Advantech Officially Launched ASEAN Shared Service Center

Advantech (TWSE: 2395), a global leader in Industrial IoT, has officially established the ASEAN Shared Service Center (ASSC) in Penang, Malaysia, to enhance customer service in the Asia-Pacific region. The company initiated the first project of ASSC by signing a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Piacom, a system integrator (SI) affiliated with Petrolimex, a Vietnamese petroleum group. Additionally, Advantech has launched the University Co-Creation (UCC) Worldwide Expansion Plan, with the aim of creating a complete talent development ecosystem. This initiative spans industry-academia collaboration, localized services, and the ultimate execution of strategic goals, particularly focusing on industry cultivation and localization in areas where the IoT industry is booming and there is a demand for skilled professionals.

ADUN Bukit Tambun and Director of InvestPenang, YB Goh Choon Aik (representing the Chief Minister of Penang, Right Honorable Mr Chow Kon Yeow) stated, “Penang is honored to be the chosen investment destination for this ASSC, a testament for the state’s solid position in the emerging global services industry to serve the ASEAN region. Investments like the ASSC marks a significant boost to our economy and create new employment opportunities for Penangites.”

Vincent Chang, Managing Director of Asia and Intercontinental Region at Advantech, stated that the establishment of ASSC in Penang signifies the initial phase in implementing the "China Plus One" strategy. Advantech’s goal is to support industrial users in project implementation and in-depth development, while also reinforcing regional core competencies and localized services. Penang, renowned as the "Silicon Valley of the East" and rich in multicultural talent, was selected for this purpose. This strategic choice enables Advantech to cultivate its Domain Solution Integration Team, dedicated to serving and supporting regional users and project implementation. Concurrently, the company has signed industry-academia collaboration agreements with numerous universities, building a complete talent development ecosystem from the campus and service center to industry implementation. 

Vincent further elaborated that signing an LOI with Piacom for the gas station industry and co-creating a complete Solution Ready Package, encompassing both software and hardware, signifies the effectiveness of the Domain Solution Integration Team established by Advantech in the region. This team is well equipped to support industrial users in project implementation and in-depth development. Furthermore, to complement the initiation of the Advantech UCC Worldwide Expansion Plan, Advantech has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB). The key objectives of this collaboration for the year include setting internship and innovation competitions. Notably, Universiti Sains Malaysia aims to establish an AIoT Lab by the end of this year, hoping to cultivate and attract outstanding IoT talents in the Asia Pacific region.

Besides delivering repair and maintenance services to regional customers, along with project integration and technical consultation, Advantech's ASSC operates two production lines for product assembly. Its primary focus is on catering to customers in Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, while also providing assistance to other Asia-Pacific markets. This includes supporting customers with digital transformation and AIoT technology needs in places like Pakistan and the Philippines. Additionally, within the ASSC, a Co-creation Business Innovation Center has been established to exhibit industry domain-focused solutions developed with ecosystem partners.

Advantech's UCC Worldwide Expansion Plan aims to establish 12 AIoT laboratories in cooperation with colleges and universities worldwide within two years. This comprehensive plan includes standardized IoT Course Modules, open/online courses, training kits, and funds to support partner universities in carrying out four industry-academia collaboration programs: the establishment of benchmark AIoT Labs, Innoworks for IoT innovation competitions, Elite 100 Internships for innovative topic-based internships, and Research Projects collaborating with strategic lab partners to conduct research on specific IoT solutions or innovations. The UCC Worldwide Expansion Plan plays a crucial role in helping Advantech establish long-term partnerships with key regional universities. This, in turn, contributes to the development of a local industry talent pool.

The creation of Advantech's ASSC not only symbolizes the company's expansion into the Asia-Pacific market but also underscores its commitment to local talent cultivation, industry-academia collaboration, and engineering integration. This move strengthens collaboration on solution development with co-creation partners. Additionally, it is expected that with the ASSC’s services, a complete industry ecosystem can be duplicated and established in other Asia-Pacific regions.