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  • Revolutionizing IT Stability: How 24/7 Monitoring Shields Japanese Firms from Downtime Risks

    Revolutionizing IT Stability: How 24/7 Monitoring Shields Japanese Firms from Downtime Risks

    The necessity for constant system monitoring is gaining traction among Japanese businesses, as it plays a crucial role in ensuring IT operations run smoothly and minimizes the chances of service disruptions. As dependence on digital infrastructures grows, it’s essential to maintain consistent system performance. This rings true for a variety of sectors, from e-commerce platforms to manufacturing systems and financial services, all of which demand nearly uninterrupted availability.

    24/7 Monitoring: The New Norm

    To cater to this demand, organizations are opting for round-the-clock monitoring strategies aimed at fostering stable, secure, and responsive systems. Continuous monitoring enables the early detection of potential problems, which can help to decrease service interruptions and uphold performance standards.

    Enterprise systems these days are often spread across intricate environments that mesh cloud infrastructure, databases, applications, and integrated services. In such landscapes, even minor unresolved issues can escalate into significant operational problems if not attended to promptly.

    A 24/7 monitoring setup offers real-time insights into system health and performance, fostering speedy detection and response to arising issues. Advantages of this approach commonly include early problem detection, less downtime, and enhanced system performance. These factors can facilitate smoother operations as businesses expand their digital services.

    The Digital Transformation Wave

    As the digital transformation journey advances, Japanese businesses are growing more reliant on robust IT systems. Reports predict that Japan’s expenditure on digital transformation will surpass US$73 billion by 2027, mirroring the increasing demand for stable and efficiently managed infrastructure.

    The rise in real-time platforms and hybrid cloud environments usage has led to monitoring solutions becoming a core part of IT operations.

    The Impact of System Downtime

    System downtime can have operational and financial repercussions. In sectors like finance, e-commerce, and manufacturing, even minor disruptions can influence transactions, delay processes, and affect user experience.

    Industry estimates point out that downtime cost for large corporations can be substantial, depending on the scale of the system and business model. Beyond direct financial damage, downtime can interrupt revenue streams, impede productivity, damage reputation, disappoint customers, and necessitate additional recovery efforts.

    For corporations managing environments that mix legacy systems with modern cloud platforms, minimizing disruption risks is an ongoing concern.

    Continuous Monitoring: A Risk Management Strategy

    Continuous monitoring is a strategy embraced to manage these risks. Monitoring systems typically offer real-time data and trigger alerts when irregular activity is detected, allowing technical teams to respond promptly.

    Typical practices include performance tracking, automated alerts, predictive analysis, and incident response mechanisms. Collectively, these functions reinforce system reliability and help manage operational risks.

    An all-encompassing monitoring strategy may encompass infrastructure, applications, security, and incident management. These elements are often merged to support overall system availability.

    Certain businesses collaborate with external service providers to oversee monitoring and related operations.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the role of continuous monitoring in modern businesses?
    Continuous monitoring plays a crucial role in modern businesses, enabling early detection of potential issues which can reduce service interruptions and maintain performance standards.

    What is the predicted expenditure of Japan on digital transformation by 2027?
    Japan’s expenditure on digital transformation is projected to exceed US$73 billion by 2027.

    What are the implications of system downtime?
    System downtime can have significant operational and financial implications, including interrupted transactions, delayed processes, poor user experience, revenue losses, reduced productivity, reputational damage, and additional recovery efforts.

  • Apple’s Supply Chain At Risk As China Tightens Rare Earth Materials Regulations

    Apple’s Supply Chain At Risk As China Tightens Rare Earth Materials Regulations

    Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, has expressed serious concerns about the potential implications of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan on the company’s supply chain, particularly for the electronic chips vital to Apple’s devices. This fear has been sparked by recent satellite images showing China’s mock-up of Taipei, including Taiwan’s Presidential Office. In response, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has accelerated the development of an aerial defence shield for Taiwan.

    Apple’s Close Call

    China’s announcement last week regarding stricter regulations on the export of rare earth materials almost led to a significant predicament for Apple. The new regulations would necessitate licensing for end products made from Chinese materials. Considering China produces 90% of the world’s rare earth materials, which are essential for chip production, this could have spelled disaster. These materials are used to enhance chips’ electrical, optical, and magnetic properties and are also critical as a polishing agent in chip manufacturing. Notably, samarium, a material uniquely found in China, is used by the U.S. to build F-35 fighter jets and missiles.

