OnePlus has officially unveiled its latest offerings for the mid-range market, the OnePlus Nord 5 and the OnePlus Nord CE 5. Continuing the Nord series’ tradition of balancing performance with value, this new lineup introduces significant upgrades in processing power, camera capabilities, and display technology. The Nord 5 is positioned as the more powerful, “flagship-killer” option, while the Nord CE 5 (Core Edition) offers a more streamlined experience at an even more accessible price point.
OnePlus Nord 5: The All-Rounder
The OnePlus Nord 5 is designed to be a true powerhouse, borrowing several features from its more expensive flagship siblings. It is built around the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, which provides a significant boost in both CPU and GPU performance, making it highly capable for demanding games and smooth multitasking.
The visual experience is a major highlight, centered around a large 6.83-inch Swift AMOLED display. This screen boasts a sharp 1272 x 2800 pixel resolution and a fluid 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring that everything from scrolling through social media to gaming feels incredibly smooth. The display is also impressively bright, with a peak brightness of 1,800 nits, and it incorporates 3840Hz PWM dimming to reduce eye strain in low-light conditions. For durability, the screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i.
Photography has received a notable upgrade. The main camera is a 50MP Sony LYT-700 sensor with Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS), a feature that helps reduce blur from shaky hands to produce clearer, sharper photos, especially in low light. An 8MP ultrawide camera complements this for capturing expansive scenes. Up front is a 50MP sensor for selfies
Keeping the device running all day is a large 7,300mAh battery, which now supports incredibly fast 80W SUPERVOOC charging. The phone also features OnePlus’s Plus Key and an IP54 rating for splash resistance.
OnePlus Nord CE 5: The Core Essentials
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 is crafted to deliver the core OnePlus experience in a more affordable package. It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex chipset, a highly capable processor that ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks and casual gaming.
It features a 6.77-inch AMOLED display with a 1080 x 2392 pixel resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. While not as bright as the Nord 5, it is still a vibrant and responsive screen.
The camera system on the Nord CE 5 is also impressive for its class. It is headlined by a 50MP Sony LYT-600 main sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), ensuring sharp and stable shots. This is paired with an 8MP ultrawide camera and a 16MP selfie camera.
The Nord CE 5 is equipped with a substantial 7,100mAh battery and supports rapid 80W SUPERVOOC charging, matching the charging speed of its more powerful sibling. This is a standout feature in its price segment, ensuring users can get back to a full charge in a very short amount of time. The device omits the alert slider found on the Nord 5.
Pricing & Availability
The new OnePlus Nord 5 series is now available for pre-order in Malaysia, with general availability to follow.
The OnePlus Nord 5 is available in a single configuration with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, priced at RM2,299. It comes in three colour options: Marble Sands, Dry Ice and Phantom Grey.
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 is offered with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage and is priced at RM1,499. The Nord CE 5 is available in Black Infinity and a vibrant Marble Mist colourway.
The wait is over! Samsung Malaysia has officially commenced the pre-order period for its latest generation of foldable smartphones: the Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy Z Flip7, and the all-new Galaxy Z Flip7 FE. Starting from today, July 9, until July 31, 2025, those looking to get their hands on these new devices can take advantage of a host of exciting pre-order promotions, including storage upgrades and valuable rebates.
The new lineup continues to push the boundaries of what foldable phones can do, integrating powerful AI capabilities, more durable designs, and enhanced performance across the board.
Source: Samsung Malaysia
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 is designed for power users and multitaskers, featuring a massive 8.0-inch main display that provides a tablet-like experience. It’s powered by the new Snapdragon® 8 Elite for Galaxy processor and boasts a pro-grade triple camera system headlined by a 200MP wide-angle lens. With configurations offering up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, it’s a true productivity powerhouse.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 redefines the flip phone experience with a new, larger 4.1-inch edge-to-edge FlexWindow that allows for more functionality without opening the device. It’s Samsung’s thinnest Flip yet and features the largest battery in the series at 4,300mAh. Its 50MP main camera and AI-enhanced features like Gemini Live on the cover screen make it a compact and intelligent companion.
Making its debut this year is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE, which aims to bring the foldable experience to more people. It features a 6.7-inch main display, a capable 50MP FlexCam, and a durable Armor Aluminum frame, offering the core benefits of a flip phone at a more accessible price point.
