2025

Managing Up as an Enterprise Architect

In a world obsessed with technical mastery and digital transformation, one truth remains unchanged: organizations are made of people. For Enterprise Architects, the challenge is not just about designing scalable systems or aligning technology with strategy; it is about managing up.

Every day, we navigate a web of senior stakeholders: bosses, directors, business heads, and sometimes entire leadership teams, each with their own ambitions, anxieties, and decision-making patterns. Managing up is not manipulation or flattery; it is the discipline of partnership. It is about helping leaders make better decisions by shaping how we communicate, when we engage, and what we emphasize. In essence, it is the art of human intelligence, the soft skill that no AI will ever replace.

Effective Enterprise Architects are translators between vision and execution. But to do this well, we must first understand the personalities that shape those visions. Some leaders are directors: fast-moving, results-driven, and impatient with detail. They want clarity and confidence, not complexity. Begin with the conclusion, lead with outcomes, and always show progress. Others are feelers: people-oriented and emotionally attuned. They value relationships over reports and stories over statistics. What builds trust with them is not logic but empathy. Then there are judges: reserved, cautious, and selective. They weigh risks carefully and respond to options, not ultimatums. Finally, there are analysts: methodical, data-driven, and precise. They listen to facts, not feelings. What earns their confidence is evidence, not enthusiasm.

Mastering these styles is not about becoming someone you are not; it is about being agile enough to meet others where they are. People change, circumstances shift, and leadership dynamics evolve. The key is rapport: we naturally trust those who reflect our own values and pace. Adjusting your communication style does not mean abandoning authenticity; it means amplifying effectiveness.

A powerful mindset shift begins with one question: “He or she is my __. I am his or her ____.” The way you fill in those blanks defines the relationship. Are you a subordinate, a trusted partner, a consultant, or even a successor? Seeing yourself as a partner, not a passenger, reframes every conversation. Managing up is not about deference; it is about co-creation. It is not about avoiding friction; it is about channeling it productively toward shared goals.

Consistency builds credibility. Predictability earns trust. Schedule regular check-ins, maintain a simple project tracker, and communicate before you are asked. Responsiveness shows respect; silence breeds uncertainty. At the same time, great Enterprise Architects do not just meet expectations; they redefine them. Acting one level up signals readiness for bigger responsibilities. Leaders notice those who anticipate problems before they are raised and who propose solutions instead of waiting for instructions.

Being a problem solver is the most enduring form of influence. Ask yourself: “How can I make my stakeholder’s life easier?” Think from their perspective, the pressures they face, the trade-offs they weigh. When we think like them, we do not just deliver work; we deliver peace of mind.

Ultimately, managing up is about trust, the invisible currency of leadership. Trust is built through credibility, reliability, and intimacy, and it erodes when self-interest dominates. Credibility comes from mastery and follow-through; reliability from consistency and accountability; intimacy from genuine connection, the small human moments that turn colleagues into allies. The less the relationship is about you, the more influence you gain.

Managing up is not submission to authority; it is alignment with purpose. It is the ability to transform hierarchy into collaboration and transactions into partnerships. For Enterprise Architects, who often sit at the intersection of strategy and execution, this is our real architecture: the architecture of trust.

Ask yourself this: if you had complete trust in your leaders, what would you do differently? Then start doing that now, because managing up is not just about influencing others. It is about becoming the kind of professional others want to trust.

企業架構師的向上管理之道

在一個專注於技術精通與數位轉型的時代，有一個真理始終不變：企業的核心是人。對企業架構師而言，挑戰不僅僅是設計可擴展的系統或將技術與策略對齊，更關鍵的是學會「向上管理」。

我們每天都在穿梭於複雜的高層利害關係網絡之中——上司、總監、業務主管，甚至是整個領導團隊。每個人都有不同的目標、焦慮與決策模式。向上管理不是拍馬屁或逢迎，而是一種合作的藝術。它關乎於如何在對的時間，用對的方式溝通，讓領導能做出更明智的決策。這是一門人性的智慧，也是一種 AI 永遠無法取代的軟實力。

優秀的企業架構師，是願景與執行之間的翻譯者。但要做到這一點，首先要理解塑造願景的那些人。有些領導是「行動派」：速度快、結果導向、沒有耐心聽細節。他們要的是結論與信心，而不是複雜的過程。對這類人，要開門見山，聚焦成果，展現進展。有些是「感受型」：重視人際關係與情感連結，他們看重的是關係勝於報告，故事勝於數據。贏得他們信任的不是邏輯，而是同理心。另一類是「判斷型」：謹慎、保守，喜歡權衡風險。面對他們，應提供選項而非命令，呈現利弊，讓他們有安全感。最後是「分析型」：理性、細緻、以數據為本。他們聽的是事實而非感覺，信任的是證據而非熱情。

掌握這些風格的關鍵，不是改變自我，而是具備適應力，能在不同情境中與他人對齊。人會改變，情勢會變，領導的需求也會變。建立融洽關係的關鍵在於「共鳴」——人天生傾向信任與自己步調與價值觀相似的人。調整溝通風格不是虛偽，而是讓訊息更有效。

