 |
HKUST MBA |
ALUMNI NEWS
The Age of Technology and Big Data in Global Logistics—Ashley Law (MBA 2005)
The Age of Technology and Big Data in Global Logistics—Ashley Law (MBA 2005)
With the growing trend of on-line shopping and e-commerce, the freight and logistics industry has expanded significantly. SF Express is well known in the Greater China region. Mr. Ashley Law, CFO and COO of SF Express’s financial services group and MBA alumnus, class of 2005, shared his thoughts on artificial technology in the global logistics industry and how its applications help expand SF Express’ financial services business.
Ashley has joined his current role after 20+ years of solid experience in accounting, finance, and technology companies. In addition to financial management, Ashley oversees the company’s online platform, promotion, sales, and team management.
“SF express has a number of innovation centers with more than five thousand engineers to develop its own technologies, and the biggest one is in Shenzhen. Meanwhile, Artificial Intelligent (AI) is our main focus,” Ashley explained. AI and big data are used to identify the shortest route for goods delivery, taking into account factors such as traffic jams and bad weather. This application of technology to logistics has enhanced the firm’s service commitment and efficiency. Indeed, Ashley suggested that “Customers today receive more timely information, for instance, the expected delivery schedule is much more accurate now.”
Ashley has joined his current role after 20+ years of solid experience in accounting, finance, and technology companies. In addition to financial management, Ashley oversees the company’s online platform, promotion, sales, and team management.
“SF express has a number of innovation centers with more than five thousand engineers to develop its own technologies, and the biggest one is in Shenzhen. Meanwhile, Artificial Intelligent (AI) is our main focus,” Ashley explained. AI and big data are used to identify the shortest route for goods delivery, taking into account factors such as traffic jams and bad weather. This application of technology to logistics has enhanced the firm’s service commitment and efficiency. Indeed, Ashley suggested that “Customers today receive more timely information, for instance, the expected delivery schedule is much more accurate now.”
Ashley shares the latest development on his company's Fintech business.
Financial services is another core business of SF Express, for example, SF Pay may be familiar to the general public in China. Ashley declared, “in fact, the development of financial services to businesses is much slower than to customers in China. Therefore, we are now focusing on B2B services. Factoring, warehouse financing, and leasing are our three main focuses. Credit lending is a highlight of this year because we recognize the difficulties faced by our clients in terms of bank loan application and credit test. We can act as the middleman to connect them with banks by proving their credibility on the basis of logistic records.”
One of the remarkable applications of AI and big data is warehouse financing. SF Express uses technology to conduct inventory management and value estimation. It acts as an agency to prove the collateral value of the inventories owned by clients, which facilitates the process of borrowing money from banks.
Data security has become crucial in today’s evolving business world. Ashley stated that security is part of the company’s culture of building trust among clients. To this end, a dedicated department has been set up to minimize potential risks and design information protection systems. In addition, to evaluate the potential risks of each product, an audit procedure takes place, starting from the early design stages.
As a HKUST alumnus, Ashley declared that the MBA greatly enhanced his long-term communication skills, case cracking skills, thinking process, and network. In fact, impressed by the lifelong learning initiative, the Alumni Audit Program, he enrolled in one of the electives this Fall to stay informed!
“MBA students and graduates should be more aware of global trends in technology and should continue to learn new skills other than general management skills. For example, blockchain, machine learning, AI, and big data are topics not to be missed!” said Ashley.
One of the remarkable applications of AI and big data is warehouse financing. SF Express uses technology to conduct inventory management and value estimation. It acts as an agency to prove the collateral value of the inventories owned by clients, which facilitates the process of borrowing money from banks.
Data security has become crucial in today’s evolving business world. Ashley stated that security is part of the company’s culture of building trust among clients. To this end, a dedicated department has been set up to minimize potential risks and design information protection systems. In addition, to evaluate the potential risks of each product, an audit procedure takes place, starting from the early design stages.
As a HKUST alumnus, Ashley declared that the MBA greatly enhanced his long-term communication skills, case cracking skills, thinking process, and network. In fact, impressed by the lifelong learning initiative, the Alumni Audit Program, he enrolled in one of the electives this Fall to stay informed!
“MBA students and graduates should be more aware of global trends in technology and should continue to learn new skills other than general management skills. For example, blockchain, machine learning, AI, and big data are topics not to be missed!” said Ashley.
