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EX3 Launches AI Labs to Accelerate Innovation in Payroll, HR, and Enterprise Automation

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LONDON, Feb. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — EX3, a strategic SAP partner and global provider of payroll and HR solutions, today announced the launch of EX3 AI Labs, a dedicated innovation hub designed to accelerate research, product development, and real-world AI application for clients worldwide.

 

 

The launch of AI Labs follows a period of rapid global expansion for EX3, including the establishment of its India operations as a regional hub for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) market, and the introduction of a new C-suite leadership structure to support international growth. Together, these advancements position EX3 to deliver truly global, AI-driven solutions at scale.

A Strategic Investment in Next-Generation AI

EX3 AI Labs represents a significant investment in next-generation artificial intelligence to support innovation across payroll, HR, and broader enterprise processes. The Labs will serve as a center of excellence for AI research, solution design, and product incubation, helping organisations unlock new levels of efficiency, insight, and automation.

“AI is transforming how businesses operate, and our clients are looking for practical, secure, high-impact solutions,” said Luuk Sengers, CSO. “AI Labs enables us to innovate faster and deliver intelligent tools that drive real value.”

Purpose & Vision

EX3 AI Labs focuses on accelerating innovation through cutting-edge artificial intelligence, empowering EX3 and its clients with intelligent solutions that drive efficiency, insight, and transformation. By rethinking traditional workflows and embedding intelligent agents, EX3 aims to help organisations modernise the way they manage payroll and HR operations.

The vision is to become a leading center of excellence for AI research and application—where advanced ideas are transformed into scalable, impactful technologies that redefine how organisations work, collaborate, and deliver value.

Innovation Pipeline and Early Product Initiatives

EX3 AI Labs is advancing multiple AI-driven initiatives, including:

  • AI-enhanced product development workflows, applying intelligent automation to accelerate delivery cycles.
  • A reimagined approach to implementation, exploring how AI can streamline configuration, analysis, and decision-making.
  • A growing portfolio of use cases focused on automation, insight generation, and intelligent orchestration across the employee lifecycle.

These developments form the foundation of a long-term roadmap to bring scalable, practical AI capabilities to EX3 customers.

Building a World-Class AI Team

Led by Luuk Sengers, EX3 AI Labs brings together experienced AI engineers, UX specialists, and domain experts from across EX3’s global operations. The multidisciplinary team blends deep functional expertise with cutting-edge AI innovation to create solutions that are both powerful and enterprise-ready.

EX3 is continuing to expand the team with new talent across engineering, design, and product disciplines as demand for AI-driven transformation grows.

A Clear Signal of EX3’s Market Ambition

The launch of AI Labs marks a significant milestone in EX3’s growth strategy and underscores the organisation’s commitment to being at the forefront of enterprise AI adoption.

“AI Labs is a strong statement of where EX3 is heading,” said Jas Rai, CEO. “We are investing heavily in innovation to help our clients become more efficient, more resilient, and more future-ready.”

EX3 will share further updates on AI capabilities, partnerships, and product releases throughout 2026.

About EX3

EX3 is a global provider of end-to-end SAP Payroll and HR transformation, combining strategic advisory with outcome-based support and managed services to streamline global operations for organizations worldwide. With offices in the UK, Malaysia, and India, EX3 delivers modern, scalable, and innovative solutions that help clients transform how they manage HR and payroll operations.

https://www.weareex3.com/

For more information about EX3 AI Labs, click here.

Media Contact:

Sach Dhanjal
Senior Marketing Manager, EX3
sach.dhanjal@weareex3.com

China’s First Type 4 Hydrogen MEGC Successfully Rolls Off Production Line

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CIMC-Hexagon Achieves a Milestone in Domestic High-Pressure Hydrogen Storage and Transport

SHIJIAZHUANG, China, Feb. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CIMC-Hexagon Hydrogen Energy Development (Hebei) Co., Ltd. (“CIMC-Hexagon”) announced the successful launch of China’s first 20-foot Type 4 hydrogen MEGC (Multi-Element Gas Container). This breakthrough fills a domestic technology gap for Type 4 hydrogen MEGCs and marks significant progress in localizing high-pressure hydrogen storage and transport equipment in China. Backed by international certification and versatile applications, it provides a solid foundation for Chinese-made hydrogen equipment to be provided to the Asian market.


Core Technology Enables World-Class Storage and Transport Solutions

The new 20-foot Type 4 hydrogen MEGC integrates CIMC-Hexagon’s global technology resources with local manufacturing strength. It features a composite Type 4 cylinder, offering high storage capacity, light weight, modular flexibility, and enhanced safety. With an operating pressure of 38 MPa, a standard 40ft container configuration can store more than one ton of hydrogen.


