Author name: Mufa

AI, Network

F5 2025 Report reveals talk becomes action as AI gets to work

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F5 2025 Report reveals talk becomes action as AI gets to work F5 Report highlights AI-driven transformation Amid operational complexity. 96% of surveyed IT decision-makers have deployed AI models, up from a quarter in  2023    IT leaders are increasingly trusting AI with business critical tasks from traffic management to cost optimization, according to the industry’s  most comprehensive report on application strategy. F5’s 2025 State of Application Strategy Report, which surveys global IT decision  makers, found that 96% of organizations are now deploying AI models, up from a  quarter in 2023.  There is also a growing willingness to elevate AI to the heart of business operations. Almost three-quarters of respondents (72%) said they want to use AI to optimize app  performance, whereas 59% support the use of AI for both cost-optimization and to  inject security rules, automatically mitigating zero-day vulnerabilities. There is also a growing willingness to elevate AI to the heart of business operations. Almost three-quarters of respondents (72%) said they want to use AI to optimize app  performance, whereas 59% support the use of AI for both cost-optimization and to  inject security rules, automatically mitigating zero-day vulnerabilities.  Today, half of organizations are using AI gateways to connect applications to AI tools,  and another 40% expect to be doing so in the next 12 months. Most are using this  technology to protect and manage AI models (62%), provide a central point of control  (55%), and to protect their company from sensitive data leaks (55%).  “This year’s SOAS Report shows that IT decision makers are becoming confident about  embedding AI into ops,” said Lori MacVittie, F5 Distinguished Engineer. “We are fast  moving to a point where AI will be trusted to operate autonomously at the heart of an  organization, generating and deploying code that helps to cut costs, boost efficiency,  and mitigate security problems. That is what we mean when we talk about AIOps, and it  is now becoming a reality.” Operational readiness and API challenges remain    Despite growing AI confidence, the SOAS Report highlights several enduring challenges. For organizations currently deploying AI models, the number one concern is AI model  security. And, while AI tools are more autonomous than ever, operational readiness gaps still  exist. 60% of organizations feel bogged down by manual workflows, and 54% claim skill  shortages are barriers to AI development.  Furthermore, almost half (48%) identified the cost of building and operating AI  workloads as a problem, up from 42% last year.   A greater proportion of organizations also said that they have not established a scalable  data practice (39% vs. 33% in 2024) and that they do not trust AI outputs due to  potential bias or hallucinations (34% vs. 27%). However, fewer complained about the  quality of their data (48%, down from 56% last year).   APIs were another concern. 58% reported they have become a pain point, and some  organizations spend as much as half of their time managing complex configurations  involving numerous APIs and languages. Working with vendor APIs (31%), custom  scripting (29%), and integrating with ticketing and management systems (23%) were  flagged as the most time-consuming automation-related tasks.  “Organizations need to focus on the simplification and standardization of operations,  including streamlining APIs, technologies, and tasks,” said MacVittie. “They should also  recognize that AI systems are themselves well-suited to handle complexity  autonomously by generating and deploying policies or solving workflow issues.  Operational simplicity is not just something on which AI is going to rely, but which it will  itself help to deliver.” Hybrid app deployments prevail   Allied to soaring AI appetites is a greater reliance on hybrid cloud architectures.   According to the SOAS Report, 94% of organizations are deploying applications across  multiple environments—including public clouds, private clouds, on-premises data  centers, edge computing, and colocation facilities—to meet varied scalability, cost,  and compliance requirements.  Consequently, most decision makers see hybrid environments as critical to their  operational flexibility. 91% cited adaptability to fluctuating business needs as the top  benefit of adopting multiple clouds, followed by improved app resiliency (68%) and cost efficiencies (59%).   A hybrid approach is also reflected in deployment strategies for AI workloads, with 51%  planning to use models across both cloud and on-premises environments for the  foreseeable future. Significantly, 79% of organizations recently repatriated at least one application from the  public cloud back to an on-premises or colocation environment, citing cost control,  security concerns, and predictability. This marks a dramatic rise from 13% just four  years ago, further underscoring the importance of preserving flexibility beyond public  cloud reliance. Still, the hybrid model can prove a headache for some. Inconsistent delivery policies  (reported by 53% of respondents) and fragmented security strategies (47%) are all top  of mind in this respect.  “While spreading applications across different environments and cloud providers can  bring challenges, the benefits of being cloud-agnostic are too great to ignore. It has  never been clearer that the hybrid approach to app deployment is here to stay,” said  Cindy Borovick, Director of Market and Competitive Intelligence, F5. APCJ AI adoption and challenges – key highlights:  AI Gateways on the Rise: Nearly half of APCJ organizations (49%) are already  using AI gateways to connect applications to AI tools, with another 46% planning  to do so in the next 12 months.  Top Use Cases for AI Gateways: Among those leveraging AI gateways, the most  common applications include protecting and managing AI models (66%),  preventing sensitive data leaks (61%), and observing AI traffic and application  demand (61%).  Data and Trust Challenges: Over half (53%) struggle with immature data  quality, and 45% are deterred by the high costs of building and running AI  workloads.  Hybrid Complexity: The hybrid model of AI deployment introduces hurdles, with  79% citing inconsistent security policies, 59% highlighting delivery  inconsistencies, and 16% dealing with operational difficulties.  Toward a programmable, AI-driven future   Looking ahead, the SOAS Report suggests that organizations aiming to unlock AI’s full  potential should focus on creating programmable IT environments that standardize and  automate app delivery and security policies.  By 2026, AI is expected to move from isolated tasks

