Authorities in Champasack have announced they will retest occupants of quarantine centers, while employees working at the centers will be barred from leaving.
NetApp Celebrates the Digital Transformation and Business Growth Achievements of FY’21 APAC Partner Excellence Award Winners
Selected partners recognized for their commitment toward customer success with NetApp solutions and for driving revenue growth in cloud, FlexPod, AI, data protection and backup as a service
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 19 July 2021 – NetApp (NASDAQ: NTAP), a global cloud-led, data-centric software company, today announced the winners of its annual Asia-Pacific (APAC) Partner Excellence Awards. Presented during this year’s virtual NetApp Partner Summit, these awards recognize partners that have demonstrated outstanding commitment toward customer success and revenue growth.
These partners have excelled in selling NetApp® solutions in categories, such as cloud, the FlexPod® platform, AI, data protection and backup as a service in the past fiscal year, by building differentiated specializations in key focus areas of the NetApp Unified Partner Program.
The award-winning, recently updated NetApp Unified Partner Program enables partners to gain a competitive advantage, grow their business, increase margin opportunity, and attain an optimal return on relationship. With NetApp’s industry-leading portfolio of hybrid cloud data services and data management solutions, partners are well-positioned to help enterprises accelerate digital transformation and unlock the power of data wherever it resides: on-premises, in multiple clouds, or anywhere in between.
“We are especially proud to acknowledge our partners’ successes in helping our customers navigate the most challenging period we have ever seen,” said Wendy Koh, Vice President, Channel & Alliance, APAC, NetApp. “Our partners are critical to the growth and success of our business across the region. Through our Unified Partner Program, we are committed to a long-term investment strategy, so that our strategic partners have profitable growth opportunities to continue doing what they do best – helping customers derive the most value from their data to achieve exceptional business outcomes.”
APAC Partner Excellence Award Winners for NetApp’s Fiscal Year 2021 (FY’21):
- Partner of the Year: Recognizing the partner’s overall NetApp FY’21 revenue, services capabilities, and for driving the highest growth in the APAC region.
o Winner: SysOne Co Ltd (South Korea)
- Distributor of the Year: Recognizing the partner’s overall NetApp FY’21 revenue, services capabilities, and ability to drive distributor managed partner (DMP) growth.
o Winner: Zero One Technology Co., Ltd (Taiwan)
- Service Partner of the Year: Recognizing the partner’s investment in NetApp services and ability to develop advanced technical skills across the entire NetApp’s portfolio to deliver best-in-class experiences for customers.
o Winner: ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation (CTC) (Japan)
- Growth Partner of the Year: Recognizing the partner’s ability to generate significant year-on-year growth in their revenue across the NetApp portfolio.
o Winner: Amidas Hong Kong Limited (Hong Kong)
- New Account Acquisition Partner of the Year: Recognizing the partner with the highest number of net-new account wins to NetApp in the APAC region.
o Winner: Otsuka Corporation (Japan)
- Cloud Partner of the Year: Recognizing the partner’s overall FY’21 cloud data services revenue and deployment of a cloud-focused digital transformation strategy that aligns with NetApp’s cloud vision.
o Winner: ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation (CTC) (Japan)
- Solution Innovation Partner Awards: Recognizing partners that have successfully driven new workloads for new and existing customers.
o Winner (AI): SoftFusion Co Ltd (South Korea)
o Winner (FlexPod): PT. Mastersystem Infotama (Indonesia)
o Winner (Data Protection Alliance): Hitachi Systems Micro Clinic Pvt. Ltd. (India)
o Winner (Backup as a Service): Global Storage (Australia)
- Global Systems Integrator (GSI) Partner of the Year: Recognizing the partner’s ability to drive incremental engagements that are focused on SAP workloads and supporting customers’ journey to the cloud.
o Winner: Accenture (ASEAN)
For more information on the NetApp Unified Partner Program, visit: www.netapp.com/partners/resources
About NetApp:
NetApp is a global cloud-led, data-centric software company that empowers organizations to lead with data in the age of accelerated digital transformation. The company provides systems, software and cloud services that enable them to run their applications optimally from data center to cloud, whether they are developing in the cloud, moving to the cloud, or creating their own cloudlike experiences on premises. With solutions that perform across diverse environments, NetApp helps organizations build their own data fabric and securely deliver the right data, services, and applications to the right people – anytime, anywhere. Learn more at www.netapp.com or follow us on Twitter,
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NETAPP, the NETAPP logo, and the marks listed at www.netapp.com/TM are trademarks of NetApp, Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
#NetApp
Six Advisers With Focus Firms Named to the 2021 List of Australia’s Top 100 Financial Advisers
NEW YORK, NY – ACCESSWIRE – 19 July 2021 – Focus Financial Partners Inc. (NASDAQ:FOCS) (“Focus”), a leading partnership of fiduciary wealth management firms, announced today that five advisers with Melbourne-based Escala Partners Limited (“Escala”), a Focus partner firm, and one adviser with Sydney-based Brady & Associates Financial Advisers (“Brady & Associates”), a member of Connectus Wealth Advisers, also a Focus partner firm, were named to the 2021 list of Australia’s Top 100 Financial Advisers. The list is based on an extensive, national survey conducted by The Australian in collaboration with Barron’s and is a guide to the country’s leading wealth management advisers. The advisers from both firms named to this year’s list have been on it for at least the last three years.
