AVM Cloud Solutions Grand Prix 2024: Empowering Malaysia’s Shift Back to Private Cloud
The cloud landscape is evolving, and businesses are now looking beyond simple cloud adoption to determine the next big step in their digital transformation. At the AVM Cloud Solutions Grand Prix 2024, the focus was clear: The future lies in the private cloud. With the theme “Start. Shift. Xcelerate,” the event, underscored the critical role private cloud solutions will play as companies navigate the complexities of AI, SaaS, and data management.
Kenny Lim, CEO of AVM Cloud, set the tone for the event, highlighting how cloud technology has transformed from a novelty to a key enabler of business innovation. He emphasised that cloud adoption is no longer about how fast businesses can move, but rather what they can accomplish next. “Cloud has become the foundation for innovation, AI, and beyond.” Kenny noted, reinforcing AVM Cloud’s role in helping organisations navigate this shift by offering cost-effective private cloud solutions.
Moving to the Private Cloud: The Next Big Step
For many organisations, the question is no longer whether to adopt cloud technology, but how to optimise its use. Industry leaders, such as Broadcom, speculate that a large number of enterprises are repatriating their data from public hyperscalers back to private cloud environments due to the growth of AI workloads and increasing requirements on sovereignty and governance. As businesses increasingly implement AI, they realise that their data and processes need to be in a more controlled, secure, and private cloud setup. Kenny highlighted that AVM Cloud’s role is to provide that environment, ensuring that companies have the infrastructure needed to handle resource-intensive AI workloads affordably.
AI implementation requires substantial computing power, including GPUs and storage, which can be cost-prohibitive for businesses if handled on their own. The fastest and most cost-effective way to support AI development is through cloud infrastructure. Through AVM Cloud’s extensive partnerships with partners that offer AI solutions, they are able to provide scalable, affordable private cloud solutions that enable businesses to leverage AI technologies without breaking the bank.
Repatriation from Hyperscalers: Why the Shift?
A growing number of large customers are considering moving away from public hyperscaler clouds, citing security and cost concerns. As organisations store increasingly sensitive information, including AI-driven data, in the cloud, they face heightened risks associated with public cloud environments. Moving to a private cloud, particularly one that ensures data sovereignty, has become a critical step for businesses aiming to maintain control over their data while continuing to innovate.
“Everything is coming back to the private cloud,” Kenny explained. “Organisations are realising the need for a more secure, private space for their data, especially when integrating advanced AI systems.” AVM Cloud, with its local infrastructure and expertise, ensures that businesses can achieve data sovereignty, where data remains within Malaysia’s borders, managed by local employees, and safeguarded under local laws.
Data Sovereignty as Part of the Private Cloud Strategy
As companies adopt private cloud, data sovereignty becomes a natural extension, ensuring compliance with local regulations and providing a layer of protection from foreign authorities. Kenny highlighted that businesses looking for private cloud solutions need to consider sovereignty as part of their overall cloud strategy.
The concept of a Sovereign Cloud was one of the important topics that was touched upon at the event. A Sovereign Cloud is one where data is stored, processed, and managed entirely within a nation’s borders, ensuring compliance with local laws. AVM Cloud, as a Sovereign Cloud provider, guarantees that data remains secure and local, offering peace of mind to businesses handling sensitive information.
Kenny made clear the benefits of adopting this Sovereign Cloud approach: Increased data security, enhanced national security, and regulatory control over data governance. While it may appear daunting to implement, Sovereign Cloud is not just a solution for large enterprises or government agencies. In our current era of heightened data privacy concerns, it has become a necessary step for any organisation handling sensitive information.
However, he also acknowledged the challenges, particularly for smaller enterprises that may face financial and technical barriers in building their own “local” cloud infrastructure. “The journey towards sovereign cloud requires a strategic balance between security, innovation, and cost management,” expressed the CEO of AVM Cloud – Kenny Lim, CEO of AVM Cloud
“The risk of data breaches and cyber-attacks rises as organisations store more sensitive information in the cloud. Protecting that data is not just about security – it’s about safeguarding national interests.” – Kenny Lim, CEO of AVM Cloud
Nonetheless, as a Sovereign Cloud provider, AVM Cloud brings the resources and expertise needed to support organisations in overcoming these challenges.
