With the development of new technologies unfolding at a stunning pace, it can be challenging to recognize and embrace the latest trends that place businesses ahead of the competition. Indeed, identifying technologies that are a breakthrough, ones that have the power to disrupt status quo, impact the way people live and work in an ever connected globalized environment, is key to long term success.

That is why the Hong Kong Computer Society’s annual conference “Hong Kong International Computer Conference (HKICC)” couldn’t come at a better time. This year’s theme, “Technology Disruptions Transform Business”, aims to highlight the latest technological trends and ICT innovations and breakthroughs that will enhance business opportunities and boost productivity.

Galvanizing government leaders, ICT professionals and experts, and business executives from around the world, the conference offers a unique and remarkable platform for participants to understand technologies that will change the landscape and transform the community and the world. What’s more, the HKICC will be held in conjunction with the Asia Pacific ICT Awards 2013 (APICTA 2013), which Hong Kong is hosting at Cyberport this year for the first time. It makes this year’s HKICC even more special.

As one of the leading ICT hubs in the Asia-Pacific region, Cyberport supports a range of dynamic events and programmes aimed at transitioning Hong Kong into an inclusive knowledge-based digital economy. We are pleased to be a part of these two prominent gatherings.

I wish the HKICC every success and look forward to welcoming you all to Cyberport to celebrate this year’s APICTA 2013!

The theme of HKICC 2013 is "Technology Disruptions Transform Business". It is just timely to share views of how ICT can transform business, society and personal life from a variety of perspectives. Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud and Mobile computing is connecting process, people, data and things together with the underlying technologies, infrastructure and applications. No longer will we disconnect ourselves from ICT as illustrated from Hong Kong's record of being the No. 1 city in the world of a 228% mobile penetration rate.

This 36th HKICC is met with the Asia Pacific ICT Award to be hosted in Hong Kong. The 2 international events will certainly sparkle to bring the innovative ICT industry to new heights. May I take this opportunity to congratulate the HKICC Organizing Committee and Programme Committee for such a wonderful mission to prepare us for the future commotion.

I am honoured to be invited to write a message for the HKICC 2013. The Hong Kong International Computer Conference is the most prestigious annual IT event in Hong Kong. Time and again it has the full attention of all IT professionals in Hong Kong and around the region. As HKICC2013 would be held in conjunction with the Asia Pacific ICT Awards (APICTA) 2013, it will certainly add more impact to the whole conference event.

This year, HKICC2013 has used a very provocative theme “Technology Disruptions Transform Business”. Undoubtedly, technology disruptions provide the essential ingredient for innovations that propels the advancement of business and the increase in productivity. There are also risks and opportunities that come with the disruption of technology. We must be open-minded and grasp the competitive advantage that come with the technology disruptions. The HKICC2013 Conference would definitely provide an excellent opportunity for all participants to explore the issues and discuss the innovations that would help to create a brighter future IT advancement in Hong Kong.

This is the 36th Hong Kong International Computer Conference. I congratulate the Hong Kong Computer Society and its Organizing and Programme Committees for staging the HKICC2013. I wish HKICC2013 every success.

“Technology Disruptions Transform Business” is indeed an apt Conference title. We have all seen many instances of this. Online branch banking, autopay, ATMs, stored value cards, personal computers, the internet, mobile phones, stored value payment cards and many many more.

In the case of stored value smart cards, Octopus continues to develop new customer friendly features in order fully to take advantage of high speed digital networks, near field communication, SIM cards with added functionality and systems to facilitate payment for internet purchases.

Sometimes the disruption is a consequence of success; as is the case with running out of 32 bit numbers for Internet Protocol addresses. The technology to replace these addresses, IPV6, is in place, but take-up is slow because it is not yet critical. To assist in preparing for the time when it does become critical, the HK Internet Registration Corporation is offering a free service for SME websites to offer and for individuals to access both IPV4 and IPV6 websites using their current platforms.

I wish HKICC 2013 every success.

“Technology Disruptions Transform Business” is a provoking theme. Not every emerging technology will alter the business landscape, but some truly do have the potential to disrupt the status quo. It is critical that business leaders can see through the smoke and be able to identify technologies that will change the sky.

The HKICC2013 will be an excellent venue for friends and colleagues of the ICT community to present their experience and exchange their views on how disruptive innovation in technologies can transform and change the practices in business. May I congratulate the Hong Kong Computer Society and its Organizing and Programme Committee in putting forward a successful programme for the HKICC2013. I wish HKICC2013 a big success.