Hitachi Social Innovation Forum 2017 to focus on IoT, collaborative creative solutions

• The HSIF aims to amplify awareness of Hitachi’s social innovation business
• Hitachi targets to increase overseas revenue ratio to over 55%

HITACHI Ltd and Hitachi Asia Ltd hosted the second Hitachi Social Innovation Forum 2017 Kuala Lumpur on Nov 30 at Shangri-La Hotel.

The Hitachi Social Innovation Forum (HSIF) showcased a broad suite of solutions aimed at enhancing aspects of everyday activities from security, transportation and healthcare to little practicalities at home, to result in overall efficient comfort and convenience for users.

The solutions were demonstrated at the one-day event that was centred on the Internet of Things (IoT), digitalisation and collaborative creative solutions.

With Frost & Sullivan estimating that the IoT market in Southeast Asia will grow and reach US$7.53 billion in 2020, the organising of the forum is timely.

Hitachi Asia (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd managing director Chew Huat Seng (pic) said: “The Southeast Asian region has been identified as a fast-growing area in IoT adoption and smart city projects.

“Countries, including Malaysia, have introduced their own blueprint for IoT and the proliferation of IoT is expected to pick up pace especially in key sectors such as public infrastructure and services, manufacturing, automotive, transportation, and agriculture.

“We are confident Hitachi can contribute our knowledge, experience and expertise towards the aspirations of Malaysia, particularly in smart manufacturing and fintech.”

Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation chief operating officer Ng Wan Peng graced the event as guest-of-honour on behalf of Deputy Minister, Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia Jailani Johari.

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of Japan-Malaysia diplomatic ties, Hiroyuki Orikasa, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia, delivered a guest speech at the event.

Commemorating the diamond jubilee of positive ties between the two Asian countries, Hitachi’s most meaningful contribution to the people of Malaysia is a continued endeavour to support the sustainable growth and urban development of the country, that will carry Malaysia forward for years to come.

Hitachi has designed the forum to share specifically on IoT, big data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) with highlights on its experiences in both Operational Technology (OT) and IT fields towards collaborative co-creation with customers worldwide, as well as smart manufacturing and fintech.

Attendees were treated to presentations, exhibitions and a panel discussion that explored the latest trends and strategies to create new value in the smart manufacturing segment.

In the fintech area, guests expanded their understanding of a suite of solutions exemplified by Japan.

Video analytics as a means to enable stronger security, better business insights, optimisation and control was also discussed.

The HSIF is Hitachi’s global flagship event, aimed at amplifying awareness of its social innovation business across the region.

Under the 2018 Mid-term Management Plan, Hitachi targets to increase overseas revenue ratio to over 55%. Malaysia will play a pivotal role in helping Hitachi achieve this target through its focus on IoT solutions.