Brady & Associates is a financial advice firm with a 28-year heritage. The firm has close, long-standing relationships with its clients that enable the firm to help with many facets of their clients’ lives and families. The Brady team prides themselves in constructing advice tailored to their clients’ specific circumstances, goals and risk tolerances.
Paul Brady, Founder and Managing Director of Brady & Associates, has more than 25 years of providing comprehensive financial advice to private clients. Paul was a director of the Financial Planning Association of Australia and was awarded Fellow of the FPA for his leadership and contribution to the financial planning community.
Escala was established with the collective ambition to become the new standard of personalized wealth management in Australia. The firm quickly emerged as a leading fiduciary wealth adviser to individuals, families, foundations and institutional investors across Australia, providing them with customized investment solutions through a collaborative, team-based approach. Escala’s client relationships are sustained over time through their dedication to highly personalized service and an ongoing commitment to innovation in defining the standards for excellence in the Australian wealth management industry.
Mason Allamby, Scott Carmichael, Steve Collins, Amanda Fong and Ben James are Partners and members of the original group of Escala founders who started the firm in 2013. They each have deep expertise in multiple areas of wealth management, including financial planning, asset allocation, tax strategy and, in Ms. Fong’s case, the not-for-profit space.
“We are thrilled that Brady & Associates and Escala were recognized for the caliber of their advisers,” said Rajini Kodialam, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Focus. “Both firms are known for their contributions to the rapidly evolving Australian wealth management industry. Their client-centric mindset, combined with a dedication to excellence and innovation, position them for strong future growth. Focus is honored to be a part of each firm’s journey as a strategic partner. Our Australian presence will expand further as our value proposition continues to resonate. Our growing scale in this market is beneficial to our Australian firms, advisers and their clients.”
About Focus Financial Partners Inc.
Focus Financial Partners Inc. is a leading partnership of fiduciary wealth management firms. Focus provides access to best practices, resources, and continuity planning for its partner firms who serve individuals, families, employers and institutions with comprehensive wealth management services. Focus partner firms maintain their operational autonomy, while they benefit from the synergies, scale, economics and best practices offered by Focus to achieve their business objectives. For more information about Focus, please visit www.focusfinancialpartners.com.
#FocusFinancialPartners
About Brady & Associates Financial Advisers
Brady & Associates is a private client wealth management and accounting advisory practice. Brady & Associates serves as a trusted adviser to a diverse range of clients within New South Wales and throughout Australia, including high net worth individuals and families, trusts, estates and small business owners. Brady & Associates provides a team-based, integrated approach in providing clients financial planning, investment management and tax advisory services. For more information on Brady & Associates, please visit https://bradyassoc.com.au/.
About Escala Partners Limited
Founded in 2013, Escala provides objective advice and investment management solutions to high-net-worth individuals, families, foundations and institutional investors. Escala serves its clients through a collaborative, team-based approach focused on the client experience, a relationship built on trust and sustained over time by performance in line with evolving investment objectives. For more information about Escala, please visit https://escalapartners.com.au.
About the 2021 List of Australia’s Top 100 Financial Advisers
The Top 100 Financial Advisers list is a collaboration between The Australian and Barron’s. The formula used to calculate the ranking is rooted in three general categories: client assets managed by the adviser, fees and revenue generated by their business, and the quality of the adviser’s business. The asset and revenue numbers are proxies for client satisfaction. The quality of practice category includes a number of factors including an adviser’s experience, credentials and client-service resources. The listing is based on a survey of 73 questions.
Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect Focus’ current views with respect to certain current and future events. These forward-looking statements are and will be, subject to many risks, uncertainties and factors relating to Focus’ operations and business environment, including, without limitation, uncertainty surrounding the current COVID-19 pandemic, which may cause future events to be materially different from these forward-looking statements or anything implied therein. Any forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Focus on the date of this release. Focus does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any statements expressed or implied therein will not be realized. Additional information on risk factors that could affect Focus may be found in Focus’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The services described in this release are not intended for persons outside of Australia.
Laos Confirms 131 New Cases of Covid-19
Laos has confirmed 131 new cases of Covid-19 today, bringing the total number of cases to 3,426.
Laos Confirms Fifth Covid-19 Death
Laos has confirmed its fifth death as a result of Covid-19 in Savannakhet Province.
Three Border Officials Among New Infections in Champasack Province
Three border officials are among the new cases of Covid-19 confirmed in Laos as the country records 108 new cases of Covid-19 today.
Over 1 Million Covid-19 Vaccines Donated by United States through COVAX Facility Arrive in Laos

Laos has received a new shipment of Covid-19 vaccines donated by the United States through the COVAX Facility.
