Knowledge is power as digital agenda dominates Indonesia

The transformative potential of digital solutions and services can only be realised through a commitment to enterprise-level up-skilling as Indonesia enters a new phase of growth, armed with a boardroom mandate for change.

Accelerated adoption of new technologies is expected to contribute an additional $2.8 trillion to the local economy by 2040. According to Ministry of Finance forecasts, this could add 0.55 percentage points to gross domestic product (GDP) growth annually during the next 20 years.

Yet the current state of play remains less optimistic with only 5% of traditional small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) organisations currently embracing digital technology in any capacity, as noted by the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board.

“We are seeking to address the knowledge gap in Indonesia’s rapidly changing digital landscape,” said Anissa Sharmanti, Country Manager of Indonesia at Bespin Global.

Considered the most prevailing short-term technology challenge facing the nation, businesses are increasingly understanding the need to embrace transformation in response to ongoing regulatory changes and a shifting economic landscape.

But in truth, a disconnect exists between intention and execution.

“We see this as an opportunity to empower our customers by providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to adapt and thrive in this changing environment,” added Sharmanti, who joined the business as local leader in January 2022.

Despite Indonesia continuing to benefit from the emergence of a young, tech-savvy population – with a growing middle class and an increasing number of internet users – as well as significant start-up sector growth in recent years, such progression has failed to translate into enterprise action.

“Traditional enterprise businesses in Indonesia are facing a different set of challenges though,” Sharmanti explained. “Many operate in industries such as manufacturing, agriculture and retail, where they may not have the same level of exposure to new technologies and digital platforms.”

In response, the local arm of Bespin Global – a global managed service provider (MSP) headquartered in South Korea – is prioritising the deployment of migration and proficiency services to spearhead cloud migration efforts and fuel digital adoption.

“Our migration services help businesses transition smoothly to the cloud, ensuring minimal disruption and maximum efficiency,” Sharmanti said. “We also provide proficiency training to help businesses build the necessary skills and expertise to operate in the cloud effectively.”

This is also supported by the availability of the provider’s OpsNow 360 platform in Indonesia, designed to help businesses optimise cloud infrastructure, reduce costs and maximise the value of cloud investments.

“With FinOps capabilities, businesses can track and allocate cloud costs effectively, while our automation tools help reduce manual labour and improve operational efficiency,” Sharmanti outlined.

“We believe that by addressing these key pain points and empowering businesses to embrace digital transformation, we can capitalise on the significant opportunity presented by the changing digital landscape in Indonesia.”

Capitalising on cloud

In looking ahead, demand for cloud services is forecast to continue “growing rapidly” during the next five years in Indonesia, with the country expected to assume a lead position in overall IT spending across the region.

Such enterprise motivation has been strengthened by the local commitment of hyperscalers Google Cloud, Alibaba Cloud, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft – all of which are expanding in-country cloud capabilities aligned to data regulations.

“Organisations are seeking to migrate infrastructure to the cloud to reduce costs and increase operational efficiency,” Sharmanti said.

“Many enterprises have a multi-cloud strategy and a hybrid cloud strategy. But operating and managing the cloud can be challenging once businesses transition from on-premises environments.”

In response, Sharmanti said local businesses are seeking MSP guidance to modernise technology infrastructure and applications to improve agility and responsiveness.

“Digital transformation signifies a change in business strategies and cloud will be a key enabler as organisations seek to enhance time-to-market while reducing IT-related downtime,” she noted.

Moving beyond cloud, opportunities now also exist to leverage the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and the Internet of Things (IoT) in Indonesia – technologies previously considered out of reach.

“Businesses can gain a competitive edge by improving operational efficiency, enhancing customer experience and reducing costs,” Sharmanti added. “Data analytics and AI will be essential to organisational success in the coming years in Indonesia.”

Plans are also underway to invest in customer service and support teams to develop new end-user engagement models, leveraging the latest technologies to deliver enhanced levels of experience.

Managing IT costs

As cloud migration projects pick up pace within the context of strategic digital transformation plans, Sharmanti acknowledged that cost savings remain a top priority for organisations still navigating the economic aftermath of COVID-19.

“Cloud is a key enabler of cost savings, with organisations benefiting from reduced infrastructure and maintenance costs, as well as greater scalability and flexibility,” she said. “The use of automation tools can and will help reduce labour costs and improve efficiency.”

As a cloud-focused MSP, Bespin Global’s unique point of differentiation is OpsNow 360, an AI-powered cloud management platform built to optimise cloud infrastructure and reduce cloud costs.

Through the platform, businesses can access a “comprehensive view” of cloud usage and spending across multiple cloud environments and services, backed by automation capabilities to allow for real-time cost tracking and control, plus cost allocation and chargeback features.

“This helps businesses make data-driven decisions and implement cost-saving measures while promoting accountability and cost transparency,” Sharmanti highlighted.

“Given the current economic outlook, it’s imperative that businesses address the challenge of cloud cost management and optimisation.”

The platform is also supported by a team of more than 1000 specialists regionally and globally certified in leading cloud technologies, including architects, engineers, developers and consultants.

Expertise spans AWS, Microsoft, Google Cloud, Alibaba Cloud and Huawei, supported by a presence in nine countries – including Indonesia, Vietnam and Singapore within Southeast Asia. This is in addition to South Korea, Japan, US, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

“There’s a great emphasis on building a strong team of local engineers who understand the Indonesian business landscape and can provide relevant and effective solutions to our clients,” Sharmanti added.

To achieve this, Bespin Global is establishing partnerships with local universities and training centres alongside a long-term vision of providing internship programs, on-the-job training and mentoring opportunities to in-country engineering students and graduates.

“This not only helps us identify and attract top talent but also ensures that our team has a deep understanding of the local market and can provide customised solutions,” Sharmanti said. “We are focused on driving growth and expanding our market share in Indonesia and beyond.”

“We also recognise that ongoing training and development programs are essential to building expertise and staying at the forefront of emerging technologies,” Sharmanti shared.

Bespin Training Centers (BTC) – the provider’s flagship training locations in South Korea and Abu Dhabi – are also expected to contribute to this effort by providing specialised training programs that are tailored to the needs of local engineers.

“Our commitment to training and developing our engineers, leveraging local talent and sharing best practices from our global entities is critical to our success,” Sharmanti noted.