The MEGC meets stringent international standards including ADR 6.8 and TPED (2010/35/EU), and is designed for compliance with other global transport regulations. Suitable for road, rail, inland waterway, it addresses the growing need for efficient, economical hydrogen logistics. Compared to traditional solutions, it offers superior weight reduction, greater capacity, and intermodal compatibility — significantly lowering the total cost of ownership and cost per kilogram of hydrogen transported. Its modular design supports configurations from 10 to 45 feet, providing flexibility for diverse customer needs and optimizing lifecycle costs for medium- to long-distance, high-volume hydrogen transport.

CIMC-Hexagon combines the strengths of its parent companies: Hexagon Purus’s six decades of experience in composite high-pressure hydrogen storage and validation from over 700 MEGC systems deployed worldwide, together with CIMC ENRIC’s full industry chain layout in hydrogen equipment and decades of energy equipment manufacturing expertise. This enables full-process control from core components to system integration, ensuring world-leading product performance and reliability.

Dual-Market Strategy Advances Commercial Hydrogen Storage and Transport

CIMC-Hexagon is pursuing a “Asia first, domestic follow” dual-market strategy. Initially, it will leverage CIMC ENRIC’s foundation in Southeast Asia to expand into the Asian regional markets, capturing new share with certified, compliant products. Simultaneously, the company will advance R&D and certification for a full series of MEGCs at different pressure levels, continuously enriching its product portfolio.

In the domestic market, CIMC-Hexagon will actively participate in shaping hydrogen storage and transport standards, promoting the compliant application of MEGC products within China’s hydrogen infrastructure to support the nation’s “dual carbon” goals. Going forward, the company will fully leverage synergies from its parent companies in technology, channels, and production capacity to optimize costs and delivery efficiency. It will provide customized solutions for regional market needs, gradually building a sales and service network, aiming to become a core supplier in hydrogen storage and transport equipment.

CIMC-Hexagon remains committed to technology-driven innovation, deeper integration of parent company resources, and the localization of hydrogen storage and transport solutions. The company strives to provide critical equipment support for the large-scale development of the hydrogen industry and contribute to a clean, low-carbon, safe, and efficient energy system.

About CIMC Hexagon

CIMC Hexagon is a joint venture established by CIMC ENRIC and Hexagon Purus, focused on the R&D, manufacturing, and sales of Type IV high-pressure hydrogen cylinders and storage systems. The venture combines CIMC ENRIC’s large-scale manufacturing capabilities with Hexagon Purus’s globally leading composite hydrogen storage technology, dedicated to providing safe, efficient, and sustainable hydrogen storage and transport solutions worldwide.

“AI with HKPC” Smart AI Solutions Showcase Series Grandly Opens Focusing on SMEs, Education, and Smart Property Nearly 100 AI Solutions Lead Industrial Transformation

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 February 2026 – The national “15th Five-Year Plan” recommendation has clearly identified the “AI+” initiative as a core strategic deployment. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has also positioned artificial intelligence (AI) as a key development direction for new productive forces. The HKSAR Government is actively aligning with national policies, and the 2025 Policy Address emphasises AI as a core industry for Hong Kong’s future development.

To expand AI application scenarios and enhance enterprises’ competitiveness, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is hosting the inaugural “AI with HKPC” Smart Solutions Showcase Series, which officially opens today. Professor SUN Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, HKSAR Government, and the Hon Sunny TAN, Chairman, Hong Kong Productivity Council, officiated at the opening ceremony, underscoring the Government’s and the industry’s shared determination to drive the broader adoption of AI applications. Registration for the event has been enthusiastic, with over 3,000 representatives from the Government, industry, academia and research communities expected to attend, reflecting the “AI for all” trend and strong market demand for digital solutions.

The three-day event focuses on three major themes, including empowering SMEs, digitalised education, and smart property, showcasing nearly 100 ready-to-deploy AI solutions covering diverse scenarios such as operations management, customer interaction, school administration and teaching, and building maintenance. It marks AI’s shift from concept demonstrations to real-world deployment, injecting practical momentum into Hong Kong’s new industrialisation and smart city development.