心態的轉變從一個問題開始：「他或她是我的__。我是他或她的____。」你如何填空，決定了關係的定義。你是下屬？是可信賴的夥伴？顧問？甚至是接班人？當你將自己定位為合作夥伴而非執行者時，所有對話的意義都會不同。向上管理不是服從，而是共創；不是避免衝突，而是讓衝突變得有建設性，朝共同目標前進。

一致性建立信譽，可預測性帶來信任。定期安排檢視會議、使用簡單的追蹤工具來報告進度、主動溝通而不是被動等待。快速回覆代表尊重，沉默則會讓人產生不安。同時，優秀的架構師不只是達標，而是重塑標準。以「領導者思維」行事，提前思考一層，讓領導看見你具備更高層次的洞察與擔當。那些能主動預測問題並提出解法的人，才是真正值得信任的夥伴。

成為問題的解決者，是最持久的影響力。問問自己：「我能如何讓我的利害關係人更輕鬆？」試著從他們的角度思考，他們的壓力是什麼、他們在取捨什麼。當我們能以他們的視角思考，我們交付的不只是成果，更是一份安心。

最終，向上管理的核心是信任——領導的無形貨幣。信任建立在可信度、可靠性與親密感之上，卻會因自我中心而瓦解。可信度來自專業與實績；可靠性來自一致與負責；親密感則來自真誠互動，那些讓同事成為盟友的小瞬間。關係越少關於「我」，影響力就越大。

向上管理不是對權威的屈服，而是與目標的對齊。它是一種將階層轉化為合作、將任務轉化為夥伴關係的能力。對企業架構師而言，我們的真正架構不是技術藍圖，而是信任的架構。

問問自己：如果你完全信任你的領導，你會做些什麼不同的事？從今天開始去做吧。因為向上管理不只是影響他人，它更是成為值得他人信任的那種專業。

Think Like an Enterprise Architect

Transitioning from a Solution Architect to an Enterprise Architect is not merely a career move; it’s an evolution of perspective. It marks the point where technical mastery must give way to strategic influence, where depth of knowledge is no longer enough without breadth of vision. In this role, the measure of success is not how much you build, but how effectively you align, enable, and inspire across an organization that never stands still.

When I first stepped into enterprise architecture, I assumed the challenge would be largely technical. I had designed complex systems, optimized architectures, and delivered enterprise-scale solutions. Yet, I soon discovered that the greatest challenges had less to do with technology and more to do with people, alignment, and organizational change. Enterprise architecture operates at the intersection of strategy and execution; it is where technology decisions carry financial implications, and where technical debt can quietly erode strategic ambition.

As a Solution Architect, life revolved around delivery. Each project had a clear objective, a timeline, and a stack of technologies to work with. But as an Enterprise Architect, you leave behind the safety of project boundaries. You begin to see the enterprise as a living organism, a web of dependencies, incentives, and legacy systems that must evolve in harmony. You no longer solve isolated problems; you orchestrate an ecosystem. You become the bridge between business and technology, between today’s realities and tomorrow’s aspirations.

One of the defining challenges of the role is impartiality. Every architect has a background, a bias shaped by years of hands-on experience. Yet enterprise decisions demand objectivity. You cannot allow your preferences to overshadow what is best for the organization. Sometimes that means recommending a solution you’ve never built, or supporting a technology you once dismissed. The Enterprise Architect must be an impartial strategist, not a loyal technologist. Technical expertise remains essential, but its purpose shifts from designing systems to enabling others to design them better.

Perhaps the most underappreciated aspect of enterprise architecture is the art of influence. Architects rarely possess formal authority, yet they are expected to shape the direction of entire organizations. Success, therefore, depends on credibility and trust. You must persuade without dictating, align without controlling, and inspire without commanding. It requires patience, political acumen, and emotional intelligence, the quiet confidence to lead through dialogue rather than decree.

Enterprise architecture is also a study in paradox. You must balance innovation with governance, speed with stability, autonomy with standardization. The enterprise will constantly pull you in opposite directions, and there will never be a perfect equilibrium. The best architects accept this tension as part of the craft. They understand that architecture is not about eliminating conflict; it’s about designing systems resilient enough to thrive within it.

Yet for all its complexity, few roles offer such profound satisfaction. To see how technology decisions cascade into business outcomes, to influence the strategic trajectory of an organization, to connect disparate efforts into a coherent vision—that is the quiet privilege of enterprise architecture. It shifts your focus from building systems to building capability, from creating solutions to creating possibility.

To thrive as an Enterprise Architect, cultivate the mindset of a systems thinker and a servant leader. Stay relentlessly curious. The tools and frameworks will change, but the ability to learn, synthesize, and apply insight will always set you apart. Build empathy for your stakeholders, engineers, executives, and customers alike, and learn to translate between their worlds. Communicate complexity with clarity. Simplify without oversimplifying. And above all, maintain humility. The best architects understand that they are not the heroes of the story; they are the enablers who make success possible for others.

Enterprise architecture is not a destination but a discipline, a continuous pursuit of coherence in a world that resists it. Those who succeed are not defined by their command of technology, but by their ability to align vision with execution, people with purpose, and ambition with reality.