Exciting Pre-Order Promotions
For the pre-order period, which runs from July 9th to 31st, 2025, Samsung is offering a range of promotions worth up to RM1,390. One of the main highlights is a double storage upgrade worth up to RM600. This means customers who pre-order a 256GB model can get the 512GB version for the same price, a fantastic deal for those who need more space for photos, videos, and apps.
Customers who have completed their registration of interest and purchased their Samsung Reservation+ voucher are also able to redeem up to RM390 in e-vouchers.
Additionally, there is a special offer for CIMB Bank cardholders. Those who use their CIMB credit or debit cards can receive an e-voucher of up to RM400 to purchase their next Galaxy devices. This promotion can be redeemed both online and at authorised Samsung retailers. For those who prefer to pay in instalments, the new Galaxy Z series can also be pre-ordered with a 0% interest instalment plan of up to 36 months at participating banks.
The pre-order prices for the new Galaxy Z series start from RM3,999. The Galaxy Z Fold7 starts at RM7,799, the Galaxy Z Flip7 starts at RM4,999, and the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE starts at RM3,999. You can pre-order these new devices at Samsung’s official website and at authorised retailers nationwide.
Samsung has officially taken the wraps off its latest clamshell foldables, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 and, for the first time, a more accessible Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE. Unveiled on July 9, 2025, the new lineup redefines the flip phone experience by integrating powerful AI capabilities directly into a larger, more functional cover screen, all packed into an iconic and now even slimmer design. The Galaxy Z Flip7 is positioned as a pocket-sized AI powerhouse, while the Z Flip7 FE aims to bring the foldable experience to a wider audience.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7: A Pocket-Sized AI Powerhouse
The Galaxy Z Flip7 is a significant evolution of Samsung’s popular flip phone, with major upgrades to its display, performance, and intelligence.
The most immediate and impactful upgrade is the new 4.1-inch Super AMOLED FlexWindow. This cover screen is now larger, stretching from edge-to-edge, and more capable than ever. It boasts a super-smooth 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2,600 nits, making it vivid, fluid, and easy to see even in bright sunlight2. This enhanced FlexWindow is designed for seamless interaction, allowing you to type out quick messages, check your schedule, and get help from AI without even opening the phone.
When you do flip it open, you’re greeted by a stunning 6.9-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display, which also features a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for an ultra-smooth, immersive experience.
In terms of design, the Galaxy Z Flip7 is the thinnest Galaxy Z Flip yet, measuring only 13.7mm when folded and weighing a light 188 grams. It’s built for durability with a robust Armour Aluminium Frame, a restructured Armour FlexHinge, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protecting the cover and back. It also comes with an IP48 water resistance rating.
Under the hood, the Z Flip7 is powered by the latest 3nm Exynos 2500 processor, customized for Galaxy to handle today’s demanding lifestyle with a more powerful CPU, GPU, and NPU. This is paired with 12GB of memory and storage options of 256GB or 512GB. The battery has also seen a significant upgrade to 4,300mAh, the largest ever in a Z Flip, delivering up to 31 hours of video playback on a single charge. For the first time, the Z Flip7 also supports Samsung DeX, allowing it to transform into a handy workstation by connecting to an external screen.
The camera system has been given a flagship-level upgrade. The dual rear camera system includes a 50MP Wide-angle camera and a 12MP Ultra-Wide lens, delivering crisp, detailed shots in any lighting. With Enhanced Nightography, low-light photos are more vivid, with less noise and blur. The camera system is enhanced by Samsung’s advanced ProVisual Engine, which intelligently optimises every scene. You can take high-quality selfies directly from the FlexWindow, now with a new Zoom Slider for quickly zooming in and out.
The AI experience is at the forefront of the Z Flip7. Running on One UI 8 and Android 16, it brings multimodal AI capabilities to the FlexWindow.
Gemini Live is now available directly on the cover screen, allowing you to search for information and complete tasks with your voice, hands-free16. You can even use the camera with Gemini Live to get real-time help on things like choosing an outfit17.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE: The Foldable Experience for More People
For the first time, Samsung is introducing a Fan Edition of its flip phone, the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE. This device is designed to bring the core foldable experience to more users at a more accessible price point.