Professor SUN Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, HKSAR Government, said: “AI is transforming the world at an unprecedented pace. Hong Kong, with its unique strengths in research foundation, international talent pool and open market environment, provides the ideal soil for advancing the industrialisation of AI. The HKSAR Government has been promoting the development of AI in a comprehensive manner across research, computing power, data, talent and funding. HKPC also actively assists enterprises in mastering AI technologies and enhancing AI governance, not only laying a solid foundation for application by businesses, but also nurturing digitally skilled talent with a vision for the future and driving the continuous upgrading of industries. HKPC has long supported and worked closely with the HKSAR Government in advancing innovation and technology development. Let us continue to work hand in hand and seize opportunities, and jointly propel Hong Kong to become a leading pioneer of smart transformation in Asia”.

The Hon Sunny TAN, Chairman of Hong Kong Productivity Council, said: “HKPC actively responds to the national ’15th Five-Year Plan’ recommendation and fully supports the HKSAR Government’s direction of promoting the deep integration and application innovation of AI across various industries. This showcase aims to build a transformation bridge from ‘seeing’ to ‘doing’, not only demonstrating the broad potential of AI technologies, but also providing actionable and scalable pathways to help enterprises extend pilot projects into full-scale deployment, thereby realising AI-driven industry transformation.” He further noted, “As AI adoption accelerates, robust cyber security protection is the foundation for responsible AI use. According to the latest report from the Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre, local cyber security incidents in 2025 rose by 27% year-on-year, reaching a record high. HKPC will continue supporting enterprises in building a secure and trustworthy AI application environment, so the industry can innovate with confidence and transform with assurance.”

The “AI with HKPC” Smart Solutions Showcase Series focuses on four common pain points enterprises face during AI transformation, which is “integration challenges, insufficient funding, security concerns, and talent shortage”. Guided by the philosophy of “technology as a bridge, industry as the foundation,” HKPC promotes the popularisation and industrialisation of AI applications. Through the showcase, local SMEs can gain deeper understanding of practical AI use cases across business operations, while also accessing a series of technical solutions and services. HKPC’s self-developed multipurpose AI platform “HKPC Picasso,” aims to respond to the “integration challenges” commonly faced by most enterprises in AI transformation, with “ease of use” as the core concept, providing an end-to-end and executable AI transformation support system for the common needs of different industries. It currently offers six large language model (LLM) modules, over 30 commonly used functional modules, and around 40 applications, supporting rapid development and deployment of smart solutions. This significantly lowers development costs and technical barriers, enabling enterprises to deploy and launch customised AI systems within several weeks. The platform makes AI more accessible, empowering SMEs to kick-start smartification transformation with ease.

HKPC also provides AI Governance and Testing Services to help enterprises address “security concerns”. The services cover AI governance framework design, ethics and compliance review, data privacy assessment, AI content and model security testing, as well as enhancements to model transparency, supporting enterprises in optimising AI systems to meet international standards and establishing a sustainable and responsible AI application framework. In addition, to tackle the “talent shortage” pain point, HKPC offers supporting AI-related training courses to strengthen enterprises’ understanding and practical capabilities in AI application. This helps build a solid foundation for AI transformation while ensuring safety, compliance and public trust throughout technological development.

“AI with HKPC” Nearly 100 Hands-on, Ready-to-Deploy AI Use Cases Across Three Themes

1) Empowering SMEs for the AI Era​ Solution Day (5–6 February)

Aligned with the 2025 Policy Address direction of supporting SMEs in digitalisation and smartification transformation, the showcase features five exhibition zones, presenting “ready-to-use, fast-impact, low-barrier” AI solutions such as AI-powered accounting, process automation, intelligent customer service, and collaboration tools. These solutions cover operations, infrastructure, security, marketing and talent management. The showcase also introduces AI applications incubated through the “HKPC Picasso” platform and HKPC’s AI governance services, helping SMEs explore transformation pathways based on their needs.

All solutions are sourced from HKPC’s free platform Digital DIY, which integrates trusted AI solutions from Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. Addressing SMEs’ pain points of “limited channels and difficulty in choosing,” the platform provides efficient matching and clear adoption guidance—accelerating transformation and enhancing competitiveness.

2) AI in Education Forum Series & Showcase (5–6 February)

To support the HKSAR Government’s push for digital education and the Education Bureau’s AI for Empowering Learning and Teaching Funding Programme, HKPC co-organises the AI in Education Forum Series & Showcasewith the Education Bureau and Hong Kong Education City, helping schools grasp policy directions, technology solutions and AI teaching planning.

The event features over 60 AI education solutions, including language learning, SEN support and smart assessment, and for the first time centrally showcases 22 projects under the Quality Education Fund (QEF) e-Learning Ancillary Facilities Programme (eLAFP) developed by universities and institutions. The seminar series includes a principals’ forum themed “Achieve More with Less: AI Integration Strategies for Hong Kong Schools,” where primary and secondary school principals share hands-on experience. HKPC Academy will also introduce how schools can leverage Government funding to effectively integrate AI into school-based teaching, learning and administration to improve efficiency.

