Image credit: Economist Impact
The media has been inundated with news of companies, which previously endorsed a hybrid work model, now forcing employees to return to the office full-time. However, that may not represent the sentiment of all companies and it is believed that the trend of hybrid work is here to stay, with many tech giants embracing it, signalling its endurance.
Koh Kong Meng, vice-president and head of personal systems for greater Asia at HP Inc, tells Digital Edge that 44% of companies globally insist on at least three-quarters of their employees working on site while only 19% demand a five-day office week, according to a 2023 survey by ResumeBuilder.com. Meanwhile, in HP’s own study — the HP Work Relationship Index — it was revealed that in growing economies, employees’ desire to work adds to their happiness, emphasising control and autonomy.
The transition to hybrid work introduces a new set of dynamics, influencing the well-being of employees and the leadership strategies required to navigate this change. Notably, HP’s Work Relationship Index shows that more than four in five workers (83%) are willing to compromise on their income for factors that contribute to happiness at work.
In the local context, nearly half of Malaysian professionals foresee leaving their organisations within the next 12 months, emphasising the need for effective leadership strategies to retain talent, based on the People Profession 2023: Asia-Pacific report.
Reshaping the digital experience
Koh says Malaysia is a digital transformation leader in Southeast Asia, and HP is dedicated to reshaping digital experiences in this high-potential market. “Our strategic focus on hybrid workforce solutions, gaming and peripherals underscores our commitment to advancing technology and creativity.”
HP recently announced a robust fiscal 2023 net revenue of US$53.7 billion (RM256 billion), with a notable 10% growth in key areas such as hybrid systems and commercial services across regions.
As growing economies such as Malaysia prioritise productivity and growth, recognising the crucial role of employee engagement becomes paramount as these findings demonstrate that workers are generally more satisfied with the hybrid model as it helps them achieve work-life balance, says Koh.
“To address this, companies must reshape their work dynamics — creating an environment for a fulfilling and balanced hybrid work experience, with the right tools and workspace for seamless transitions and round-the-clock flexibility. As the lines between work and play blur, HP adeptly navigates the evolving hybrid reality through our portfolio and consumer subscription services, such as the HP Work from Home Service, which drive progress in the changing work and life landscape, contributing to the well-being improvement of 88% of Asia-Pacific workers,” he adds.
“With gamers upgrading PCs at an accelerated pace and our acquisitions of HyperX and Poly, HP is uniquely positioned to deliver end-to-end hybrid and conferencing experiences crucial for today’s IT decision-makers and chief information officers.”
Getting on the AI bandwagon for enhanced security
Koh says in 2022 alone, HP invested a staggering US$1.6 billion in ongoing product development, shaping technologies that will redefine the future. Moving forward, HP’s PCs that are driven by artificial intelligence (AI) will ensure customers feel protected, connected and inspired, providing a more personalised computing experience.
The potential outcome of AI depends on one non-negotiable factor: security — it is not just a feature, it is the backbone. HP’s newest product launch announced during CES 2024 offers a more personal AI-powered portfolio designed to optimise user experience securely.
Koh explains that the incorporation of large language models (LLMs) directly into the device not only results in cost savings but also enhances security and boosts performance with a strong emphasis on enhancing the user experience, particularly in terms of data privacy and security.
“In cybersecurity, AI continuously monitors user behaviour, analyses real-time threats and adapts over time, proactively protecting against unseen threats like spyware and malware, enhancing online safety,” he adds.
Amid a changing cybersecurity landscape, HP innovations are designed to instil trust in its customers, providing assurance that their data and privacy are protected and held in strict confidence. Hardware-based security provides inherent protection integrated into the system, addressing the limitations of traditional endpoint security by offering holistic defence against firmware attacks.
The HP Wolf Security exemplifies this approach, leveraging the Silicon Root of Trust, says Koh. This ensures the integrity of the entire flash stack, enabling swift recovery from corrupted operating systems and basic input/output system settings, facilitating passwordless authorisation and providing robust protection against malware execution in critical security processes and applications.
The Silicon Root of Trust is firmware technology that integrates security directly into the hardware level of HPE servers, making an immutable fingerprint in the silicon that provides advanced levels of protection against firmware attacks.
“HP Wolf Security has managed to capture some key cyberthreats such as information stealers and nastier malware like CryptBot, once an info stealer that has evolved into delivering a banking trojan,” he says.
Aligning with Malaysia’s digitalisation goals
Amid a declining PC market share, HP’s collaboration with the government is crucial for a smooth industry digital transition, says Koh. He adds that the company has introduced digital technologies into the Malaysian supply chain for improved efficiency and to streamline operations.
Aligning with Malaysia’s IR4.0 aspirations, HP is actively contributing through optimising operational processes and strategically embracing digital transformation in advanced manufacturing and innovation, aiming to advance economic development.
“In Asia-Pacific, where small and medium enterprises form over 97% of businesses and employ more than half the workforce, HP is committed to creating computing solutions for both enterprise and SME customers. Through a collaboration with Malaysia Digital Hub by MDEC (Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation), HP supports start-ups with the right digital tools and ecosystem via the HP Business Club, aligning with the Kuala Lumpur 20 blueprint,” says Koh.
Source: https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/710986