像企業架構師一樣思考

從解決方案架構師轉型為企業架構師，不僅是一場職業變遷，更是一場思維的進化。這意味著從技術專精走向策略影響力，從知識的深度延伸到視野的廣度。在這個角色中，成功的衡量標準不再是你親手建造了多少系統，而是你能否在不斷變化的組織中，推動一致性、促進協作、並激發共同的方向感。

當我第一次踏入企業架構領域時，以為挑戰主要來自技術。我曾設計過複雜的系統、優化過架構、交付過大型企業級方案。然而，我很快意識到，最大的挑戰並不在技術，而在於「人」、協同，以及組織變革。企業架構的核心在於連結策略與執行——在這裡，每一個技術決策都伴隨財務後果，而技術債更可能悄悄削弱企業的長期競爭力。

身為解決方案架構師，我的世界圍繞著交付。每個專案都有明確目標、時間表與技術堆疊。但當你成為企業架構師，這些邊界將不再存在。你開始把整個企業視為一個有機體——充滿依存關係、激勵機制與歷史包袱的複雜網絡。你的任務不再是解決單一問題，而是協調整個生態系。你成為橋樑，連結業務與技術、現實與願景、今天的限制與未來的可能。

這個角色的首要挑戰是「客觀性」。每位架構師都有自己的背景與偏好，那是多年經驗累積的結果。然而，企業層面的決策必須超越個人喜好。你不能被自身熟悉的技術所綁架。有時你必須推薦自己未曾使用過的方案，甚至支持你曾經否定的技術。成功的企業架構師是一位「公正的策略家」，而非忠誠於特定技術的專家。技術專業依然重要，但其目的已轉變——從「設計系統」變成「幫助他人設計得更好」。

企業架構最被低估的能力之一，是「影響力」。架構師通常沒有正式的指揮權，但卻被期望影響整個組織的方向。成功的關鍵在於「信任與說服力」。你必須學會不靠命令，而是透過信譽與對話來推動改變。這需要耐心、政治智慧與情緒智商——以對話取代命令，以啟發取代控制。

企業架構也是一種矛盾的藝術。你必須在創新與治理、速度與穩定、自主與標準化之間尋找平衡。這些張力永遠存在，也不會有完美的解答。最出色的架構師明白，架構的目的不是消除衝突，而是設計出能在矛盾中依然穩定運作的系統。

儘管複雜，這個角色卻帶來深刻的成就感。當你親眼看到技術決策如何影響企業策略，看到自己參與塑造整體方向、串連分散的努力形成一致願景，那是一種極為獨特的滿足。企業架構讓你從「打造系統」轉向「打造能力」，從「創造解決方案」走向「創造可能性」。

若要在這個角色中脫穎而出，你必須培養「系統思維者」與「服務型領導者」的心態。保持持續學習的好奇心。工具與框架會改變，但學習、整合與應用洞見的能力才是真正的競爭力。培養對利害關係人的同理心——無論是工程師、高層主管或最終用戶——並學會在他們之間翻譯語言。以清晰傳達複雜性，做到簡化而不流於簡化。最重要的是，保持謙遜。最出色的架構師明白，他們不是故事的主角，而是讓他人成功的推手。

企業架構不是一個職位，而是一種修煉——在充滿混亂的世界中，持續追求一致與秩序的過程。那些最終成功的人，並非因為掌握了所有技術，而是因為他們能將願景與執行、人與目標、雄心與現實融為一體。

The Timeless Skill for the Future of Work

Every conversation about the future of work circles back to one undeniable truth: the world of jobs is transforming faster than ever before. Automation, AI, and digital platforms are redefining what it means to be employable. The anxiety is real, and many worry about mass unemployment if machines can replicate human tasks. One speaker at a seminar I attended once warned, “If you can write an algorithm for your job, your job will be automated.”

While that perspective may sound bleak, I see it differently. Yes, technology displaces jobs. But it also creates new ones. The deeper problem is not whether jobs will exist, it is whether we are preparing students with the right capabilities to thrive in a future where change is the only constant.

For years, well-meaning educators have argued that teaching every student to code, or channeling them into vocational programs, is the golden ticket to employability. Yet this belief is flawed. I have seen talented computer science graduates lose their jobs because technical ability alone does not guarantee long-term success. Companies do not just need coders. They need communicators who can translate complex technology into value, collaborators who can work across disciplines, and problem-solvers who can adapt as industries evolve. A programming language may go out of fashion in five years, but the ability to question assumptions, synthesize perspectives, and design creative solutions never will.

We often call them “soft skills” such as emotional intelligence, judgment, creativity, and communication. But these are not soft at all; they are foundational. They are the traits that allow humans to work with machines rather than compete against them. When we teach coding, we should also teach how to listen to users, how to iterate based on feedback, and how to collaborate with people who think differently. When we train for technical certifications, we should also cultivate critical thinking habits that are transferable across industries and roles. These skills make workers resilient, relevant, and irreplaceable.

Traditional education is still stuck teaching the what (content) and the how (process). But the future demands something else: the why (purpose) and the what if (possibility). If we only train students for today’s jobs, we set them up for obsolescence. If we train them to ask better questions, navigate uncertainty, and think critically, we prepare them for jobs that do not even exist yet. Unfortunately, the ability to think critically is still treated like a luxury, reserved for elite institutions and students. This inequality is dangerous. Critical thinking cannot remain a privilege, it must become a baseline.

