16 Oct 2020

TM R&D Celebrates double win at the global TM Forum Excellence Awards 2020

TM R&D Celebrates double win at the global TM Forum Excellence Awards 2020 Article Header
TM
R&D

In-house solutions SWIMS and IDEAS+ received global recognition for the Beyond Connectivity and A.I, Data & Analytics categories respectively

​​​Telekom Research & Development Sdn Bhd (TM R&D), the innovation arm of Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), added another feather to its cap when they recently bagged not one, but two (2) awards at the prestigious TM Forum Excellence Awards 2020. ​

The awards were conferred to TM R&D for its innovative solutions namely Smart Water Integrated Management System (SWIMS) under the Beyond Connectivity and Artificial Intelligence (A.I) category, while its Intelligent Network Diagnostic & Expert Advisory System for Service Desk (IDEAS+) solution received the recognition under Data & Analytics category.

Since 2007, TM Forum Excellence Awards recognises the world's leading companies for their innovative achievements spanning digital transformation, business and IT agility, customer centricity, cultural transformation, cross-industry partnering and collaboration, and product and service innovation in AI, data analytics, autonomous networks and cloud native IT. All entries were assessed by a global panel of judges based on the extensive materials submitted. Each year, the judging panels are carefully selected from varied global organisations to ensure a balanced approach and a wholly impartial view.

Commenting on the double wins, Dr. Sharlene Thiagarajah, Chief Executive Officer, TM R&D said, "This is certainly a welcomed surprise and a proud moment for us at TM R&D. We are excited that two of our very own internally-developed smart solutions, deployed in collaboration with Air Selangor and Group Customer Experience at TM have been recognised by global industry experts such as TM Forum. Both solutions are now commercially available domestically and to the global market. We believe TM R&D is on the right track to support TM's Digital Malaysia aspirations and simultaneously accelerate Malaysia to become a digital nation."

SWIMS is an Internet of Water (IoW) solution, essentially doing for water what Internet of Things (IoT) does for various other industries and verticals. These include electric utilities, transportation, smart cities and factory automation, to enable in-depth, new insights into the operations and the right tools to act on those insights.

"SWIMS offers end-to-end smart water management that improves non-revenue water management. It optimises the repair and replacement of ageing water infrastructure as well as improves response to weather events such as water level and quality. Based on feedback we received from Air Selangor, with SWIMS, water usage visibility improved by 3,000% and meter reading accuracy improved 10-15% through automation," shared Dr. Sharlene.

The TM Forum Excellence Awards also recognises another solution from TM R&D, IDEAS+ which is a one-stop advisory platform deployed at TM's contact centre. Using machine-learning algorithm, IDEAS+ assists the call centre agents to efficiently troubleshoot and resolve various customer issues. The objectives of the project were to reduce Average Handling Time (AHT) at the contact centre when entertaining customer calls, reduce repeated truck roll, increase the accuracy of troubleshooting and escalation as well as to achieve cost-saving. IDEAS+ is an intelligent diagnostic and advisory system for TM contact centre agents to provide predictive guideline as well as troubleshooting steps with more than 95% accuracy.

Established in 2001, TM R&D is the centre of innovation for TM Group focusing on innovations that enriches humanity and bring progress to nations. Growing from strength to strength since 2016, TM R&D has won 15 globally recognised awards and generated more than 2,800 Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and 1,400 digital assets to-date. TM R&D's innovations all developed in-house cut across multiple verticals such as Utilities, Retail, Agriculture, Healthcare and Education with safety and productivity as the top priority. As TM R&D continues to expand beyond connectivity and into smarter digital ecosystems, its role in TM has become more prominent and exciting.

For more information about TM R&D and its products and services, they can be contacted at business@tmrnd.com.my or log on to www.tmrnd.com.my or follow them on LinkedIn (TM Research & Development) for more news and updates.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