3) AI Driven Solutions for Smarter Property Sharing Session (9 February)

The AI-Powered Smarter Property Management Sharing Sessionon 9 February will align with the smart building development blueprint under Smart City Blueprint 2.0, as well as the HKSAR Government’s advocacy for deeper AI integration across industries. It aims to help the industry understand emerging AI applications in property management.

The session will feature multiple AI technologies developed by HKPC, including Water Tank Cleaning Robot successfully piloted with Jones Lang LaSalle, Pureland Drone Facade Cleaningwith advantages for high-altitude work safety, Recycling Bin Transporter utilising automation, AI, and sensor technologies, and anAutonomous Wheelchair suitable for elderly and persons with disabilities, demonstrating how innovation can enhance building management efficiency, improve resident experience, and advance sustainable urban development.

Click here to download the high-resolution photos

Photo caption:

1. The Hon Sunny TAN, Chairman of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony, encouraging SMEs to adopt AI to enhance competitiveness and operational efficiency.

2. Professor SUN Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, HKSAR Government, attends the opening ceremony of the “AI with HKPC” Smart Solutions Showcase Series, supporting the popularisation and practical deployment of AI.

3. Mr Edmond LAI, Chief Digital Officer of HKPC, delivers a keynote speech explaining the core value of HKPC’s self-developed multipurpose AI platform “HKPC Picasso” and how it addresses enterprises’ transformation pain points.

4. The officiating move guests and industry representatives take a group photo to witness the grand opening of the three-day “AI with HKPC” Smart Solutions Showcase Series, marking AI’s toward broader adoption and industrialisation.

5. The showcase features multiple AI application solutions tailored for SMEs, covering smart operations, data analytics and customer experience, attracting many industry visitors for exchanges.

Hashtag: #HKPC

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About the Hong Kong Productivity Council

The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is a statutory body established in 1967, dedicated to enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of Hong Kong enterprises through world-class applied R&D, innovative technology services, and integrated manufacturing solutions. As a market-oriented, international R&D organisation, HKPC leverages its deep expertise and extensive industry experience in key areas such as AI, advanced manufacturing, life and health technology, green technology and new energy to drive new industrialisation and support the growth of emerging and future industries.

HKPC focuses on addressing businesses challenges and industrial technology needs, promoting the full integration between technological and industrial innovation. Through technology transfer, product innovation, intellectual property protection and commercialisation of R&D outcomes, the Council fosters collaboration with the local business community as well as top global R&D institutions, delivering added value to industries and advancing the development of new productive forces. HKPC’s world-class R&D achievements have been widely recognised over the years, winning an array of local and overseas accolades, reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as an international innovation and technology centre and a smart city.

To help enterprises capitalise on Hong Kong’s strengths in international connectivity to expand into global markets, HKPC offers comprehensive overseas expansion services tailored to critical areas including product development, technology, manufacturing, and management, enabling businesses to successfully go global from Hong Kong.

HKPC is also committed to providing timely and practical support to SMEs and startups with timely and practical, assisting them in accessing Government funding programmes. Through its FutureSkills training initiatives, HKPC helps both industry and academia stay ahead in latest digital and STEM technologies, nurturing a future-ready talent pool for Hong Kong.

For more information, please visit HKPC’s website: .

TK Elevator expands new installation and Universal Service partnership with Hong Kong International Airport

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  • Renewed maintenance contract covers over 300 TKE and third-party equipment over a period of four years, with a total of 358 mobility units now under TKE maintenance at HKIA.
  • This renewed partnership emphasizes TKE’s capability to provide OEM-level services and support for a broad range of elevators, escalators and moving walks.
  • As part of the expansion of Hong Kong International Airport’s Terminal 2, an additional 96 TKE elevators are currently being installed, while 78 more units are being added at the Terminal 2 Concourse.

DÜSSELDORF, Germany, Feb. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TK Elevator (TKE), a global leader in vertical transportation and urban mobility solutions, announces an extended maintenance contract with Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). This renewed partnership highlights TK Elevator’s capability to deliver on its Universal Service proposition to provide OEM-level services and support for mobility equipment across major brands, contributing to the development of HKIA. By providing efficient mobility solutions for all passengers and visitors, TK Elevator helps fulfil the airport’s commitment to operational efficiency.