As Fareed Zakaria has pointed out, our obsession with STEM risks missing the bigger picture: “In the end, critical thinking is the only way to secure human employment.” If critical thinking is the ultimate safeguard, then we must make it universally accessible. Every student, in every subject, at every grade level, deserves equal opportunity to master it. Coding will come and go. Platforms will rise and fall. But critical thinking is the one skill that will never go out of style.

The future of work belongs not to the best coders or the most certified technicians, but to those who can think critically, act with empathy, and lead through uncertainty. That is the revolution education needs to embrace before it is too late.

未來工作的永恆技能

每一次有關「工作的未來」的對話，最終都會回到一個不可否認的事實：工作的世界正在以前所未有的速度轉變。自動化、人工智慧與數位平台正在重新定義「就業力」的含義。這種焦慮是真實存在的，許多人擔心，一旦機器能夠複製人類的任務，將會出現大規模失業的情況。我曾在一場研討會上聽過一位講者警告說：「如果你能為自己的工作寫一套演算法，你的工作就會被自動化。」

雖然這種觀點聽起來過於悲觀，但我有不同的看法。是的，科技會取代工作，但它同時也會創造新的職位。真正的問題不是未來是否有工作，而是我們是否已經在培養學生具備正確的能力，能夠在一個唯一不變就是「變化」的時代中茁壯成長。

多年來，許多出於好意的教育者主張，只要讓每位學生學會程式設計，或是將他們直接導向職業或技術教育課程，就能保證他們具備就業力。然而，這種想法其實是錯誤的。我親眼看過許多電腦科學系的畢業生因失業而受挫，因為單靠技術能力並不能保證長遠的成功。企業所需要的不僅僅是會寫程式的人，他們更需要能夠將複雜技術轉化為價值的人、能夠跨領域合作的協作者，以及能夠隨著產業演變而調整的解題者。一種程式語言可能五年後就被淘汰，但能夠質疑假設、整合觀點與設計創新解決方案的能力，卻永遠不會過時。

我們常稱這些為「軟技能」，例如情緒智商、判斷力、創造力與溝通能力。但這些並不是「軟」的技能，而是根本性的能力。這些特質讓人類能夠與機器協作，而不是與機器競爭。當我們教授程式設計時，也應該教學生如何傾聽使用者需求、如何根據回饋持續改進，以及如何與思維不同的人合作。當我們培訓學生取得技術證照時，也應該同時培養可跨領域轉移的批判性思考習慣與心態。正是這些技能，讓人類在未來的職場中具備韌性、保持價值、無可取代。

傳統教育仍然停留在教授「是什麼」（內容）與「如何做」（過程）。然而，未來所需要的，是「為什麼」（目的）與「如果」（可能性）。如果我們僅僅訓練學生去勝任今日的工作，他們就會在未來陷入淘汰的風險。如果我們訓練他們提出更好的問題、駕馭不確定性並進行批判性思考，那麼即使是尚未出現的工作，他們也能勝任。不幸的是，批判性思考仍然被視為奢侈品，只提供給最頂尖的學校與學生。這種不平等是危險的，因為批判性思考不應該是特權，而必須成為基礎。

正如法里德·札卡利亞（Fareed Zakaria）所警告的，我們對 STEM 的過度執著反而忽略了更重要的真相：「到頭來，批判性思考是唯一能保障人類就業的方法。」 如果批判性思考是最終的保障，那麼我們必須讓它普及化。每一位學生、每一個學科、每一個年齡層，都應該擁有平等的機會去學習有意義的批判性思考。程式語言會興起又衰落，平台會誕生又消逝，但批判性思考將永遠不會過時。

未來的工作，不屬於最會寫程式或擁有最多證照的人，而是屬於那些能夠批判性思考、具備同理心、並能在不確定性中展現領導力的人。這正是教育必須擁抱的革命，而且必須趕快行動。

How to Monetize Your Data

In today’s business landscape, data has become the most underutilized asset on the balance sheet. Organizations often collect it in abundance, yet struggle to translate it into measurable impact. The question is no longer whether companies should use data, but how they can unlock its true value in ways that improve sales performance, drive productivity, and shape better decisions.

The first step is alignment. Many organizations underestimate the cost of ambiguity. If sales teams cannot agree on what constitutes a “lead” or how to define “engagement,” then the insights that follow will be inconsistent at best and misleading at worst. Thoughtful data governance—shared definitions, common metrics, and clarity of purpose—is the foundation upon which data monetization is built. Without it, integration and analytics remain empty exercises.

The second step is integration. Too often, sales data is scattered across disconnected systems: CRM platforms, customer service records, marketing databases, and finance tools. Each contains valuable fragments of truth, but without consolidation they cannot produce a 360-degree view of the customer. Leaders who succeed in monetizing data are those who view integration not as a technical project but as a strategic initiative—one that enables sales teams to see customers as whole relationships rather than isolated transactions.

