Interview – Hor Kong, Chief Technology Officer, ELMLAB

Hor Kong is the Chief Technology Officer of ELMLAB.

ELMLAB group is driven by passion for technology. They provide solutions for hardware computing systems and web/mobile systems for integrated applications.

Hor’s role includes designing and reviewing the products and systems in the company and with their partners or subsidiaries, to oversee the operation methods of technology research and development. Hor has the responsibility to prevent scalability issues with hardware and software architecture, and to manage the resources for its development.

 Q. What do you feel are the biggest challenges IT leaders are currently faced with within their business?

A: For SME like us situated in a remote area, it is especially difficult to acquire talents while competing with corporates. Moreover, it is uncommon for newcomers to adapt quickly to our working culture, requiring rapid decision making based on technical or scientific research. However, I believe that even corporates in Malaysia may be struggling to build teams with strong expertise in building in-house technology to compete in the industrial revolution globally.

Q. As an IT leader, what do you feel businesses continue to get wrong when it comes to their marketing strategy?

A: Businesses in Malaysia are too focused on acquiring products with immediate returns rather than investing a good amount of time the underlying technology. A good design with a simple idea can improve efficiency and create demand, while good ideas alone may just end up as a stepping stone for others. We may have the wrong strategy when it comes to generating profit, but I believe that true value is achieved from diving into R&D, to build an ecosystem that can power the future.

Q. What are the latest trends and behaviours you predict will be surfacing on the market over the coming 12 months?

A. I believe we will see a wider adoption of smart infotainment systems and WAN connected machines, and a focus on information security and identity management systems for banks, institutions, corporates…etc.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you have received within your job over the years?

A: Not so much of an advice I have received, but an advice I made from the experiences I’ve had, applicable to today’s fast-growing world of IT: “Never let your past techniques restrict how you form the future.”