Latest news with #BoLundqvist
Coin Geek
6 days ago
- Business
- Coin Geek
SaaS x AI x Blockchain: The triple threat transforming business
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... At Strategic Shift 2025, experts explained why SaaS, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain are leading the next wave of business transformation. The message was loud and clear—if your business isn't moving to the cloud, using AI to boost productivity, or exploring blockchain for trust and security, you're already behind. title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen> SaaS, or Software as a Service, is at the center of this shift. It's changing how companies of all sizes run their operations, from startups to big enterprises. 'Businesses need to shift to SaaS right now because of a number of reasons,' said Bo Lundqvist, President of Retail Associates. 'One, cost. Costs of on-premises is going to go right up… because tech companies are going to drive it up. Hardware, electricity, scarcity of people, all that's going to go up. So maintaining is going to be expensive.' He added, 'New innovation. It is not going to happen on-premises. Innovation will happen in [the] cloud. So if you want your business to be at the forefront of taking advantage of technology… it's happening today. If you want to be a productive company, on-prem is not the place.' Steven Davis, Chairman of the Data Center Association of the Philippines, also stressed the value of SaaS: 'SaaS is evolving on its own. It's got its own natural progression. It has companies doing your business and tools for you right from day one.' But the shift isn't just about software. Blockchain is stepping up as a powerful layer in today's cloud-based systems. 'Blockchain's a very unique tool,' said Davis. 'I've always been a big fan of it. One, the back-end processing, the amount of time, effort, and money you can save by leveraging blockchain.' He also pointed to its strength in cybersecurity. 'Security-wise, it's inherently secure because it's about every piece of it and all the hexadecimal encryption that's running through it. How do you get through it?' And when SaaS meet blockchain? Davis said, 'With software as a service related back to blockchain… when you're running a true global system, multi-user, multi-country, cross borders across the world… and you're trying to manage them as a single user base… that's where it really comes in as a handy tool.' With Southeast Asia's cloud adoption accelerating, the time to act is now. The key takeaway here? Businesses need the cloud and the tools built on top of it to stay competitive. Watch | Educating from scratch: Inspiring future innovators in Poznań & beyond title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="">
Coin Geek
07-05-2025
- Business
- Coin Geek
Retail Associates leads the shift to cloud at The Strategic Shift 2025
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Retail Associates successfully hosted The Strategic Shift 2025 in partnership with Microsoft, LS Retail, and Crayon, at the Makati Sports Club last April 24, 2025. The full-packed event was attended by decision makers across different industries who connected with expert speakers who tackled key challenges faced by businesses operating on traditional, on-premise systems and highlighted how solutions like Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and LS Central enable smarter, more scalable operations through cloud-based platforms. The agenda covered the economic and operational advantages of cloud migration, data security best practices, compliance with BIR regulations, and the growing role of AI Copilot in streamlining business tasks and decision-making. Retail Associates' President and CEO, Bo Lundqvist, highlighted the imminent need for a shift to Microsoft Dynamics 365 SaaS for a sustainable and future-ready business. Bo echoed Retail Associates' commitment to help businesses with a smooth transition, saying 'Retail Associates is your business' reliable and capable partner in obtaining the necessary innovation of modern technology. The support that we provide together with every Microsoft Dynamics 365 SaaS transition is a testament to our commitment to going beyond implementation.' RGMC Group's Accounting Manager, Darlen Joy Duenas, shared their cloud journey, demonstrating the efficiency and business agility they gain from upgrading to a modern, cloud-based business solution powered by Microsoft Dynamics 365. RGMC Group is a diversified Filipino enterprise with well-known brands such as Apple & Eve, Wharton, Paper Dolls & Co., Hechter Paris, Treehouse, Suncoast Brands, and Econtainer. Guest speakers from Data Center Association of the Philippines, , KPMG, Crayon, and Retail Associates also emphasized that transitioning to the cloud is no longer a trend but it's a strategic necessity. Ivy Bumanglag, COO of Retail Associates, reiterated the company's drive to assist companies in taking the next step towards doing better business. 'Our goal is to help companies' future-proof their operations and unlock sustainable growth through cloud and SaaS,' shared Ivy. The event delivered a clear takeaway; now is the time to make the shift. Businesses that adopt cloud technology are taking the lead in today's rapidly evolving digital economy. About Retail Associates Retail Associates is a trusted consulting and technology partner with two decades of experience delivering tailored, future-ready solutions powered by Microsoft Dynamics 365. Serving 70+ leading brands across Asia, we help businesses enhance operational resilience and elevate customer satisfaction across diverse industries from retail and dining to real estate. Our expert team is committed to enabling long-term success through strategic, technology-driven transformation. For more information on industry-tailored solutions, visit our Unified Solutions
