The tagline "Business In Motion", certainly fits the business model of Axway Inc (www.axway.com), a leading global provider of collaborative business solutions, with its corporate headquarters based in Arizona, USA. Axway's Director & Area Manager were in town to conduct a brief company & product presentation to their Partner in Malaysia, Formis Computer Services (FCS), on 25th April 2007. The session was attended by the Sales & Presales Team at the 10th Floor, Menara SMI.

Axway is the pioneer and leader in collaborative business solutions that integrate applications, divisions, employees, customers, partners and regulatory bodies. Their products are offered under the brand name "Synchrony".

Paul Low(on the right), the Regional Finances Services Industry Director, gave an insight into the company's history and solutions, while Richard Oon (on the left), the Area Manager, deals with the commercial aspect of the business, especially within the Southeast Asia region. Both are from the Singapore office.

With the support and guidance of Axway, FCS will definitely benefit from this industry leader to penetrate the Financial Services Industry.

The Touchpaper ITBM Bootcamp, was held from 16th April to 20th April at the Formis Training Center in Menara SMI. To value add their partnership with us, Touchpaper send their consultant Andy Parker from UK to conduct the TP Bootcamp, and FORMIS BASS Software had five days of fun, discovering and learning.

Check out these pictures!  

Andy giving guidance and coaching.

Want to know more about Touchpaper IT Business Management (ITBM)?

Look for Lee Mei of FBS @ Tel: 03 20705588 ext 951.

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.

After 10 years of being 'true blue', it's nice to be able to stick our necks further out of our shells for a change.

First Solution (FSSB) is serving our 3rd quarter as the only Value Added Distributor of Altiris IT Lifecycle Management Solution in Malaysia. So far, all activities are about mind share, mind share, mind share, towards partners and end users.

Picture: Adam Chang - FSSB, David Hanley - Altiris, Ms CY Tiew - FSSB,  Francois Teo - Altiris, Wilkies - FSSB

 

Early this month two events were held to cater for both sets of audience in a span of just one day

Left pix: Altiris Executive Financial Sector Industry Forum @ Sheraton Imperial KL.

Right pix: Altiris team being introduced to our potential resellers at Clear Club, Mont' Kiara.

We hope to be able to ride far and wide on their promising growth.

To contact our certified Altiris personnel, call Saravanan or Wilkies.  Alternatively, you can email your enquiries to config@first.com.my

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!

Formis Automation Sdn. Bhd. is pleased to announce its appointment as an authorized System Integrator for Distech Controls product and technology.

Distech Controls, Inc. designs, manufactures and markets EasyControls™, a building automation system (BAS) solution, including DDC controllers and software, based upon open control protocols which is used in commercial, institutional and industrial marketplace.

Distech Controls provides BAS solutions that is easy to integrate and manage, has good features and ease of usage. They are also cost efficient.

More information about Distech Controls is available at its corporate website: www.distech-controls.com

Mr Stanley Seow, Packeteer's Country Manager for Malaysia, is seen here handing over a plaque to recognize Continuous Network Advisers (CNA) as their Officially Appointed Reseller in Malaysia. Mr Lum JN, General Manager of CNA was then having a coffee break with Stanley at a Packeteer event. 

With this appointment, CNA is the only Value-added direct partner of Packeteer in Malaysia, working along with Transition Systems, who is currently the only officially appointed Distributor of Packeteer.

CNA is currently completing their implementation of Packeteer for a Broadband IPVPN upgrade of LHDNM, working as partner to TM and Meganet.

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?

An email from Joanne Cheah came on April 12 entitled "Exclusive Invitation to Raman's Farewell..." So off I went with Patrick Lee of FST on Friday the 13th. It was an exclusive invitation alright! We were practically the only outsiders there; the rest (50 of them) were EMC Malaysia staff. This party was organised by EMC staff for their longest serving boss in Malaysia. (Ok, at least Freddy won't feel too bad for not being invited.)

 The event started off with a video montage of Raman's years with EMC, a speech by the departing boss and some parting words from everyone present there, including Patrick and I. The finale was in the form of a "cake in face" for Raman.  Raman then finished off the event with the traditional kok and yam seng obligation to appease the crowd.  Yes, there were tears, from the skies, as the event was taking place.

This event deserved a post on our site because; an invitation to EMC internal event showed the close rapport and relationship that has been established between EMC and Formis Systems & Technology.  It also showed how EMC employees' appreciation of the leadership that K Raman has provided EMC over the past three and a half years. It was the employees way to tell their boss that he had done a great job.

Not only will EMC Malaysia miss K Raman; as their partner, we too shall miss him in EMC.

