It is now my turn and the time to say GoodBye to you all in as far as my working life in Formis is concerned. It has been a good 20 years and 5 months! Naturally I want to thank my bosses especially Dato’ Mah and Mr Chan Ngow for their leadership. As for the rest of the management team, you are "noted". My crazy colleagues, my sincere thanks for putting up with the noise and more noise.

Till we meet again, have fun. 

Best Wishes, Jenny Ong

This was a customer event jointly organized by Diversified Gateway Berhad and Avaya on March 24th, 2010. There were more than 50 key customers, mainly head of companies or IT divisions with us at the highest spot of KL - Menara KL. It was a clear sky evening showcasing the beautiful panorama view of KL city center. Our customers and guests were filled with free flow of drinks, buffet dinner, fabulous gifts and lucky draw prizes. More importantly, our customers took home with them the key message by Formis Resources Berhad’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Dato’ Mah and the corporate update by Avaya ASEAN MD, Mr Ray Teske. Amongst our honorable guests for that evening were YBhg Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Megat Najmuddin, Chairman of Formis and Avaya Country Manager, Teh Chai Peng.

 

We are proud to announce that the entire FORMIS BASS’ QA team has passed the ISTQB Certified Tester Examination and attained ISTQB ( International Software Testing Qualifications Board ) Certification in Software Testing. ISTQB is administered by MSTB ( Malaysian Software Testing Board ), a recognized national testing board. Congratulations guys!

 

FORMIS BASS’ QA team is dedicated to handling all aspects of quality and compliance in FORMIS BASS’ IT projects right from day one, the requirements stage, till the final stage of the system development life cycle. Their involvement is an indication of our commitment to continually strive to achieve high standards of quality and compliance in the products and services we deliver.

 

* The Malaysian Software Testing Board (MSTB) is a member of the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) that regulates the accreditation process and certification regulations for the Malaysian software industry.

 

* Officially founded in 2002 as an International Software Testing Qualifications Board in Edinburgh, the ISTQB is responsible for the international qualification scheme called "ISTQB Certified Tester". The ISTQB's role is to support a single, universally accepted, international qualification scheme, aimed at software and system testing professionals, by providing the core syllabi and by setting guidelines for accreditation and examination for national boards.

Bringing together presales from the Formis group in an informal way at Christmas created a pleasant environment to get to know each other better. Formis Computer Services - Presales Division organized a lunch gathering as a gesture of thanks to those who worked with us over the past year. Each company briefly introduced their core competencies. We had the pleasure of having presales or their Reps from each company represented – FST, CNA, DGB, CLS, Tera, FNS, FSSB, ABS, FBS and ISS.

In the spirit of Christmas, this lunch was a personal sponsorship. Some home-cooked food, pizza, fruit cake, butter cake, and a Gift Exchange lightened the spirit.

 

Rezall (FNS), Rizal (FST), Zulkiflee (FNS), Christine (FCS), Desmond (DGB) - mingling	Don (CLS), Kumar (FBS), Christina (ISS) – welcoming new member
Zulfiflee (FNS), Wong (FCS),Janaki (FSSB), Ken (CNA) – listening to 1 minute sales pitch.	Alson (FSSB) and Rizal (FST) entertaining team mates – others before self!!
Ken (CNA) – Cakes… anybody?	Ken (CAN), Jean (FCS), Juzer (FNS) – tucking in

      

A business presentation themed " Virtualize Your Business" was held recently at the newest hotel in Putrajaya, Pullman Putrajaya Lakeside on 14 July 2009. This jointly organised event between HP (www.hp.com) & Formis Network Services (www.formis.net) was a success as we managed to gather guests from various government sectors.To name few, they are Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam Malaysia (www.jpa.gov.my), Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Malaysia (http://agrolink.moa.my).

"Virtualize Your Business" was picked as a theme as currently thousands of enterprises are adopting server virtualization technologies. This synergistic combination of storage, networking and computing virtualization has created a new category of infrastructure software called virtual infrastructure. Virtualization tools such as Citrix XenServer provides the only production-ready server virtualization suite available today.

It was our hope that this event be a roadmap in facing the challenges of IT today.

Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday …. The day that FCS Sports Club Members look forward to every week.

