Advantech has announced its ambitious plans to establish dominance in the rapidly growing sectors of edge computing and artificial intelligence (AI). Chairman KC Liu revealed the company's strategic transition, emphasizing its dedication to leveragin...
Advantech has announced its ambitious plans to establish dominance in the rapidly growing sectors of edge computing and artificial intelligence (AI). Chairman KC Liu revealed the company's strategic transition, emphasizing its dedication to leveraging the transformative power of these technologies to seize new opportunities across various industries.
Liu stated that the edge computing market, predicted to grow from US$131 billion in 2023 to US$511 billion by 2033, presents a lucrative horizon for Advantech. Recognizing this golden era for edge-related technologies, the company plans a brand revitalization to re-position itself from its industrial computing roots to a leading figure in edge computing and edge AI. This shift will target strategic sectors such as smart edge systems, smart manufacturing, energy, public utilities, healthcare, and retail services.
Advantech's approach involves significant enhancement of both its hardware and software offerings. On the hardware front, the company intends to bolster its edge computing platforms and modules. Meanwhile, the software strategy includes introducing a new business model for the WISE IoT platform by 2025, which will feature seven modular standards designed to integrate the supply chain and reinforce the brand's global presence.
In this transformation, Liu has clarified that Advantech will sidestep the popular but competitive cloud server market, a domain dominated by major electronics players. Instead, it will focus on a distinct customer base that aligns more closely with Advantech's expertise in edge and industrial applications, integrating solutions that span edge servers to endpoint computing and front-end communication sensing.
Organizationally, Advantech is making strategic adjustments to facilitate this transformation. Changes enacted in 2024 aim to reduce product redundancies, enhance horizontal sales integration, and structure an advanced sales strategy focusing on large-scale clients. A global grid-based system is being implemented to enhance synergy between headquarters and regional offices, ensuring that talent cultivation and partnership investments remain a priority.
Looking ahead, Liu highlighted plans for a redefined leadership framework, involving a collaborative transition with board members and external advisors. This move aims to steer Advantech towards sustainable growth while navigating the intricate landscape of edge computing and AI. With these comprehensive strategies, Advantech is poised to redefine its industry position and set new benchmarks in embedded and intelligent computing solutions.