23 Nov 2023
TM Delivers Strong Performance Amidst Challenging Market Conditions in 3Q 2023

3Q 2023 Key Highlights (vs 3Q 2022) ·         Operating Revenue declined 2.6% to RM3.08 billion, due to market challenges ·         PATAMI grew 102.9% from RM265.2 million to RM538.2 million ·         CAPEX investment stood at 15.1% of revenue or RM1.38 billion, mainly for network infrastructure expansion   KUALA LUMPUR, 23 November 2023 – Telekom Malaysia Berhad (“TM” or “the Group”) demonstrates resilience in the face of challenging market dynamics, delivering stronger financial performance in the third quarter ended 30 September 2023 (3Q 2023), compared to the corresponding period last year. This steadfast momentum solidifies TM’s position in the local and global telecommunications landscape. The Group’s Profit After Tax and Non-Controlling Interest (PATAMI) experienced a surge of 102.9% from RM265.2 million to RM538.2 million, against a revenue of RM3.08 billion primarily attributed to a lower tax impact and reduced net finance costs. The strong performance of two of TM’s lines of business, Unifi and TM Global played a pivotal role in this growth. Unifi’s fixed broadband subscription increased 4.6% reaching 3.12 million, while TM Global’s revenue increased due to heightened demand for both domestic and international data services. The Group’s year-to-date (YTD) Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) investment stood at RM1.38 billion or 15.1% of the overall revenue. This strategic allocation of resources is directed towards the nationwide network infrastructure expansion and enhancement of its regional submarine cable system. Reflecting on the 3Q 2023 performance, Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, TM’s Group Chief Executive Officer said, “I am pleased to announce the significant strides we have made amidst intensified competition. Our commitment to advancing quad-play convergence services, coupled with the introduction of attractive and competitive packages, enabled us to retain and expand our customer base, solidifying our portfolio as the true convergence champion. “Our relentless pursuit of improving mobile coverage nationwide aligns with our dedication to inclusivity, bridging the digital divide, and fostering widespread digital adoption. By ensuring our services are accessible to all, we contribute to creating a more connected and inclusive society. “Simultaneously, our aggressive expansion of data and network infrastructure is strategically positioned to meet the growing demands of our domestic market and attract more international players. This is a crucial step towards positioning Malaysia as a digital hub for the region, contributing significantly to the creation of a globally connected digital economy. “TM supports the recently launched New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 and we are well positioned to unlock technological opportunities whilst driving innovation for the nation and key economic sectors. As we continue our journey towards humanising technologies, our commitment extends beyond services to the development and refinement of smart innovative solutions. It is not just about technological advancement and improving business outcomes but also about enhancing lives, bringing positive impact to the environment and society. “In summary, these initiatives underscore our goals to foster digitalisation and emerging technologies. Our comprehensive approach reflects TM’s position as a trailblazer in the ever-evolving landscape, with a clear focus on driving positive change and shaping the future of digital connectivity”, added Amar.   LINES OF BUSINESS PERFORMANCE Unifi Drives Innovation and Maintains Growth Trajectory Unifi recorded 0.7% revenue growth reaching RM1.41 billion, propelled by effective convergence campaigns and robust customer retention activities. As leader of converged offerings, Unifi continues to elevate connectivity at home and on-the-go through the country’s best fibre network, superior 4G coverage and an expanding 5G nationwide footprint. Driven by vibrant content offerings, improved mobile coverage and competitive new packages, Unifi caters to diverse consumer lifestyles and digital experiences for Malaysians. Unifi received the Open Signal 5G Global Awards 2023, recognising it as one of the fastest 5G telcos in the world. Unifi Business serves close to 400,000 MSMEs nationwide and further strengthened its position as a preferred digital partner. Its diverse digital solutions help MSMEs build stronger brand presence and online visibility, enhanced by ultra-speed broadband internet and 5G mobile to empower their business. Looking ahead, Unifi is solidifying its true convergence leadership and powering the MSME digital ecosystem, driving continuous innovation for the nation’s connectivity needs.   TM One Navigates Challenges, Continues to Drive Smart Innovation Despite intense competition, TM One remains a resilient and trusted partner for enterprises and the public sector. Recently, TM One forged a successful collaboration with the Selangor government to launch the Selangor Government Data Exchange (SelGDX) portal, positioning Selangor as the first state in Malaysia to develop a data-sharing platform across its 48 agencies and departments. The portal facilitates secure, fast, and accurate data sharing and processing with enhanced efficiency while fostering transparency and good governance.  In August, CyberSecurity Malaysia recognised TM One for its role in safeguarding the Critical National Information Infrastructure through its Security Operations Centre and Network Operations Centre. The award reinforces TM One's commitment to protecting data and devices across all network environments, contributing significantly to national security and opens the door to new cybersecurity solution opportunities. Moving forward, TM One maintains its focus on managed converged next-gen connectivity, smart services, cloud and cybersecurity while remaining steadfast in providing fit-for-purpose solutions to enable industry digital transformation and economic growth. TM One is well positioned to support the recently launched NIMP 2030, dedicated to enabling innovative solutions for the nation and key sectors, spurring new opportunities and driving continuous innovation.    TM Global Strengthens Malaysia position as the Preferred Digital Hub for ASEAN TM Global reported a 5.0% revenue increase to RM808.6 million from RM769.9 million, driven by encouraging demand for both domestic and international data services. TM Global actively contributed to Malaysia’s digital transformation through continuous deployment of 5G infrastructure, HSBB access and edge facilities nationwide. These facilities set the foundation for industry players to offer new innovative 5G solutions and industry specific use cases. Despite market challenges, TM Global mitigated the risk through strong collaborations with industry players in promoting wholesale broadband solutions to drive internet inclusivity for the nation. TM Global signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SK Telecom for the joint development of Multi-Access Edge Computing and participated in the Asia Link Cable System to enhance submarine cable capacity from Malaysia to Asia, amplifying inbound traffic, laying a solid foundation for the future of Malaysia's digital landscape. Looking ahead, TM Global remains focused on advancing 5G and broadband infrastructure, whilst expanding its submarine cable system and building regional scale in Content Delivery Network. It will further expand its edge and data centre capabilities, positioning Malaysia as the preferred digital hub for ASEAN.   2023 Market Guidance   Revenue Growth Flat EBIT RM1.8bil - RM2.0bil CAPEX/Revenue 18% - 20%     The Group is on track to achieve its 2023 market guidance, reinforcing its commitment to powering a digital future.