Every Wednesday evening, it is sweating time for the Sports club members. Why? Because it is “Badminton Day”!! An excellent exercise for office workers like us. No more thinking about work. Just want to work-out and have some fun.

 

      

Like its said " a picture paints a thousand words". Some Formis Network Services Sdn Bhd(FNS) staff and friends from HP & Schlumberger went fishing & "candat sotong" in May at Pulau Kapas, Terengganu. It was sheer fun. Such a great feeling to be in the open sea catching great fishes & "sotong". The weather was great and the sea was crystal clear.It was definitely a stress relief to be away for a while from office work. We definitely going to be back there again next year.

Wed 3^rd Dec 2008 at SMI

Formis Computer Services - Presales Division organized a lunch gathering for all presales within the Formis group of Companies. This is a gesture of thanks to those who worked with us and an opportunity to get to know each other for future business deals.

The following companies participated:

FST, DGB, CLS, TERA, FSSB, ABS & FBS. FNS was unable to attend due to tender submission but were excited and kind enough to offer 2 gifts as their contribution to the Lucky Dip. In the spirit of Christmas, this lunch was a personal sponsorship. There was a Christmas gift exchange and Lucky Dip that created some excitement. Bernard from Tera contributed the Christmas cake!!! Had alcohol… he said.

It was interesting hearing each company delivering a 1 minute sales pitch whilst having sparkling non-alcohol wine.

Over lunch, CLS discussed an opportunity for storage and media for a big client. Formis Media hear ye hear ye!!!.

 In the chill of Genting View Resort, Genting Highland, the managers from Formis   Network Services together with other managers from Formis Computer Services, Formis System  & Technology and First Solution attended a 3 days course of BLUE OCEAN STRATEGY. They learned analytical and systematic approaches for innovative and strategic thinking to create new market spaces. Training was conducted by Xplore Resources. 

 

    

This is how Formis Network Services 6th Floor looks like after 5.30pm on 2nd & 3rd June 2008 after we had our mini Amazing Race. We definitely had great fun even though we are not travelling around the world! Great team spirit....& big laugh!

Our WINNER has double celebration to celebrate that day! It was his wedding anniversary gift when he won the one and only LG 37" LCD TV. (huhuhu!!!). Wife sure wouldn't mind him being late for dinner that night!

To the rest of the challengers, thank you for the support and being so sporting...perhaps to have more prizes in future!

CONGRATULATION HASMI!

16th - 18th May - Pulau Langkawi.
To kick-off the new financial year, First Solution recently had our team bonding session at Pulau Langkawi.

As it is also a note of reward by our General Manager for achieving substantial mileage in terms of sales and services to customers in year 2007. Everyone who has contributed to FSSB's success,  inclusive those who are not directly under our staff headcount was invited. 

We started our day in Langkawi with a half day long 'Island Race' that ends without any prizes!

It was definitely a good break and we came back with newfound ideas and more positive discoveries about each other.

Shirley, our administrator, was running around Sg. Wang looking for balloons while we were having our lunch there last week. I thought it was to be used for a party for her two sons.

That was when we were preparing to surprise the birthday guy.

And that was when we tried to behave ourselves after Dato Mah blew his candles before we started gorging into the food.

HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY DATO' MAH!

In early April this year, Formis Network Services Sdn Bhd ( FNS) together with Celcom (Malaysia) Bhd Drive Test Team nationwide, held a Kickoff Meeting at Port Dickson Eagle Ranch Resort. It was a great session for all as Celcom managed to get thier Quality Assurance team from Sabah, Sarawak, Southern region, Northern Region & HQ to gather at Port Dickson; we brainstormed on how to further improve their services better and how FNS could help them as we were awarded with this project for another 3 years.

Not to get everyone so stressed up...we get them to loosen up theirselves and enjoy their stay in Port Dickson. It was night of laughter when we got to see Celcom & Formis Network Services staffs....karaokeing with so many styles and tunes. We even had a teambuilding games & F1 Go Kart challenge. Everyone was so SPORTING....thumbs up to all!

Hoping this could be held annually.

   

 

10th April 2008, a wet evening did not stop us having our FCS FY2008/09 Kick-Off Meeting.

The event at Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur was a much awaited day for all staff to hear how the company had performed and the future direction for the new financial year.