The Z Flip7 FE features a large 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Main Display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, providing an immersive viewing experience when unfolded1818. The cover screen is a capable 3.4-inch Super AMOLED display, which still allows for quick access to notifications and widgets. The device is powered by the Exynos 2400 processor and comes with 8GB of memory and storage options of 128GB or 256GB2020.
It shares the same powerful 50MP Wide-angle and 12MP Ultra-Wide rear camera system as the main Z Flip7, allowing for high-quality selfies and videos in Flex Mode without even opening the device. The Z Flip7 FE is powered by a 4,000mAh battery and also supports 25W fast charging. It maintains a durable build with an Armour Aluminium frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, as well as an IP48 water resistance rating. It will be available in classic Black and White colour options.
Pricing & Availability
The new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 and Galaxy Z Flip7 FE will be available for pre-order in Malaysia starting from July 9, 2025, at 10 PM, through to July 31, 2025. General availability for the devices will begin on August 1, 2025.
The Galaxy Z Flip7 comes in Jetblack, Blue Shadow, and Coral-red, with an online exclusive Mint colour available on Samsung.com.
The 12GB+256GB model is priced at RM4,999.
The 12GB+512GB model is priced at RM5,599.
The Galaxy Z Flip7 FE is available in Black and White29292929.
Samsung has officially unveiled its latest lineup of smartwatches, the Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Watch8 Classic. This new series establishes a new iconic design identity across the entire Galaxy Watch lineup, focusing on a thinner, more comfortable form factor for continuous health tracking. The Galaxy Watch8 series merges purposeful design with advanced sensor technology and an intuitive, AI-powered experience to deliver personalised wellness insights and motivate users on their health journey.
Redesigned for Ultimate Comfort and Performance
The most significant change in the new series is the design. Both the Galaxy Watch8 and Watch8 Classic now adopt the distinctive cushion design that debuted with the Galaxy Watch Ultra, creating a unified look across the lineup. To achieve what Samsung claims is the thinnest Galaxy Watch ever, the internal structure was completely re-engineered, improving component mounting capability by 30% and resulting in an 11% thinner design.
This sleeker profile is complemented by the Dynamic Lug system, which allows the watch strap to move more naturally with the wrist, providing greater comfort and improved stability for more accurate health tracking.
Performance has also seen a major upgrade. The displays are now 50% brighter, reaching a peak brightness of 3,000 nits for excellent visibility even under direct sunlight. Powering the series is the new Exynos W1000, a 5-core, 3nm processor that promises faster performance and greater power efficiency. This is paired with 2GB of memory, and storage has been bumped up to 32GB for the Watch8 and a generous 64GB for the Watch8 Classic. For outdoor enthusiasts, the inclusion of L1+L5 dual-frequency GPS will provide more detailed and precise location tracking.
A Deeper, More Personalized Look at Your Health
The Galaxy Watch8 series is packed with new and advanced health features, all powered by the upgraded Samsung BioActive Sensor. This sensor combines an Optical Bio-signal Sensor, an Electrical Heart Signal, and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis to provide a holistic view of your health.
Samsung is placing a strong emphasis on sleep, which it calls a “window into your overall health”. The new Bedtime Guidance feature measures your circadian rhythm to suggest the optimal time to go to bed so you can wake up feeling refreshed. During sleep, the new Vascular Load feature monitors the stress levels on your vascular system, providing insights based on factors like sleep, stress, and activity to help you manage your health more comprehensively.
For the first time in a smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch8 series introduces an Antioxidant Index, which enables you to measure your carotenoid levels in just five seconds, helping you make more informed lifestyle choices for healthy aging.
For fitness enthusiasts, the new Running Coach calculates your fitness level from 1 to 10 and develops a tailored training plan complete with real-time guidance and motivational insights. The updated Together feature now supports running, allowing you to gamify your fitness journey by challenging friends and family. To help with mental well-being, a High Stress Alert will signal when it’s time to take a break, while the Mindfulness Tracker lets you record your mood and receive guidance on breathing exercises. The AI-powered Energy Score gives you a snapshot of your energy level by combining physical and mental metrics, helping you plan your day more effectively.
A Smarter Watch Experience with AI and Wear OS 6
Developed in close collaboration with Google, the Galaxy Watch8 series is the first to launch with Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, and is powered by the new Wear OS 6. This allows you to go hands-free using natural voice commands to get things done on the go. You can ask Gemini to find a nearby cafe and text a friend to meet you there, or simply say, “Start a 30-minute run,” and the watch will seamlessly initiate the workout in Samsung Health.
