Yearly Archives: 2024

Business, Editorial

Sustainability for the AI Future Needs to Start with Data Centres

Leave a comment

This article was based on an interview with Mr Chee Meng Tan, Area Sales Director, Commercial Building Services at Grundfos

As the world accelerates into the AI-driven future, the demand for data processing power is growing exponentially. The backbone of this digital revolution—data centres—is crucial in enabling advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and more. However, this progress comes at a significant environmental cost. Data centres are notorious for their immense energy consumption and water usage, making them prime candidates for sustainability efforts. In an era of heightened environmental consciousness, achieving sustainability in data centres is not just an option but an imperative.

Grundfos UAE Data Centre
Source: Grundfos

Chee Meng Tan, Area Sales Director, Commercial Building Services at Grundfos, highlights this challenge succinctly: “The efficiency of both IT hardware and cooling has been improved, and there’s a shift away from small, inefficient enterprise data centres towards more efficient cloud and hyperscale data centres.” The future of sustainability in AI must begin with reevaluating how data centres manage energy, cooling, and water resources.

Malaysia’s Emergence as a Key Market for Data Centers

In the Asia Pacific region and more specifically, Southeast Asia, Malaysia quickly has emerged as a key hub for data centre investments. With its strategic geographic location, relatively stable political environment, and competitive energy prices, Malaysia has attracted significant interest from global technology giants. Companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Meta have all made substantial investments in the region to support their growing data infrastructure needs.

Copilot Generated Malaysia Digital
AI Generated Image of Malaysia Digital

Google has set its sights on expanding its cloud operations in Malaysia as part of a broader strategy to strengthen its Southeast Asian presence by investing over USD$2 billion. Similarly, Microsoft announced plans to invest USD$2.2 billion in new data centre regions in Malaysia, signalling the country’s rising importance in the global cloud ecosystem. Meta, too, is making moves to leverage Malaysia’s infrastructure for its massive data demands, driven by the increasing reliance on cloud services and social media across the globe. The emerging importance of Malaysia as a key player couldn’t be better emphasized than with the USD$6.2 billion investment by AWS to develop and deploy its data centres in the country.

Malaysia’s government has also been keen to position the country as a leader in digital infrastructure. The recent launch of the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (MyDIGITAL) sets the stage for Malaysia to become a regional digital economy leader by 2030. Part of this initiative involves accelerating the development of data centres and semiconductor fabrication, positioning Malaysia as a critical player in the Southeast Asian data economy.

However, this rapid growth brings challenges. As Tan points out, Southeast Asia’s unique climate, characterized by high temperatures and humidity, exacerbates the energy and cooling demands of data centres. “Cooling alone accounts for 35 to 40% of energy consumption in data centres in Southeast Asia—up to 10% more than the global average,” he explains.

The Energy and Water Footprint of Data Centers

Data centres are power-hungry operations. According to the International Energy Agency, the electricity demand of data centres is expected to double by 2026, driven by the rising adoption of AI and other data-intensive technologies. Cooling systems alone account for about 40% of the total energy consumption in these facilities, making it clear that any advancements in energy efficiency must begin with improvements to these systems.

Water usage is another critical challenge. Tan notes that “data centres are estimated to use more than a billion litres of water per day – equivalent to about 400 Olympic-sized swimming pools.” This consumption is expected to increase rapidly as the demand for computing power rises. The water-energy nexus—where water is required to generate energy, and energy is required to circulate water—places a double burden on data centres striving to become more sustainable.

Grundfos: Innovating for Sustainability in Data Centers

Grundfos, a global leader in pump solutions and water management, has been at the forefront of sustainability efforts within the data centre industry. By leveraging over 75 years of experience in water solutions, Grundfos is not just selling pumps; they are working with data centre designers to optimize cooling systems based on specific needs. As Tan explains, “We don’t just sell pump solutions, but work with data centre designers to optimize the design of the cooling system based on the specific needs of each data centre.”

Grundfos UAE Case Study Grundfos Hydro MPC E and Hydro Multi E water boosting systems with IP55 rated MGE motors
Grundfos Hydro MPC E and Hydro Multi E water boosting systems with IP55 rated MGE motors (Source: Grundfos)

Grundfos provides tailored solutions that help data centres reduce their energy and water footprints. For instance, ensuring that pumps are properly sized for each system is critical to minimizing energy waste. “It may sound basic, but many building operators don’t get it right,” Tan points out. The right-sizing of pumps can prevent significant energy wastage and ensure that the cooling system operates efficiently.

In addition to sizing, the motors used in these pumps play a pivotal role in energy efficiency. Tan mentions that many data centres are still using outdated IE3 motors, even though more energy-efficient alternatives, such as IE5 motors, are available. “Based on our calculation, an IE5 motor can achieve 5% in energy savings as compared to an IE3 motor for 10MW data centres,” he says. These savings might seem small at first glance, but when considering the scale of energy usage in data centres, they add up to significant reductions in both energy consumption and operational costs.

AI and Machine Learning in Cooling Systems

As AI continues to develop, it is not only driving the demand for data centres but also providing the tools to make them more sustainable. One of the most exciting advancements in data centre cooling is the use of AI and machine learning to achieve real-time, on-demand cooling. Tan points to a groundbreaking example from Google: “Google reported using its DeepMind AI to reduce the electricity demand of their data centre cooling systems by 40%.”

An artist’s illustration of artificial intelligence (AI). This image was inspired by neural networks used in deep learning. It was created by Novoto Studio as part of the Visualising AI pr...
Photo by Google Deepmind

By harnessing AI to monitor temperature and cooling requirements, data centres can dynamically adjust their cooling systems to reduce energy consumption. Machine learning algorithms can analyze vast amounts of operational data to predict when and where cooling is needed, allowing the system to respond with precision, thereby optimizing energy use.

This shift toward intelligent cooling systems represents a major leap forward in the quest for sustainable data centres. AI-driven solutions not only reduce energy consumption but also extend the lifespan of equipment by preventing overheating and reducing the strain on infrastructure.

