PETALING JAYA: PLUS Malaysia Bhd is partnering with Microsoft Malaysia to integrate Microsoft Azure cloud system into its highway toll network to transform and modernise the country’s highway experience.
PLUS, Malaysia’s largest highway operator, said the partnership would make it the first in the country to leverage on future-ready technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics and cloud computing to improve its highway network.
PLUS managing director Datuk Azman Ismail said the highway operator acknowledged the need to not just digitally transform, but also embrace a new organisation culture.
“As our highway networks continue to expand across Malaysia, servicing an ever-growing number of road users.
“By collaborating with industry leaders like Microsoft, we aim to bring our businesses to the frontier of innovation, locally and regionally, whilst addressing all the challenges brought forth by the 4th Industrial Revolution,” he said after launching the partnership with Microsoft Malaysia here today.
Azman said the framework provided by Azure platform unlocks a future of Big Data Analytics and AI enhanced operations, contributing to improved congestion prediction, better journey planning and provide safer, more enjoyable experiences on PLUS’ highways.
The partnership signifies the first step in PLUS’ digital transformation journey, while aiming to drive efficiency and lowering costs on its highway network.
Through this partnership, PLUS will adopt Microsoft Azure to tackle a number of complex challenges such as server capacity, flexibility and security.
Using the Azure cloud-based platform, PLUS will be able to build and expand on-premise resources to improve internal performance and enhance the customer experience, without having to worry about server capacity.
PLUS said the partnership also allows it to save costs on building and expanding on-premise infrastructure, creating more room for the company to focus on improving its services instead.
Additionally, PLUS will be leveraging Azure Key Vault to safeguard data on the cloud through the use of cryptographic keys to reduce data discrepancy, enhance its operations and electronic toll collection reconciliation and ultimately improve efficiency by 40 per cent, or 600 man-hours, each month.
With over 1.7 million vehicles running on PLUS' highway network daily, the company needed a solution that is capable of efficiently and effectively analysing large amounts of data.
PLUS aims to roll-out a series of future improvements in its operations including integrated video analytics, which is expected to reduce staff requirements and tackle financial leakage of an estimated RM2.7 million in annual lost revenue.
Microsoft Malaysia managing director K Raman said the company had helped move the digital transformation needle for businesses and organisations across the nation.