KUALA LUMPUR (June 3): ARB Bhd has inked a business partnership as well as an outsourcing agreement with Singapore-based Asterisk Computer (Far East) Pte Ltd (Asterisk) for the deployment of enterprise application software (EAS) solutions in Malaysia and Singapore.

In a bourse filing, the IT software and platform provider said its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary Databook Pte. Ltd. (Databook) had entered into the deal for a collaboration to explore and undertake business opportunities in the area of EAS solutions and any related information technology consultancy services.

It said under the outsourcing agreement, Asterisk will engage Databook to design, develop and implement EAS solutions and to provide enterprise solutions related consulting services to Asterisk Computer on project basis.

Databook will be the sole and exclusive owner of the whole development of the solutions and shall be responsible for the implementation of its business applications for Asterisk Computer.

ARB said Asterisk has been providing integration software solution and IT consulting business, especially in the implementation and deployment of EAS solutions to various industries ranging from manufacturing and distribution, marine, telecommunication, retail, healthcare, restaurants and oil trading industries. Asterisk Computer also provides software solutions in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Online Media, Mobility and Business Intelligence (Jet Reports).

In a separate statement, ARB executive director Datuk Sri Larry Liew Kok Leong said the partnership with Asterisk Computer fits its expansion strategy of to expand its regional presence in Singapore.

“This strategic partnership provides growth for ARB and opens opportunities for us to create synergistic business prospects in the EAS solutions under the umbrella of various industries.

“The partnership with Asterisk is important for several of ARB’s focus industries, where EAS solutions are often used.

“Our attempt to expand market share in this region has been very positive so far, and we look forward to creating long-term business relationship with our partners,” he said.

Moving ahead, Liew said various businesses can now take advantage of EAS solutions to support their operational processes and he believes that this system will soon become a business necessity.

At noon break, ARB shares price went up half a sen or 1.47% at 34.5 sen after some 9.98 million shares exchanging hands.