Modular and Prefabricated Solutions for Efficiency

Beyond AI, Grundfos is also pioneering modular and prefabricated solutions designed to enhance energy efficiency in data centres. Tan explains, “While not specific to data centres, the Delta Modular Systems we have developed offer various modularized standard solutions to the building services industry.” These systems are designed to optimize both the pump module’s structural design and control operations, bringing significant energy savings while reducing construction time and environmental impact.

Modular systems, particularly in cooling, are gaining traction because they allow for more tailored, needs-based cooling. Instead of relying on a centralized system, smaller cooling units can be deployed across server racks, each regulating its performance based on the needs of the corresponding rack. This not only minimizes energy usage but also ensures that each part of the data centre is cooled efficiently, without overburdening any single system.

Water Efficiency: A Key Focus for the Future

As global water security becomes an increasing concern, data centres are under pressure to reduce their water consumption. Grundfos is actively exploring alternative water sources and technologies that allow for more sustainable water management in data centres. “New technologies are being explored, such as using non-potable alternative water sources like rainwater harvesting or recycled water,” Tan explains. However, these systems require significant energy to treat the water and ensure its compatibility with the equipment used in data centres.

A holistic approach to sustainability, therefore, must include both energy and water efficiency. By integrating renewable water sources and improving the energy efficiency of water management systems, data centres can reduce their environmental impact and enhance their resilience in the face of water scarcity.

The Importance of Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE)

One of the key metrics used to measure the energy efficiency of data centres is Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE). PUE is a ratio that compares the total energy used by the data centre to the energy used by the computing equipment itself. An ideal PUE is 1.0, meaning that all energy consumed by the facility is being used for computing, with no excess energy wasted on overhead functions like cooling.

AI integration into Data Center Cooling systems
AI-Generated image of AI integration into Data Center Cooling systems by Microsoft Copilot

“PUE is a crucial metric for data centres,” Tan explains. “At Grundfos, our solutions are designed to achieve optimal energy efficiency, thereby reducing a data centre’s PUE.” Grundfos achieves this through three main strategies: providing reliable and efficient pumps, using digital technologies to optimize energy consumption, and offering prefabricated and modular solutions that shorten construction times and reduce environmental impact.

By focusing on reducing PUE, data centres can ensure that their energy usage is aligned with sustainability goals, while also cutting down on operational costs.

Renewable Energy Integration: The Next Step in Sustainability

Pairing energy-efficient cooling with renewable energy sources represents the next frontier for sustainable data centres. “The incorporation of renewable energy sources like solar panels or geothermal energy across operations can enable data centres to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and minimize their carbon footprint,” Tan says.

While renewable energy is often associated with variability—depending on factors like weather conditions—intelligent data insights and analytics can help overcome these challenges. By integrating renewable energy sources with advanced grid management systems, data centres can create a more resilient, sustainable energy supply that does not compromise performance.

The Road Ahead Should Be AI and Sustainability in Tandem

Looking to the future, AI is poised to play a central role in advancing sustainability efforts within the data centre industry. As Tan observes, “The rapid expansion of the AI market, which is projected to grow at a staggering annual rate of 37.3% between 2023 and 2030, is a primary driver of the rising demand for data centres.” This growth creates both opportunities and challenges: while data centres will need to expand to meet AI’s growing demands, they will also need to adopt AI-driven technologies to improve their sustainability.

In the next decade, data centres will increasingly rely on AI to optimize energy usage, predict maintenance needs, and enhance operational efficiency. These advancements will be critical in helping the industry meet global sustainability targets, such as those outlined in the Global Cooling Pledge, which aims to reduce cooling-related emissions by 68% by 2030.

Sustainable AI Starts with Data Centers

As the digital revolution continues to unfold, data centres will remain at the heart of technological progress. However, the environmental impact of these facilities cannot be ignored. As Chee Meng Tan from Grundfos emphasizes, “With a more robust approach to sustainability that considers impact across multiple touchpoints, data centres can demonstrate a strengthened commitment to the cause, which sharpens its competitive edge within the industry.”

By integrating energy-efficient technologies, adopting AI-driven cooling solutions, and exploring alternative water sources, data centres can drastically reduce their environmental footprint. The road to a sustainable AI future starts with the choices we make today, and it begins at the data centre.

This article was based on an interview with Mr Chee Meng Tan, Area Sales Director, Commercial Building Services at Grundfos

Tan Chee Meng Grundfos

Chee Meng Tan
Area Sales Director, Commercial Building Services, Grundfos

Chee Meng Tan is currently the Area Sales Director for Grundfos’ Commercial Building Services (CBS) division, responsible for growing CBS’s presence and leadership in Southeast Asia. Apart from opening and developing regional markets and operations, his role involves the strategic formulation and operative implementation of regional sales concepts.

Chee Meng joined Grundfos Singapore in 1995 as an Application Engineer and has taken on different roles and responsibilities in the last 29 years. Prior to taking on his current role, Chee Meng has held various positions within Grundfos such as the General Manager of Grundfos Alldos (Shanghai) Water Treatment Co, Ltd, the Regional Business Director for Industry Segment in Asia Pacific, as well as the Business Director for Water Utility segment in Asia Pacific.

Chee Meng holds a Diploma in Electrical Engineering as well as Management Studies.

PR Newswire

NEC Indonesia and Sinar Mas Land Forge Partnership for Adaptation Finance Development to Mitigate the Impact of Climate Change

Leave a comment

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Oct. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — NEC Indonesia and Sinar Mas Land, through its subsidiary PT Samakta Mitra, have started a strategic partnership to mitigate the impact of climate change by leveraging Adaptation Finance and disaster mitigation visualisation technology. Adaptation Finance is an initiative developed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), designed to assess the risks and impacts of natural disasters caused by climate change. It aims to identify risks early, plan mitigation strategies, and foster greater business resilience.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to begin a joint study on Adaptation Finance in Indonesia between Sinar Mas Land and NEC Indonesia was signed by Irvan Yasni, CEO of Technology Advisory and Business of Sinar Mas Land, and Joji Yamamoto, President Director of NEC Indonesia, at the Biomedical Campus, BSD City, last 15 October 2024. Yutaka Ukegawa, Corporate Executive Vice President of NEC Corporation, and Mulyawan Gani, Chief Transformation & Data Officer of Sinar Mas Land, were also in attendance.

