Acquisition Will Bring Management, Monitoring and Optimization for Storage, Compute and Data Together with Fully Managed Application Services to Provide Customers a Platform for Cloud Applications from the Datacenter to the Public Cloud
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 8 April 2022 – NetApp® (NASDAQ: NTAP), a global, cloud-led, data-centric software company, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Instaclustr, a leading platform provider of fully managed open-source database, pipeline and workflow applications delivered as a service. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions.
Modern cloud applications rely on a growing set of foundational services including multiple open-source databases, data pipelines, and workflow solutions. Efficiently managing the growing complexity and operational requirements of these applications and services adds new challenges for already overstretched infrastructure, database and operations teams, increasing application integration and delivery costs, slowing application delivery and limiting application innovation.
“NetApp has long been a leader in solutions enabling customers to run applications,” said George Kurian, CEO at NetApp. “The acquisition of Instaclustr will combine NetApp’s established leadership in continuous storage and compute optimization with Instaclustr’s fully-managed database and data pipeline services to give customers a Cloud Operations platform that provides the best and most optimized foundation for their applications in the public clouds and on premises.”
The acquisition of Instaclustr builds on a series of strategic acquisitions made by NetApp to deliver a leading best-of-suite platform for CloudOps. NetApp’s strategic acquisitions including Spot, CloudCheckr, Data Mechanics, Fylamynt and now Instaclustr have made Spot by NetApp a compelling platform for applications on one cloud and across multiple clouds–continuous optimization, automation, monitoring, and security combined with expertise deploying and operating open-source applications, all delivered as a service, on public and private clouds to give customers more cloud with less cost and less time.
“Data management technology platforms are an increasingly essential priority for today’s modern enterprise as companies look for new ways to accelerate application development for competitive advantage. Instaclustr delivers fully managed open-source solutions that give companies increased productivity and reduced cost,” said Peter Lilley, CEO and Co-founder at Instaclustr. “Instaclustr’s growth has been driven by the fact that companies want to leverage open-source databases, pipelines, and workflow applications without overwhelming themselves with the complexity and cost of managing and operating them. We are excited for organizations building applications for their multi-cloud and hybrid cloud reality to benefit directly from Instaclustr’s data PaaS solutions along with NetApp and Spot by NetApp’s infrastructure solutions, while minimizing operations burdens.”
“As companies race to modernize and digitally transform in the cloud, they must implement solutions that enable them to focus more on building and releasing cutting-edge applications at speed, spending less on infrastructure management and operations,” said Anthony Lye, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Public Cloud Services at NetApp. “Instaclustr does just that and will be a significant addition to our Spot by NetApp portfolio, solving common challenges of cloud complexity, cost overruns, single vendor lock-in, and customers’ lack of internal technical resources. The acquisition marks a critical advancement in our strategy to run application driven platforms and infrastructures.”
“From a technology and product perspective, NetApp’s powerful infrastructure solutions pair perfectly with Instaclustr’s data-layer-as-a-service solutions and services,” said Ben Bromhead, CTO and Co-founder at Instaclustr. “For enterprise customers operating applications in the public cloud or on-prem, NetApp and Instaclustr’s combined platform will offer an unparalleled solution for overcoming cloud complexities while eliminating vendor lock-in risks and the high costs of building and maintaining that same expertise internally.”
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, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
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.
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 8 April 2022– Arup, a leading global built environment consultant, and Venturous Group, China’s first Citytech™ Group, have jointly launched Neuron Digital Group (“Neuron”) in a quest to make buildings smarter. Neuron will leverage the power of data and technology to decarbonise building assets and facilitate the transformation towards digital property management.
Buildings are one of the least digitalised sectors in the world. They use 30% of the world’s energy and contribute 28% of global carbon dioxide emissions, according to the International Energy Agency. With the unique domain knowledge and competencies of Arup and Venturous Group, Neuron is in the best position to develop a powerful technology platform for smart and sustainable buildings.
Originally incubated by Arup, utilising its world-leading domain knowledge in the built environment, Neuron embraces data technology to serve modern-day buildings, including energy management, tenant wellness and satisfaction, automation and indoor air quality. It will also help reduce maintenance costs and equipment downtime, and optimise asset management. The Neuron solutions have been implemented in different projects in Asia, resulting in a significant improvement in building energy and operation efficiency. With Venturous Group’s capital, strategy and technology capabilities, Neuron will further develop into a cloud-based integrated technology platform with Digital Twin, AI and big data capabilities that will meet the needs of building owners, operators and users.