The new One UI 8 Watch interface is optimised for the watch face, with new Multi-Info Tiles providing easy access to health metrics, weather, events, and more in a single glance.
Galaxy Watch8 vs. Galaxy Watch8 Classic
While sharing the same core technology, the two models are tailored to different styles.
The Galaxy Watch8 features a sleek and minimalist design, perfect for everyday wellness. It is available in two sizes: a 44mm model with a 1.47-inch Super AMOLED display and a 40mm model with a 1.34-inch Super AMOLED display. Both sizes come in Graphite and Silver color options.
The Galaxy Watch8 Classic brings timeless sophistication to the wrist, distinguished by its fan-favorite physical rotating bezel for intuitive navigation. The Classic model comes in a larger 46mm size with a 1.34-inch Super AMOLED display and is available in Black and White.
Both models are highly durable, with Sapphire Crystal protecting the display, and a 5ATM + IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, as well as MIL-STD-810H durability.
Pricing & Availability
The new Samsung Galaxy Watch8 series is available for pre-order in Malaysia starting today, July 9, 2025, with general availability beginning on July 25th.
Galaxy Watch8 (44mm)
WiFi: RM1,399 (Available in Graphite, Silver)
WiFi + LTE: RM1,699 (Available in Graphite, Silver)
Galaxy Watch8 (40mm)
WiFi: RM1,299 (Available in Graphite, Silver)
WiFi + LTE: RM1,599 (Available in Graphite, Silver)
Samsung has officially unveiled its latest large-screen foldable, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7. As the newest entry in its pioneering foldable lineup, the Z Fold7 is designed for those who demand a premium, tablet-like experience that can still fold down to a conventional smartphone size. This new model focuses on delivering an expansive and immersive display, a powerful pro-grade camera system, and top-tier performance for ultimate productivity and entertainment.
An Expansive Canvas for Work and Play
The main attraction of the Galaxy Z Fold7 remains its stunning, large inner display. When unfolded, it reveals a massive 8.0-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen, providing a vast, tablet-like canvas for multitasking, watching videos, or gaming. This main display features a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, which allows it to smoothly adjust its refresh rate from as low as 1Hz up to 120Hz, ensuring fluid scrolling and animations while also optimizing battery life.
When folded, the device is still a fully functional smartphone thanks to its 6.5-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Cover Screen. This outer display also boasts a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, so the experience remains smooth and responsive whether the device is open or closed.
An Ultra Camera System
The Galaxy Z Fold7 is equipped with a versatile and powerful rear triple-camera system designed to capture stunning photos in any situation. The system is headlined by a 200MP Wide-angle Camera with Quad Pixel AF and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), capable of capturing incredibly detailed and sharp images. This is complemented by a 12MP Ultra-Wide Camera for capturing expansive landscapes and group shots, and a 10MP Telephoto Camera with OIS and 3x optical zoom, allowing you to get closer to the action without losing quality. The device also supports up to 30X Space Zoom, which combines the 3x optical zoom with 10x digital zoom and AI Super Resolution technology.
For selfies and video calls, there is a 10MP Selfie Camera on the cover screen and another 10MP Main Camera on the front of the main display when unfolded.
Flagship Performance and Design
Powering the Galaxy Z Fold7 is the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, a custom-tuned chipset designed to deliver top-tier performance for demanding apps and games. The device comes in multiple memory and storage configurations, including options for 12GB of RAM with 256GB or 512GB of internal storage, and a high-end option with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of internal storage.
The device is powered by a 4,400mAh dual battery and supports 25W fast wired charging, which can charge the battery up to 50% in around 30 minutes. It also supports Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 and Wireless PowerShare, allowing you to charge other compatible devices.
In terms of design, the Z Fold7 features a durable Advanced Armor Aluminum frame. The back is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, while the cover screen uses the even tougher Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2. The device also has an IP48 water resistance rating, providing protection against submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Despite its large screens and robust build, the Z Fold7 has been slimmed down, measuring just 8.9mm thick when folded and weighing 215g.
The Galaxy Z Fold7 runs on the latest Android 16 with Samsung’s One UI 8, and for the first time on a Z Flip model, it also supports Samsung DeX, allowing it to be connected to an external screen for a PC-like desktop experience.
