Medium enterprises in Asia Pacific are grappling with economic uncertainty and modernisation demands. However, strategic investments in digital tools like AI can transform these challenges into growth opportunities.
Medium enterprises in Asia Pacific face mounting pressures. Economic volatility, intensifying competition and the demand to modernise are just a few areas contributing uncertainty to businesses seeking to remain relevant in the region.
In a recent webinar hosted by Workday, Supriya Deka, Research Manager at IDC Asia Pacific, joined Naviti Mardia, Workday Value Manager, to discuss these challenges and explore potential solutions.
The session highlighted that smart investments in digital tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), can drive efficiency and growth. With the right approach, medium enterprises can turn operational headaches into opportunities.
Rising costs, fragmented data and reliance on manual reporting tools are common issues for medium enterprises. These problems often stem from outdated systems in HR and finance that fail to scale with growth.
Manual workflows, reliance on paper and old-fashioned forms, disconnected sets of spreadsheets, email templates or basic applications are really bogging companies down. Not only are processes in these traditional workflows slower, but they are also more prone to error (which can expose the business to risk) and are not well integrated, which provides less visibility for the business.
Without efficient support for core functions, companies struggle to keep up with external demands, losing time and resources that could have been used to bolster expansion. The result? A cycle of inefficiency that stifles potential.
During the session, Supriya highlighted a practical solution: a cohesive technology strategy. Investing in cloud-based integrated HR and finance systems addresses immediate operational needs while setting the stage for long-term success.
Unified cloud-based solutions offer a more connected and comprehensive view of whichever use case they are applied to, eliminating data silos and enhancing overall efficiency. This approach not only simplifies system management but also provides real-time access to insights, empowering businesses to adapt quickly to changing demands.
One company that has seen the benefits of unified cloud-based solutions is Scoot, which transformed its HR operations by implementing the Workday system to connect its mobile workforce while providing self-service functionality and real-time reporting.
The low-cost carrier's Vice President for Human Resources, Theresa Tan, shared how unifying reports, reviews and other information into a single screen provided the organisation with great visibility across distributed teams.
“As an HR practitioner, this is the best system for us to manage our talent in the organisation, regardless of where we are in the whole region,” she said.
HR and finance underpin every business, and strengthening them with the right tools can improve decision-making, automate processes and boost employee engagement. Additionally, unified systems reduce manual work and provide clearer insights, helping businesses operate more effectively.
When HR, finance and planning work together on one platform, silos disappear and teams can collaborate in real time. This setup improves agility, scalability and efficiency through automation, giving businesses the flexibility to adapt as needs evolve.
Southeast Asian logistics company Ninja Van exemplifies how unified systems can eliminate silos, having transformed its financial planning by adopting Workday Adaptive Planning to replace disconnected spreadsheets across 16 departments.
“It’s so important to get timely and accurate financial information to make decisions,” said Ninja Van’s Singapore Country Head, Justina Sim.
“Now information is integrated and accessible and supports collaboration, swift decision-making and our ability to innovate.”
Setting a new baseline of efficiency in business functions with technology is great, but AI can take things even further. Naviti Mardia, Workday Value Manager, explained how AI and machine learning can transform medium enterprises.
“Workday is committed to incorporating AI-driven capabilities into our offerings,” Mardia said, emphasising how these tools help smaller firms stay competitive.
AI automates repetitive tasks, freeing staff to focus on higher value work. It also optimises resources, particularly in talent management and workforce planning, by analysing data to uncover trends and opportunities.
At Workday, machine learning enhances financial accuracy, speeds up hiring by reviewing job descriptions and CVs, while also flagging anomalies in expenses or journal entries. Beyond cost savings, AI provides strategic insights that support growth.
Gaming hardware leader Razer demonstrates how AI and machine learning can position a medium enterprise for growth. As a rapidly growing enterprise looking to increase operational efficiency and strengthen their reputation as an employer of choice, Razer needed to address disparate processes and unify their culture.
April Wan, Razer’s Global Head of Human Resources, said that with the proper use of technology, the company is positioned for innovation, agility and growth.
“Workday continues to be at the forefront in terms of what AI and ML can bring to us,” she said. “From a people standpoint, we are looking at AI machine learning in different areas like talent acquisition, process improvement and communications.”
This session made one thing clear: medium enterprises can thrive with the right technology partner. By adopting integrated platforms and embracing AI, businesses can overcome obstacles and build a foundation for sustainable growth. It’s not just about keeping up, it’s about staying ahead.
For more insights, watch the webinar on-demand here. To discuss how these solutions can fit your business, please contact our sales team here.
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