This marks TKE’s third four-year contract renewal with HKIA, underscoring TKE’s ongoing commitment to delivering customer-centric services over the past decade. Under this latest four-year contract, TK Elevator will provide maintenance service for 282 TKE and third-party elevators, escalators and moving walks serving passengers in Terminal 1, as well as more than 70 third-party units in the new Terminal 2.

The longstanding partnership extends beyond service provision. As part of the expansion of Hong Kong International Airport’s Terminal 2, an additional 96 TKE elevators are currently being installed, while 78 more units are being added at the Terminal 2 Concourse. With 358 mobility units under TKE’s care across the airport, the company continues as a trusted, long-standing partner of HKIA. Beyond maintenance and new installation contracts, our iwalk modular moving walk solution powers HKIA’s Skybridge—the world’s longest airside bridge—which won Project of the Year 2025 in the Moving Walks category from Elevator World magazine.

“We are thrilled to reinforce our partnership with the Hong Kong International Airport,” said Jürgen Böhler, CEO Asia Pacific, TK Elevator. “As HKIA solidifies its role as a leading aviation and logistics hub driving growth and connectivity in the Greater Bay Area, TK Elevator proudly supports this vision by delivering innovative mobility solutions that enhance seamless travel across public transport networks in China and beyond.”

ABOUT TK ELEVATOR

TK Elevator (TKE) is a global leader in vertical transportation and urban mobility. We provide engineering that keeps the world moving, including design, installation, and maintenance of elevators, escalators, walkways, lifts, passenger boarding bridges, stairlifts, platform lifts and home elevators – including multi-brand modernization and service any place, any time. With TK Elevator’s AI and digital solutions there are no longer any limits to urban mobility. TK Elevator became independent following its separation from the thyssenkrupp group in 2020. The company achieved sales of €9.2 billion in fiscal year 2024/2025. With around 50,000 employees, 25,000 service technicians and over 1,000 support centers globally, we are moved by what moves people. TKE – Move Beyond.

PRESS IMAGES
can be downloaded here (Source: Hong Kong International Airport).

www.tkelevator.com

K-pop Star G-Dragon’s First Solo Fan Meeting in Southeast Asia Goes on Sale on MAISEAT

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BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 February 2026 – K-pop star G‑Dragon’s first solo fan meeting in Southeast Asia went on sale on Thursday via MAISEAT, the global live‑events platform under Damai Entertainment (HKEX:1060), a subsidiary of Alibaba Group (HKEX:9988). This also marks MAISEAT’s most significant overseas top-tier artist project in Southeast Asia since the platform’s launch.

The event will take place from February 21 to 22, 2026, at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre, Thailand. Tickets are available via the MAISEAT website and mobile app.

Screenshot of the 2026 G-DRAGON FAM MEETING event listing on MAISEAT’s website, Bangkok, February 21–22, 2026.
Screenshot of the 2026 G-DRAGON FAM MEETING event listing on MAISEAT’s website, Bangkok, February 21–22, 2026.

The Bangkok stop forms the Southeast Asia leg of G‑Dragon’s 20th‑anniversary fan‑meeting series, following earlier events in Seoul and Yokohama. Branded “2026 G‑DRAGON ‘FAM’ MEETING [FAM+ILY: FAMILY: FAM ILOVE YOU]”, the event centers on “family”. “FAM” is taken from the first three letters of the word family, which G‑Dragon reinterprets as “FAM I LOVE YOU”, positioning fans as family and presenting the tour as a shared “family gathering”.

The announcement quickly gained traction across Chinese, Korean and Thai social platforms. On the day the event listed, related hashtags about the fan meeting and the K‑pop star surged onto microblogging platform Weibo’s hot-search rankings. The event dates, which fall on the fifth and sixth days of the Lunar New Year, further heightened anticipation among the fans eager to celebrate the holiday with the artist.

Launched by Damai Entertainment at the end of 2025, MAISEAT aims to offer international fans a trusted gateway to world-class entertainment, while providing artists and organizers with end-to-end support across the ticketing value chain, from sales to audience engagement.

Hashtag: #MAISEAT

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Multifonds and Ultumus Join Forces to Accelerate ETF Expansion in Europe, Asia and North America

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Strategic Combination Provides Asset Managers, Fund Administrators and Transfer Agents with an Integrated solution to support Exchange-Traded Funds

LUXEMBOURG, Feb. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Multifonds, a leading global provider of fund administration software and SaaS solutions and Ultumus, a SIX Group company specialising in ETF infrastructure technology, today announced a strategic partnership designed to enable fund providers to rapidly expand into the fast-growing ETF market.

