“Throughout the past year, iSoftStone and Huawei has achieved breakthroughs in many areas. This progress reflects our continuous improvements across various dimensions including technology, capabilities, ecology, and market expansion.”

Nearly a year later, during the Huawei China Partner Conference 2024 on March 15, the author met Dr. Huang Ying, Director and Chief Human Resources Officer of iSoftStone. Dr. Huang's excitement was indescribable.

Dr. Huang Ying, Director and Chief Human Resources Officer of iSoftStone

iSoftStone is a prominent provider of software and information technology services in China, serving as a key partner within Huawei's ecosystem. Over the years, it has been instrumental in delivering a wide range of services, including software solutions, digital technology services, digital infrastructure, and green computing, to over 230 Fortune 500 companies operating in China. Recently, iSoftStone made a significant move by acquiring Tongfang Computer earlier this year. Leveraging its robust Kunpeng and Ascend Server hardware production capabilities, iSoftStone has ventured into its own computing domain, delving into the realm of "integrated software and hardware". This strategic development has garnered considerable attention within the industry. The collaboration between iSoftStone and Huawei sheds light on the essence of Huawei's overarching vision of "making digital intelligence accessible with a touch" and the symbiotic relationship it aims to foster with its partners, encapsulated in the concept of "partner + Huawei". This article aims to elucidate Dr. Huang Ying's insights, offering valuable insights for stakeholders in the field.

Synergistic Growth through Collaborative Innovation

"At iSoftStone, our steadfast commitment lies in addressing the ever-evolving needs of our customers and the dynamic market landscape. We continuously strive to enhance our capabilities to meet these demands, encompassing consultancy, cloud computing, data analytics, AI, and industry-specific operations. By identifying and resolving user pain points, we aim to establish a seamless business ecosystem that fosters mutual growth with our valued customers", explained Huang Ying. In 2024, iSoftStone will pivot its focus based on market analysis. While maintaining excellence in traditional software and digital technology services, it will prioritize intelligence, autonomy, sustainability, and internationalization. Operations will continue to revolve around software, services, hardware, and systems, aiming to foster full-stack digital capabilities for sustainable growth. Reports indicate that iSoftStone has established a presence in key industries and pivotal market arenas, including finance, telecommunications, energy, manufacturing, and the internet. This extends to sectors such as central state-owned enterprises, dual carbon initiatives, and smart vehicles. Capitalizing on market opportunities, iSoftStone, in collaboration with Huawei, released the "Auxiliary System for Predicting Hidden Dangers of Gas in Fully Mechanized Coal Faces" last year. Huawei's expertise lies in equipment, infrastructure, cloud services, and platforms, complemented by iSoftStone's strengths in application development and services. Additionally, customers' CTOs bring industry expertise to the table. Through strong cooperation, this trio accelerates digital transformation in government and enterprise sectors. Subsequently, iSoftStone and Huawei jointly launched the ISDP EMU Maintenance Solution, a flagship offering for the rail transit industry, enhancing digital operational capabilities. This year, iSoftStone and Huawei unveiled ISDP Chemical Digital Maintenance Solutions and Smart Farming Solutions at the partner conference. This indicates a continued acceleration of collaboration between iSoftStone and Huawei. Over the past year, iSoftStone has successfully delivered numerous projects across various sectors in China, including supermarkets, manufacturing, chemicals, and campuses. This achievement earned them the recognition of "Excellent Solution Partner" from Huawei's representative offices.