From there, transformation becomes possible. Predictive analytics and machine learning elevate raw data into actionable guidance. Modern systems can surface patterns invisible to the human eye: which opportunities are most likely to close, which actions will move a deal forward, and which accounts deserve urgent attention. These insights do more than save time; they shape behavior. Salespeople begin to prioritize differently, act more decisively, and engage customers with greater precision.

The real power emerges when accuracy compounds. Improved forecasting transforms the quality of decision-making, not only at the individual level but across the entire organization. Leaders who once relied on gut instinct now manage with confidence. Pipelines become clearer, resource allocation becomes smarter, and strategy becomes grounded in evidence rather than speculation. This is where the monetization of data becomes undeniable—when better insights lead directly to higher productivity, stronger customer relationships, and ultimately, better financial outcomes.

The lesson is clear: monetizing data is not about selling it. It is about converting it into capabilities that improve how people work and how organizations grow. The leaders who capture this value are those who treat data as an enterprise asset, who break down silos, who invest in systems that deliver actionable insights, and who relentlessly measure outcomes against business goals.

This approach applies to every sector. A retailer can transform purchase history into personalized engagement. A bank can turn transaction patterns into fraud prevention. A manufacturer can leverage sensor data to optimize supply chains. The principle is universal: align, integrate, analyze, and act. Data in isolation is a cost. Data with purpose is a competitive advantage. And in the decade ahead, those who master this discipline will define the future of sales performance.

如何將數據變現

在當今的商業環境中，數據已成為資產負債表上最被低估的資產之一。企業往往擁有大量數據，卻難以將其轉化為可衡量的成果。問題已不再是「是否應該使用數據」，而是「如何釋放數據的真正價值」，以提升銷售績效、提高生產力並改善決策。

第一步是對齊。許多組織低估了模糊定義所帶來的成本。如果銷售團隊無法就「潛在客戶」或「互動」的具體含義達成共識，那麼隨之而來的洞察最多是不一致的，最糟則可能具有誤導性。審慎的數據治理——共享定義、統一指標與清晰目標——是數據變現的基礎。缺乏這些，整合與分析只會淪為空談。

第二步是整合。銷售數據往往散落在不同系統中：CRM 平台、客服記錄、行銷資料庫以及財務工具。每個系統都包含有價值的資訊片段，但若缺乏整合，就無法形成客戶的全貌。成功將數據變現的領導者，會將整合視為戰略舉措，而不只是技術專案，因為它能讓銷售團隊看到完整的客戶關係，而不只是零散的交易。

在此基礎上，轉化才能發生。透過預測分析與機器學習，原始數據得以提升為可操作的指引。現代銷售系統能夠發掘人眼無法察覺的模式：哪些機會最可能成交、哪些行動能推動交易前進，以及哪些客戶最需要優先關注。這些洞察不僅節省時間，更能改變行為。銷售人員開始以不同的方式優先排序，做出更果斷的行動，並以更高的精準度與客戶互動。

真正的力量來自於準確度的持續累積。當銷售預測變得更加精準，決策品質也隨之提升，不僅在個人層面，更影響整個組織。領導者從過去依賴直覺，轉為憑藉數據自信地決策。銷售管道變得更透明，資源配置更具效率，策略也不再憑空推測。這正是數據變現無可否認的地方——當更好的洞察直接帶來更高的生產力、更牢固的客戶關係，以及最終更佳的財務成果。

結論很清楚：數據變現並非出售數據，而是將其轉化為能改善工作方式與組織成長的能力。能夠抓住這種價值的領導者，是那些將數據視為企業資產、打破資訊孤島、投資能產生行動洞察的系統，並不斷以業務成果來衡量成效的人。

這個方法適用於各行各業。零售商可以將購買紀錄轉化為個人化互動，銀行可以透過交易模式偵測詐騙，製造商則能利用感測器數據優化供應鏈。原則是普遍的：對齊、整合、分析並採取行動。數據若孤立存在，只會成為成本；數據若能被賦予目的，便能成為競爭優勢。而在未來的十年，能掌握這項能力的組織，將決定銷售績效的未來。

Solve the legacy challenge for banks in ASEAN

Southeast Asia’s banks are at a pivotal juncture, transitioning from decades-old legacy cores to modern platforms built for the digital age. Most banks in the region still run on aging technology – 90–95% of banks rely on on-premises, mainframe-based cores averaging 20+ years old [1,2]. Only a small minority operate fully cloud-native cores, mainly among digital-only entrants [1]. These systems are expensive to run and hard to change, making modernisation a strategic necessity [1,2].

Banks are ramping up investment in core upgrades and cloud. APAC bank tech spend grew from ~$63B (2022) to ~$68B (2023), with rising allocation to cloud and AI/ML [3]. Over 70% have deployed cloud-based digital apps and around 40% are considering core replacement in the next three years [4]. Usage has gone decisively digital: Singapore adoption has plateaued around 90%; in Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam, digital usage rose from about 55% in 2017 to around 88% in 2021 [5]. Several ASEAN markets now report more than 90% of transactions occurring via digital channels [6].

