwan precisely on the island of Li, the weather is cooler and you can find snowfall there,” he said.

  • Bahrain-Indonesia trade ties discussed

    Bahrain-Indonesia trade ties discussed

    Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI)’s chairman Khalid Almoayed alongside a number of board members and Acting CEO have met the Indonesian ambassador to Bahrain, Chilman Arisman.

    The meeting hailed the deep-rooted relation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Republic of Indonesia and discussed the promising sectors and incentives offered to investors.

    Almoayed underlined the importance of reinforcing the exchange of business delegations and holding business events to bridge the knowledge gap between Bahraini and Indonesian business owners and stimulate trade, partnership, and investments.