Software and Hardware Integration: Unlocking the Potential of Intelligence

Numerous joint solutions introduced by iSoftStone and Huawei prominently feature AI integration. Take, for instance, the "Auxiliary System for Predicting Hidden Dangers of Gas in Fully Mechanized Coal Mining Faces" integrates data from various gas-related processes, such as ventilation, mine pressure, and fully mechanized coal mining. Utilizing artificial intelligence reasoning, it enables early detection of abrupt changes in gas data, facilitates root cause analysis of gas concentration exceedances, and offers disposal recommendations. This comprehensive approach mitigates safety risks, enhances production efficiency, and reduces costs. As Wu Hui, president of Huawei's government and enterprise business in China, emphasized, digital intelligence is no longer merely a topic but an imperative. It has become a pivotal consideration for companies navigating survival and growth. This underscores why Huawei aims to assemble partner systems to facilitate seamless adoption of digital intelligence in industrial enterprises. With the goal of making the digital intelligence world easily accessible, a robust "partner + Huawei" system, backed by a skilled ICT team, is essential. This collaborative framework is crucial for aiding customers in achieving the transformation and enhancement of digital intelligence effortlessly. "iSoftStone has been an early adopter of AI technology, consistently investing in its development. Recently, the company has undertaken a comprehensive upgrade of its AI strategy, accelerating the establishment of a robust technological innovation ecosystem that encompasses 'Computing Power, Algorithm, and Data.' This initiative integrates professional AI services, including AI consulting, model development, data governance and security, and operation of AI computing centers, as its core components", explained Huang Ying. "iSoftStone aims to offer a comprehensive one-stop service and an enterprise empowerment platform for AI and large-scale model applications". Under this new AI strategic framework, iSoftStone recently made strategic acquisitions, including Tongfang Computer and Tongfang International. Leveraging its Kunpeng and Ascend server hardware production capabilities, the company has embarked on its computing trajectory and forged a new path of 'integrated software and hardware'. Additionally, iSoftStone's AI Training and Reasoning platform, alongside Tongfang's Super Series General Computing Server, were featured in a CCTV news broadcast.

"Tongfang Computer itself is a significant partner within Huawei's Kunpeng and Ascend ecosystem. Upon joining iSoftStone, coupled with our software expertise and industry advantages, we can further integrate software and hardware, driving the advancement of AI computing capabilities", Huang Ying noted. "Prior to this, iSoftStone and Huawei had extensive collaboration and experience in Kunpeng and Ascend Computing, deployed across over 150 intelligent automation scenarios in state-owned enterprises, manufacturing, finance, education, and other sectors. As such, iSoftStone's software and hardware integration efforts are built on a solid foundation, promising synergistic benefits where the combined effect is greater than the sum of its parts. It is reported that the collaborative solution, leveraging the foundational hardware platform of Ascend AI and the AI Robot Ascend Integrated Machine, delivers a diverse range of AI capabilities for Shenzhen Airport's customer information management system, enabling full realization of digital and intelligent operation management. As one of the initial contracted partners, iSoftStone has also established a presence at the Beijing Ascend Artificial Intelligence Computing Center to collectively advance computing infrastructure construction in Beijing. Moreover, on February 29 of this year, iSoftStone initiated the "Large Model Application Industry Consortium" alongside over 20 enterprises, including Huawei.

Delving into Industries with the Blessing of AI

As global artificial intelligence, particularly general large models, continues to advance, the demand for AI computing power is growing exponentially. AI hardware featuring cutting-edge technology is becoming increasingly rare and precious. For well-known reasons, Kunpeng + Ascend has been in the spotlight since the latter half of last year and has emerged as the primary option for the digital intelligence transformation and upgrading of domestic enterprises. Notably, AI large models have swiftly transitioned from model training to practical application innovation, marking an accelerated pace of progress. In addition to the coal, rail transit, animal husbandry, airport, education, and manufacturing sectors highlighted earlier, iSoftStone has also played a pivotal role in assisting customers in the insurance industry, enabling intelligent data analysis and industry model training. Notably, SoftStone took the initiative in launching a large-scale model specifically tailored for the insurance sector. Moreover, in the realm of software research and development, iSoftStone has introduced the AISE engineering efficiency improvement kit and the AITD platform for test auxiliary support software, both of which have been implemented successfully. Furthermore, addressing enterprise recruitment needs, iSoftStone has rolled out the Pro version of Tongpingbao for large enterprises and the Plus version of Wutong Recruitment for small and medium-sized enterprises. Notably, Wutong Recruitment has garnered recognition from the CAICT for its outstanding practice and has been selected as the inaugural authoritative case study in large-scale model applications in China. In fact, iSoftStone has launched the Tianxuan 2.0 MaaS platform, along with the self-developed EZ-Train model fine-tuning tool, AIAgent, and knowledge base engine, forming a comprehensive technical support ecosystem. Notably, the Tianxuan 2.0 MaaS platform obtained compatibility test certification with the Huawei Ascend Atlas800 Training and Reasoning server last year, offering more options for AI requirements. Furthermore, iSoftStone's Tianxuan AI Copilot clinched the first prize in the inaugural open AIGC developer competition in 2023. Leveraging this robust ecosystem, iSoftStone's AI series products and services have made significant strides in various industries.