The Community-based Social Innovation for Youth Program in Hong Kong
The Third “Social Innovation • Community 4.0” Competition Prize Presentation Ceremony
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 16 July 2021 – A team of four Form 3 students from True Light Girls’ College was crowned champion at this year’s “Social Innovation * Community 4.0” Competition. Their winning solution “EGames Truck”, a mobile entertainment center featuring different educational and entertaining games, aims at tackling the mental health issues of the increasing population of elderly citizens living in remote areas in the North District by regularly bringing educational and entertaining games to their doorsteps. The winning team will join a Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS)-organized tour to Bali next year to visit a cluster of innovative start-ups and social enterprises.
Supported by Citi Foundation and organized by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, the “Social Innovation * Community 4.0” Competition is a pioneering challenge open to all secondary schools to find sustainable solutions to community problems. Mr. Ivan Lee Kwok Bun, JP, Hong Kong’s Commissioner for Efficiency, Innovation and Technology Bureau; Mr. Wayne Fong, Head of Corporate Affairs, Citi Hong Kong; and Mr. Chua Hoi Wai, Chief Executive, HKCSS and Miss Gloria Lam Tsz Yan, Assistant District Officer, North District Office, Home Affairs Department, officiated at the award presentation ceremony today. Also attending were representatives of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), competition’s partnering and supporting organizations, as well as teachers and students from the finalist teams. Five award prototypes were showcased at the ceremony.
Each year a district in Hong Kong is selected as the focal area – Central and Western District in its first year, Kowloon City District was next, then this year North District was the focus. Through experiential learning in the community and comprehensive training in design thinking, technology, and making prototypes, as well as interaction with local citizens with the support of the District Office and NGOs in the area, participating students are challenged to identify a community issue and come up with solutions to address it. This year, 45 teams from 28 secondary schools submitted their proposals. 15 finalist teams were invited to produce prototypes, which, together with remaining teams’ concept boards, are now being exhibited to the public at North District Town Hall until July 18.
Mr. Ivan Lee Kwok Bun, JP, Hong Kong’s Commissioner for Efficiency, Innovation and Technology Bureau called upon members of different sectors to model on this competition and join hands to drive social innovation, “I look forward to seeing more organizations and bodies engage in such cross-sector collaboration to foster youth participation in social innovation and devise related programs and projects that bring impact to society.” He also encouraged students to continue to care about society, “In this competition you have demonstrated your creativity, affection, empathy, as well as commitment to society. At a time when our society is facing different challenges, I truly hope you will keep caring about the community and other people and get yourselves well equipped to contribute to building our splendid home with your positive energy.”
Mr. Wayne Fong, Head of Corporate Affairs, Citi Hong Kong, said, “Young minds are key to shaping a brighter future for all, and Citi Foundation aspires to equip them with the skills and networks which will contribute to their success in our ever-changing world. This competition is an example of Citi’s commitment to sustainability and we are pleased to see our vision to advance youth empowerment for the holistic and inclusive growth of the community come to fruition.”
Mr. Chua Hoi Wai, Chief Executive of HKCSS, said, “I am so happy to see that students are able to walk through their journey of design thinking and produce innovative solutions to address the community needs of North District with empathy. With the extensive support of concerned government departments, community partners, village groups and expert groups, the competition provided a series of community visits, community pitching, technological and technical support to students. It is hoped that the ‘Social Innovation * Community 4.0’ Competition is not only a student competition, but also an action-oriented experience that delivers real community solutions and puts social innovation into practice.”
The finalists’ prototypes will undergo four rounds of testing in the community on July 19 and 22 this year. Teams will demonstrate on-site how their prototypes operate in practice, while residents in North District will be invited to provide user feedback in order to improve the feasibility and practicality the prototypes.
The fourth “Social Innovation * Community 4.0” Competition will be open for applications in mid-October, and the new cohort will focus on social issues in Sham Shui Po District. It is hoped that the competition inspires the students to turn their ideas into action for the betterment of the community, advancing social innovation in our society.
Mr. Ivan Lee Kwok Bun, JP, Hong Kong’s Commissioner for Efficiency, Innovation and Technology Bureau (first from left), joined by Mr. Wayne Fong, Head of Corporate Affairs, Citi Hong Kong (first from right), presents the award of the third “Social Innovation * Community 4.0” Competition to the champion team from True Light Girls’ College for their innovation “EGames Truck”.
Award prototypes were showcased at the ceremony.
15 prototypes and 45 concept boards are now being exhibited to the public at North District Town Hall until July 18.
About HKCSS
The HKCSS is an umbrella organization of about 490 agency members that provide over 90% of the social welfare services in Hong Kong. HKCSS launched the Caring Company Scheme in 2002 to build a cohesive society by promoting strategic partnership among business and social service partners and inspiring corporate social responsibility through caring for the community, employees and the environment. HKCSS puts much effort in building capacity of social enterprises through the Social Enterprise Business Centre (SEBC) to advance social entrepreneurship and mobilize social innovation.
Additional information may be found at www.hkcss.org.hk |
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HKCSS1947
About Citi Foundation
Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities around the world. We invest in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyze job opportunities for youth, and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant cities. The Citi Foundation’s “More than Philanthropy” approach leverages the enormous expertise of Citi and its people to fulfil our mission and drive thought leadership and innovation. For more information, visit www.citifoundation.com
#HKCSS #CitiFoundation