Pricing & Availability
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 will be available for pre-order in Malaysia starting from July 9, 2025, at 10 PM, through to July 31, 2025, with general availability beginning on August 1, 2025.
The Galaxy Z Fold7 will be available in several configurations and colours. The 12GB+256GB model is priced at RM7,799, while the 12GB+512GB model is priced at RM8,399. Both of these storage options are available in Silver Shadow, Blue Shadow, and Jetblack. A Samsung.com online exclusive colour, Mint, will also be available for these configurations. For power users, a high-end 16GB+1TB model will be available in Blue Shadow and Jetblack for RM9,899.
This article is written from an interview with Arturo Buzzalino, Group Vice President & Chief Innovation Officer at Epicor
The manufacturing landscape in ASEAN is undergoing a seismic shift, propelled by the relentless march of digital transformation and the burgeoning power of Artificial Intelligence. It’s no longer enough to simply adopt new tech; businesses, especially the often-traditional manufacturing sector, must become truly agile, embracing cloud solutions as the bedrock for AI, all while navigating the treacherous waters of cybersecurity and data sovereignty. As we look ahead, particularly in dynamic markets like Malaysia and Singapore, the companies that successfully harness this digital tsunami, securing their valuable data every step of the way, are the ones poised for unprecedented growth.
Photo by Kateryna Babaieva: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-welding-round-window-frame-2965260/
The Cloud: The Indispensable Foundation for AI Agility
For years, the move from on-premise to cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems has been a critical journey for manufacturers. It’s a transition that’s far from over. Yet, this ongoing shift serves as a potent parallel to the current AI revolution. Just as the cloud unlocked new efficiencies and scalability for ERP, it is now the essential launchpad for AI, particularly for sophisticated tools like large language models (LLMs).
Without the robust compute power and inherent flexibility of the cloud, fully leveraging generative AI simply isn’t feasible. This isn’t merely about hosting software; it’s about fundamentally changing how an organisation operates. Cloud adoption forces businesses to digitise processes, preparing them for the rapid pace of change that AI introduces. Legacy systems, stable for decades, might feel comfortable, but they are increasingly becoming anchors in a fast-moving sea. The future demands an environment where updates can be deployed multiple times a day, not just weekly or monthly, a pace only truly achievable in the cloud. Epicor, for instance, has seen this firsthand, embracing this accelerated rhythm to drive continuous innovation.
The agility fostered by cloud adoption is critical. In a world where new technological breakthroughs are emerging weekly, sometimes daily, businesses need to be able to pivot and integrate quickly.
Source: Epicor
” You really have to get your organization used to running at that pace. At Epicor, we’re already operating with this mindset, continuously adapting and evolving to meet the demands of this faster environment. The reality is, in ten years, the companies that master this will be the ones that truly thrive. “
Arturo Buzzalino, Group Vice President & Chief Innovation Officer at Epicor
This isn’t just about software; it’s about embedding a culture of constant adaptation within the organisation itself.
Embracing AI: From Mundane to Meaningful
The conversation around AI often spirals into fear – the fear of job displacement, of the unknown. But as we’ve discussed, the strategic application of AI, particularly generative AI and LLMs, is less about replacement and more about empowerment. It’s about freeing the human workforce from the tedious, repetitive tasks that consume valuable time and energy, allowing them to focus on what humans do best: creativity, strategy, and innovation.
Source: Epicor
“I really do think that AI is gonna change the job market. It’s not gonna replace it. It’ll be different.”
Arturo Buzzalino, Group Vice President & Chief Innovation Officer at Epicor
Consider a manufacturing scenario: manually tracking hundreds of suppliers, optimising a supply chain with a handful of people, or wading through endless spreadsheets. These are all “time syncs”. AI, specifically conversational AI, can completely flip this on its head. Imagine an AI having real-time conversations with 500 suppliers simultaneously, bringing that aggregated data back to a human to manage from a dashboard. This transforms a manual burden into an oversight function, leading to a “100x gain in innovation”.
Epicor’s “Prism” product exemplifies this shift. Launched earlier this year, Prism embeds generative AI directly within the ERP, making it conversational for the first time. This means users can simply ask questions of their data and receive answers, eliminating the need to navigate complex user interfaces. Initially focused on “reading” data, the next phase will see AI taking action – automatically integrating reports, managing supplier communications, or triggering system responses without human intervention. This capability truly accelerates the speed of innovation for businesses.