Irvan Yasni, CEO of Technology Advisory & Business at Sinar Mas Land (second from the left), together with Joji Yamamoto, President Director of NEC Indonesia (second from the right), signs a Memorandum of Understanding to initiate a joint study on Adaptation Finance in Indonesia, witnessed by Mulyawan Gani, Chief Transformation & Data Officer of Sinar Mas Land (far left), and Yutaka Ukegawa, Corporate Executive Vice President of NEC Corporation (far right).
Irvan Yasni, CEO of Technology Advisory & Business at Sinar Mas Land (second from the left), together with Joji Yamamoto, President Director of NEC Indonesia (second from the right), signs a Memorandum of Understanding to initiate a joint study on Adaptation Finance in Indonesia, witnessed by Mulyawan Gani, Chief Transformation & Data Officer of Sinar Mas Land (far left), and Yutaka Ukegawa, Corporate Executive Vice President of NEC Corporation (far right).

Joji Yamamoto shares, “This collaboration marks an important first step in realising the Adaptation Finance initiative for mitigating the climate change. We believe that the technology and solutions offered by NEC can contribute to developing adaptive financial solutions that can be applied across various sectors. We look forward to this partnership with Sinar Mas Land’s subsidiary, PT Samakta Mitra. Previously, NEC implemented the same solutions in Japan, supported by major insurance companies. The success of this endeavour emphasises the significant potential of this collaboration to bring positive impacts to Indonesia’s financial services industry, particularly in addressing the growing climate challenges.”

Irvan Yasni adds, “Adaptation Finance presents a great opportunity to create a more sustainable and safer environment in the face of disaster risks resulting from climate change. Together with NEC Indonesia, we will conduct a joint study on Adaptation Finance to develop case studies that anticipate adaptation steps and solutions to climate change across various sectors. By applying technology with disaster risk and climate change mapping, insurance companies can estimate potential losses and mitigate existing risks, allowing for more effective mitigation efforts.”

Through this collaboration, Sinar Mas Land and NEC Indonesia will develop risk visualisation solutions capable of mapping the potential for natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and tropical cyclones. This will thereby accelerate the adoption of disaster risk mitigation solutions among insurance companies, banks, and investment firms. This initiative also supports better protection for communities and infrastructure in the future.

By utilising data-driven solutions, predictive analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI), NEC Indonesia will identify potential threats, assess environmental impacts, and provide more effective risk mitigation recommendations. This technology enables more strategic and sustainable allocation of funds, allowing Adaptation Finance to deliver positive effects on society, the business community, and the environment. (*)

About PT NEC Indonesia

NEC first established its representative office in Jakarta in 1968. To this day, PT NEC Indonesia continues to play an important role in providing innovative ICT solutions to promote safety, security, and improve the quality of life for individuals and communities. As a leading provider of information and communication technology, PT NEC Indonesia provides world-class services and technology including telecommunications networks, biometric identification, intelligent solutions for Banks and other Financial Services, Public Transportation and Logistics, Retail, Manufacturing, as well as government applications and infrastructure and business enterprises to support the digital transformation journey. For more information, visit us at http://id.nec.com/.

About Sinar Mas Land

Sinar Mas Land is a property developer in Indonesia with over 50 years of experience. Sinar Mas Land has developed more than 50 projects across Indonesia. The company’s success in property and real estate development in Indonesia has been recognized by independent and credible institutions, earning various prestigious international awards such as the MIPIM Award in France (2018), ASEAN Energy Awards (2019), Asia Pacific Property Award (2021), Cambridge IFA’s Global Good Governance Award (2021), and FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence Awards (2022).

With the support of a solid management team, Sinar Mas Land is renowned as a developer of independent townships (through the BSD City Development) and a pioneer in the development of the clustered residential concept. In addition, Sinar Mas Land is also a trailblazer in the development of innovative Strata Mall/Trade Center (ITC) projects in Indonesia. Sinar Mas Land is listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange as PT Bumi Serpong Damai Tbk, and on the Singapore Exchange. Sinar Mas Land has strong strategic partners such as Sojitz Japan, Aeon, Itochu, Mitsubishi Corporation, Hongkong Land, and local partners like Kompas Gramedia and Kalbe. For more information, please visit: www.sinarmasland.com.

Source: PT. NEC Indonesia

PR Newswire

A Comprehensive Introduction of the oneClick+ antigen platform

Leave a comment

SHANGHAI, Oct. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Sanyou Bio provides oneClick+ antigen one-stop solution, from antigen analysis to personalized preparation, to help tumor immunotherapy research and development. oneClick+ antigen platform is designed to provide high-quality annotation-related protein sequences, including protein amino acid sequences, isoelectric points, subcellular localization, structural domains, modification sites, and other properties, and to demonstrate non-redundant datasets, which help scientists to simplify the antigen analysis process and solve antigen expression difficulties. Sanyou provides high quality protein expression products covering mammalian, insect and bacterial expression, three major high quality protein expression systems to help your protein expression research.

oneClick+ Antigen Access Address
Visit https://www.oneclick-plus.com/. Start accessing the oneClick+ platform and select “Design Antigen”, to begin a one-stop shop for your antigen information. 