The collaboration gives Multifonds’ clients direct access to Ultumus’ specialised ETF technology platform and extensive network of Global authorised participants and market makers, enabled through a standard off-the-shelf connector now available on Multifonds platform.

Capitalising on the ETF Conversion Trend

With ETF assets growing at unprecedented rates, asset managers are increasingly seeking efficient pathways to launch ETF share classes or convert existing mutual fund strategies into ETF wrappers. This partnership addresses that demand by combining Multifonds’ market-leading fund administration and investor servicing platform – which currently supports over $10 trillion in assets across 40,000+ funds in 35 jurisdictions, with Ultumus’ proven ETF operational infrastructure.

“This partnership offers the market an integrated solution that eliminates the operational burden associated with ETF launches and administration” said Oded Weiss, Chief Executive Officer at Multifonds.

Comprehensive ETF Infrastructure Solution

The partnership brings together complementary capabilities:

  • Multifonds provides the established fund accounting and investor servicing platform already trusted by 9 of the world’s top 15 global fund administrators globally
  • Ultumus contributes specialised ETF infrastructure including the COSMOS platform for creation and redemption processes, advanced PCF (Portfolio Composition File) calculation capabilities, and established relationships/distribution network with Global authorised participants and market makers
  • Together, the combined offering and connectivity enables end-to-end ETF operations from fund accounting through trading and settlement, all on an integrated technology stack

Unlocking European Market Access

A key differentiator of the partnership is Ultumus’ deep relationships with European, Asian and Canadian authorised participants and market makers – critical counterparties in the ETF ecosystem that enable efficient trading and liquidity provision. This network, combined with Multifonds’ experience across more than 35 jurisdictions, provides asset managers and fund administrators with immediate access to the infrastructure needed to successfully launch and operate ETFs in Global markets.

“The ETF market is evolving rapidly, and asset managers need partners who understand both the traditional fund administration business and the unique operational requirements of ETFs,” said Bernie Thurston, CEO of Ultumus. “Multifonds’ client relationships, combined with our specialised ETF technology and market maker network, create a powerful solution for firms looking to participate in the ETF growth opportunity without building entirely new infrastructure.”

Integrated Technology, Reduced Time-to-Market

The partnership enables Multifonds clients to:

  • Rapidly launch ETF products 
  • Leverage an integrated infrastructure for fund accounting and investor servicing using the Multifonds platform across mutual funds and ETF
  • Access Global authorised participants and market makers through Ultumus’ network
  • Automate creation and redemption processes increasing STP rates and reducing Risk
  • Ensure accurate, timely PCF delivery to market participants
  • Maintain operational control through integrated reporting and oversight

Supporting Industry Transformation

The collaboration comes at a pivotal moment for the asset management industry, especially with the move to T+1 settlement in Europe. Recent regulatory changes enabling ETF share classes of existing mutual funds, combined with strong investor preference for ETF structures due to tax efficiency and lower costs, have accelerated demand for solutions that bridge the mutual fund and ETF worlds.

“We’re seeing a fundamental shift in how asset managers and fund administrators think about product structure,” added Weiss. “This isn’t just about launching new products – it’s about giving existing fund families the tools to evolve with market demand. Our partnership with Ultumus provides that capability at scale.”

About Multifonds

Multifonds is a leading global provider of fund administration software. The company offers fund accounting, portfolio accounting and investor servicing solutions on a single platform. Supporting over $10 trillion in assets for both traditional and alternative funds across more than 35 jurisdictions, Multifonds serves the world’s leading global custodians, third-party administrators, insurance companies, and asset managers. For more information, visit www.multifonds.com.

About Ultumus

Ultumus, a SIX Group company, is a specialised provider of ETF and index data technology infrastructure. The company delivers critical ETF services including PCF calculation, the COSMOS platform for creation and redemption processes, and multi-provider data aggregation to major global financial institutions. Ultumus serves leading asset managers, broker-dealers, and market infrastructure providers globally. For more information, visit www.ultumus.com.

SonicWall Celebrates Its Best Partners Yet with the 2026 Partner Awards

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SonicWall Proudly Honours 113 Global Partners Recognized for Driving Innovation, Fueling Growth and Delivering Cybersecurity Excellence, Including 34 in Asia-Pacific and Japan (APJ)


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 February 2026 – SonicWall today announced the recipients of its 2026 Partner Awards, recognizing top-performing SonicWall partners and distributors across Asia-Pacific and Japan (APJ), and around the world for their exceptional commitment to delivering innovative cybersecurity solutions. This year, SonicWall honored 113 partners globally, including 34 in APJ, for helping customers navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape.