AI

IDC: APAC’s AI ambitions hinge on next-generation networks

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IDC: APAC’s AI ambitions hinge on next-generation networks  A new IDC InfoBrief* commissioned by Expereo shows Asia Pacific (APAC) businesses pursuing artificial intelligence (AI) strategies are facing a critical turning point. The IDC InfoBrief, sponsored by Expereo, “Enterprise Horizons 2025: Technology Leaders Priorities: Achieving Digital Agility”, highlights that limitations in current network infrastructure are a significant barrier to realizing AI’s transformative potential in the region. However, these findings also present an opportunity for APAC organizations as they strive to maintain their competitive edge in the AI-driven economy. This IDC InfoBrief, based on a survey of 650 technology leaders across Europe, the US and APAC, opens with a striking finding: Networking/Connectivity has emerged as the top technology priority for APAC organizations, with 43% of those surveyed planning increased investment in this area over the next 12 months. This surge in network investment shows companies now recognize that strong, flexible connectivity is fundamental for AI success. APAC businesses realize that their AI ambitions will be held back if their underlying network infrastructure cannot adequately manage the demands of AI workloads. However, the report also delivers a stark reality: 94% of companies surveyed report that  their networks limit their ability to run large data and AI projects. This alarming statistic  highlights a significant disconnect between APAC’s AI ambitions and the reality of their  existing network capabilities. Organizations find that their current networks lack the agility,  capacity, and performance necessary to support the intensive demands of AI, effectively  creating a bottleneck that can result in lost productivity, increased costs, and missed  business opportunities.  “This prioritization of networking reflects a critical shift in perspective. APAC businesses  understand that AI success depends on the ability to move data, connect systems, and  deliver applications with speed and reliability,” says Eric Wong, President of Asia Pacific,  Expereo. “With 9 out of 10 companies in APAC see their networks as a limiting factor,  organizations must embrace more dynamic and agile solutions that can adapt to the  evolving demands of AI. APAC has the ambition to lead in AI, but network infrastructure is  the key to unlocking that potential. Organizations that prioritize network modernization will lead in the AI-driven future.” Additional takeaways from the IDC InfoBrief include:    Half of the surveyed companies face financial losses from unreliable, outdated  networks. This finding highlights the vulnerability of APAC businesses to network  disruptions, which can have a cascading effect on AI-driven operations. In an AI centric world, where applications are often mission-critical, network downtime can  lead to significant revenue loss, damage to reputation, and erosion of customer  trust.   Critical network improvements increasingly outsourced to partners. As  networks grow more complex and skilled talent becomes scarcer, APAC  organizations are turning to managed service providers for expertise and support.  This trend underscores the importance of collaboration and highlights the value of partnering with experienced providers that can help businesses navigate the  complexities of network transformation.   Networks and connectivity must improve sustainability impact to maintain  competitive advantage. APAC, with its focus on sustainable development, faces a  unique challenge and opportunity. Modernizing network infrastructure can help  contribute to sustainability goals by improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon  emissions, and supporting environmentally responsible business practices.  About Expereo  Expereo is a world-leading Managed Network as a Service provider that connects people,  places, and things anywhere. Solutions include Global Internet, SD-WAN/SASE, and  Enhanced Internet. With an extensive global reach, Expereo is the trusted partner of 60% of  Fortune 500 companies. It powers enterprise and government sites in more than 190  countries, with the ability to connect to any location worldwide, working with over 2,300  partners to help customers improve productivity and empowering their networks and cloud  services with the agility, flexibility, and value of the Internet, with optimal network  performance.  