    Amid Beijing’s crackdown on rare earth materials, there were concerns that China could force chip manufacturers like TSMC, Samsung, and SK hynix to obtain a license. This move could have allowed China to gain control over the advanced chips produced by these foundries. In a worst-case scenario, Apple may not have been able to rely on TSMC and Samsung Foundry for the manufacture of the essential chips for the iPhone and other products.

    The Relief

    However, the situation might not be as severe as initially feared. Taiwan has assured that China’s crackdown on rare earth materials does not affect the materials necessary for chip production. According to Taiwan’s Economy Ministry, China’s restrictions apply to metals that are not required by TSMC, Samsung, or SK hynix. Instead, the production of drones and electric vehicles could be impacted by China’s new policy. China justified its stricter stance, expressing concerns about the materials’ use in “military applications” amid an atmosphere of “frequent military conflict.” These new rules are set to come into effect on November 8th.

    Meanwhile, even though most of TSMC’s suppliers get their metals from China, the company has various sources for its rare earth materials. However, the future could see China imposing restrictions on the materials used for the production of advanced chips, affecting not only Apple but also other major TSMC customers like Nvidia, AMD, and Qualcomm.

    US Efforts and Futures Concerns

    As tensions rise, the U.S. has been stepping up efforts to find alternatives to rare earth materials. Domestic mining has been explored, and significant funding has been allocated for finding alternate sources. The Department of War has granted hundreds of millions of dollars to U.S. firms in this pursuit.

    While the current situation is under control, should China choose to escalate matters, it could expand the crackdown on rare earth materials to include metals used by foundries. This potential move underscores how crucial it is to find alternative sources of rare earth materials outside China.

    Questions & Answers

    What are the implications of China’s restrictions on the export of rare earth materials?
    The restrictions could disrupt the manufacturing processes of major tech firms, as these materials are integral to chip production.

    How could China’s crackdown affect Apple’s supply chain?
    China’s crackdown could potentially affect Apple’s ability to source the necessary materials for chip production, directly impacting their product supply.

    What measures are being taken to mitigate the impact of China’s new restrictions?
    The U.S. is actively seeking alternatives to rare earth materials, with efforts focused on domestic mining and finding other sources. The Department of War has also awarded significant funding to U.S. firms to aid in this endeavour.

  • Thai Investors Reap $1.3 Billion in Dividends from Leading Vietnamese Firms

    Thai Investors Reap $1.3 Billion in Dividends from Leading Vietnamese Firms

    Data compiled reveals that Thai investors have been thriving on their stakes in a variety of Vietnamese companies, particularly in the dairy, beverage, plastics, and retail sectors. The spotlight is on Vinamilk, a dominant player in the dairy market, which has showered its Thai shareholders with a staggering VND16.1 trillion in dividends since 2013.

    Vinamilk and Its Sweet Returns

    Vinamilk, which boasts the largest share of the dairy market, has garnered significant attention, especially from Fraser & Neave, a beverage giant that holds a 20.4% stake in the company. In a strategic move, Sirivadhanabhakdi’s TCC Holdings acquired Singapore-based Fraser & Neave back in 2013. Last year alone, Vinamilk dished out VND1.85 trillion in dividends to Fraser & Neave. Despite several attempts in recent years to increase their stake further through the stock market, those plans have been thwarted by challenging market conditions.

    Sabeco: A ‘Crown Jewel’

    Sirivadhanabhakdi’s investment strategy doesn’t stop at Vinamilk. He maintains a controlling interest in Sabeco, one of Vietnam’s leading breweries. In 2017, ThaiBev, operating under Sirivadhanabhakdi, splurged $4.8 billion to acquire 53.6% of Sabeco from the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade. Over eight years, ThaiBev has raked in over VND14 trillion in dividends from Sabeco, with 2024 marking a record payout of VND3.44 trillion. At a press conference in September 2022, Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, CEO of ThaiBev, characterized Sabeco as a “crown jewel,” highlighting its unique value in the crowded regional beer market.

    Diverse Investments Across Sectors

    Beyond the dairy and beverage arenas, TCC Holdings also made headlines with its $704 million acquisition of the Metro supermarket chain, repackaging it as Mega Market. This reflects the breadth of Thai investment in Vietnam, with the acquisition of Binh Minh Plastics standing out as particularly lucrative. Nawaplastic, a subsidiary of Thailand’s SCG Group, took control of Binh Minh in 2018, purchasing 24.2 million shares from the State Capital Investment Corporation and reportedly benefiting from VND2.5 trillion in dividends since 2012.

