“The Covid-19 outbreak pushed digitization forward for 8 to 10 years.” said by Mok Wai-hin Peter, head of Strategic Partnership at Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation.

Digitalization is already underway in almost every organization. The business model has shifted from intensive manpower to light manpower with technology and innovation equipments.

“Before the crisis, it have to take a year to implement the level of remote working but now it took an average of 11 days to implement a workable solution”

Some companies acted 20 to 25 times faster than expected. In the case of remote working, people actually say their companies moved 40 times more quickly than they thought possible before the pandemic. Before then, respondents say it would have taken more than a year to implement the level of remote working that took place during the crisis but it took an average of 11 days to implement a workable solution, and nearly all of the companies have stood up workable solutions within a few months. 

According to statista.com, all Information technology (IT) spending are forecast to return to growth in 2021. Enterprise software (e.g. ERP, CRM) is expected to have the strongest rebound (8.8% growth) as the remote work environments are expanding. 

Company strategies are changed. For example, a Japanese company, Fujitsu Ltd. said it would split its office space over the next 3 years to encourage around 80,000 employees of electronics maker to work remotely.

IDC Spending Guide 2018 estimated that spending on technologies and services that enable digital transformation will reach almost US$2 trillion in 2022 worldwide. Brands and companies have started to get a better understanding when it comes to the benefits of digital transformation and digitally native offerings.

Information technology development requires long-term investment. MAY Planning has strong experience on integration of digital technology into all areas of a business, fundamentally change how your business operate. We will be pleased to provide consulting service for your company in Hong Kong or overseas, please feel free to contact us anytime. 

_{Published: 26 Jan 2021}

5G is the 5th generation mobile network. It is a new global wireless standard. 5G wireless technology is meant to deliver faster speeds, ultra low latency, more reliability, greater load capacity, increased availability, and a more uniform user experience to more users. Some researchers believe that 5G could deliver 10 – 20 times faster than 4G.

Sending a message at 6pm in Central station will no longer be a problem

In 2019, the Government planned to make available a total of 160 MHz spectrum in the 600/700MHz bands to enhance indoor hotspots and the network capacity of indoor mobile telecommunications services which would help relieve congested traffic indoor mobile hotspots, such as MTR stations. The earliest release date (available for release to the market through auction, tendering or other appropriate) will be in 2021. The decisions will be made in the first quarter of 2021. 

The 85 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz and the 850 MHz bands can be deployed in both indoor and outdoor locations for the provision of public mobile services; while the 70 MHz of spectrum in the 600 MHz band is designated for indoor use to enhance the mobile services provided at indoor hotspots, such as shopping malls and confined areas like premises inside the Mass Transit Railway.

5G will change the world

–For business (For example, an enterprise tool)
5G helps to upgrade on the existing system. With 5G, over 1 million devices can operate within the same area which is a 250 times growth in capacity. 5G is nearly 8 times faster in speed and boasts of more than 5 times the bandwidth. 5G is a critical enterprise tool to accelerate digital transformation, particularly in their supply chain management initiatives.

–For our life (For example, autonomous cars will be on our roads)
5G network will offer new application options advancing the development of autonomous cars. Drivers running red lights will become a thing of the past. Traffic jams will be reduced or eliminated as self-driving cars can drive in closer proximity to each other. Also, autonomous cars don’t slow down to rubberneck. Tesla founder Elon Musk says Tesla will release its ‘full self-driving’ feature as a subscription in early 202. Apple’s plans to develop an electric and driverless car featuring its own battery technology are reportedly back on the table, with a new target production date estimated for 2024.

Lots benefits of 5G for our life or for our business that I couldn’t mention in one time.5G allows organization hiring process will not limited to the candidates location. Some organizations are going to have a remote team in their company by hiring top talent outside of their local area. Businesses will rely on mobile networks more and more. They will need to work with IT specialists to redesign and improve their internal work efficiency. 

MAY Planning provides professional IT consulting services to meet your expectations. We will be pleased to provide guidance for your company in Hong Kong or overseas, feel free to contact us anytime. 

SAP is Systems, Applications and Products in data processing. SAP, by definition, is also the name of the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software as well as the name of the company. Online business company understanding the CRM system will be vital to maintain high traffic of sales. If you are running a retail, you must have a better understand on how to interact with your SAP strategy.

SAP Analytics Cloud

Statistics Will Become Even More Vital. It delivers powerful insights driven by machine learning for customers around the globe. 

The SAP analytics cloud solution combines BI, augmented and predictive analytics, and planning capabilities into one cloud environment. As the analytics layer of SAP’s Business Technology Platform, it supports advanced analytics enterprise-wide.

The global cloud analytics market size is expected to grow from USD 23.2 billion in 2020 to USD 65.4 billion by 2025, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 23.0% during the forecast period.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing stands for processing, managing and storing a network in remote servers hosted through the internet, without direct active management by the user. Customers can access their data and applications anywhere, anytime, and any device. You only pay for what you use with the cloud. It helps your company save the unnecessary cost that you never going to use.

3 types of Cloud Deployment: 
1. Public Cloud 
2. Private Cloud 
3. Hybrid Cloud

MAY Planning provides professional consulting services to meet your expectations. With our SAP solutions, software updates, and renewals are taken care by our expert team. We will be pleased to provide guidance for your company in Hong Kong or overseas, feel free to contact us anytime. 