This message resonated in the session presented by AVM Cloud experts Nat Chan, Pre-Sales Consultant, and Hafis Murty, Product Specialist. They walked the audience through the evolution of cloud services – from dedicated servers to virtual private clouds, hybrid solutions, and the shift towards Sovereign Cloud. The pair emphasised that the Sovereign Cloud offers organisations an additional layer of security and control, ensuring compliance with Malaysian laws and providing peace of mind to businesses handling sensitive data.
The dynamic duo of Nat Chan and Hafis Murty dived deep into how AVM Cloud’s products can help Malaysian organisations accelerate to the private cloud.
The Power of Private Cloud and a Collaborative Ecosystem
Beyond data sovereignty, AVM Cloud is focused on opening up possibilities for businesses through its cloud solutions. The company is positioning itself as a key player in a larger tech ecosystem, working with SaaS partners to offer comprehensive end-to-end solutions. Kenny stressed that AVM Cloud’s role is not just to provide cloud infrastructure but to foster a collaborative environment where technology partners can leverage its platform to deliver innovative services.
This message was echoed by other speakers at the event, who put into focus, the importance of cloud in driving business outcomes. Choong Chee Heng, SEA Business Development Manager at Crayon, and Poovendiran Ramasamy, Pre-Sales Technical Specialist, discussed the challenges and opportunities businesses face as they migrate to cloud environments. They highlighted how Crayon, in partnership with AVM Cloud, helps businesses manage their cloud investments strategically while ensuring a strong focus on innovation.
Choong Chee Heng (left) and Poovendiran (right) believe that cloud adoption requires meticulous strategy and that failing to plan is planning to fail.
Similarly, Nigel Tan from Veeam discussed the importance of securing data in the cloud, noting that as businesses move to private cloud environments, they must also implement robust backup and security solutions to protect against evolving cyber threats. Tan stressed that a private cloud setup, combined with immutable backups and zero-trust strategies, is crucial in ensuring data resilience.
“Organisations must not only back up their data but ensure that those backups are secure and immutable,” Nigel noted in his speech.
Looking Ahead: AI and Cloud Integration
As the event progressed, the discussion naturally shifted to the future of cloud computing and AI integration. Dr Marcus Lim, CEO of Aiology, provided insights into how AI, combined with private cloud infrastructure, will unlock new levels of innovation for businesses. While the use of AI is becoming more widespread, it’s clear that the infrastructure supporting AI initiatives needs to be robust, scalable, and secure.
Dr Marcus Lim’s vision echoed AVM Cloud’s commitment to fostering a future where AI seamlessly integrates with cloud solutions to drive business outcomes.
For many companies, the private cloud provides the perfect environment for AI development, offering the necessary computing power while ensuring data remains within a secure, private network. AVM Cloud’s private cloud solutions offer a flexible, cost-effective alternative to hyperscalers, enabling businesses to adopt AI without compromising on security or control.
Accelerating into the Future
The AVM Cloud Solutions Grand Prix 2024 underscored the growing importance of private cloud as businesses look to revolutionise their cloud strategies. With a strong focus on collaboration, innovation, and data sovereignty, AVM Cloud is helping organisations shift to the next phase of cloud adoption.
As Kenny Lim concluded, “We’re not just enabling businesses to adopt cloud; we’re empowering them to leverage it for greater innovation. With our private cloud solutions, companies can harness the full potential of AI, SaaS, and secure data management while maintaining control over their most valuable assets.”
AVM Cloud’s CEO was presented with thunderous claps as he left the stage.
With the right private cloud solutions in place, Malaysia’s digital future is poised for tremendous growth. AVM Cloud is leading the way, providing the infrastructure, partnerships, and expertise businesses need to thrive in this new era of digital transformation.
