MSC MALAYSIA TO BOOST CLOUD ECOSYSTEM FOR SMES

Published: 

Wednesday, October 5, 2011 - 13:30

MSC Malaysia’s Cloud Initiative to accelerate ICT adoption and promote locally made software and services
by: MDeC
Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) today launched the MSC Malaysia Cloud Initiative for SMEs, which is focused on stepping up development of the cloud ecosystem in Malaysia. Aimed at driving the adoption of Cloud based services, the programme will enable the MSC Malaysia Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) to deploy cloud software and services as a utility, while catalyzing demand by local enterprises for Made in Malaysia cloud software and services.
“The potential in terms of the spending on cloud computing services, is expected to surpass USD160 billion worldwide by 2020. In Malaysia, Frost & Sullivan expects the Malaysian Business Application as a Service (BAaaS) market to reach a market size of USD161.4 million by 2017. With the MSC Malaysia Cloud Initiative for SMEs, we are seeking to capitalise on this potential by kick-starting a robust cloud ecosystem locally.
“Key to our success will not only be the creation of a ready marketplace for cloud services but also establishing a framework of standards and incentives to encourage users, particularly Malaysia SMEs, to adopt cloud computing services. Our target by end-2012 is to enable a total of 60 ISVs with an on-boarding programme and stimulus package to develop and promote Malaysian Made cloud applications and services,” said Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, CEO of MDeC.
Under the ISV enablement initiative, MSC Malaysia will collaborate with world-class Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS) partners to firstly identify industry applications that are in demand and secondly to qualify MSC Malaysia ISVs that wish to participate in the initiative.
With the primary objective of lowering the barriers to entry for ISVs to migrate to the cloud, the aptly named Cloud On-Boarding Programme (COP) is being designed in collaboration with leading PaaS partners to cover comprehensive cloud training programmes, trial and proof-of-concept, hands-on to cloud software and tools, and guidance from expert technical consultants. Under the COP, the cost of on-boarding will be shared amongst the PaaS and IaaS partners and MDeC on an equal ratio. In conjunction with the ISVs we will subsidise the cost of infrastructure for the initial period whereby an allocation of RM30,000 (worth of disbursement and other benefits) per vendor has been set aside for ISV development under the INFOTECH cluster.
Under the SaaS Acceleration Programme, qualified ISVs will be entitled to a specially negotiated IaaS/PaaS package and subscription cost covering bandwidth, storage service and/or computer service.
The Programme for SME Adoption will allow local SMEs to adopt and utilize leading solutions by MSC Malaysia Status companies while enjoying incentivized subscription. A total of 1,500 SMEs by end-2012 are expected to benefit from this programme, receiving an allocation of RM1,500 per SME-recipient.
To be eligible for the ISV programmes, ISVs must be an MSC Malaysia status company, be minimum 51% Malaysian owned and be registered with official MDeC IaaS/PaaS partners.
The MSC Malaysia Cloud Initiative ties back to one of the key targets of MSC Malaysia Phase 3, which is the infusion of technology across all economic sectors to drive productivity and innovation by lowering the barrier of entry for ICT companies and SMEs alike.
As of October 2011, the confirmed infrastructure partners of the MSC Malaysia Cloud Initiative are Maxis and Jaring.http://www.mscmalaysia.my/news/msc-malaysia-to-boost-cloud-ecosystem-for-smes

Malaysia ICT Sector Highlighted in MSE 2011

Posted by Administrator on Mar, 30 2011  (Last updated: Mar, 30 2011 11:33:33 PM)
Label: MATRADE, MDeC, PIKOM

Dubai, 29 March 2011: MSC Malaysia's presence within the GCC area is set to be further enhanced by its participation at the Malaysia Services Exhibition (MSE 2011), which will take place from January 17- 20 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The UAE is among the Top 10 countries of export for construction-related professional services firms. The ICT industry in Malaysia estimated to provide 50,000 total jobs and RM5.5bn investments by 2015

Twenty of the top MSC Malaysia-status ICT Services companies ranging from those involved in Software Applications and Services to Outsourcing Solutions and Services, will represent the ICT sector at MSE 2011. The companies are Lead Agency: Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), Collaborators: The National ICT Association of Malaysia (PIKOM) and New Entrepreneur Forum (NEF).