Platform Highlights

  1. Simplified input operation
    The oneClick+ platform for antigen analysis only requires you to enter the Uniprot ID corresponding to the protein. If you need to place a customized order, you can also select the desired expression system, protein amount, and other notes.
  2. Output Sequence Full Visualization
    The report outputs the amino acid sequences of the corresponding proteins, and proteins with > 2000 amino acids can also be displayed completely.
  3. Simplification of output information
    The output report demonstrates the physicochemical properties of the relevant antigen, including the number of amino acids, molecular weight, isoelectric point, subcellular localization, and protein type, in addition to the antigen’s transmembrane structural domains, signal peptide and modification sites, and three-dimensional structural features, which filters out redundant information and reduces the time required to find information.
  4. Protein preparation difficulty evaluation function
    Sanyou Bio extracted the data of 56,547 proteins from Uniprot database, and analyzed the number of amino acids, cysteines and glycosylation sites at the amino acid level, and issued a protein preparation difficulty assessment, which is intended to be a reference for scientists to judge the difficulty of protein preparation. (You can click Protein preparation difficulty assessment to see the specific analysis process.)
    (Note: Due to the diversity of proteins and other multifaceted factors, the following is not a foregone conclusion and is for reference only.)
  5. Free reports to help research
    To obtain antigen information report outputs through the oneClick+ platform, you can enter your email, and we will send them to you in the form of a zip package. In addition, if you have any antigen customization needs or other questions, you can also leave your contact information and we will contact you within 24 hours.
Advertorial

ASUS Vivobook 16X: The lightest 16-inch RTX 4050 laptop in Malaysia

Leave a comment

This article is sponsored by ASUS Malaysia. Statements made in the article do not reflect the views of the techENT editorial teams.

For those of you out there looking for a laptop with decent graphics performance while on a budget, machines running an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 are often recommended as the best you can get without breaking the bank. It not only offers close similar performance to the last generation RTX 3060 but also comes with support for DLSS 3.0 Frame Generation AI upscaling technology for a superior experience in games.

However, not every RTX 4050 laptop is built the same. Most brands cater towards the gamer crowd with their RTX 4050 laptops, while some put them into their thin-and-light machines targeting creative professionals. These, however, tend to result in laptops with certain compromises, as you’ll either end up sacrificing portability with the former thanks to a large, hefty chassis, or performance in the latter due to cooling constraints.

ASUS Vivobook 16X Editorial (1)

That’s where the ASUS Vivobook 16X (K3605) comes in. This is not only the lightest 16-inch laptop with an RTX 4050 in Malaysia, but it’s also a beast of a machine thanks to its capable 12-core processor under the hood. In fact, here are five reasons why we think the Vivobook 16X is the ideal machine for creative professionals on-the-go who double as casual gamers when it’s time to clock off work.

1. Perfect balance between performance and cooling

As we perhaps hinted at before, the Vivobook 16X packs a pretty decent punch under the hood despite its more subtle appearance. For starters, you’ll find a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12500H here, which is a high-end CPU for laptops that packs four Performance cores and eight Efficient cores for a total of 12 cores with 16 threads.

Now we know what you’re thinking: 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12500H? Isn’t that fairly old by now? Well, yes, it’s a two-year-old processor, but just because it’s a little older doesn’t mean that it’s a bad option. See, thanks to the relatively high number of CPU cores, it stands out as a fantastic alternative compared to even newer processors such as the 13th Gen Intel Core i5-13420H, averaging about 13% higher results in the Cinebench R23 multi-core benchmark. This makes it a great choice for those planning to do heavy multithreaded workloads such as video editing and 3D modelling.

ASUS Vivobook 16X Editorial (1)

That doesn’t mean that it can’t game either; the Intel Core i5-12500H not only closely matches the Core i5-13420H in Cinebench R23 single-core benchmarks, but also ever so slightly averages higher performance numbers than the Intel Core Ultra 5 125H, which is two generations newer than the Core i5-12500H.

Knowing how well the Core i5-12500H stacks up against its newer siblings, it’s no wonder then that it’s the best for a value-focused performance machine such as the ASUS Vivobook 16X. It’s not all about the CPU only though; the Vivobook 16X also packs in an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 laptop GPU based on the latest ADA Lovelace architecture, allowing you to not only excel at pro-level rendering and other creative needs but also in-game with support for features like DLSS 3.0 Frame Generation for super smooth gameplay. The Vivobook 16X also uses NVIDIA Studio drivers, ensuring that you get maximum stability especially when it comes to professional creative apps used to edit photos and videos. On top of that, there’s even a MUX Switch enabling you to choose between using the discrete GPU or switching to the iGPU for a much longer battery life.

ASUS Vivobook 16X Editorial (3)

This marriage of powerful hardware and cutting-edge AI upscaling technologies means that you’ll be able to comfortably run triple-A titles such as Cyberpunk 2077 at high settings or Black Myth: Wukong with a mix of medium and high settings, and still expect 60fps and higher in-game.

All of that powerful hardware is kept nice and cool too with ASUS IceCool thermal technology, with upgraded 8mm, 6mm and 4mm heat pipes along with an 87-blade IceBlade fan for efficient heat transfer. Such cooling performance allows the Vivobook 16X to run with up to 70W CPU+GPU TDP in performance mode with no thermal throttling.

2. Slim, light and the most portable RTX 4050 16” Laptop

We’ve already mentioned a lot about what’s powering the Vivobook 16X, and while it’s what’s inside that counts, it’s hard to ignore the fact that first impressions tend to last forever too. Luckily then the Vivobook 16X offers a great user-friendly design, with the classic Vivobook raised logo on the metallic lid, and measures just 18.9mm thin. It’s also merely 1.8kg light, making this one of the most portable RTX 4050 laptops you can get right now with a 16-inch display.

ASUS Vivobook 16X Editorial (5)

That puts it in stark contrast to the other 16-inch laptops out there that feature similar levels of performance. In fact, in most cases, you’ll be resorting to gaming laptops with an uber-thick chassis typically above 20mm thick as well as weighing oftentimes over 2kg. Such heft makes them a lot more inconvenient for creators on the go who value not only performance but also portability, which is where the Vivobook 16X comes in with its slim chassis and compelling hardware.

ASUS laptops are also engineered to withstand more so that they can tough it out, and the Vivobook 16X is no different as it meets the US MIL-STD-810H military grade standard, making it reliable and durable. Other great design choices here include a 180-degree lay-flat hinge design for easy sharing, an ASUS ErgoSense keyboard for a more satisfying typing experience, and an ASUS Antimicrobial Guard for up to 99% bacterial growth inhibition for at least three years.