Whitepaper

Whitepaper: How AI can power sustainable business transformation

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Whitepaper: How AI can power sustainable business transformation A new whitepaper released by Alibaba Cloud, Driving Sustainability with AI: A Guide to Partnering with Technology Service Providers, offers a forward-looking blueprint for how organisations can harness digital infrastructure — particularly AI and cloud computing  — to accelerate their sustainable journey.   Based on insights from the Tech-Driven Sustainability Trends and Index 2024, which surveyed 1,300 business leaders across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, the report combines industry data, actionable recommendations, and real-world case studies to explore how emerging technologies can close the gap between aspiration and execution. The State of Sustainability: Progress, Gaps and Opportunity The whitepaper highlights the growing urgency for businesses to act on sustainability, with 80% of surveyed organizations setting green targets. Yet only one-third of these have committed to science-based net-zero goals. Many companies still struggle to move from commitment to impact, citing gaps in technical understanding, measurement tools and concerns about the energy footprint of digital technologies. Despite these barriers, a strong majority — 76% — see AI and cloud computing as essential tools to achieve sustainability outcomes. At the same time, 82% say it is critical that these technologies themselves are developed sustainably. From Insight to Impact: Green AI in Action   Alibaba Cloud is helping organizations bridge this gap through platforms like Energy Expert, which uses AI to measure emissions and energy consumption in real time. The platform has already served over 3,000 organisations globally. One standout case is its collaboration with Covestro, a polymer material company. Working together, the two helped Chinese beverage brand Nongfu Spring trace the full lifecycle emissions of its recycled water barrels — later repurposed into gel pens – offering supply chain transparency from production to reuse. The whitepaper also showcases Alibaba Cloud’s commitment to low-carbon AI innovation. Its open-source Qwen series models are designed for efficiency and accessibility. Japanese AI start-up Lightblue, for example, used Qwen to build a localized high-performance Japanese-language model with lower development costs and energy use. Five Strategies to Drive Sustainable Digital Transformation   The whitepaper identifies five strategic actions that businesses can take to align digital transformation with sustainability outcomes. First, organizations are encouraged to link their adoption of AI and cloud technologies with specific sustainability KPIs—for example, using predictive tools to optimize operations or monitor emissions across supply chains. Second, companies should partner with transparent, green technology providers that publish energy usage and emissions data, operate on renewable energy, and invest in energy-efficient infrastructure. Third, the paper highlights the importance of embedding security into sustainability strategies, noting that cybersecurity concerns remain a key barrier to wider adoption of digital sustainability tools.  Fourth, it recommends embracing open and trustworthy AI, such as open-source models that reduce costs, improve energy efficiency, and allow for localized applications. Finally, the paper calls for stronger public-private collaboration, with 82% of surveyed executives supporting more active government involvement to accelerate the adoption of sustainable technologies through policy, incentives, and education. A Roadmap for Business Leaders   More than a guide, the whitepaper is a call to action. It emphasizes that sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have but rather a competitive differentiator and a catalyst for growth. For companies navigating climate and digital transformation simultaneously, the message is clear: success depends on choosing the right partners, tools, and strategies to deliver measurable progress. With the right foundation, AI and cloud can power a greener, smarter, and more resilient future. Click Below to Read the Whitepaper Click here About Alibaba Cloud  Established in 2009, Alibaba Cloud (www.alibabacloud.com) is the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group. It offers a complete suite of cloud services to customers worldwide, including elastic computing, database, storage, network virtualization services, large-scale computing, security, big data analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) services. Alibaba has been named the leading IaaS provider in Asia Pacific by revenue in U.S. dollars since 2018, according to Gartner. It has also maintained its position as one of the world’s leading public cloud IaaS service providers since 2018, according to IDC.

Events

Acumen Intelligence at Japan IT Week Spring 2025: Insights, Engagement, and Growth in Tokyo