The key, however, lies in Epicor’s “problem-first” approach. Instead of simply “bringing AI to manufacturing,” the focus is on identifying specific manufacturing challenges and then seeing how AI can help solve them. This pragmatic view addresses the “fear of the unknown” by demonstrating tangible value.
Source: Epicor
“When we show these capabilities to people, to manufacturers, not just manufacturers, but the workers inside of of a manufacturing plant, That’s when things get interesting because it’s like,“oh, now I can have a conversation with the system? Oh, wow. Like, I can I don’t have to, like, learn this whole UI?”
Arturo Buzzalino, Group Vice President & Chief Innovation Officer at Epicor
When workers see that AI can free them from mundane tasks, allowing them to engage in more strategic and fulfilling work, it becomes a source of excitement, not fear.
The Imperative of Digital Hygiene: Preparing for AI
Before embracing the full potential of AI, organisations must acknowledge a fundamental prerequisite: robust digital hygiene. An ERP implementation, in particular, acts as an involuntary health check for a company’s data and operations. It forces businesses to confront data gaps and discrepancies, ensuring that their digital reflections align with their physical operations. This process, while challenging, is incredibly healthy and prepares an organisation for effectively intaking that AI.
Epicor’s Grow Data Platform is designed precisely for this purpose. It helps businesses manage diverse data pipelines, integrate information from various systems, and maintain data integrity over time. Without this foundational discipline, AI implementations risk being built on shaky ground, leading to unreliable insights and actions.
Securing the Future: Cybersecurity and Data Sovereignty
As AI becomes deeply embedded in core business operations, the stakes for cybersecurity and data sovereignty have never been higher. The biggest risk, especially with open large language models, is the potential for “large language modeling injection” – essentially, tricking the AI into exposing sensitive data.
Epicor’s strategy to combat this is crucial. Their “Prism” product operates within an “enterprise airlocked system”. This means the LLM runs within that cloud instance and does not use client data to train its general model. The model doesn’t need to know the specific details of your data; it simply needs to understand its “data ontology” – what a column represents (e.g., customer, item). This approach, known as “retrieval augmented generation” (RAG), allows the AI to navigate and retrieve answers from your data without ever exposing it for training purposes.
Source: Epicor
“What we do actually is we we set up… an enterprise airlocked system where the model is running, but it’s running there, right, in in that cloud instance. It’s not, you know, running off and, training on your data.”
Arturo Buzzalino, Group Vice President & Chief Innovation Officer at Epicor
Furthermore, within Prism’s orchestrator, Epicor builds in “safety mechanisms” to block queries that might inadvertently expose Personally Identifiable Information (PII). This continuous vigilance is essential in a market where new vulnerabilities emerge weekly.
While the default is siloed and protected data for each client , there’s also the potential for anonymised, opt-in insights across communities. Imagine knowing your pricing stands compared to the industry average. However, this is approached with extreme caution and in close collaboration with customers. The core principle remains clear: data protection is paramount.
ASEAN’s Digital Dawn
For Malaysia, Singapore, and the broader ASEAN region, the outlook for manufacturing digitisation is incredibly promising. Geopolitical shifts are leading to a diversification of manufacturing hubs, with Southeast Asia becoming an increasingly attractive destination. The companies here that are already embracing digitisation, operating in the cloud, and demonstrating agility are perfectly positioned to seize these opportunities. The transformation of cities like Kuala Lumpur serves as a powerful metaphor: if half of that innovation and foresight can be applied to the manufacturing sector, the potential for success is immense. The future belongs to those who are not afraid to ride this digital wave, who understand that technology is a tool for empowerment, and who prioritise the security and integrity of their data at every turn. The convergence of cloud, AI, and robust cybersecurity isn’t just a trend; it’s the blueprint for enduring success in the evolving landscape of global manufacturing.
This article is written from an interview with Arturo Buzzalino, Group Vice President & Chief Innovation Officer at Epicor
Arturo Buzzalino Group Vice President & Chief Innovation Officer Epicor
Arturo is Group Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at Epicor, a leading ERP software company, is a visionary leader with a rich background in data science and artificial intelligence (AI). With a decade of experience at SAP Labs, he was instrumental in incubating cloud and Data as a Service (DaaS) products, including the launch of SAP’s inaugural DaaS product.