30 Nov 2021
unifi introduces five #unificares initiatives as commitment to deliver the unifi promise on customer experience

The initiative is unifi’s commitment to place customer experience as its No. 1 priority With a strengthened commitment to deliver the ultimate customer experience, unifi, Malaysia's leading convergence provider, today introduced five #unificares initiatives to transform its end-to-end customer experience (CX).  As a technology company, unifi understands that customer expectations evolve together with the adoption of technology. This is why unifi aims to transform end-to-end customer experience with a renewed focus that ensures the customers' needs are met -- this is the unifi promise. To deliver on this promise, Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), has invested heavily over the years in both its customer support capabilities and network to deliver the best customer experience possible. The new #unificares initiative is also an expression of the company's commitment towards its loyal client base. unifi has the highest market share in the local Internet Service Provider (ISP) space. Speaking to the media at a virtual briefing from Menara TM today, TM's Chief Marketing Officer, Shanti Jusnita Johari, said #unificares is a testament of the company's continuous efforts to put customers first. "TM and unifi are walking the talk when it comes to customer satisfaction. Our 24-hour service restoration guarantee is the first of its kind in the industry. It is our commitment for unifi customers to continue to get the best broadband experience," said Shanti. She added that unifi's new bold undertaking was in keeping up with users' demands for reliable connectivity, among both the consumers and business segments especially as the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) focus on recovery and growth as well as consumers with continued hybrid working and learning arrangements following the pandemic. A good and reliable broadband access is highly critical in the "new normal". Five revolutionary #unificares initiatives unifi today announced five revolutionary initiatives to raise its game in CX. The 24-hour service restoration guarantee is among five new customer-focused initiatives under the #unificares campaign to enhance its broadband experience by reducing downtime to the absolute minimum. If unable to restore within 24 hours from complaint submission, customers will receive RM50 billing rebate compensation, redeemable via myunifi app within 30 days. It is the first of its kind in the local telecommunication industry and a commitment to its customer first strategy. This 24-hour service restoration guarantee starts 30 November 2021 and compensation eligibility is for customers subscribing to 100Mbps and above. Another innovation introduced with the campaign is unifi's Proactive Service Alert; an early detection and intervention system that ensures early notifications and speed of resolution to customers. Affected customers are alerted for restoration via SMS and the myunifi app push notification. Other customer-focused initiatives introduced in conjunction with the campaign are Easyfix self-serve tool, Service Tracker and unifi Elite experts. Easyfix is an easy visual based self-serve tool that enables customers to self-diagnose and do a quick troubleshoot on internet connection, telephony or unifi TV services. If an issue is unresolved, the Easyfix tool will automatically create a service ticket for immediate action by the unifi Care Crew or connect users to a unifi live chat agent for further assistance. Easyfix can be accessed anytime on the myunifi app under 'Support' or at easyfix.com.my. Service Tracker allows customers to view and track status of service and technical requests in real-time including details of the assigned TM Care Crew, via the myunifi app. Users can easily access the Service Tracker under 'My Activity' from their Account page. unifi Elite is a group of WiFi experts who are specially trained to provide customers with tailor-made consultation and solutions to further enhance their connectivity experience at home or business premises. unifi's track record in CX is well-established. Recently, it has been chosen as the sole Malaysian recipient for the "Brand of the Year'' award for the "Broadband / ISP" category, an award that is held under the auspices of the London-based World Branding Awards.  This is the second consecutive year it won the award. Last year, it also won the "Best Fixed Home Broadband Service Provider" and "Best Business Fixed Broadband Service Provider" categories in the PC.com Best Product Awards 2020. TM continues to invest in future growth by modernising its network and technology platforms, to deliver the best current and future. TM is the only telco in Malaysia which has ventured into proactive service capabilities to elevate CX and digital tools to give added convenience to customers. Meanwhile, TM Chief Network Officer, Mohamed Tajul Mohamed Sultan, who was also present at the media briefing said the increase in usage and demand for unifi services following the pandemic had driven the company to up its connectivity game. "Even before this, public feedback shows that unifi's service quality is among the best. But we are not resting on our laurels. We want to raise the bar even higher because customer experience is paramount," added Mohamed Tajul. To achieve this, TM has invested over RM 1 billion in 2021 to uplift the customer experience in both its customer support capabilities and network improvements. This is to ensure that unifi continues to deliver unparalleled solutions to its customers. Users can visit unifi.com.my/unificares for more information on the unifi promise. The myunifi app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store as well as the Apple App Store.