Mr. Wong Wai Wah, our General Manager, was so happy seeing all the old faces during his opening speech. He also delivered FCS' Business Plan for the new year. As usual, he reiterated that to achieve higher goals, we need to explore new opportunities and change the way we do things. Of course, based on our achievements last year, "NO PROBLEM" for us.

Mr. Koh Kuan Sing, Head of Professional Services, Mr. Chong Kam Fook, Technical Support Manager and Ms. Christine Zuzartee, Head of PreSales , all presented their past activities and future plans, and also gave an insight into the roles of various teams in this BIG FAMILY.

Following the business talk, we had a surprise birthday party for those who celebrated their birthday in April. The "Spring Babies" were Auntie Hor, Ms. Liew, Gabriel Choong and Hariharan.

Then, dinner was served! With the appetising variety of food, in no time everyone dug into the buffet counter and had a wonderful and satisfying meal, especially the Chocolate Fountain. The Kick-Off Meeting then ended with high hopes and renewed motivation to face the challenges of 2008/09.

               Formis Computer Services Sdn Bhd Management and Staff wishes all our Partners, Customers and staff

                                              Gong Xi Fa Cai

                                  

                                            with Best Wishes For A Happy and Prosperous New Year

 

Another major milestone in Formis Network Services business pursuit is when we are appointed as HP(www.hp.com) 1st Tier Business Partner recently.

 FNS is now known as HP 1^st tier business partner for Commercial   Products (PC, Workstation & Notebook)  and 2^nd tier business partner for Enterprise products (Intel Servers, Storage & Backup Devices).

It is hope that this partnering will continue to prosper and succeed

• I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of my Muslim colleagues Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Maaf Zahir Batin.Happy holiday and drive safely...poh yin
• Wishing all Formis muslim staff and our valued customers & partners SELAMAT HARI RAYA and ENJOY!!!...Chris

  

• Would like to take this opportunity to wish all of my muslim colleagues & friends Selamat Hari Raya. I do apologize if there is any wrong that I’ve done in the past. I hope all of you have a good one this year. To the rest of my colleagues, happy holiday. Drive safely...Riezal
• Selamat Hari Raya, drive & eat carefully...Firdaus
• Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all Muslim colleagues...Victor
• Selamat Hari Raya to all my colleagues & friends...Andrew
• "Miral Aidzin Wal Faidzin" - Selamat Hari Raya , Maaf Zahir dan Batin to all Muslim colleagues...Hang Zahed
• selamat hari raya aidilfitri maaf zahir & batin kepada semua warga kerja formis yang berugama Islam...Faridah
• Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri dengan Ingatan Tulus Ikhlas Maaf Zahir Batin to all our customers, partners and colleagues...KF Chong
• Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri...Jason
• To all our Muslim colleagues, Selamat Hari Raya and we want to wish those who are celebrating Hari Raya a happy holiday. Drive safely...Iris & Catherine
• Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir dan Batin...Jacky

First Solution (FSSB) held a Futsal Friendly Match with our business partners early this month. Considering our players is made out of one heavy-weight-midfielder, one long sighted goal keeper, one always-lack-of-oxygen-in-the-blood defender, it is considered excellent that we survived up to semi finals (12 teams took part in the match).

Top Left: The only all women's team, Pernec Integrated Network System Sdn. Bhd

Top Right: Group picture of Kompakar Sdn. Bhd, Sunway Computer Services Sdn. Bhd, Time Engineering Sdn. Bhd. and First Solution Sdn. Bhd.

Left: FIRSTSAL CHAMPION goes to the 'Los Lobos' Team from Kompakar Sdn. Bhd.

Trophies and hampers for the top three winners are courtesy of FSSB. Vouchers worth a total of RM500 are courtesy of Finnegans Irish Pubs & Restaurants. 

FSSB walked home with the Golden Boots award. Our young and handsome System Engineer, Eddy Shazlan, scored a total of 8 goals. 'Tepuk Komando!'

Ms. Ban has been heading our Operations and Admin department for the past two years plus.  Prior to joining First Solution (FSSB), she was the Senior Accounts staff in Diversified Gateway Berhad for 7 years.