Dr. Andy Lee, Co-Chairman of Neuron and East Asia Chief Operating Officer of Arup, said: “Neuron is a powerful demonstration of our commitment to a sustainable future. It offers a systematic approach to decarbonising the built environment by unlocking the potential of data and technology. With this joint venture, we aim to scale up the accessibility and usability of Neuron via cloud platforms, facilitating the industry to accelerate the journey to net zero.”
Mr. Benson Tam, Co-Chairman of Neuron and Founder & Chairman of Venturous Group, said: “Neuron is proudly a ‘child of Hong Kong’. We are so excited to launch it here. Neuron is an infrastructure key to Smart Cities, which is at the core of our firm’s mission. At Venturous Group we not only invest, but also build and operate Citytech. Neuron is a perfect example of what we can achieve together with best-in-class, long-term strategic partners such as Arup.”
Headquartered in Hong Kong, Neuron is already serving several prominent clients in the local market. With a global reach, Neuron has won numerous domestic as well as international innovation and environmental awards to date. Neuron will continue to work in close collaboration with Arup to broaden its service offerings for the built environment, both in breadth and depth. The company also has plans to expand from its research and development base in Hong Kong and establish operating hubs in mainland China and other key leading Smart Cities in the region.
On a final note, Mr. Thomas Pang, the acting CEO of Neuron, added: “At Neuron, we are thrilled by the launch and optimistic about our future. Apart from the support from Arup and Venturous Group, we are encouraged by the enthusiasm shown by our clients and business partners.”
About Neuron Digital Group
Neuron Digital Group is a technology company that focuses on the development and application of the best available technologies for the built environment with an emphasis on efficiency, sustainability and ESG principles. The Neuron platform is the future technology infrastructure that makes buildings smart by using a powerful digital brain and an open platform for integration.
Dedicated to sustainable development, Arup is a collective of 16,000 designers, advisors and experts working across 140 countries. Founded to be both humane and excellent, we collaborate with our clients and partners using imagination, technology and rigour to shape a better world.
Venturous Group is China’s first Citytech™ Group. Powering Smart City economies, it is an investor, business builder and operator of Smart Citytech infrastructure companies. Creating value by transforming the future of city living, Venturous leverages the latest deep Citytech, strategic partnerships and digital transformation to make cities more liveable, sustainable and productive, in China and beyond.
By reducing inventory risk, Peeba helps independent retailers expand quickly and confidently
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 7 April 2022 –Peeba, the online B2B wholesale platform, has secured US$4.2 million in seed funding to help Asian retailers thrive amid pandemic-induced pressure. The funding round was led by Headline Ventures. Hong Kong-based Peeba will use the funds to deepen its localization efforts across 11 APAC countries, as well as to further build out the machine learning technologies underlying its platform.
Digitizing Asia‘s Antiquated B2B Wholesale Market
Asia’s antiquated B2B retail wholesale market was heavily impacted by pandemic lockdowns. Currently, most independent Asian retailers rely on trade shows and in-person sales visits to source new brands and products. This approach is slow and arduous, involving significant legwork even without the added complication of COVID-19 interrupting in-person meetings.
In response, Peeba has created its B2B wholesale online platform to connect unique brands from around the world – including Asia – with independent retailers across APAC. The company has already onboarded 25,000 retail users (10x growth in the last year), and 1,500 unique brands (3x growth in the last year), with over 100,000 products currently listed on the platform.
With the closing of its seed funding round, Peeba’s next steps are to use the funds to deepen localization. The company is expanding its local offices and ramping up hiring to improve local language support across 11 APAC countries and regions, including Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. In addition, Peeba is continuing to improve the platform’s underlying tech, which includes automated credit checks and credit risk analysis, and its machine learning-driven recommendations engine.
“Our mission is to transform how independent retailers discover and connect with unique brands, and bring Asia’s B2B wholesale retail supply chain into the modern era in the process. Peeba’s major value-add is how we reduce inventory risk for retailers, through our 60-day returns policy and “sell first, pay later” model. That allows retailers to quickly adjust to post-pandemic realities with greater confidence,” said Jacky Lai, CEO of Peeba.