    SCG’s interests extend further into Vietnam, controlling companies such as Tan Bien Packaging and Duy Tan Plastics while also operating a major petrochemical complex in Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province. This facility, costing over $5 billion, has a remarkable annual capacity of 1.4 million tons of products. As the Thai footprint deepens, they are also eyeing sectors like finance and retail. The Siam Commercial Bank is involved with Home Credit Vietnam, and Central Retail Group boasts brands like GO! (formerly Big C) and Nguyen Kim, solidifying Thailand’s formidable presence in the Vietnamese retail landscape.

    Trust in Vietnam’s Economic Prospects

    Thai investment continues to flourish, with a 2024 HSBC survey revealing that 66% of Thai businesses are keen on investing in Vietnam. The confidence level among Thai investors stands at a robust 93%, just behind Vietnam (98%) and Singapore (94%). Data from the Foreign Investment Agency highlights that Thailand has been Vietnam’s 13th largest investor since 1988, with total investments exceeding $14.7 billion, primarily fueling the manufacturing sector, which receives 74% of their financial commitment.

    Could this surge of investments make Vietnam the Silicon Valley of Southeast Asia? Only time will tell!

    Questions & Answers

    How much have Thai shareholders made from Vinamilk since 2013?
    Thai shareholders have benefitted from a remarkable VND16.1 trillion in dividends from Vinamilk since 2013.

    What characterizes ThaiBev’s investment strategy in Vietnam?
    ThaiBev’s strategy is focused on long-term growth, with plans to dominate the beer market and expand across Southeast Asia, as evidenced by their significant stake in Sabeco.

    What sectors do Thai investors primarily focus on in Vietnam?
    Thai investors predominantly invest in the manufacturing sector, with 74% of their capital directed towards this area, reflecting their strong interest in production capabilities within Vietnam.

  • Taxi firms eye fare surge amid gasoline price hike

    Taxi firms eye fare surge amid gasoline price hike

    Taxi firms expect to increase their fares as gasoline prices hit an all-time high.

    Nguyen Cong Hung, Chairman of the Hanoi Taxi Association, said taxi firms planned to increase fares by 5-8 percent, or VND500-800 per kilometer ($1 ≈ VND22,800).

    The gasoline price surge has increased taxi firm fuel costs by 13.8 percent, he added.

    “Most taxi firms in Ho Chi Minh City will be forced to increase their fares” if gasoline prices stay at the current all-time high, Ta Long Hy, Chairman of the HCMC Taxi Association said.

    Vietnam gasoline prices hit a new peak Monday, after authorities adjusted them upward for the fifth time in a row. The price of popular gasoline RON 95 rose 3.79 percent to VND26,280, while that of biofuel E5 RON 92 rose 3.9 percent to VND25,530. To reduce gasoline prices, taxi companies, which have been badly hit by Covid-19, recommended the environmental tax be cut as soon as possible.

    Environmental tax comprises the highest taxes on gasoline, accounting for around 15 percent of the retail price.

    Currently, the environmental tax on RON 95 gasoline is VND4,000 per liter, while that of biofuel E5 RON 92 is VND3,800.

    Taxes and fees add up to 42-43 percent of gasoline retail prices.

    All-time high gasoline prices and Covid-19 woes have placed many taxi firms in a financial dire strait.

    At the end of 2021, taxi giant Vinasun reported a 52 percent decrease in revenue year-on-year, and a net loss of nearly VND274 billion. It had to lay off 2,500 employees, including 1,800 drivers last year, to reduce operating costs.

    Mai Linh, another taxi giant, has yet to publish its 2021 report. However, in 2020, the company reported a loss of VND173 billion, and a total accumulated loss of VND1.21 trillion.

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  • Manufacturing, IT firms rush to recruit workers

    Manufacturing, IT firms rush to recruit workers

    Manufacturing and tech companies are rushing to recruit workers as foreign companies show rising interest in setting up or expanding their factories in Vietnam.

    Electronics manufacturer Jabil Vietnam is recruiting 500 workers in Ho chi Minh City, with a bonus of VND3.3 million ($145.62) promised to each new employee.

    Other companies in Saigon Hi-Tech Park Training Center, including drugs company Sanofi, along with electronics manufacturers Platel Vina and Intel are also looking for technicians.

    HCMC companies need around 30,000 new workers before the annual Tet holiday, which falls in the first week of February this year, according to the city’s Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.

    After Tet, they need up to 75,000 more, it said, adding that information technology, electric and electronics are the main sectors recruiting.

    A recent report by recruitment company Navigos shows that in the north, many new electronics manufacturing projects from China are looking to recruit staff.

    But these factories have difficulties in finding the right people as they are located far away from big cities and there are few fluent Chinese-speaking workers.