 

Her voice is often only heard when she tries to ensure operations arrangements are done right.  The sales department would leave the sometimes customer demands for us to meet unreasonable timeline handled by her.  Not because she is ‘garang’, but because she is best at making negotiations.

 

Though we don’t speak to each other much, her silent positive lifestyle just cannot go unnoticed.

 

In a company that is pretty much dominated by young to middle aged staff, she never let some of our silly outing ideas a miss.  Be it a long karaoke session, lunch at Hard Rock Café, occasional ‘teh tarik’ after work, she’s a sport at making some quality time though customers keep calling till 7pm. 

 

It is quite strange because we, the younger ones, do not seem to find enough will power to join her for her Tuesday brisk walk at the park right behind this building.  But she helped us get more oxygen in the office by looking after all the potted plants.

 

Today is her last day with FSSB, she is going to join the permanent company; of her son, daughter, husband and not forgetting the family’s dog.

 

Our best regards goes to you Ms. Ban!  Thanks for everything.

 

From 11th August 2007, motorists coming from Starhill direction at Jln Bukit Bintang will not be able to turn left to Jln Sultan Ismail to head to Jln Imbi and Times Square. Both sides of Jln Sultan Ismail in front of Lot 10 and Sg Wang Plaza will become a one-way street, only allowing motorist to come from Jln Imbi to head to Jln Sultan Ismail.

For more info please go to http://www.dbkl.gov.my/_komuniti/makluman_orang_ramai.php?mrid=463&page=1&btm=0&tahun=2007

Formis Computer Services(FCS) successfully organized a bowling competition at Ampang Super Bowl, Berjaya Times Square on 13 July 2007 at 7.00 p.m. A total of 25 staff participated in the friendly competition aimed at fostering closer working relationship among all levels of staff in the various departments in FCS. Based on the response and the hive of excitement during the competition we believe we have achieved our objectives.

The group of 25 staff was randomly picked to form 5 teams aptly called, Solaris, Vista, Virtual, Integrator and Infinite. After 2 hours of grueling competition, the Infinite Team comprising of Mohd Fairuz,  SM Liew, Poh Yin, Victor Wan and Hang Mohd Zahed (Event Organiser) became the eventual winner by a narrow margin. After the team competition, the top 4 bowlers competed in the individual championship, which was won by Mohd Fairuz.

After the bowling competition, we adjourned to Kenny Rogers but had only 1 bird for 25 people :(  so we changed our direction to KFC for a finger licking good time followed by the prize presentation.

Overall, it was a good outing for the FCS team as everyone had a very good time with laughter and high competitive feeling towards the game all in the true spirit of TEAM FORMIS. Looking forward to the next team outing.

 

      

22 staff of FORMIS BASS Software and Formis Computer Services attended a sales training called Professional & Effective Solution Selling at Bayu Beach Resort, PD on 11th & 12th May, 2007.

The Objective - To learn and adopt best practices for professional and solutions sales process.
The Issues - Prospecting and qualification skills to produce healthy sales funnel, Understanding clients’ behavior to win deals by generating and implementing pro-active action plan to win.

Right from the start, all participants were told to adapt to “Change” in order to be successful. The highlight of the training was to identify and understand clients’ business value chains – this was where the participants were grouped into 3 groups and made to present their view of business opportunities by looking at their business functionalities.
They also learned about follow-up, handling objections and closing calls which are part and parcels of a sales process.

Besides training, there were moments of fun in and out of the sun (beach soccer and volleyball, playing pools and karaoke). After two days of training, everyone is looking forward to adopt what they have learned into action and hopefully will be able to gain more qualified clients and turn into sales for the company.

Bernama reported that Comptroller of the Perak royal household Raja Datuk Seri Mansur Raja Razman announced the marraige of the Raja Muda of Perak to be held on May 17. According to Utusan Malaysia the lucky girl is Zara Davidson, Formis (Malaysia) Berhad's former Vice President, Partnerships and Alliances.

Zara Salim Davidson, graduated with honors from University of Nottingham, UK, in Chemical Engineering. She joined Formis Network Services in 2001 after serving six years in PETRONAS. She was reassigned to corporate the following year. She left Formis in 2006 for Forthwave Consulting and served as its Managing Director until March 2007.