_{Reference:
https://www.sap.com/trends/cloud-solutions.html, SAP}

_{Published: 14 Jan 2021}

We received few enquiries about the Hong Kong visa is going to expire and how can they do if they are not in Hong Kong currently. Here is the update from Hong Kong Immigration Department:

“The Immigration Department accepts applications for return to Hong Kong from non-permanent residents who is outside of Hong Kong under the COVID-19 Pandemic (Not Applicable to Foreign Domestic Helpers and Imported Workers) In general, persons admitted into Hong Kong under various immigration policies/schemes may apply for extension of stay within four weeks before their limit of stay expires. Applicants should be physically present in Hong Kong both at the time of applications and collection of the relevant labels (for approved applications).

Some persons outside Hong Kong with their limit of stay about to expire / expired and, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, may not be able to return to Hong Kong timely (Note 1) to apply for extension of stay. For those whose limit of stay is about to expire (within four weeks) / has expired for less than 12 months, they may submit a duly completed application form (Note 2) together with the required supporting documents required for application for extension of stay under the relevant immigration policy/scheme concerned in general situations, and a letter setting out the details on their inability to return to Hong Kong timely for the extension of stay formalities. If the applicants continue to meet the eligibility criteria under the relevant immigration policy/scheme concerned and it is satisfied that the applicants’ circumstances are a continuation of their previous residence in Hong Kong, the Immigration Department may consider issuing the applicants with a visa/entry permit for their return to Hong Kong within the validity of that visa/entry permit. For more details, please email to: enquiry@immd.gov.hk.

Note 1:
The webpage link for prevailing restrictions on entering Hong Kong is as follows:
https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html

Note 2:
Capital Investment Entrant Scheme entrants should complete application form ID 967 . Other applicants should complete the application form ID 91 (even if they are outside Hong Kong and apply for a visa/entry permit to return to Hong Kong under this arrangement).”

Highlights
1. Applicants should be physically present in Hong Kong both at the time of applications and collection of the relevant labels
2. For those whose limit of stay has expired for less than 12 months

Our tips
Getting a flight ticket might get harder than before. Plus, since December 25, all oversea arrivals into HK have to quarantine in designated hotel for 21 days which is up from 14 days. You need to pay for almost ten thousand for you quarantine cost before you physically present at The Immigration Department for extend your Visa. If your Visa is about to expire, you could wait and see what happens next to save your high cost of quarantines. Keep checking updates from government website or subscribe us to get the latest updates. 

_{Reference:
The Immigration Department Accepts Applications for Return to Hong Kong from Non-Permanent Residents Outside Hong Kong under the COVID-19 Pandemic (Not Applicable to Foreign Domestic Helpers and Imported Workers), The Immigration Department, 31 Dec 2020}

Now that we are in the first month of 2021, it is a good time to look ahead what are the major ERP trends can we expect in this year. In 2020, Many companies started to figure out systems to handle remote work. Technology and software are developing quickly and there will be a strong impact on how ERP is developed in the future.

Cloud ERP

Some companies are using on-premises ERP and they may realize its expensive cost, limitations of flexibility and innovation. Therefore, cloud adoption is going to play a vital role in 2021. Plus, ERP implementation comes with startup fees and hardware costs so they may too expensive for small businesses. Many enterprises refrained from investing in ERP software development before the Coronavirus.

Cloud ERP is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system that runs on a vendor’s cloud platform and allows their clients (Enterprises) to access over the internet. Cloud ERP systems are likely to go mainstream in the following years and we will see significant progress in 2021. 

Cloud is the backbone of the data-driven, app-based tech ecosystem that has been vital in helping us manage this change.

With the advent of cloud computing, the global cloud computing market is poised to grow from $371.4 billion in 2020 to a whopping $832.1 billion by 2025. More vendors are now offering cloud-hosted solutions. It makes ERP systems more accessible and no longer have to worry about expensive maintenance or upgrades fee.

Rise of iERP

Artificial Intelligence features, also known as iERP, will enable businesses to increase productivity and efficiency. To enhance ERP performance enhancement, enterprises normally need to install additional plugins to their ERP systems. However, it’s becoming increasingly common now to have such functionalities built-in in 2021.

An iERP enables companies to automate their complex business processes through intelligent data processing methods. The signature capability will be innovative data processing that will lead to reduction of errors and information loading time, creation of new workflows, process automation of routine tasks such as account payables, and conversion of complex, unstructured data into actionable insights.

Rise of Mobile ERP

According to Forbes, mobile ERP platforms are expected to grow in popularity as business processes are conducted on mobile phones and tablets rather than on computers.

Mobile ERP gives you greater flexibility without the need for a large investment. In 2021, having your ERP or business applications installed on a mobile to allow you accessing the critical business data-on-the-go will be a norm. Mobile ERP allows employees to get a snapshot of accurately captured data via a user-friendly dashboard, view status of workflows from their phones, complete tasks at home, and collaborate with colleagues across the world. For example, not all employees in your company speaks Japanese but they still need to be able to use mobile data collection devices. Customized applications include the ability to quickly switch the display to an alternative language.

This anywhere-anytime accessibility to back-end and front-end data in new ERP and business applications tools is a trend that will see an upward swing in the coming year.

MAY Planning provides professional consulting services to meet your expectations. We will be pleased to provide guidance for your company in Hong Kong or overseas, feel free to contact us anytime. 

2020 has passed, 2021 has come. Today, is the first blank page of a 365-page book. May Planning wish for you that, with every year, you achieve all of your dreams, every day of the new year to be filled with success, happiness, and prosperity for you. Happy New Year!