3. Perfect for work and play with accurate colours and a high refresh rate

ASUS has been at the forefront of laptop display technology for a long time now, and you can certainly see that with the Vivobook 16X. As this is a laptop that will likely find itself being used by many professional creatives, the Vivobook 16X comes kitted out with a large 16-inch IPS display in a 16:10 aspect ratio for additional screen real estate and covers 100% of the sRGB colour gamut that’s essential for colour accurate work.

ASUS Vivobook 16X Editorial (4)

The WUXGA (1920 x 1200) resolution meanwhile offers great clarity even when up close and personal with the Vivobook 16X. You’ll also find that the Vivobook 16X’s display offers a 144Hz refresh rate, as well as 300nits of brightness and is even kind to your eyes thanks to it being TUVRheinland low blue light and flicker-free certified.

All of this makes the 16-inch display on the Vivobook 16X perfect for creators who would be able to appreciate the larger screen and taller aspect ratio to better see your workflow while maintaining impeccable colour accuracy too. And then once it’s time to clock off work, you’ll be able to quickly transform the Vivobook 16X into a portable gaming station that lets you see everything in-game at a buttery smooth 144Hz.

4. Complete selection of I/O ports

It perhaps goes without saying that almost all of us would hate carrying dongles with us. Your laptop should simplify your workflow, rather than become a headache every time you want to connect a simple accessory or transfer files from it. That’s again one of the great reasons why the Vivobook 16X can appeal to everyone from gamers to creatives, as it packs in a complete selection of I/O ports so that you can connect just about anything and everything to it.

ASUS Vivobook 16X Editorial (5)

Specifically, the ASUS Vivobook 16X packs in two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, a USB-C Thunderbolt 4 port with support for display output and power delivery, a HDMI 2.1 TMDS port, a 3.5mm combo audio jack and an SD card reader too. And that’s not all either as the Vivobook 16X offers great wireless connectivity options too thanks to support for WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

As such, you’ll be able to enjoy speedier transfers be it from an external SSD or an SD card after your shoots and productions, or if you prefer, simply download everything back from the cloud; it’s all no issue thanks to the complete connectivity options on the Vivobook 16X.

5. Brilliant option on a budget for everyone

With a new revised price tag of just RM3,999, the ASUS Vivobook 16X is truly a fantastic buy for anyone wanting an easy entry-level professional or gaming laptop that is not just powerful and capable but portable and durable too. You can find the Vivobook 16X on sale at our ASUS official eStore as well as on shelves from our retail partners nationwide.

This article is sponsored by ASUS Malaysia. Statements made in the article do not reflect the views of the techENT editorial teams.

Editorial

Strengthening Core Infrastructure with Proactive Measures and Monitoring

Leave a comment

This article was based on an interview with Mr Ramon Pinero, General Manager of BlackBerry AtHoc, and Mr Jonathan Jackson, Senior Director of Strategic Accounts at BlackBerry.

As digital ecosystems grow more complex, the need for robust cybersecurity measures becomes critical. BlackBerry, having transitioned from mobile devices to cybersecurity, is now one of the foremost companies leading the charge in safeguarding critical infrastructure, supply chains, and digital assets through emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). With cyberattacks growing in sophistication, BlackBerry’s focus on prevention and vigilance sets a new standard in cyber resilience.

The Financial Impact of Cyberattacks

The cost of a cyberattack is staggering. A 2024 study from BlackBerry revealed that the average cost of a single data breach has risen to USD 4.45 million. For industries such as healthcare, finance, and energy—where attacks can disrupt critical services—the cost can soar even higher. Beyond immediate financial losses, cyberattacks can damage reputations, erode customer trust, and lead to legal penalties or regulatory fines.

Woman in a Beige Coat Writing on a Glass Panel Using a Whiteboard Marker
Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich

In particular, ransomware attacks—one of the most prevalent threats—cost companies over USD 1.85 million per incident when factoring in downtime, recovery, and ransom payments​. These costs are unsustainable for many organizations, especially smaller businesses. In the words of Ramon Pinero, General Manager of BlackBerry AtHoc, “If we can prevent attacks from happening, it means that organizations don’t have to spend time and resources recovering from incidents.”

The Rise in Cyber Threats: A Call for Vigilance

BlackBerry’s Global Threat Intelligence Report highlights a surge in cyberattacks. Between April and June 2024, the company prevented 3.7 million attacks— a 53% increase from the previous quarter. Over 800,000 of these attacks targeted critical infrastructure, including the financial sector, energy grids, and healthcare. This increase undoubtedly underlines the importance of continuous vigilance across all sectors.

Prevention Through Proactive AI Solutions

Prevention should be at the core of any company, organization and city’s strategy in dealing with malicious attacks. That being the case, it’s also at the core of BlackBerry’s strategy when it comes to empowering customers. By embedding AI into its cybersecurity solutions, the company is emphasizing deterring cyberattacks before they cause damage. By acquiring Cylance, BlackBerry was able to incorporate predictive AI technology into its security systems, allowing it to proactively prevent cyberattacks instead of just reacting to them.

an illustrated image of a chip with an AI label on it powering a security system
AI-Generated Image by Copilot of an AI Chip embedded in a system

BlackBerry’s AI-powered defence mechanisms are particularly effective in securing critical infrastructure and supply chains. According to the Global Threat Intelligence Report, the company intercepts over 11,500 unique malware hashes daily, highlighting the pace at which new cyber threats emerge.

Supply Chain Security: A Critical Weakness

One of the most significant risks today lies in the vulnerability of software supply chains. BlackBerry’s June 2024 survey on supply chain cybersecurity reveals that more than 75% of software supply chains experienced cyberattacks within the past year. These attacks often target smaller, less secure suppliers as entry points to larger organizations, causing a cascade of damage.

Of concern is that 74% of these attacks originated from third-party vendors or suppliers that organizations were either unaware of or failed to monitor. As BlackBerry’s Vice President of Product Security Christine Gadsby noted, “How a company monitors and manages cybersecurity in their software supply chain has to rely on more than just trust.” In this landscape, prevention demands heightened visibility, continuous monitoring, and regular audits of suppliers’ security postures.