Asia‘s Noticeable Lack of B2B Wholesale Tech Infrastructure
As Asia’s retailers were forced online amid pandemic-related lockdowns, it became obvious the region had insufficient tech infrastructure to streamline new brand discovery. This near total lack of B2B-focused online wholesale solutions resulted in a highly manual process, meaning inefficiency and risks hamper business growth, innovation, and new channel and/or market entries, even despite the pandemic. In addition, there’s the sheer complexity of the fragmented Asian market. There are high barriers to entry and expansion for brands seeking growth in APAC, due to the wide range of languages, currencies, regulatory environments, and business practices across the region.
Peeba has set out to solve all these issues. The platform significantly reduces inventory risk for Asian retailers, who can return unsold goods within 60 days, no questions asked, encouraging them to test and adapt their product offerings with peace of mind. Peeba also offers favorable payment terms to retailers based on an automated in-house credit assessment, meaning retailers can “sell first, pay later.” By bringing the wholesale process onto one platform, Peeba is leveling the playing field for Asia’s SME/SMB retailers, who individually have low bargaining power to gain access to unique brands. And the platform also lowers barriers to entry and expansion for unique brands seeking growth in Asia, by providing a single platform through which to attract and manage new channels, clients, and orders.
“We digitize new brand discovery, automate the negotiation and client management process, and streamline logistics and shipping by pooling orders. All this contributes to improving operational efficiency and lowering costs for all parties. Retailers love the smooth discovery to ordering process, and higher margins they get by sourcing products through Peeba,” said Kevin Cho, Co-founder of Peeba.
“Peeba is bringing about the next stage of global retail innovation. The platform brings both emerging and traditional brands to the world of local retail in Asia. We are excited to become Peeba’s partner to help expand their reach into more markets in Asia,” said Akio Tanaka, partner & co-founder at Headline VC.
About Peeba
Founded in 2020, Peeba is a fast-growing online B2B wholesale marketplace that provides independent retailers across Asia access to a curated catalog of unique brands, reduced inventory risk, higher operational efficiency, and lower costs. With the vision to help companies “Buy Smart, Sell More,” Peeba is set to transform the way Asia’s retailers discover and connect with unique brands, with cutting-edge machine learning technology and innovative supply chain management systems.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Customers can receive up to HK$600 Shopping and Dining e-Coupons upon spending of designated amount every week
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 7 April 2022 –Hang Lung Properties Limited (stock code: 00101) (“the company” or “Hang Lung”) has always adhered to its spirit of customer-centricity. To provide customers with more thoughtful and more convenient shopping experiences, Hang Lung launched the “hello Hang Lung Malls Rewards Program” in March last year, bringing customers the latest offers and promotional information for more than 600 merchants under Hang Lung’s malls in a single platform, with points gained able to be used across its shopping malls. On the first anniversary of the “hello Hang Lung Malls Reward Program”, and coinciding with the government’s launch of the Consumption Voucher Scheme, Hang Lung is launching the “hello Anniversary Reward” from today, giving a boost to the retail market. Customers who accumulate spends of every HK$1,500 within a week in the malls of Hang Lung will receive a HK$100 Shopping e-Coupon and two HK$50 Dining e-Coupons. During the promotional period, newly registered hello members who complete the time-limited mission can receive up to HK$50 of designated Merchant e-Coupons.
Bringing vitality to the retail market and stimulating consumption
Since the beginning of this year, Hong Kong has been hit hard by the fifth wave of COVID-19. The retail industry not only missed out on the golden period of Lunar New Year, but business was also affected in the months following.
Ms. Helen Lau, Deputy Director (Head of Hong Kong Business Operation) of Hang Lung Properties, said, “The fifth wave of COVID-19 led to a negative impact on the overall consumption intention of the retail market. Concurrent to the first anniversary of the ‘hello Hang Lung Malls Rewards Program’, the government is also issuing a new round of Consumption Voucher Scheme, so Hang Lung is launching a cross-mall promotion – ‘hello Anniversary Reward’ – to bring synergies and create more business opportunities for its shopping malls in Hong Kong and Kowloon. We hope the promotion can stimulate local consumption intention, bringing vitality to the retail market, and leading the industry out of its current challenging predicament.”