MSE 2011 follows the success of the previous such exhibitions held in Sharjah 2008, Dubai, 2009 and 2010. The exhibition, organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), will bring a range of services from 6 industry clusters, bearing the Malaysian hallmark of excellence, under a single roof.

Market Overview Malaysian IT spending is expected to grow to U$5.2bn in 2011, from US$4.8bn in 2010, when the market stablised following the impact of a difficult economic and political situation. The market should be boosted by ICT-friendly 2011 budget measures and growing interest in cloud computing, but much will depend on confidence in a sustainable economic recovery.

Software Malaysia's addressable software market is expected to growth to US$857mn in 2011, consolidating a recovery in 2010 but businesses remain cautious and focused on ROI. By 2015, we forecast software spending rising healthily to US$1.3bn, with software CAGR for 2011-2015

According to H.E. Dato' Yahaya Abdul Jabar, the Malaysian Ambassador to the UAE, ICT companies participation in MSE 2011 are examples of the comprehensive, credible and cutting edge ICT services we offer to world at competitive costs. MDeC is the lead agency spearheading the MSC Malaysia project. MSC Malaysia is a national initiative spearheaded by the Malaysian Government to promote both the national ICT industry and provide a test-bed for the global ICT industry.

Currently, there are more than 1,900 ICT companies operating within the MSC Malaysia area, ranging from Internet-based business solutions and services providers to software application and services providers. Some of the sectors where Malaysian ICT companies can provide world-class applications include Financial Services Industry (FSI), Telecommunications (Telco) and e-Government services.

He added that MSC Malaysia industry development programs have produced globally competitive ICT companies delivering award winning solutions and world class service. These leading companies have successes in their delivery across continents covering Asia, Europe, US, Africa and the Middle East.

They include N2N Connect, which provides mobile trading technology for the Financial Services Industry in over five continents; Custommedia with their world class software testing solutions and services; Britesoft - providers of most advanced non-coding software development tools and services; Xybase is today's leading Total Airport Management System and services with more than 20 international airport implementations globally, just to name a few.

Business owners and multinational corporations in the region should not miss the opportunity to experience how MSC Malaysia empowers Governments and businesses through one-to-one business meetings and round-table discussions, Dato adedd

Mr. Saifol Bahri Shamlan, Vice President Industry Development, Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), said, "The facility was estimated to provide 50,000 total jobs and RM 5.5bn investments by 2015. He said cloud-based computing services are set to become the next engine of growth and that Malaysia was well placed to be a reference model for solutions engineered for the world. MDeC has taken on the challenge to develop an entire IT industry for Malaysia by re-shaping the corporation's industry development functions into an organisation that performs end-to-end aid in development, growth and commercialisation of numerous players in Malaysia's IT industry."

Ahmad Asri Abdul Hamid, President of Professional Services Development Corporation (PSDC), said: "114 construction related professional services firms from Malaysia export to 63 countries and were involved in 517 completed and ongoing projects. Construction-related firms have the most presence in ASEAN, closely followed by the Middle East and South Asia. The UAE is among the Top 10 countries of export for construction-related professional services firms.

He addes: "Malaysia has placed great emphasis on development of Green Technology services. Malaysian consultancy firms have the experience and expertise in developing green projects, both locally and internationally. They are able to offer their services at competitive cost. He said PSDC was positioned to identify and facilitate involvement of Malaysian consultancy firms in the global market."

Other industry clusters represented at MSE 2011 are: Professional Services, Energy and Power Generation (Engineering, Architect, Interior Design, Urban Planner, Landscaper, Energy and Power Generation), Construction and Related Services, Oil and Gas, Specialised Training & Business Services and Environment Management Services.