    Navigos says there is large competition for workers in the IT industry, especially in artificial intelligence, Big Data and blockchain, due to the shortage of talents.

    Since the last quarter financial companies are also looking for IT personnel, which shows the sector could post higher demand for these workers this year, the report said.

    Global IT companies are investing in Vietnam by establishing representative offices or research and development centers in Hanoi, HCMC and Da Nang City, it added.

    In manufacturing, multinationals are looking for senior Vietnamese leaders to hold key positions like director of the Asia Pacific region or Southeast Asia, Navigos stated.

    “This shows Vietnamese capabilities have risen to secure key regional positions.”

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  • Flight Centre buys two New Zealand travel firms

    Flight Centre buys two New Zealand travel firms

    ASX-listed Flight Centre Travel Group will buy two local travel firms for an undisclosed sum, expanding its footprint in New Zealand and making it one of the country’s biggest travel management groups.

    The Brisbane-based company on Monday said it had agreed to buy Travel Managers Group (TMG) and Executive Travel Group (ETG), without providing details of the transactions, making New Zealand the Australian firm’s fifth biggest business globally.

    The two businesses will add $3 million of annual earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, and Flight Centre said their addition will boost the New Zealand business to almost $1.5 billion in annual sales in the 2018 financial year.

    “ETG will enhance our already strong corporate travel offering in New Zealand and will give the business additional scale and expertise,” Flight Centre managing director Graham Turner said in a statement to the ASX.

    TMG provides systems and support to a network of 180 travel brokers and operates a 22-shop franchise network including 12 TravelSmart shops and 10 other non-branded stores, while ETG is New Zealand’s biggest independent corporate travel manager.

    Former Flight Centre staffer Kevin Weston co-owns ETG, which was set up in 1978 and he and business partner Nicola Jamieson bought a 40 per cent stake in TMG in 2014.

    Weston, Jamieson and TMG shareholder David Wallace will keep running the two businesses, and report to Flight Centre New Zealand managing director David Coombes.

    Flight Centre will use company cash to pay for the acquisitions, which are expected to settle in the first quarter of the 2018 financial year. No price was disclosed, although Flight Centre said they were in line with normal multiples. The ETG purchase includes extra payments if certain earnings targets are met.

    The ASX-listed company’s shares last traded at $A43.50 ($NZ46.33) and have jumped 39 per cent so far this year.

  • Financial firms in Taiwan, Indonesia urged to open outlets after MOU

    Financial firms in Taiwan, Indonesia urged to open outlets after MOU

    Taipei, March 12 (CNA) Taiwan’s top financial supervisor, the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC), has urged financial institutions in Taiwan and Indonesia to open outlets in each other’s country after they signed an memorandum of understanding (MOU) to speed up cooperation in supervising financial businesses.

    The FSC inked the cooperation MOU Friday with its Indonesian counterpart the Financial Services Authority of Indonesia or Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (OJK). The MOU focuses on supervision cooperation in banking, securities and insurance businesses between the two countries.

    FSC Chairperson Wang Li-ling (王儷玲) told the CNA that the cooperation MOU will no doubt facilitate financial development between the two countries.

    Wang, who signed the agreement on the behalf of the FSC in Jakarta, added that she believed Taiwan’s financial sector will benefit from the great growth potential in Indonesia, while the Southeast Asian country has expressed interest in Taiwan’s financial market openness.

    Wang said financial institutions in Taiwan and Indonesia should take advantage of the MOU to explore the financial market in each other’s country.

    She said that is especially true as many Indonesian workers are working in Taiwan and there is strong fund demand from ethnic Chinese investors in Indonesia, leading Indonesian banks to want to set up footholds in Taiwan.

    As for the large number of Indonesian workers in Taiwan, the supervisory mechanism under the newly signed MOU is expected to help them in a wide range of financial services in Taiwan, such as money remittances, deposits and insurance.

    The Taiwanese official said that a populous Indonesia needs a diversity of financial products and Taiwanese financial institutions should go there to provide good products.

    According to the FSC, the local banking sector has set up one subsidiary and two representative offices in Indonesia, and the local securities sector has opened a subsidiary there. The local insurance business sector meanwhile has taken a stake in an Indonesian bank, the TWSE said.

    Market analysts said that the newly-signed MOU is expected to help Taiwan-based Cathay Life Financial Co. (國壽) push for a deal to acquire a 40 percent stake in PT Bank Mayapada Internasional of Indonesia. Cathay Life signed an agreement with Bank Mayapada for the acquisition deal in January 2015. Since the law in Indonesia bars foreign entities from taking a stake of more than 25 percent of any bank there and the deal has been stalled. Analysts said that the MOU could remove the legal obstacles for Cathay Life.