The annual Partner Awards recognize partners who achieved standout performance and measurable impact in helping customers reduce risk and strengthen their security posture throughout the year. Partners were nominated across multiple categories in each region, showcasing outstanding performance, customer impact and technical expertise. SonicWall selected one partner per region in each category from a large pool of nominees. The winners were decided based on a comprehensive matrix of criteria, including, but not limited to, highest revenue performance, partner count, growth and overall contribution to the SonicWall ecosystem.

“These award winners represent the very best of our partner community,” said Patrick O’Donnell, Chief Revenue Officer at SonicWall. “Their continued commitment to innovation, customer success and cybersecurity excellence continues to fuel SonicWall’s growth and deliver meaningful protection for organizations of all sizes. We’re proud to recognize these partners for the impact they make every day.”

Debasish Mukherjee, Vice President of Sales, APJ at SonicWall said, “APJ is one of SonicWall’s most diverse and dynamic regions, and these partners exemplify what strong regional execution looks like in practice. Across APJ, we recognize our channel partners across multiple categories and sub-regions to reflect the scale, diversity, and varying levels of market maturity across the region. These award winners have demonstrated consistent growth, deep customer engagement, and a strong commitment to delivering real cybersecurity outcomes.”

2026 SonicWall Partner Awards — Asia-Pacific and Japan (APJ) Winners

  • Distributor of the Year (ANZ) : Dicker Data (NZ)
  • Partner of the Year (ANZ): Hitech Support
  • Partner Sales Hero of the Year (ANZ): Glen Houlihan — TEAMnetwork
  • Partner Technical Hero of the Year (ANZ): Focus Networks
  • Newcomer of the Year (ANZ): myNet
  • Distributor of the Year (ASEAN): Pacific Tech Pte Ltd
  • Partner of the Year (ASEAN): Solutions Partner, Inc.
  • Enterprise Partner of the Year (ASEAN): Future D Sdn Bhd
  • Managed Security Partner of the Year (ASEAN): PT Salix Scura Sanctuary
  • Newcomer of the Year (ASEAN): PT Teknologi Mandiri Integritas
  • Partner Sales Hero of the Year (ASEAN): Nguyen Thanh Son — N-TEK Distribution Technology Co., Ltd
  • Distributor of the Year (GCR): Data World Computer & Communications Ltd.
  • Cloud Secure Edge Partner of the Year (GCR): Nexus Solutions Limited
  • Partner Sales Hero of the Year (GCR): Cheng Bingsong — Nanjing Yinqiang
  • Partner of the Year (GCR): Shenzhen Secuunion Info-Tech
  • Newcomer of the Year (GCR): Shenzhen Cydefend Communication Information Technology
  • Enterprise Partner of the Year (GCR): Shih Chiang Computer
  • Distributor of the Year (India & SAARC): Inflow Technologies Pvt. Ltd
  • Partner of the Year (India & SAARC): eCAPS Computers India Pvt Ltd
  • Partner Sales Hero of the Year (India & SAARC): Ranajoy Roy — Softshield Technologies Pvt. Ltd
  • Enterprise Partner of the Year (India & SAARC): DigitalTrack Solutions Private Limited
  • Newcomer of the Year (India & SAARC): Solaris Consultancy Services Ltd
  • Cloud Secure Edge Partner of the Year (India & SAARC): ITCG Solutions Private Limited
  • Partner of the Year (India & SAARC): Star Tech and Engineering Ltd.
  • Distributor of the Year (Japan): MARUBENI INFORMATION SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
  • Partner of the Year (Japan): NIHON ICS CO., LTD.
  • Newcomer of the Year (Japan): SECURE EDGE Inc.
  • Partner Sales Hero of the Year (Japan): HIRONOBU ABUKAWA — DAIWABO INFORMATION SYSTEM CO., LTD.
  • Partner Technical Hero of the Year (Japan): RYOYA SUGAMOTO — TAKARAJOHO INC.
  • Cloud Secure Edge Partner of the Year (Japan): RUNSYSTEM CO., LTD.
  • Distributor of the Year (Korea): SECUWIDE Corp.
  • Partner of the Year (Korea): MAYMUST Co., Ltd.
  • Newcomer of the Year (Korea): Bigsun Systems
  • Partner Sales Hero of the Year (Korea): Heo Hoon — KT Engineering


2026 Partner of the Year

SonicWall extends a special congratulations to the following partners, named 2026 SonicWall Partner of the Year winners across Asia-Pacific and Japan (APJ), recognized across multiple sub-regions to reflect the scale and diversity of the region. These partners were recognized for their exceptional performance, sustained growth, and unwavering commitment to delivering cybersecurity outcomes and services to customers across their respective sub-regions throughout the year.