MSE Objectives

* Promote services from Malaysia to West Asia and surrounding regions (MENA) - Gain and further enhance the visibility of Malaysian services capabilities and expertise;

* Brand Malaysian services by showcasing Malaysian companies' achievements in the international arena;

* Provide an avenue for Malaysian services providers to network and forge strategic alliances with their potential clients or partners overseas; and

* Provide a platform for international businesses to source the best of Malaysian services for their needshttp://www.outsourcingmalaysia.org.my/industry-news/419-malaysia-ict-sector-highlighted-in-mse-2011.php

ICT project for schools

FIFTY-NINE primary schools and 57 secondary schools in Perak have been selected to take part in an information and communications technology (ICT) programme to improve academic achievement in Science and Mathematics subjects.

The programme was launched by state Education, Higher Education, Science and Technology Committee chairman Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

KPerak Inc Corporation has been formed to realise the ICT programme in the state.

Phase 1 of the ICT project includes KPerak’s sponsorship of over 150,000 books equipped with e-tutor software, eMaz and eScz to all students and teachers in the selected schools.

The supplementary textbooks from Andaman Publications include titles for Year One to Year Six and Form One to Form Five.

Phase two of the project involves holding UPSR, PMR and SPM workshops for students preparing for the examinations this year. The workshops, to be held across Perak, will be conducted by Andaman Publication academicians this month.

Heading the workshops is The Star columnist for Additional Mathematics and Physics Sunny Yee.

Dr Zambry hoped that the ICT project would expose students in the selected schools to use computers and internet technology.

The Perak Government has allocated RM100mil to enhance ICT development over five years.

ICT, the New Media (Internet) and Development: Malaysian Experience

ICT, the New Media (Internet) and Development: Malaysian Experience

ICT, the New Media (Internet) and Development:
Malaysian Experience
Ali Salman
ABSTRACT
The mass media in Malaysia has been encouraged to work with the government in mobilizing the
people towards achieving  national  development objectives. Apart from the role that has been
played by the traditional media, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is now the
focus to lead Malaysia in the new era of globalization and knowledge and consequently
development. Development policies are crucial in guiding and laying the foundation on which the
new media (Internet) can operate to bring about or accelerate development.
Keywords: the new media (Internet) and development, ICT policy, benefits of the new media.
Introduction
In Malaysia the role of the traditional media in development has been very prominent. For
example, after the establishment of National News Agency (BERNAMA) in 1968, it became the
bridge between the government and the Press, and in process got a clearer understanding of the
government (Safar, 1998, p.  58). Apart from the Press, the government in Malaysia uses the
electronic media, TV in particular, to bring about national development by championing the
national aspirations (Samsudin, 1998, p. 82).
The Internet or the new media is the world's largest interconnected environment. It is the
most recent communication tool of the world where a user can transcend borders and have access
to the encyclopedias, newspapers, bulletin boards, video arcades, hypermalls, broadcast stations,
the movies, grapevine, travel agency, and mail order - all at one stop, in a global village (Rahmah
Hashim, 2001, p. 72). With the advent of the New Media (Internet), the government is faced with
the challenge of  how  it  can be used to enhance  national development. The new media allows
interactivity coupled with the fact that it is difficult to be controlled and monitored as compared
to the traditional or conventional mass media. The new media and ICT in general are seen  as a
means to speed up and accelerate development if applied properly.
The Malaysian Government has realized this potential of the new media and ICT and is
thus doing everything possible to maximize the use and reap the benefits. Government policy is
very important to help utilize the ICT innovation to bring about development. Because of the
Internet, it is easy to order any merchandise from the other side of the planet. However, the new
media is seen with suspicion and distrust by some of the adopters. The Internet in particular has
been blamed by some sectors of the society for promoting immorality. It must be noted that
despite what people see as shortcomings of the new media, there are still benefits that can be
derived from it. The Internet is seen as the most dynamic mass media in this century. Its
interactive nature has attracted people from all walks of life. Unlike its predecessors like the TV
and radio, the Internet is also a storehouse of knowledge providing access to huge pile of
information.