The Role of Managed Detection and Response (MDR)

For organizations without dedicated cybersecurity teams, BlackBerry’s Cylance Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provides critical support. The service offers real-time monitoring and rapid response to emerging threats, ensuring that businesses, especially smaller ones, are not left vulnerable.

According to Jonathan Jackson, Senior Director of Strategic Accounts at BlackBerry, “BlackBerry offers MDR because not every organization can afford a fully staffed cybersecurity team,”. MDR enables companies to utilize sophisticated threat detection tools and professional analysis, allowing them to stay ahead of cybersecurity risks even without an extensive cybersecurity outfit.

Zero Trust for Critical Infrastructure

A zero-trust approach has become essential for protecting critical infrastructure. BlackBerry’s security solutions implement zero-trust architectures, where no device, user, or system is inherently trusted. This model is crucial for sectors like healthcare, finance, and energy, where the stakes are high, and breaches could lead to widespread disruptions.

cyber 4610993 1280
Image from Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay

“Zero trust is especially important for critical infrastructure because of the types of data and assets involved,” Jackson emphasized. By enforcing strict authentication protocols and continuous monitoring, BlackBerry’s solutions protect critical systems from both internal and external threats.

Resilience for Smart Cities and IoT

As cities become smarter, integrating Internet of Things (IoT) devices into their infrastructure, they become prime targets for cyberattacks. With IoT traffic systems, smart utilities, and public services forming the backbone of modern cities, a single cyberattack could cripple entire urban centres.

Companies like BlackBerry will play a critical role in safeguarding these environments, ensuring that IoT systems are secured and cyber-resilient. “As you have more connected systems, you increase the attack surface,” Jackson explains. AI-driven threat detection and real-time monitoring are vital to ensure that smart cities remain functional despite cheap to cyber threats.

Cyber Resilience Through Prevention

As the cyber threat landscape evolves, prevention and vigilance remain the twin pillars of a robust cybersecurity strategy. Whether protecting supply chains, critical infrastructure, or smart cities, solutions like BlackBerry’s Cylance AI offer a blueprint for building resilience in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.

A cyber resilient Kuala Lumpur
AI-Generated Image by Copilot of A cyber resilient Kuala Lumpur

By staying proactive, monitoring vulnerabilities, and implementing zero-trust architectures, organisations can prevent breaches before they occur. As BlackBerry’s research shows, the key to true cyber resilience lies in constant vigilance and a commitment to prevention—because in today’s world, one breach could mean the difference between success and disaster.

This article was written based on an interview session with Mr Ramon Pinero, General Manager of BlackBerry AtHoc and Mr Jonathan Jackson Senior Director of Strategic Accounts at BlackBerry.

Ramon Pinero Profile Pic sq

Ramon Pinero
General Manager BlackBerry AtHoc

Ramon Pinero is the General Manager of BlackBerry AtHoc, where he oversees all aspects of the critical event management business. With more than 20 years of experience in crisis/emergency management (CEM) technologies, Ramon brings a deep understanding of both product development and customer success.

With a passion for technology and deep roots in emergency response, Ramon continues to advance BlackBerry AtHoc’s position as the market leader. He is focused on driving strategy, fostering innovation, and enabling AtHoc’s technology to make an even greater impact—helping more organizations increase their resiliency and save lives through fast, accurate communications before, during, and after critical situations.

Jonathan Jackson Profile Pic

Jonathan Jackson
Senior Director, Strategic Technical Sales APAC at BlackBerry

Jonathan Jackson (JJ) is the Senior Director, Strategic Technical Sales APAC for BlackBerry. With over 20 years of experience, he helps organisations manage their cyber risk, leveraging the best of breed solutions to stop cyber attacks. JJ is a staunch advocate of protecting data and privacy and is a frequent spokesperson on cyber threat intelligence in Australia and all across APAC.

PR Newswire

AI Automation Company bluesheets rebrands as fileAI

Leave a comment

SINGAPORE, Oct. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — bluesheets, a pioneer in financial data AI automation, is rebranding to fileAI, reflecting a significant evolution in its mission and services. This name change marks a strategic shift from a focus primarily on automating financial data to a broader commitment to automating all file types and business processes with flexible, agentic AI-driven workflows.

As businesses seek greater efficiency and innovation without expanding their workforce, fileAI is poised to lead the way. The company focuses on eliminating manual file processing, redefining business operations with AI-driven solutions. Its new name reflects a commitment to streamlining operations across sectors, helping organizations boost effectiveness and adaptability in a rapidly changing environment.

“Transitioning from bluesheets to fileAI represents more than just a name change; it embodies our dedication to revolutionizing how businesses use their data,” said Christian Schneider, CEO of fileAI. “Our advanced automation solutions streamline manual file handling and workflows, allowing teams to focus on what truly matters—building strong client relationships, empowering employees, and fostering growth and innovation. With fileAI, we lay the groundwork for effective, agent-driven business processes.”

Key Highlights:

  • Comprehensive File Automation: fileAI’s platform now supports automation for any file type, such as spreadsheets, PDF, images and more, significantly broadening its applicability across industries. The system is designed to understand, parse, index, tag, and enrich file data without the need for upfront data training.
  • Future-Ready Solutions: With a focus on agentic, AI-driven workflows, fileAI is committed to evolving its offerings to meet the dynamic needs of modern businesses.
  • Enhanced Business Workflows: The new capabilities aim to improve efficiency by integrating seamlessly into existing business processes (fileAI already integrates with over 200+ platforms!)

To learn more about how your business can leverage AI to automate your manual and repetitive business processes, visit file.ai.

About fileAI:

fileAI is a leading provider of AI automation solutions that leverage artificial intelligence to process any file end-to-end directly into any system without manual intervention. With a commitment to innovation and customer success, fileAI enables organizations across various sectors to unlock manpower stuck doing low-value tasks for higher value work.

