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  • Avaya taps COL as Hong Kong distribution partner

    Avaya taps COL as Hong Kong distribution partner

    Business communications and ICT solutions provider Avaya has appointed COL Limited as its distribution partner for the Hong Kong market.

    Under the agreement, the two companies will collaborate to drive adoption of Avaya solutions in the market and helping Hong Kong organizations achieve their digital transformation ambitions.

    COL, a subsidiary of fixed line operator Wharf T&T, will provide the full range of Avaya products – including unified communications and collaboration, contact center, cloud-based communication applications and networking solutions – to resellers in Hong Kong, and later to the wider region. Resellers will be able to offer products to enterprises of all sizes.

    COL has a more than 40 year history in Hong Kong. Its flagship product is its data center and business continuity solution, which has an 80% market share in the financial and multi-national corporation market segments.

    “This distribution agreement signals the start of an exciting time for the industry and for us. Avaya has the reputation, the reach and the commitment to deliver quality communication applications,” COL VP for the business market Kam Poon said.

    “Together and through our resellers, we will make a highly positive impact in delivering future-proof communications solutions to business customers with proven competence to design, build, implement and operate.”

  • Thai online marketing firm COL to expand via M&A’s

    Thai online marketing firm COL to expand via M&A’s

    Thailand’s online marketing company COL Pcl has set aside 500 million baht ($14.12 million) to pursue acquisitions as it seeks to expand its customer base across Southeast Asia.

    COL is the operator of OfficeMate, B2S, Central Online Shopping, Mobile E-Books, and Cenergy Innovation.

    “The competition has become so fierce that many companies are finding it difficult to run their business. Hence, there are opportunities to acquire them, which will help us enlarge our customer base domestically and internationally,” Worawut Unjai, chief executive of the COL Group, said.

    The company is also shifting its focus on online business, which is expected to generate revenues of 800 million baht this year.

    Only last week, it informed the Stock Exchange of Thailand that it completed its entire investment disposal in Central Group Online Co, representing 49 per cent of total shares, to its subsidiary Cenergy Innovation Co, which is into retail online marketing and IT solution, for 147 million baht.

    It cited in the statement that the joint venture with Central Department Store, a leader in Thai retail, is key to gaining competitive advantage in the online retail market. It will be able to leverage Central’s expertise in inventory management, brand, and connections with suppliers and customers.

    “We will launch a new online shopping website in the third quarter. We will gather the goods from Central Group and its major partners and target to have 180,000 items in the website this year,” he cited.

    The COL Group posted 10.8 billion baht in total revenue in 2015, up 9.2 per cent from the previous year.

    Of that, 60 per cent was from OfficeMate and 37 per cent from B2S. Central Online made up for the remaining 3 per cent, which is being boosted to around 10 per cent of total revenue in 2016.

    He said, the group’s net profit was 394 million baht, thanks to its adjusted strategies and management policy for better efficiency.

    The group increased the number of products and services to address customers’ needs and catered to various businesses.

    COL Group expects to grow its revenue this year by 10 per cent to 11.9 billion baht despite lower consumer spending.

    OfficeMate is the first company in the group that has expanded into other countries and it would add branches in Vietnam, which will officially open this year.

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  • Consumers in Malaysia grappling with rising cost of living

    Consumers in Malaysia grappling with rising cost of living

    While most consumers grappled with the escalating cost of living, the Malaysian government’s subsidy rationalisation programme and the impending introduction of the goods and services tax (GST) also took centre stage.

    The government’s decision to reduce subsidies, effective 3 September 2013, was generally aimed at strengthening the nation’s economic position and ensuring that subsidies reached the target groups.

    In 2014, the government allocated about MYR40.5 billion (USD11.61b) for its various subsidy schemes. Out of that amount, MYR21 billion went towards subsidising RON95 petrol, diesel and cooking gas or liquefied petroleum gas.

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