Congratulations Zara and we at Formis wish you all the love and happiness.

Lum Jenn Ning, General Manager of Continuous Network Advisers (CNA) tendered his resignation on April 20, 2007. Lum's career in the group spanned across both former My-InfoTech and Formis (Malaysia) Berhad.  He join BASS Consulting in 1992 as Business Manager and thereafter was recruited to head First Solution in 1999. In 2001, he headed Formis Computer Services before being transferred to CNA in 2003.

Lum, who is currently completing his MBA is moving on to further enhance his career opportunity.  Lum feels that he has reached a point in his life where he needs to make a decision: "..to turn left or turn right." Lum sees that there are more opportunities outside to enhance his career than within the Group. "Of course, there is down side too." Quipped Lum, "But I am willing to take the risk."

After 15 colorful years in the Group, across four companies, Lum Jenn Ning is an icon in our local history book. We bid him best of luck in his future endeavors.

In the industry news today, it looks like Peter Goh, BMC's Managing Director for South Asia is heading for the EMC's Country Manager's seat vacated by K Raman.  And Nick Goh, our former General Manager of Formis Computer Services is now the Chief Marketing Officer for Global Transit International.

Formis Computer Services (FCS) held its Kickoff Meeting on 11th April at The Pub, Shangri-La Hotel. FCS’s staff enjoyed the buffet dinner and the free-flow of beer and pop-corn.

Mr. Wong Wai Wah, our Senior Business Manager presented FCS' Business Plan. To achieve our targets, Wong reiterated that we need to explore new opportunities and sell wide and deep. With Wong at the helm we hope to achieve our goals.

(Right) FCS team listening attentively to the other presenters (hoping for some good news?). With more than 20 years of experience in banking industry, En Hang Zahed, our Banking Consultant, presented fresh ideas on tackling the banking sector in particular Islamic Banking. He identified FCS’s role, the challenges, possible scenarios and opportunities in the banking industry.

Ms. Christine Zuzartee, PreSales Manager presented the roles of the pre-sales team among which is to help the Sales team achieve FCS’s targets. The goal of presales is to beef up the product knowledge and do 1st level presentation. Getting to know the presales team’s interest and strengths created some humour. Mr. Chong Kam Fook,Technical Support Manager presented the Technical Support Structure and roles of the various teams.

We were honored to have Mr. Chan Ngow and En. Rudi at the kick off. Mr. Chan Ngow’s key message to sum it all was to improve productivity and profitability. (Left) Our tea ladies fondly called Aunties – nice to be served for a change.

Despite the downpour, the FORMIS BASS staff’s mood in Hard Rock Café were not dampened. They were tucking in the yummy food and drinks after a 2 hour session of presentation by their General Manager, Michael Tay at Menara SMI. 

Shouts of ‘ Yum Seng ’ filled the air as they joined in to celebrate Michael' s birthday and toast to a ‘ Great Beginning ” for FORMIS BASS.

The merger of the two companies in the software division also marked the formation of an enlarged FORMIS BASS social club.

The newly elected President, Deric Chong and the committee members have been given the charter to organize ‘ get togethers ’ and ‘ makan-makan’  to foster friendship and promote teamwork amongst FORMIS BASS staff. TO A GREAT YEAR!

Today, K Raman officially starts his new job as Managing Director, Oracle Malaysia as oracled by the market recently. Congratulations on his new appointment and we hope to see K Raman take Oracle to greater heights. FST say goodbye and I say hello.  ABS and Com-Line say hello, hello.

But first:  Got welcome party ar?

PT. Formis Solusi Indonesia (FSI) held a kick off meeting FY 2007-2008 on Friday the 13th , April 2007. The General Manager of FSI, Ruddy Poespoprodjo explained the last year performance and FSI business direction for FY 2007 – 2008 as well as some expectations on the whole team in order to face challenges. All staffs look enthusiastic with the new business direction shared by Ruddy. In that event we were also shared our thoughts on how to improve individual and company’s performance.

The session was ended by having a dinner " ayam goreng" and "nasi gudeg" at the office and followed by karaoke session at “Inul Darastita” family karaoke.