PR Newswire

REDTIGER Unveils the F77 Dash Cam Featuring Industry-First Dual 4K Camera Technology

Leave a comment

DALLAS, Oct. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — REDTIGER, a leader in automotive electronics, is excited to announce the launch of the F77 Dash Cam, a groundbreaking device that redefines the standards of video clarity and security for drivers. The F77 is equipped with industry-first dual Sony IMX678 sensors, enabling crystal-clear, dual-channel 4K video capture. The front camera records at an impressive 60fps, ensuring no detail goes unnoticed, while rear Ethernet support guarantees seamless connectivity.

REDTIGER F77 128GB DASH CAM
REDTIGER F77 128GB DASH CAM

“Our F77 model marks a substantial breakthrough in dash cam innovation,” said Jonny, CEO at REDTIGER. “While the market has predominantly focused on enhancing the front camera, we’ve recognized the equal importance of rear recording. Through extensive market research, we’ve heard the clear demand from consumers for higher rear camera clarity. With the F77, we aim to deliver a distinctive and more reliable and secure experience that addresses these needs, ensuring comprehensive coverage for drivers.”

Utilizing advanced Sony Starvis 2 pixel technology and HDR capabilities, the F77 provides clear recordings even in low-light conditions, ensuring visibility of important details at all times.

Meanwhile, the F77 boasts unparalleled reliability, ensuring critical moments are always captured, even during intense collisions. Its advanced 128GB of built-in eMMC 5.1 storage technology offers reliable data storage, eliminating the need for external SD cards and enhancing the security of recorded footage. The eMMC storage technology provides a remarkable 400% improvement in write speeds compared to traditional SD cards, along with an extended 10-year lifespan.

User convenience is prioritized with 12 voice commands and touch control for intuitive operation, while seamless 5.8GHz Wi-Fi enables lightning-fast data transfer. With its comprehensive feature set, including built-in GPS and parking mode, the F77 sets a new standard for dash cam performance and user experience.

The REDTIGER F77 is now available for purchase starting on the REDTIGER website and Amazon. For more information about the REDTIGER F77 Dash Cam or inquiry, please contact:

REDTIGER Media Contact
Alex: pr@redtiger.site 

PR Newswire

Edifier Announces New MR3 2.0 Monitor Speaker System

Leave a comment

Designed for Honest Reproduction. Ideal for home studios, video editing, and daily listening.

RICHMOND, BC, Oct. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Edifier International, the award-winning audio electronics designer, announces the MR3 2.0 monitor speaker system featuring Hi-Res audio certification, a flat frequency response from 52Hz to 40kHz and delivering 18W x 2 (RMS) total power output.

EDIFIER introduces the MR3 Powered Studio Monitor Speakers, designed for honest reproduction.
EDIFIER introduces the MR3 Powered Studio Monitor Speakers, designed for honest reproduction.

The Edifier MR3 speakers offer a blend of advanced acoustic design, precise tuning and high-quality craftsmanship, ensuring an exceptional audio experience. Their capabilities make them an ideal choice for home studios, video editing and everyday listening, allowing users to appreciate intricate audio details and nuances with clarity.

Flat Frequency Response

Boasting a flat frequency response ranging from 52Hz to 40kHz, allows for neutral and transparent sound reproduction. Its innovative dimpled tweeter waveguide enhances high-frequency clarity and accuracy, ensuring a consistent audio experience across a broader listening area.

High Resolution Audio

Both the advanced analog audio front end and the Class D audio amplifier from Texas Instruments have been specially configured to operate at 24bit/96kHz. This setup ensures bit-perfect audio conversion and amplification, and ultimately delivers high-fidelity sound that is an accurate reproduction of the original audio signal for an enhanced listening experience.

Acoustic Room Compensation

Equipped with rear knobs and the EDIFIER ConneX app, the versatile settings for acoustic room compensation tailor the listening experience to various environments. The high knob allows for ±6dB adjustments of frequencies above 10kHz, while the low knob provides similar adjustments around 125Hz. Additionally, the Low Cutoff feature attenuates low frequencies based on room dimensions, and the Acoustic Space and Desktop Control settings help mitigate mid and bass boosts and sound wave reflections, ensuring optimized sound quality regardless of speaker placement.

Powerful Enough

The specially optimized 3.5″ mid-low drivers and 1″ silk dome tweeters, provide a total output power of 18W x 2 (RMS) and achieve a peak sound pressure level of 92.5dB at 1 meter. This design makes them ideal for near-field listening while also offering sufficient power to adequately fill a medium-sized room with a rich and immersive audio experience.

Rich Connectivity

Featuring a balanced TRS input to ensure low-noise signal transmission that is convenient for connecting to audio interfaces or mixers. RCA and AUX inputs are also included, allowing users to connect multiple audio devices simultaneously. A dedicated headphone output enhances the speaker’s versatility by facilitating easy headphone connectivity for private listening sessions.

Easy Control

The power on/off knob on the front panel also adjusts volume and sound-effect switching.

EDIFIER ConneX App

Download the EDIFIER ConneX mobile app to unlock a range of additional features, including playback control for Bluetooth input, the ability to switch sound effects and customize EQ settings, room compensation adjustments, and easy access to the user manual along with other settings. This app enhances your overall listening experience, allowing for tailored audio preferences right at your fingertips.

MDF Cabinet

The MDF cabinet effectively reduces distortion and resonance, making it ideal for audio production, video editing, guitar playing, and daily listening.

Price & Availability:

The MR3 is available from authorized dealer – Edifier-online.com at $119.99.

About Edifier:

Edifier specializes in the design and manufacture of premium audio solutions that showcase technological innovation and design excellence. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Beijing, China, Edifier delivers outstanding sound experience through a wide range of audio systems for personal entertainment and professional use. Renowned for its award-winning design philosophy, expertise and innovation in acoustic technology, and superior manufacturing standards, Edifier is one of today’s leading innovators of audio electronics.  

More information about Edifier is available online at www.edifier.com.