Thailand — Virtual Banks and Infrastructure Acceleration

The Bank of Thailand granted three virtual bank licences in 2024, with launches expected in 2025–26 [7]. The licences were awarded to consortia led by SCBX Group, Kasikornbank Group, and Ascend Money. Ascend Money, well-known for its TrueMoney platform with more than 30 million active users, is backed by CP Group and Ant International. It raised US$195M in 2024 from MUFG and other investors to expand financial services and support its transition into a licensed virtual bank. Its focus is on financial inclusion, offering accessible services to the underbanked, gig workers, and SMEs by leveraging its strong payments ecosystem.

These players will begin operations with cloud-native and API-first foundations, setting new benchmarks for speed, personalisation, and cost efficiency. Their entry is expected to intensify competition, drive innovation, and expand financial inclusion, particularly targeting underbanked and digital-first customers.

Incumbents are responding by accelerating core modernisation budgets to defend market share and reduce time-to-market. SCB (SCB TechX) with Publicis Sapient is an example of progressive modernisation, adopting modular rebuilds, microservices, and parallel-run migrations to reduce cutover risk [8]. Other major banks such as Kasikornbank and Krungthai are enhancing digital cores, adopting cloud, and embedding analytics/AI. A national cloud framework is in development to accelerate adoption [9].

Regulators are balancing innovation with safety. The Bank of Thailand has increased capital requirements from THB 5B to THB 10B and introduced phased operating periods for new banks [10]. Supervisory emphasis includes operational resiliency, consumer protection, and oversight of third-party risks.

Infrastructure investment is also reshaping the market. In January 2025, AWS launched its Asia-Pacific (Thailand) Region with three Availability Zones, committing US$5B over 15 years [16]. This addresses data residency and latency concerns, enabling banks to migrate critical workloads locally.

Singapore — Digital Pioneer with Core Legacy Challenges

The Monetary Authority of Singapore issued four digital bank licences in 2020, with launches in 2022–23 raising expectations for user experience and real-time service [10]. Trust Bank quickly surpassed 600k customers in its first year, underlining consumer appetite for digital-first propositions. Yet, while digital front ends are highly advanced, back-end cores continue to constrain agility.

DBS, OCBC, and UOB have invested deeply in cloud, APIs, agile development, and SRE practices. Despite this, significant legacy code remains, leading banks to pursue hybrid approaches that include API façades, selective workload migration, and microservices refactoring [11]. Outages in 2023 prompted MAS to impose capital surcharges and introduce firmer resiliency expectations [12].

The regulator supports the use of public cloud but with strict risk controls and third-party management guidelines [12]. Supervisory focus is centred on resilience, incident management, and business continuity. Strategies increasingly involve coexistence, where new product engines are deployed on modern cores while stable legacy modules continue to handle settlement.

Vietnam — Rapid Digital Leap and Hybrid-Cloud Adoption

Vietnam’s Decision 810/QD-NHNN sets ambitious digital banking targets through 2025 and 2030 [13]. Account ownership now exceeds 87%, and many banks already process more than 95% of transactions digitally [6]. Banks invested about US\$620M in digital transformation initiatives up to the end of 2022 [6].

HD Bank has emerged as an active participant in the digitalisation drive, focusing on retail and SME clients. It is expanding mobile-first offerings, experimenting with embedded finance, and pursuing partnerships with fintech players. Meanwhile, Techcombank (TCB) continues to lead in large-scale digital transformation with heavy investment in data platforms, customer analytics, and cloud-based infrastructure. Techcombank’s partnership with AWS has enabled new levels of resilience and scalability.

LPBank executed a Temenos core replacement in around seven months, while other incumbents are pursuing scale and resilience improvements [14]. Cloud adoption is growing rapidly, with AWS and Microsoft supporting hybrid migrations.

The State Bank of Vietnam has expanded fintech sandboxes, eKYC, interoperability frameworks, and open-banking initiatives [15]. Regulatory priorities include driving cashless payments, ensuring consumer protection, and strengthening cybersecurity.

Cross-Market Outlook

In Malaysia, five digital bank licences were awarded in 2022, with surveys indicating that about 95% of banks will be cloud-ready by 2025 [9]. Maybank, CIMB, and RHB are engaged in multi-year core upgrades and data platform modernisation.

The Philippines has issued six digital bank licences, and strong mobile adoption is pushing banks towards cloud-native cores and instant payments. The government’s “Cloud First” policy and investment in real-time payment infrastructure are accelerating transformation [9].

Indonesia, with over 180 million internet users, is experiencing rapid digital adoption. Digital banks such as Jago, Jenius, and SeaBank are scaling quickly. Regulatory reforms by OJK are evolving to support digital-only operations, while incumbents are modernising cores progressively.

Defining a Future-Proof Core Banking Systems

A future-proof core must operate as a real-time, event-driven ledger with strong reconciliation controls. It should provide a product factory for rapid configuration of offerings, and support an API-first, open ecosystem for embedded finance and partner distribution. Resilience is achieved through cloud-native design, including multi-AZ deployment, autoscaling, and robust observability. Security and compliance must be built in from the start, with data residency and auditability features. Finally, migration should be progressive, relying on parallel runs, strangler-fig approaches, and dual-write models to mitigate execution risk.

