Huawei has launched OpenLab3.0 to help build industry ecosystems in Asia Pacific (Apac).
The US$20 million project will serve as a regional centre of joint solution innovation, solution research and development (R&D), partner enablement and development, and industry experience.
It aims to accelerate digital transformation in public service, finance, transportation, energy and more industries, cultivating future-oriented capabilities to strengthen Singapore's position as the regional innovation hub.
"Apac’s booming digital economy will lead to new innovative services and applications. To accelerate the digitalisation of industries, a more open and diversified industry ecosystem is required. OpenLab3.0 is a global technology platform for partners and institutions of higher learning in the region. It provides innovative industry solutions based on the demands of various industries and continuously contributes to building a digital Apac region," says Nicholas Ma, president of Huawei Apac Enterprise Business Group, at the launch of OpenLab3.0 yesterday.
The centre will also help nurture tech talent through Huawei’s talent development model called PIPES, which stands for platforms, innovation, professionalism, experience and skills.
“PIPES delivers targeted talent programmes for individuals from all walks of life, to foster an inclusive talent ecosystem in the Asia Pacific region. OpenLab3.0, a platform for innovation, experience and know-how sharing, exemplifies our talent-centric commitment and is set to emerge as a pivotal hub for talent cultivation across the region,” states Jun Zhang, president of Public Affairs and Communications of Huawei Asia Pacific.
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A heavy focus on open collaboration
Digital transformation is a complex process involving a fusion of technologies. “With OpenLab3.0, organisations can experiment with [or apply] Huawei’s wide and broad portfolio of products [including the latest technologies like Wi-Fi 7] to the moving parts of the innovation equation,” claims Foo Fang Yong, CEO of Huawei International.
He continues: “One of the key advantages of OpenLab is collaboration. It is designed to bring together diverse perspectives and skill sets to solve complex problems and develop innovative solutions together – whether it's meant to address Singapore’s innovation challenges or bring Singapore towards Asean. By working with our team and other partners in the lab, [organisations] will have access to a wide range of perspectives and ideas as well as solutions that can help them achieve their goals. [In essence, OpenLab 3.0] will serve as the hub for creativity, innovation and collaboration for mutual success.”
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He adds that Huawei will continue working with the regulators and agencies in Singapore – including the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) – on compliance and cybersecurity-related matters. “Today, we are part of the SGTech Digital Trust Committee, where our mission is to shape the ecosystem to prepare for Singapore as the global norm of trust for the digital economy,” shares Foo.
Huawei’s OpenLab in Singapore officially launched in 2016. It has welcomed over 6,000 industry visitors from Asia Pacific and forged collaborations with more than 100 partners to create customer-centric solutions.
Besides Singapore, Huawei has established OpenLabs in Suzhou, Munich, Istanbul, Dubai, and beyond. Those centres have jointly developed and launched technologies and solutions with more than 400 partners worldwide.
Huawei believes that openness and collaboration lead to shared success. It has, therefore, continued to open up its platform capabilities across its HarmonyOS, Kunpeng, Ascend, and cloud portfolio, focusing on improving developer experience as well as enabling and supporting its ecosystem partners on all fronts.
Huawei currently works with more than nine million developers and over 40,000 ecosystem partners to fuel ecosystem-based innovation and create greater value for customers.
According to its 2022 Annual Report, revenue from Huawei's carrier, enterprise, and consumer businesses last year was CNY284 billion, CNY133.2 billion, and CNY214.5 billion, respectively.
Huawei will continue strengthening its investment in R&D as part of its commitment to promote technological innovation. It invested CNY161.5 billion in R&D worldwide in 2022, accounting for 25.1% of the company's annual revenue.
“While it's true that we have considerable pressure ahead of us, we have what it takes to come out the other end – with opportunities to grow, a resilient business portfolio, a unique competitive edge, the enduring trust of our customers and partners, and the courage to invest heavily in R&D. We are confident in our ability to rise above any challenge that comes our way, laying a solid foundation for sustainable survival and development," says Eric Xu, Huawei's rotating chairman, at the company's annual report press conference yesterday.