Last year, the government launched the Consumption Voucher Scheme and advocated the development of electronic payment in Hong Kong. At the same time, “hello Hang Lung Malls Reward Program” benefited from the scheme. Helencontinued, “we expect that the ‘hello Anniversary Reward’ campaign and the new round of the Consumption Voucher Scheme can bring about approximately 10% of the membership base of the Program; therefore, we can provide a more considerate and convenient shopping experience as well as further privileges to a wider group of customers.”
Customers’ accumulative spending upon designated amount every week can earn Shopping and Dining e-Coupons
Under the “hello Anniversary Reward” campaign, customers need only to register as a member of “hello Hang Lung Malls Rewards Program”, and achieve accumulative electronic spending of every HK$1,500 each week from April 1 to May 15 at Fashion Walk, Peak Galleria, Grand Plaza, Hollywood Plaza, Gala Place, Amoy Plaza, Kornhill Plaza, and Central properties (1 Duddell Street, Baskerville House, Printing House and Standard Chartered Bank Building). Customers will receive a HK$100 Shopping e-Coupon and two HK$50 Dining e-Coupons through Hang Lung Malls App, and each member can redeem a maximum of three Shopping e-Coupons and six Dining e-Coupons per week. In addition, Hang Lung also launches its “Welcome Offer for hello New Members”. Customers who register as a member of “hello Hang Lung Malls Rewards Program” and complete the time-limited mission during the promotion period can receive a designated Merchant e-Coupon of up to HK$50 (for more details please refer to the below table).
A raft of thoughtful and rewarding surprises for hello members
Starting from April 1, 2022, Hang Lung presents a selection of surprise rewards, and members can redeem with fewer hello points via the Hang Lung Malls App. Considering that many people are currently working from home, Hang Lung has selected a series of household appliances, consumer products and exciting experiences for customers to redeem, providing a welcome change to the usual work-from-home routine! Gifts include Apple HomePod Mini Wireless Speaker (space gray), Nespresso D40-SG-BK-NE4 Coffee Machine (black), Yohome RG-W40 Tea Thinking Retro Instant Hot Water Dispenser (white), Mi BHR5058EN Smart Air Purifier 4 Pro (white), Sony SRS-XB13 EXTRA BASS Portable Wireless Speaker (black), Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Set (L+R) Neon Green/Neon Pink Game Controllers, Francfranc Stainless Pot & Server (white) and Francfranc Go Table Pot & Pan 5 Piece (pink).
In addition, hello members can also redeem weekly limited gifts, including HK$1,000 Broadway Gift Card, HK$1,000 Decathlon Gift Card (members can redeem through the Hang Lung Malls App), hotel accommodation package for two, plus Apple Watch and Japanese Omakase Set for Two at ODDS. Gifts are in limited offer, so customers should stay connected to the Hang Lung Malls App for the latest information.
“hello Anniversary Reward”
Promotion period:
April 1 to May 15, 2022
Applicable malls:
Fashion Walk, Peak Galleria, Grand Plaza, Hollywood Plaza, Gala Place, Amoy Plaza, Kornhill Plaza, and Central properties (1 Duddell Street, Baskerville House, Printing House and Standard Chartered Bank Building)
Promotion details:
Customers who achieve accumulative e-spending of every HK$1,500 every week can receive:
a HK$100 Shopping e-Coupon
two HK$50 Dining e-Coupons
Notes: Each member can redeem a maximum of three Shopping e-Coupons AND six Dining e-Coupons per week (Please refer to the attachment for the redemption method and terms and conditions).
“Welcome Offer for hello New Member”
Promotion period:
April 1 to May 15, 2022
Applicable malls:
Fashion Walk, Peak Galleria, Grand Plaza, Hollywood Plaza, Gala Place, Amoy Plaza, Kornhill Plaza, and Central properties (1 Duddell Street, Baskerville House, Printing House and Standard Chartered Bank Building)
Promotion details:
Customers who register as a member of “hello Hang Lung Malls Reward Program” and complete the mission can receive:
Up to HK$50 designated Merchant e-Coupon
Welcome offer: To receive HK$25 Merchant e-Coupon after first successful receipt registration.
1. Mission: Get an extra HK$25 Merchant e-Coupon after uploading 3 receipts spending in different dates from merchants in 60 days.