Editor's note: Pixes updated April 23rd, 2007.

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"

The Foreign Investment Committee on 10th April 2007, have approved Formis Resources Berhad (FRB)'s acquisition of an additional 39.77% equity interest in Com-Line Systems Sdn Bhd, on the condition that  Com-Line increases its Bumiputra equity interest of at least 30% before 30 June 2009.

Formis Systems & Technology Sdn Bhd (FST) starts our new financial year with a kick-off meeting held on 13th April 2007 at 10th Floor, Menara SMI. All of us were excited to see how FST did for the last financial year. The meeting started off with all the Head of Department (HODs) presenting their new directions for the new year. 

Last but not least, our General Manager presented to the staffs what he has in mind for all of us and a very interesting clip about ABC......Always Be Closing and AIDA...Attention...Interest.....Decision....Action!!!!

 

 

We later on proceeded to TGIF for dinner and drinks. The night ended with all of our stomaches filled up to the maximum!!!

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!!"

To better service the businesses in MINDEF and KDN, Formis Computer and Communication (FCC) have taken in two new staff. They are En Irwan bin Ismail, Business Manager  and Account Manager Puan Shaerein binti Ismail.

Shaerein was with Microcorp Technologies Sdn Bhd and was the Account Manager of the sales team before taking up this new challenge at FCC.

Irwan has been in the IT industry since 1997 and prior to joinng FCC, he was working as Head of Sales with Meganet Communications Sdn Bhd.

Three staff from Formis Solusi Indonesia (FSI) - Veronica, Sonny and Ruddy attended a 2-days UNISYS training held on the 2nd & 3rd of April, at Formis Training Centre in Menara SMI , Kuala Lumpur. The training is a milestone for FSI and Unisys to establish the business in Indonesia.

The training conducted by UNISYS was fun and very useful.

We want to thank to our colleagues in Formis Systems & Technology and our friends in UNISYS, namely, Mr. Ron Tan, Regional Director, Mr Izudin, Business Development Manager and Mr. Stephen Ho,Technical Director.

Besides all the knowledge, we also brought home some umbrellas, business card holders and some chinese snacks from Petaling Street :)

Veronica flanked by Stephen on her right & Ruddy on her left.

The photograph on the right was taken during our tea break capturing (from left to right) SN Eraka (FST-Pre-Sales), Stephen Ho, Veronica and Sonny Yahya (FSI- Technical Manager).

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!!!

Applied Business Systems (ABS) held a Partner Security Event together with its security principals like PatchLink, Sophos, Crossbeam Systems, Websense and Check Point on March 22, at Sheraton Imperial Hotel, KL with the theme "Security Alliances - May The Force Be With You!!". We had a line up of security experts who shared on their new strategies, business direction and updates on new technologies. After the session, everyone adjourned to the Lounge for chill-out time and were given Star Wars cape & robe costumes to wear.

All of us had fun with the Star Wars theme after a long session of updates. It was a good time to catch up with the partners on the market information and solutions that are able to assist them in tackling certain challenges. It was an awesome party - from the moment it started till the very end.

The Ministry of Information of Brunei Darussalam has chosen Tera Digital Publishing for their new Editorial System. The Ministry of Information of Brunei Darussalam is responsible for producing Pelita Brunei, which is Brunei Darussalam's official Government Gazette.

Tera Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd  (TAP) is the regional distributor of TERA suite of publishing sofware. With the official order sealed on the 23rd of March 2007, it is a another great testimony to TAP's capability to be chosen as the technology partner for the core Editorial System with Brunei's Ministry of Information.

In addition to Pelita Brunei, the system will also be used to produced other publications under the  department.

The commissioning of Pelita Brunei project will mark TAP's 5th customers in the Asia Pacific Region and will add to the existing 270 over customers worldwide.

At 44, Michael Tay is a veteran in Formis Group. He has been around the Group for over 12 years.

1995 - he joined Formis Computer Services Sdn Bhd as Manager
1997 - he was transferred to First Solution Sdn Bhd (FSSB) as its Technical Manager.
2001 - he was made the Assistant General Manager of FSSB.
2002 - he was reassigned to General Manager of FSSB.
2006 - he was transferred to head BASS Consulting Sdn Bhd (BASS).

In December 2006, BASS and Formis Software Dynamics Sdn Bhd (FSD) underwent a reorganisation and integration exercise. Following this exercise, Mike remained as BASS General Manager.

Effective April 2nd, 2007, Michael Tay is officially appointed the General Manager for FORMIS BASS Software Sdn Bhd (FORMIS BASS).

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!