 

 FSI team at "Inul Darastita"

Let's see if this works. Our boys at FBS seems to have trouble getting a poll utility in our website. Got this free of the Internet. (Ok, so it has some sponsorship material at the bottom. Actually, that can be removed easily. But since its free, let's give them some credit.) PQ, btw is Pantry Quips.

 

On 9 April 2007, Formis Network Services (FNS) held our 1st Kick Off Meeting for the new financial year at Equatorial Hotel Kuala Lumpur together with Formis Computer and Communication (FCC). It was an good session for all as everyone was pulling their ears very hard to know how and what FNS did in 2006 and most importantly....."ada BONUS tak?" this year. 2006 has definitely been a challenging and energetic year, it was a bumpy ride all along but we survived to bear another year.  

Well done and congratulations to all that have helped to bring in $$$$ into FNS 2006 financial year and let us cross our finger for more $$$$ in 2007. 

MALAYSIA BOLEH....FNS also boleh what!

After weeks spent battling denggi and a minor heart condition, we are happy to have Pak Hamdan back at the helm. In fact he was not due back until the end of April (Doctor's order!!). What can we say he loves working.

Many heartfelt thanks to all that visited Pak when he was taken ill at Pantai Medical Centre. He will certainly be looking forward to a great 2007/2008 with FMT.

"Oh he is a jolly good fellow, oh he is a jolly good fellow, oh he is a jolly good fellowwwww, that nobody can deny!!"

FMT's very own Technical Manager Ahmad Zuraimi may just be Selangor's new Mr. Selangor Body Building Champ this year. After months of training, FMT's staff has seen tremendous increase in Raimi's chest, arms and abs. To be honest he looks good and hopefully good for the title itself.

Best of luck Raimi!!! Just do it!!!

For most of us, today is just another Sunday. For the kids, its a day for pranks. And for some criminals, its another day, another dollar. For Formis, however, today represent the start of another financial year. The accountants call it, FY 2007/08.  As we begin to prepare for the new financial year, the accountants will start auditing and closing the books for FY 2006/07. We already have an estimate of how Formis will close for FY 2006/07 and it falls way below expectation.

FY 2006/07 was the first financial year as Formis Resources Berhad. We had two financial years before as trial.  And yet, we still could not meet expectation. We can debate about the reasons, or the causes, or even the position of the stars but in the end, meeting expectation is all about expectation.

We crossed into FY 2007/08  with new expectations. We also have to learn to discard old expectations. So, consider this posting as food (for thought) and the visual, the entertaintment. After all, in our industry, virtual is an accepted world. Hopefully, in real life, we will be able to meet the expectations set. Happy New Financial Year!

Formis Network Services (FNS) held a team building exercise for all their staffs from  12 to 14 January 2007 at Eagle Ranch Resort, Port Dickson. Everyone had a great time and surprisingly we discovered lots of entertainers in the house. The impact of this event was phenomenal, the team spirit was very high and it was clearly a case of just a matter of holding on to it - "Malaysia Boleh". No doubt about it, it was a successful session for all. Would be great to make it an annual event.

   

Today, virtualization is in the forefront - helping businesses with scalability, security and management of their global IT infrastructure.

On 23 March, Formis Computer Services (FCS) organised a product presentation for the staff about VMware by Jardine OneSolution. During the presentation, they presented the features & benefits of the virtualization technology.

(Left) Attentive staff during

training session. (Right) Staff attending to light refreshments.

 

For more information, please visit http://www.vmware.com

Apparently, market is talking about a possible move by veteran IT personality, K Raman Country Manager of EMC Malaysia. It is reported that he had tendered his resignation and the IT market oracled that he be going to where the sun shines.

Sun Microsystems was left in a vacuum with the departure of Cheam Tat Inn in mid-2006. Although Sun announced that Gan Boon-San as its Managing Director to oversee operations in Malaysia in August of last year, industry watchers predicted that it is a temporary measure until a local personality can be found. Is it just another Oracle?  Man-o man, who will now take over EMC Malaysia?

Systems Administrators for both Formis Computer Services and FORMIS BASS Software are busy configuring email servers and email addresses for the merged software company, FORMIS BASS Software. Michael Tay, General Manager (Designate) for FORMIS BASS has elected to use formis.net email address. Hence, to email Michael, his new email address is Michael.Tay@formis.net.