Point Rewards
Starting from April 1, 2022, Hang Lung presents a curation of surprise rewards which members can redeem with fewer hello points via Hang Lung Malls App. Considering that so many people are currently working from home, Hang Lung has selected a collection of household appliances and daily products for customers’ redemption. Featured promotional items include HK$1,000 Broadway Gift Card, Apple Watch, Apple HomePod Mini Wireless Speaker (space gray), Nespresso D40-SG-BK-NE4 Coffee Machine (black) etc.
Fashion Walk, Peak Galleria, Grand Plaza, Hollywood Plaza, Gala Place, Amoy Plaza and Kornhill Plaza and Central properties (1 Duddell Street, Baskerville House, Printing House and Standard Chartered Bank Building)
Promotion details:
Starting from April 1 to May 15, 2022, customers who achieve accumulative e-spending of every HK$1,500 every week can receive a HK$100 Shopping e-Coupon and two HK$50 Dining e-Coupons through Hang Lung Malls App, and each member can redeem a maximum of three Shopping e-Coupons and six Dining e-Coupons per week.
Starting from April 1 to May 15, 2022, customers who register as a member of “hello Hang Lung Malls Reward Program” and complete the time-limited mission can receive a designated Merchant e-Coupon of up to HK$50.
Remarks:
1. Each customer has to download Hang Lung Malls App from https://www.hanglungmalls.com/download/7 and register as a hello member for the Hang Lung Malls Rewards Program before enjoying the shopping privilege. 2. hello members must spend through designated electric payment methods and upload receipts through Hang Lung Malls App to receive the rewards; accumulation of same week machine-printed receipts of electronic payments applies. Minimum spending is required for using a HK$50 Dining e-Coupon. Each HK$50 Dining e-Coupon can be used upon spending HK$150 or more at a Dining e-Coupon Participating Merchant for a single transaction and a maximum of ten (10) HK$50 Dining e-Coupons can be used for each such single transaction (i.e. the transaction amount must be at least HK1,500). Minimum spending is required for using a HK$100 Shopping e-Coupon. Each HK$100 Shopping e-Coupon can be used upon spending HK$300 or more at a Shopping e-Coupon Participating Merchant for a single transaction and a maximum of ten (10) HK$100 Shopping e-Coupons can be used for each such single transaction (i.e. the transaction amount must be at least HK3,000).Shopping e-Coupons or Dining e-Coupons cannot be used in conjunction with other e-coupons issued by Hang Lung, except Hang Lung e-Shopping Coupon. 3. Weekly quotas apply to Shopping e-Coupon and Dining e-Coupon; available on a first-come-first-served basis, while stocks last. 4. Terms and conditions apply.
1. Each customer has to download Hang Lung Malls App from https://www.hanglungmalls.com/download/7 and register as a hello member for the Hang Lung Malls Rewards Program before enjoying the shopping privilege.
2. Each customer shall only be entitled to receive Merchant e-Coupon once during the event period.
3. Available on a first-come-first-served basis, while stocks last.
4. Terms and conditions apply.
About Hang Lung Properties
Hang Lung Properties Limited (stock code: 00101) creates compelling spaces that enrich lives. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Hang Lung Properties develops and manages a diversified portfolio of world-class properties in Hong Kong and the nine Mainland cities of Shanghai, Shenyang, Jinan, Wuxi, Tianjin, Dalian, Kunming, Wuhan and Hangzhou. With its luxury positioning under the “66” brand, the company’s Mainland portfolio has established its leading position as the “Pulse of the City”. Hang Lung Properties is recognized for leading the way in enhanced sustainability initiatives in real estate as it pursues sustainable growth by connecting customers and communities.
hello Hang Lung Malls Rewards Programme, along with the Hang Lung Malls App, will bring you the latest promotions and event information of over 600 merchants within our malls, including Fashion Walk, Peak Galleria, Grand Plaza, Hollywood Plaza, Gala Place, Kornhill Plaza, Amoy Plaza and Central Properties (including 1 Duddell Street, Printing House, Baskerville House and Standard Chartered Bank Building). Members can earn 1 hello point for every HK$1 spent and redeem exclusive privileges and extraordinary experiences available at our malls. Discover a world of excitement on one platform – brought to you by Hang Lung malls.
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