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Acumen Intelligence at Japan IT Week Spring 2025: Insights, engagement, and growth in Tokyo April 2025 marked a milestone for Acumen Intelligence as we participated in Japan IT Week Spring 2025 at Tokyo Big Sight. As one of Asia’s largest IT exhibitions, the event offered the ideal platform to showcase our advanced B2B marketing solutions, engage with global leaders, and gain fresh insights into the evolving tech landscape. Over three impactful days, we conducted high-value product demos, gathered key market feedback, and built strong brand visibility — reinforcing our commitment to empowering Sales and Marketing teams with data-driven intelligence. From Day 1, our booth drew steady attention from a diverse audience — technology innovators, marketing professionals, and C-level executives seeking high-performance solutions.  Our Japan team welcomed visitors with energy and enthusiasm, sharing how Acumen enables teams to: Identify and engage in-market buyers using real-time, first-party intent data Launch account-specific ABM campaigns that drive deeper engagement Access campaign dashboards to track performance and optimise strategy We led discussions on the growing need for precision targeting, the role of intent data in lead generation, and how ABM delivers measurable business impact. Visitors came to the booth to discover what Acumen Intelligence had to offer and why it is a leader in demand generation. Booth Highlights: Demonstrations, Data, and Delight   Our live demos quickly became a crowd-puller. Attendees were impressed by our platform’s blend of usability and power, and many expressed interest in future collaborations and product trials. We introduced our global database of 25+ million verified decision-makers, showing how Acumen accelerates growth by enabling access to key buyers worldwide. To add a personal, local touch, we handed out custom-packaged rice crackers, crafted by our Japan team. This thoughtful gesture, along with branded merchandise, made for a memorable visitor experience. Our merchandise: From green tea leaves to rice crackers, stationery and bottled water. Crowd momentum and visitor engagement   While Day One started strong, the momentum intensified on Days Two and Three. Post-lunch hours saw queues forming outside our booth, with many visitors waiting patiently to speak with our team. Often, CEOs visited first, later followed by their teams for deeper discussions.Our support staff played a critical role in managing booth flow, distributing brochures, and directing visitors — enhancing the overall experience and expanding our reach. Acumen Intelligence’s Vice President of Global Strategic Alliances, Ameer Alavy noted: “It was better than we expected — both in terms of the quality and relevance of the people who visited our booth.Many waited for their turn to speak with us, which speaks volumes about the interest in what we offer.Our Acumen team was full of confidence and excitement, and there was a clear eagerness from visitors to understand more about ABM and intent data.”   Showcasing the power of Acumen’s data dashboard   One of the standout features at our booth during Japan IT Week 2025 was our live demonstration of Acumen Intelligence’s data dashboard — a unified command center that enables sales and marketing teams to monitor, manage, and optimise their lead generation and campaign efforts with clarity and precision. Our team walked visitors through four key modules that bring a new level of visibility and control to sales and marketing outreach workflows: Lead BaseThis module provides detailed segmentation of leads into hot, warm, and cold categories. It enables users to:➤ Analyze engagement patterns across lead segments➤ Assess the conversion potential of warm leads based on budget and timeline➤ View lead distribution by account, industry, job title, and geography Lead InvestigationVisitors were impressed by the depth of insight provided in this module, which offers:➤ A comprehensive breakdown of lead outreach methods and their relative effectiveness➤ Engagement metrics for all contacted leads➤  An analytical view of active leads, determined from overall outreach performance and unsubscribe behavior AI Lead PredictionA simplified yet powerful function, AI Lead Prediction allows users to input various parameters and receive predictions on whether a lead qualifies as hot or warm. This enables:➤ Quick qualification of prospects➤ Smarter allocation of time and resources➤ Enhanced accuracy in forecasting campaign outcomes Lead NurtureThe Lead Nurture module allows users to view and interact with individual leads. On selecting a lead, teams can:➤ Access detailed insights into engagement levels➤ Use an integrated chatbot to explore lead behavior➤ Tailor sales outreach and personalize emails based on specific lead action.➤ The Acumen dashboard also features a live campaign visualization panel, offering a high-level overview of performance metrics across multiple initiatives. Key highlights include: A visual breakdown of overall campaign progress Real-time counts of accepted vs. deficit leads Visualisations of accepted leads across campaigns, providing clarity on success rates In addition, the Campaign Accounts section displays the full list of accounts utilized in each campaign, enabling easy tracking of outbound efforts and allocation.We also demonstrated how users can directly access: Lead follow-up and nurturing guides Lead templates for outreach Point of Contact (POC) details created for each campaign Visitors appreciated how the dashboard brings together all these resources into a single, centralized interface — giving marketing and sales leaders everything they need to monitor progress, troubleshoot issues, and drive campaign effectiveness.This integrated system received positive feedback for its clarity, usability, and potential to accelerate both strategic decisions and tactical execution. We also introduced Valid8, Acumen’s email verification tool. Similar to platforms like NeverBounce and Bouncer, Valid8 helps businesses clean and maintain their email lists by detecting: Incorrect syntax or non-existent domains Disposable or role-based addresses Invalid mail server responses By verifying emails without sending messages, Valid8 reduces bounce rates and improves sender reputation — essential for successful campaigns. Additionally, we showcased our upcoming Email Builder, designed to enhance email marketing workflows. Inspired by platforms like MailerLite and ActiveCampaign, it enables marketers to: Group recipients and schedule bulk emails Design professional EDMs using a drag-and-drop editor Manage segmentation, delivery, and performance from a single platform Together with Valid8 and the dashboard, the Email Builder empowers users to easily launch and manage sophisticated email campaigns — without requiring technical expertise.   Key learnings: What the market told us   Beyond visibility, the event offered a

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