Physically, FORMIS BASS is operating their own mail server (formerly the old FSD mail server.) The existing BASS Consulting server will be retired and mailboxes migrated. Mails sent to user@formis.net will be automatically routed to the new FORMIS BASS mail server.  Alternatively, as a backup measure, email can also be sent to user@fbs.formis.net directly.

Users on the old email addresses (exempli gratia user@bass.com.my and user@fsd.com.my) can still continue to receive mail at those addresses until a cut off date (to be announced). FORMIS BASS staff are advised to look out for email on the validity of the previous email addresses and instructions on how to re-configure your email client to avoid missing out any important mails.

Still blur? Contact Deric Chong at Deric.Chong@fbs.formis.net of FORMIS BASS for help. For the rest of us, the change from will be effective April 2nd, 2007.

Congratulations to these happy fathers at Formis Network Services on the arrival of their newborn babies.

     

(LtoR)Fairuz Azura, Network Engineering Manager, Zakri Juzer & Faissal Rezall, both Product Managers.

After the Heads of Company strived with their bottom line (last Friday) and FCS' engineers with the Internet line (over the weekend), it is the Contributors turn; to labor with their story-line.  Its back to school for this group. They will get educated on using various Content Management System to add and manage contents to both Formis homepage and this blog.  This mark the start of 'Pantry Quips' trial-run after having successfully completed the beta stages in the past one month.

The people listed below have been given an added responsibility to publish at least one article a month to the Group's online news page. Hopefully, a continuously updated content will help our fellow colleagues to be more informed and aware of what is happening across the Group.

The contributors are listed in the table below:

Name	Company	email
Chong Sui Pei	Applied Business Systems	suipei@abs.com.my
Terri Sandhu	Com-Line Systems	terri@comline.com.my
Joanne Lim	Continuous Network Adviser	joanne_lin@cnadvisers.com
Desmond Ho	Diversified Gateway	desmond.ho@dgb.com.my
Nik Marini Nik Muhiddin	First Solution	marini@first.com.my
Intan Suhana Sariffuddin	Formis Automation	intan.suhana@fasb,com.my
Lana Chan	FORMIS BASS Software	lanachan@bass.com.my
Siti Azlin Md Shafian	Formis Computer & Communication	siti.azlin@formis.net
Loo Poh Yin	Formis Computer Services	py.loo@formis.net
Jennifer Yap	Formis Media Teknologi	jennifer@fmt.com.my
Noraizah Yunos	Formis Network Services	noraizah.yunos@formis.net
Yvonne Chin	Formis Systems & Technology	yvonne.chin@formis.net
Ruddy Poespoprodjo	PT Formis Solusi Indonesia	ruddy.poespoprodjo@formis.net
Mohd Ibrahim Abdul Majid	Tera Asia Pacific	mohd.ibrahim@tera-ap.com

Formis Computer Services' engineers continue to struggle to bring up their Internet connections after the lines from AIMS was discontinued on Thursdays, March 15. They had worked over the weekend with no success, hampered by availability of ISP support and physical access to HQ's infrastructure. Picture on the right shows our engineers in bewilderment trying to configure the IPs and line problems.

Another day without mail? 

 

Update 3:00 pm (MYT):  MAIL'S UP!

The Group’s main mail server, formis.net is down due to termination of Internet line from AIMS.  Although the cut-over from AIMS services to TMNet and Timedotcom were being carried out, Formis Computer Services engineers were caught by surprised on the AIMS termination. AIMs had given ample notice but it was not communicated downwards. Our own internal communication problem.

This outage only affects FCS server formis.net, and the subsidiaries which FCS host mail for. Other group mail are not affected. For urgent or important communication with HQ staff, please use formis.org domain address instead.

A few colleagues were having a CNY tour i.e. visiting DGBians' home on 24th Feb 2007. Kick starts from Desmond's house from 10AM and end at Richard's place for dinner. In between, we have visited Ho (Ex), Khoo (Ex), Melissa (F&A), TCWong (Tech, VP), Hing Ling (Sales) and Robin (ED). To most of us, these houses are new to us, some just move in months ago.

   

  Pix were taken at the home of (Left) TC Wong's, Des' and Mel's house.  