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  • Singapore firms capitalise on opportunity in China market

    Singapore firms capitalise on opportunity in China market

    China’s economic growth may have been at its weakest rate in a quarter of a century last year, but some Singaporean firms with operations there are finding pockets of opportunity as the world’s No 2 economy matures from one based on industry to one fuelled by consumption.

    Among them, warehouse operator Global Logistic Properties (GLP) yesterday reported a 64 per cent rise in third-quarter net profit to US$184 million (S$257.4 million), helped by a strong performance from its China operations, while CapitaLand Retail China Trust (CRCT) — the first China shopping mall real estate investment trust in Singapore — said its distributable income for the quarter ended December rose 6.5 per cent to S$21.8 million, highlighting China’s growing urban population and rising retail sales.

    Singapore-headquartered GLP, which operates warehouses in China, Japan, Brazil and the United States, said its China earnings were up 50 per cent on higher asset values, growth in rent, new leases and renewed lease contracts.

    Analysts expect the company to continue to benefit from demand for logistics facilities due to booming e-commerce, as well as the Chinese government’s attempts to guide its economy to a more sustainable path led by domestic consumption.

    “Within China, the domestic economy is being stoked by increasing urbanisation. There are geographies within the country that are growing well above the national average, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities,” said Barclays senior regional economist Leong Wai Ho. “Logistics is one area of growth there. Logistics hubs have moved westwards. There’s been continuous investment in the sector itself,” he added.

    China’s growth has been steadily falling for the past half-decade as Beijing attempts to wean the economy away from exports and infrastructure investment and towards domestic consumption and services. The economy grew 6.9 per cent last year, its slowest expansion in 25 years.

    Chinese equities are slumping, too — the Shanghai Composite Index is down about 21.5 per cent this year. The yuan has weakened steadily since Beijing devalued the currency in August.

    The country on Wednesday announced an economic growth target of 6.5 per cent to 7 per cent this year.

    But the Chinese stock-market swings and capital outflows do not reflect trends in the economy, which is still expanding well amid efforts to rebalance growth, according to the head of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

    “The stock market issue, the currency issue in China, is a bit divorced actually from economic issues,” the EBRD’s president, Suma Chakrabarti, told Bloomberg in an interview on Monday. While the advance in China’s gross domestic product has slowed, 6.5 per cent “growth in the world’s second-biggest economy is pretty good actually for the rest of us”.

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  • Thailand cracking down on foreign-controlled firms using locals as nominees

    Thailand cracking down on foreign-controlled firms using locals as nominees

    The Commerce Ministry’s Business Development Department will this year expand its investigation into the use of Thai nationals as nominees for foreign-controlled companies in nine provinces where it suspects the illegal practice is widespread.

    This year, three additional provinces will be monitored – Krabi, Trat (Koh Chang), and Chiang Rai. Last year, six provinces were focused on – Bangkok, Chon Buri, Surat Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chiang Mai, and Phuket – and 13 firms were suspected of breaching the Foreign Business Act (FBA) through the use of Thai nominees.

    Pongpun Gearaviriyapun, director-general of the department, said it would tackle this practice vigorously this year through stringent law enforcement in a bid to prevent problems occurring under the FBA.

    She said the department would extend its investigation of nominee cases to 10 business sectors – food and beverages, tourism, property rental, the property trade, car rentals, spas, handicraft and souvenir retail, Internet retailing, direct sales, and education consultants.

    She said those sectors would be targeted because it was believed that a high proportion of their businesses were foreign controlled through the use of Thai nominees.

    She said the department would stringently investigate those businesses in an effort to prevent enterprises and consumers being affected negatively as some foreign-owned businesses were engaged in unscrupulous activities to lure consumers.

    The inspections will focus on a business’ share structure, investment capital, and technology transfer.

    Last year, the department investigated six sectors – food and beverages, tourism, car rentals, property rental, property sales, and spas.

    Meanwhile, to facilitate foreign enterprises doing business in the country, the department is considering relaxing its regulations under the FBA. This would involve them not having to get the FBA board’s permission to operate under the act.

    Businesses that would benefit from the move include representative offices, companies that are state-owned contractors, and subsidiary firms.

    In addition, the department will focus on supporting the starting up of new enterprises and strengthening local business growth under the ASEAN seamless market.

    The department will also develop its electronic services, such as e-registration, e-filing, and e-service applications, to help enterprises register, submit account balances, and update information online so they can save costs and time.

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