28 Oct 2022
YTM and Istana Negara equips higher risk communities with disaster preparedness

Facilitates the development of localised Emergency Response Plans Over the years, Yayasan TM (YTM) has been actively involved in disaster emergency response efforts and lent its helping hand to affected communities in various ways. With many tragic losses of life and property due to natural disasters, it is imperative to help the public better understand the importance of preparedness, the risks involved and build capacities for pre-emptive and early action, including identifying vulnerabilities and potential impact on people and assets.   Through its latest initiative, the YTM-Istana Negara Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Programme (CBDRRM), organised in collaboration with Istana Negara, the programme is aimed at empowering communities especially women and children as well as building community resilience during disasters with the necessary knowledge and skills in disaster preparedness - in alignment to the Government's aspiration to nurture a disaster preparedness culture among Malaysians.   For the inaugural edition of the programme, YTM identified three (3) high risk areas in Kuantan, Maran and Bentong districts in Pahang. This is also a continuation from the support to the local communities post-flood early this year where YTM, together with Istana Negara provided basic necessities, workforce and monetary assistance to citizens in Karak, Ulu Tembeling and Kuantan districts.   “This CBDRRM programme is both important and timely, in view of frequent heavy rain and storms of late. We hope that the local communities will fully utilise the skills and knowledge obtained from the initiative, to be better prepared for in the event of any flood incidents in their respective areas, minimising the impact and ultimately, saving lives,” said Izlyn Ramli, Director of YTM.    “We were delighted to find that these modules were very helpful for them based on their feedback. Meanwhile, we remain on the ready to deploy response and humanitarian aid should the need arise,” she added.   The first one was held in August 2022 for the community in Perumahan Awam Kos Rendah (PAKR) Sungai Pandan, Kuantan, which saw a total of 120 participants attending, while the second was held in Maran in September.   With the support of the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) as well as the TM Reaching Out Volunteers (TMROVers), the programme was conducted by 12 humanitarian experts with vast disaster response experience, including risk and reduction management from Red A Humanitarian Global. The modules highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness, hands-on session to develop localised Emergency Response Plans, water safety and practical swimming, as well as simulation exercises. The participants were also briefed on mental health management and creating children-friendly spaces (CFS) as an added element.   For any emergency response plan to work, active participation from the community becomes crucial. During the programme, the communities were also connected to their local government agencies such as the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (BOMBA), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM), Jabatan Pengairan & Saliran (JPS) Negeri Pahang for better disaster response in the future.   The third and final session was organised recently in Bentong in collaboration with Istana Negara and attended by 125 participants. Via the three (3) series of CBDRRM in Pahang, YTM have reached a total of 458 community members and local government agencies; inclusively, empowering 123 female participants and 167 children and teenagers.   This initiative is aligned with our aspiration to build capacity in disaster preparedness among community members, especially women and children, who are considered first responders’ priority when a disaster occurs. YTM will continuously support the community for better disaster preparedness and response through community leadership and self-empowerment.

NEWSLETTER

Just drop your details and stay updated with the world of Telekom Malaysia. We promise – no spam!​