Role of System Integrators

Global system integrators such as Accenture, Deloitte, and GFT play a critical role in large-scale core transformations, ensuring regulatory compliance and smooth delivery. Specialists like Audax and Constantinople focus on greenfield digital bank builds and operating model design. Their value lies in providing predictable migration outcomes, accelerating time-to-market, and ensuring resilience.

Conclusion — Neo-Core or Bust

Modernising the core is no longer optional. It is now foundational to growth, resilience, and innovation across ASEAN. Banks that execute core replacement progressively will unlock faster product launches, embedded partnerships, and lower unit costs. Those that delay face higher operational risks, escalating costs, and customer attrition. By 2030, the region’s leading banks will be operating on cloud-native, modular cores that support regional expansion and long-term competitiveness.

References

1. Fintech News – Core Banking Modernization in Southeast Asia
2. Fintech News – Legacy Tech in Asia-Pacific Banks
3. TAB Insights – APAC Bank Technology Spending
4. Fintech News – IDC Forecasts on Banking Modernisation
5. Viettonkin Consulting – Digital Transformation of Banking
6. VietnamPlus – Banks and Fintech in ASEAN
7. The Asian Banker – Thailand Digital Banking
8. Nation Thailand – SCB TechX Launch
9. Fintech News – Cloud Framework and Banking Modernisation
10. MCG Asia – Thailand Virtual Bank Rollout / Singapore Digital Bank Licensing
11. Maxthon – Singapore Digital Transformation Journey
12. MAS – Cloud Adoption Guidelines
13. Vietnam Law Magazine – SBV Transformation Plan
14. Temenos – Vietnam Banking Report
15. SBV – Digital Transformation Initiatives
16. AWS – Launch of Asia Pacific (Thailand) Region

解決東盟銀行的核心系統挑戰

解決東盟銀行的核心系統挑戰

東南亞銀行正處於一個關鍵轉折點，從沿用數十年的核心系統過渡到為數位時代打造的現代平台。該地區大多數銀行仍依賴老化的技術——90–95% 的銀行依靠平均超過 20 年歷史的本地部署、主機架構的核心系統 [1,2]。僅有少數銀行（主要是純數位新進者）運行完全雲原生的核心系統 [1]。這些老舊系統運行成本高且難以更改，使得現代化成為戰略必然 [1,2]。

銀行正在加快對核心升級和雲端的投資。亞太地區銀行科技支出從 2022 年的約 630 億美元增至 2023 年的約 680 億美元，並且雲端與 AI/ML 的配置持續上升 [3]。超過 70% 的銀行已部署雲端數位應用，大約 40% 計畫在三年內考慮核心替換 [4]。數位使用已成為主流：新加坡的採用率約 90% 並趨於穩定；馬來西亞、印尼、菲律賓和越南的數位使用率則從 2017 年的約 55% 上升至 2021 年的約 88% [5]。部分東盟市場現已超過 90% 的交易透過數位管道完成 [6]。

泰國 — 虛擬銀行與基礎設施加速

泰國銀行在 2024 年發放了三張虛擬銀行執照，預計將於 2025–26 年啟動營運 [7]。獲牌財團分別由 SCBX 集團、Kasikornbank 集團以及 Ascend Money 主導。Ascend Money 以其擁有超過 3000 萬活躍用戶的 TrueMoney 平台廣為人知，背後由正大集團與螞蟻國際支持。它在 2024 年獲得來自三菱日聯銀行等投資者的 1.95 億美元資金，用以擴展金融服務並支持其轉型為持牌虛擬銀行。其重點在於推動金融普惠，利用強大的支付生態系統，為未受充分服務的群體、零工經濟工作者和中小企提供便捷的服務。

這些新進者將以雲原生和 API 優先的基礎起步，為速度、個人化與成本效率設立新標準。他們的進入將加劇競爭、推動創新並擴展金融普惠，特別針對數位優先及未受充分服務的客群。

傳統銀行則透過加速核心系統現代化的預算來捍衛市佔率並縮短上市時間。SCB（SCB TechX 與 Publicis Sapient 合作）便是進步式現代化的例子，採用模組化重建、微服務以及平行運行遷移，來降低系統切換風險 [8]。其他如 Kasikornbank 與 Krungthai 等大型銀行，也在強化數位核心、採用雲端並導入分析與人工智慧。一個全國雲端框架也正在制定，以加快採用速度 [9]。

監管機構則在創新與安全之間尋求平衡。泰國銀行已將資本要求從 50 億泰銖提高至 100 億泰銖，並為新銀行引入分階段營運期 [10]。監管重點包括營運韌性、消費者保護以及第三方風險的管理。

基礎設施投資同樣正在重塑市場。2025 年 1 月，AWS 在泰國推出了亞太（泰國）區域，設有三個可用區，並承諾 15 年內投資 50 億美元 [16]。這解決了數據在地性與延遲問題，使銀行能將關鍵工作負載本地化遷移。

新加坡 — 數位先鋒卻仍受核心遺留問題制約

新加坡金融管理局於 2020 年發放了四張數位銀行執照，並於 2022–23 年間陸續啟動，顯著提升了市場對用戶體驗與即時服務的期望 [10]。Trust Bank 在首年便突破 60 萬客戶，突顯消費者對數位優先方案的強烈需求。然而，雖然前端數位應用高度先進，後端核心卻依然限制了靈活性。