PR Newswire

Hikvision achieves TÜV Rheinland Green Product Mark as first in LED display industry

Leave a comment

HANGZHOU, China, Oct. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (“Hikvision”) announced that 16 of its LED display products received the Green Product Mark certification from TÜV Rheinland—the first in the LED display industry achieving this distinction. Based on the 2 PfG E 0052/06.2024 standard, this certification highlights compliance with stringent environmental criteria. TÜV Rheinland, with over 150 years of history, is a member of the UN Global Compact and the Global Ecolabelling Network, making its certifications widely recognized.

Hikvision achieves TÜV Rheinland Green Product Mark as first in LED display industry
Hikvision achieves TÜV Rheinland Green Product Mark as first in LED display industry

The certified products include the CW, BW, and other series, covering various mainstream packaging technologies. They passed comprehensive evaluations in product technical compliance, restricted substances control, carbon footprint, and recyclability. Recognized for outstanding environmental performance and sustainability, these products adhere to high green standards throughout.

Hikvision achieves TÜV Rheinland Green Product Mark as first in LED display industry
Hikvision achieves TÜV Rheinland Green Product Mark as first in LED display industry

Hikvision’s LED products strictly follow rigorous environmental standards in material selection and production. By using eco-friendly materials, optimizing designs, implementing intelligent manufacturing, and enforcing strict quality control, the products minimize environmental impact throughout their lifecycle. Notably, the casings are made with up to 90% recycled aluminum, and packaging cartons use 100% recycled materials, significantly reducing waste.

Moreover, the new generation of Hikvision’s LED products incorporates three energy-saving technologies: flip-chip packaging, common cathode driving, and intelligent power systems. These innovations significantly reduce carbon emissions, standing out among high-energy-consuming industrial products. They also achieve a remarkable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition to environmental features, these LED products maintain industry-leading quality. They utilize proprietary display control systems for stability and safety. Dynamic energy-saving algorithms automatically recognize high-brightness image details and adjust local brightness seamlessly, providing a comfortable viewing experience while enhancing image quality and reducing energy consumption.

Earning the TÜV Rheinland Green Product Mark certification underscores Hikvision’s commitment to green and low-carbon production. The company has consistently invested in green innovation, integrating sustainable design concepts like automation, modularization, and recyclability into product development. By focusing on the entire product lifecycle—from raw materials to end-of-life—Hikvision ensures its products meet green requirements throughout.

Looking ahead, Hikvision will continue to embed sustainability into its operations, promoting social responsibility alongside business growth.

More about Hikvision’s LED Products

All raw materials of Hikvision’s LED products undergo strict inspections, including tests for photoelectric parameters, environmental adaptability, electrical properties, stability, dimensional accuracy, material characteristics, and appearance, ensuring quality before production.

By deploying intelligent manufacturing equipment—achieving automatic SMT, assembly, aging, packaging, and warehousing—the entire process is fully automated, effectively preventing quality issues. With bases in Hangzhou and Wuhan, and over 20 automated production lines, annual production of Hikvision LED display screens exceeds 500,000 square meters.

Hikvision operates seven laboratories covering EMC, environmental testing, safety regulations, electrical performance, and more, holding certifications such as CNAS, UL, and CCC. These facilities enable LED products to undergo rigorous tests for temperature impact, salt spray, vibration, dissipation, and waterproofing, ensuring stable and reliable operation in various environments.

For more details and updates, please visit the official website of Hikvision Commercial Displays.

Source: Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd.

PR Newswire

Moomoo Launches Moomoo Desktop Version

Leave a comment

JERSEY CITY, N.J., Oct. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The investment and trading platform moomoo has recently launched its redeisgned desktop to better serve U.S. retail investors and help unlock their trading potential.

The newly developed, client-driven platform offers customizable multi-monitor layouts with advanced features tailored for investors, including powerful charting and analytical tools. It also enables seamless symbol syncing across tabs and streamlined order placement. With built-in market insights and educational resources, the platform empowers investors to make informed decisions. Moomoo will relaunch its web version later in 2024.

Since its U.S. launch in 2018, moomoo has been bridging the gap between institutional and retail investors by offering a reliable, user-friendly trading platform designed for investors of all experience levels. With access to Level 2 data for its brokerage customers and zero-commission trading for stocks, ETFs, and equity options, moomoo helps empower both novice and seasoned investors to navigate the markets with greater confidence.

“We believe our next-gen workspace is built for the future of trading, offering pro-level tools without the pro-level pricing. At moomoo, we’ve always leveraged technological innovation to continuously evolve our platforms across various formats, ensuring we meet the unique needs of our customers,” said Neil McDonald, CEO, Moomoo US.

Nowadays, users can download the moomoo desktop version here to experience the new platform and unlock their full trading potential. 

About moomoo

Moomoo is an investment and trading platform that empowers global investors with pro-grade, easy-to-use tools, data, and insights. It provides users with the necessary information and technology to make more informed investment decisions. Investors have access to advanced charting tools, technical analytics, and in-depth data. Moomoo grows with its users, cultivating a community where investors share, learn, and grow together in one place. Moomoo provides free access to investment courses, educational materials, and interactive events that any investor, at any level, can gain from. Users can join forum discussions, trending topics, and seminars to better their investment knowledge and insights.

The moomoo app is offered by Moomoo Technologies Inc. (“MTI”) a company that is based in Jersey City, New Jersey. The app is used globally in countries including the U.S., Singapore, Australia, Japan, Malaysia and Canada. MTI is not a broker-dealer and does not provide investment advice or recommendations. In the U.S., securities products and services are offered by Moomoo Financial Inc. (“MFI”), an SEC-registered broker-dealer and member FINRA/SIPC. MTI and MFI are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Futu Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: FUTU).

For more information, please visit moomoo’s official website at www.moomoo.com/us or feel free to email: pr@us.moomoo.com.

*Investing is risky.  *Level 2 data is free for Moomoo Financial Inc. accounts with a minimum 30-day average account value of $100+. Other conditions apply, to learn more, visit moomoo.com/us/support/topic3_435.

*U.S. residents trading in U.S. securities may trade commission-free using the moomoo app through Moomoo Financial Inc. Other fees may apply. For more info, visit moomoo.com/us/pricing.