Additionally, in 2023, iSoftStone became the first partner of Huawei Cloud PanGu Model and initiated comprehensive cooperation in vertical model labeling training, service delivery, application solutions, and migration to the Ascend platform. iSoftStone also introduced an AI large model service solution, amalgamating core AI capabilities such as big data processing, model training, and algorithm optimization. This solution offers a one-stop AI middle office system service encompassing consulting, software, delivery, operation, and maintenance, facilitating the rapid deployment and management of AI applications for a renowned retail enterprise. Moreover, a diverse array of industry-specific solutions based on AIGC are pioneeringly applied across fields such as corporate treasury, property insurance, and law.

Building a Robust Ecosystem through Collaborative Excellence

As a leading software and information technology service provider in China, iSoftStone's advancements in the AI field have led to the establishment of a comprehensive framework encompassing technical infrastructure, integrated management, and practical application scenarios, yielding significant outcomes.

In my view, to further engage with partners, it's imperative to not only emulate iSoftStone's forward-thinking strategic approach but also embrace the grounded development philosophy that prioritizes talent as the primary resource. This dual approach will facilitate the deepening of the industry and education integration model. In 2023, the establishment of SIAS Digital Technology Industry College (DTS), a collaboration between SIAS Group, SIAS University, iSoftStone, and iSoftStone Education, was designated as "the second batch of provincial key modern industrial colleges in Henan undergraduate universities". Additionally, the inaugural implementation of the SIAS & iSoftStone Education DreamWorks & iSoftStone Remote Delivery Center training program marked a pioneering step towards nurturing iSoftStone talent.

With a foundation built on forward-thinking strategy, collaboration, coordination, and personnel training, enterprises can effectively navigate the wave of digital intelligence. Market research institutions predict a significant surge in computing power, storage capacity, and capabilities driven by industry intelligence and 100-mode AI, estimated at a potential of 450 billion. Moreover, the process of low carbonization is akin to application of digital information technology to energy management, fostering opportunities for the ICT industry. As sustainable development progresses, the market size is projected to reach 200 billion. As digitalization expands and intelligence grows, this vast market and potential space will undoubtedly give rise to more outstanding enterprises and thriving ecosystems.

The theme of the Huawei China Partner Conference is "Digital Wisdom Through Collaboration". During the conference's sub-forum, Liu Tianwen, Chairman and CEO of iSoftStone, emphasized that "iSoftStone actively fosters an open and collaborative partner ecosystem to drive industry progress and prosperity". Furthermore, he highlighted that "Collaborating with Huawei to establish a digital technology service ecosystem is our key foreign cooperation initiative, and together we will explore overseas markets this year". The core focus is on strengthening the collaborative "Partner + Huawei" system, developing next-generation digital intelligence infrastructure and solutions with partners, and assisting thousands of businesses' digital intelligence transformation to achieve mutual success in the digital intelligence era.

"The demands of digital intelligence transformation for 'Partner + Huawei' are continuously evolving to meet the current needs", stated Huang Ying. "Thanks to Huawei's 'partner-first' approach, we've been able to implement increasingly efficient cooperation practices. Moving forward, our collaboration will entail cooperative operations, leading to the enhancement of service and product portfolios, as well as solution capabilities. This evolution aims to better align with market demands, serve customers more effectively, and ultimately achieve mutually beneficial outcomes".