星展、華僑與大華銀行在雲端、API、敏捷開發與 SRE 實踐上都有深厚投入。儘管如此，大量的遺留程式碼仍存在，促使銀行採取混合策略，包括 API 外掛層、選擇性工作負載遷移與微服務重構 [11]。2023 年的系統中斷事件，讓金管局對銀行施加資本附加要求，並制定更嚴格的韌性標準 [12]。

監管機構支持公共雲的使用，但設下嚴格的風險控制與第三方管理指引 [12]。監管重點圍繞韌性、事故管理與業務持續性。銀行策略愈發傾向「共存模式」：新產品引擎運行於現代核心上，而穩定的遺留模組則繼續處理清算。

越南 — 快速數位躍升與混合雲採用

越南《810/QD-NHNN 決議》為 2025 年及 2030 年制定了雄心勃勃的數位銀行目標 [13]。帳戶持有率現已超過 87%，許多銀行已有超過 95% 的交易透過數位渠道處理 [6]。截至 2022 年底，銀行在數位轉型上的投資約達 6.2 億美元 [6]。

HD Bank 在數位化推進中表現活躍，專注於零售及中小企客戶。該行正在擴展「行動優先」的產品，嘗試嵌入式金融，並積極尋求與金融科技合作。同時，Techcombank（TCB）持續引領大規模數位轉型，重金投入數據平台、客戶分析與雲端基礎設施。其與 AWS 的合作，使其在韌性與可擴展性上達到新高度。

LPBank 在約七個月內完成了 Temenos 核心替換，而其他傳統銀行則專注於提升規模與韌性 [14]。雲端採用正在迅速增長，AWS 與 Microsoft 正支持混合遷移。

越南國家銀行則擴展了金融科技沙盒、電子身份驗證（eKYC）、互通框架與開放銀行計劃 [15]。監管重點包括推動無現金支付、保障消費者權益以及強化網絡安全。

跨市場展望

在馬來西亞，2022 年發放了五張數位銀行執照，調查顯示約 95% 的銀行將在 2025 年前具備雲端就緒能力 [9]。馬來亞銀行、聯昌銀行與興業銀行均展開多年期核心升級與數據平台現代化。

菲律賓則已發出六張數位銀行執照，強勁的行動用戶採用率正在推動銀行轉向雲原生核心與即時支付。政府的「Cloud First」政策與即時支付基礎設施投資正加速轉型 [9]。

印尼擁有超過 1.8 億網民，數位採用快速增長。Jago、Jenius 與 SeaBank 等數位銀行正在迅速擴張。印尼金融服務管理局（OJK）的監管改革則持續演進，以支持純數位營運，而傳統銀行則逐步現代化核心系統。

定義未來防禦型核心銀行系統

未來防禦型核心必須作為即時、事件驅動的分類帳運行，具備強大的對賬控制。它應提供一個「產品工廠」，能快速配置新產品，並支持 API 優先的開放生態系統，以促進嵌入式金融與合作夥伴分銷。韌性需透過雲原生設計實現，包括多可用區部署、自動擴展與健全的可觀測性。安全與合規必須從一開始便內建，涵蓋數據在地化與可稽核性功能。最後，遷移策略應循序漸進，依靠平行運行、「絞殺者樹」方法與雙寫模式來降低執行風險。

系統整合商的角色

埃森哲、德勤與 GFT 等全球系統整合商在大規模核心轉型中扮演關鍵角色，確保合規並順利交付。Audax 與 Constantinople 等專業公司則專注於新建數位銀行與營運模式設計。他們的價值在於提供可預測的遷移成果、加快上市時間並確保韌性。

結論 — 不革新核心，便走向沒落

核心現代化已不再是可選項，而是成長、韌性與創新的基礎。能夠循序漸進完成核心替換的銀行，將解鎖更快的產品上市、更深入的嵌入式合作夥伴關係，以及更低的單位成本。而那些拖延的銀行，將面臨更高的營運風險、上升的成本以及客戶流失。到 2030 年，區域內的領先銀行將運行於雲原生、模組化的核心系統之上，支持區域擴張與長期競爭力。

參考

1. Fintech News – Core Banking Modernization in Southeast Asia
2. Fintech News – Legacy Tech in Asia-Pacific Banks
3. TAB Insights – APAC Bank Technology Spending
4. Fintech News – IDC Forecasts on Banking Modernisation
5. Viettonkin Consulting – Digital Transformation of Banking
6. VietnamPlus – Banks and Fintech in ASEAN
7. The Asian Banker – Thailand Digital Banking
8. Nation Thailand – SCB TechX Launch
9. Fintech News – Cloud Framework and Banking Modernisation
10. MCG Asia – Thailand Virtual Bank Rollout / Singapore Digital Bank Licensing
11. Maxthon – Singapore Digital Transformation Journey
12. MAS – Cloud Adoption Guidelines
13. Vietnam Law Magazine – SBV Transformation Plan
14. Temenos – Vietnam Banking Report
15. SBV – Digital Transformation Initiatives
16. AWS – Launch of Asia Pacific (Thailand) Region