Pak Hamdan is back in hospital last Friday (March 9, 2007) according to Pow Chwee Meng, Sales Manager, Formis Media Teknologi. He was admitted again due to presence of water in his lungs and a bad case cataracts. He is now in Pantai, Block D, Room 420.

Last week’s update has now been superceded.

Tuesday, March 6, 2007: Pow Chwee Meng reported on that Pak Hamdan's doctors are not going ahead with the second angioplasty as the arteries involved are difficult to access. The blockage only appear to be about 60% and Pak Hamdan’s condition is reported to be stable and satisfactory.

Pak is recuperating at home and is expected to be on medical leave for a month.

Pow Chee Meng reported yesterday that Pak Hamdan underwent angioplasty, after his angiogram, to clear one of two blocked arteries on the heart.  Doctors at Pantai diagnosed Pak Hamdan to have two blockages and will schedule to clear the second blockage next week. Meantime, Pak's condition is said to be satisfactory.

Colleagues over at Menara SMI and Menara PanGlobal now have a new place for casual meeting. Over at 10th Floor Menara SMI, the vending machine has finally arrive.  With this, the cafe area (I think we should call it Cafe 10) is fully equipped with the facilities to provide a venue for the  perfect meeting place for co-workers, customers and principals alike.

For those who still don't know about the facilities at 10th Floor Menara SMI, besides the usual meeting and training rooms, the cafe area serves for an informal types of meetings. Coupled with the availability of soft drinks, tea and water, and Astro piped-in through a 32in LCD TV, it gives an out-of-office touch to your meetings.  Power outlets and wireless access to the Internet and Intranet are also available. It provide links back to the office, if needed. All these, in a healthy smoke-free environment. (I guess this means the smokers out there will still prefer Geo or Ah Wong's.)

However, the competition will feel the heat as the vending machine can cough out your favorite softies at RM 1.30 a pop while water, coffee and tea are on the house. Enjoy!

Formis Computer Services (FCS) is currently conducting trial connection to the Internet via two Service Providers; Time and TMnet.  This is made possible through a piece of equipment called a Multi-Homing or Load Balancing Router. The router, an Edimax BR-6624 is equipped with two modems. Its throughput is rated at 40Mbits/sec and is able to do both inbound and outbound load balancing. The box is has a maximum capacity to handle 253 users.

The trial is conducted by FCS' John Raymond. The box will be hooked up to Time's Broadband and TMnet's Streamyx.  Initial trial with two Streamyx was successful but final throughput was adversely affected by TMnet's congested Raja Chulan's exchange. Nevertheless, the idea of having dual connection out to the Internet will reduce outage probability due to service providers. At a cost of RM 850, the equipment will pay for itself in terms of higher bandwidth and reduction of outages. This dual service system is expected to be up by end of the month. For more information, please email John at John.Raymond@formis.net. 

Ruddy Poespoprodjo, our General Manager in Jakarta has reported business disruption at our FSI office. On Monday, February 5th, only 3 staff managed to come in for work.  According to Ruddy, “The last few days only 2 or 3 staff was able to reach office. I monitored that 2 staff's house flooded and the rest isolated by the water. Today, 9 staff is already in the office and only Lanie still cannot come since she and her family is in the evacuation [center].”

Richard Lau, Managing Director of DGB who was in Jakarta last week, said “The flooding started as early as Thursday. I had to change my flight back to KL to early Friday morning to avoid unnecessary risks of delays. The ride back to the airport took 3 hours but luckily the plane delayed take-off due to lack of passengers and maybe the crew too.” 

Although, the situation in Jakarta is looking better today, residents are warned to be prepared for more rainy days ahead.

A car in Jakarta street

An email from Corporate Communications & Information (CCI) dated Jan 16, 2007 regarding changes in the Board of Formis Resources Berhad created confusion among HOCs about the status of the Managing Director, Chan Ngow.

Jenny Ong, Vice President CCI, wishes to clarify that the changes only affect the composition of the Independent Non-Executive Directors.  En. Ahmad bin Khalid has resigned as Director of FRB and taken up position as COO, Timedotcom Berhad. In his place, the Board has appointed Dato' Hairuddin bin Mohamed.

Jenny further reiterates, “There are no other changes at the Board level with regards to personnel or designations.”