APJ Partner of the Year Winners by Sub-Region:

  • ANZ: Hitech Support
  • ASEAN: Solutions Partner, Inc.
  • GCR: Shenzhen Secuunion Info-Tech
  • India: eCAPS Computers India Pvt Ltd
  • Japan: NIHON ICS CO., LTD.
  • Korea: MAYMUST Co., Ltd.
  • SAARC: Star Tech and Engineering Ltd.

For more information about the SonicWall Partner Program and to see all the winners, visit www.sonicwall.com/partners.

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Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers and Hong Kong Construction Association Joint Conference 2026 Redefine Productivity Frontiers

By
Advertorial Desk
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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 February 2026 – The Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers (HKICM) and the Hong Kong Construction Association (HKCA) successfully co-hosted the highly anticipated HKICM/HKCA Joint Conference 2026 on 23 January 2026 at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, bringing together approximately 250 construction industry leaders, professionals, and decision-makers for a day of thought-provoking dialogue and knowledge exchange. The conference opened with an opening address from the conference Guest of Honour, The Honourable Bernard Charnwut CHAN, GBM, GBS, JP, Chairman, Our Hong Kong Foundation.

In recent years, the construction workforce in Hong Kong has faced unprecedented challenges due to ageing workers and severe manpower shortages. This issue is compounded by the lack of interest from the next generation in joining the industry. While innovative technologies have been introduced to enhance productivity and attract new talent, many medium and small-sized companies struggle to fully harness these advancements due to limited resources.

Under the theme “Redefine Productivity Frontiers,” The Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers (HKICM) and the Hong Kong Construction Association (HKCA) Joint Conference 2026 served as a dynamic platform for cross-sector exchange and reinforced the importance of collective action to shape the future of construction in Hong Kong. A number of distinguished speakers from both Hong Kong and mainland China gathered to discuss two key topics: “Redefining Frontiers in Construction Management Productivity” and “Breaking Through Efficiency Barriers in Site Management”.

In his opening address, the Guest of Honour of the Conference, The Honourable Bernard Charnwut CHAN, GBM, GBS, JP, Chairman, Our Hong Kong Foundation candidly addressed the psychological and practical realities of change, “It’s easy to ride things out and let the next person deal with the problem. But if we don’t act now — not for ourselves, but for the next generation — how can we expect a better future? Change is risky, it requires investment with no guaranteed return. But doing nothing is also a choice — and it’s the riskiest one of all.”

Cr Alfred TANG, President of Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers, emphasised the urgent need for transformation and inclusivity, “Within every challenge lies an opportunity for transformation. The pressures we face today are pushing us to think differently, to innovate boldly, and to reimagine what our industry can become. But we must ensure that this technological revolution leaves no one behind. Together, through collaboration and shared vision, we can build a smarter, more sustainable future for Hong Kong’s construction industry.”

Ir Simon LIU, President of Hong Kong Construction Association, called for a shift in how the industry measures productivity — placing safety at the forefront, “True productivity is not just about doing more in less time. True productivity is about doing things right — efficiently, sustainably, and most importantly, safely. A project delivered on time but with workers injured along the way cannot be regarded as successful. We need to change how we measure success.”

The Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers and the Hong Kong Construction Association continue to serve as a cornerstone event for the construction industry, fostering professional excellence and industry advancement through knowledge sharing and collaboration.

Click here to download the Conference Programme.

Click here to download the Event Photos.

Photo 1
Group photo of the distinguished guest, (1st row, left to right) Hon Augustine Wong Ho-ming, JP, Functional Constituency – Real Estate And Construction of Legislative Council, Cr Chan Chi-man, Task Force Chairman of HKICM/HKCA Joint Conference 2026, Cr Alfred Tang, President of Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers, Hon Bernard Chan, GBM, GBS, JP, Chairman of Our Hong Kong Foundation, Ir Simon Liu, President of Hong Kong Construction Association, Hon Duncan Chiu, Member of the Legislative Council and Mr Lo Kwok Kuen, Joseph, JP, Head of Project Strategy and Governance Office, Development Bureau, together with the conference speakers and moderators.

Photo 2
The Guest of Honour of the Conference, The Honourable Bernard Charnwut CHAN, GBM, GBS, JP, Chairman, Our Hong Kong Foundation, delivered the opening address.

Photo 3
The conference invited distinguished speakers from government bodies, leading contractors, academic institutions, and technology innovators shared their insights on topics such as digital transformation, workforce development, and collaborative project delivery.


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