Driving Digital Transformation in Financial Services

Edy Salim, Chief Technology Officer at PT. Akulaku Finance Indonesia

Edy Salim, Chief Technology Officer at PT. Akulaku Finance Indonesia

Edy Salim is the Chief Technology Officer at PT—Akulaku Finance Indonesia, where he spearheads digital transformation in financial services. With over 20 years of experience in IT, he specializes in enterprise architecture, digital solutions, and IT risk management. Edy is passionate about driving innovation and enhancing customer experience through effective IT-business collaboration to foster growth.

Through this article, Edy Salim shares insights on leading digital transformation at PT. Akulaku Finance Indonesia. He outlines his focus on optimizing digital infrastructure, integrating AI for improved decision-making, and enhancing customer experiences. Edy discusses the importance of aligning technology initiatives with business goals and promoting a culture of collaboration, innovation, and good governance in the financial services sector.

Professional Background and Current Role at Akulaku Finance Indonesia

With over 20 years of experience in IT and digital transformation, primarily in financial services and enterprise architecture, I currently serve as Chief Technology Officer at PT Akulaku Finance Indonesia. As a leading multi-finance company in Indonesia offering Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) and other credit services, I spearhead our digital transformation efforts to scale financial services.

I optimize our digital infrastructure to ensure scalability, security, and efficiency while complying with Indonesia's Financial Services Authority (OJK) regulations, prioritizing consumer protection and data privacy. Additionally, I drive innovation by integrating advanced technologies like AI and cloud solutions to enhance customer experience. Collaborating across departments, I align technology initiatives with business objectives and operational growth.

Shaping Digital Transformation Strategy as an IT Transformation Leader

My experience as an IT transformation leader has profoundly influenced my strategy for leading digital transformation efforts. I prioritize aligning digital initiatives with the company’s vision, ensuring each project enhances our credibility and value to stakeholders.

I focus on implementing technology-driven financing solutions accessible to all Indonesians, supporting our mission to provide easily reachable services through digital platforms. To ensure the health of our receivables portfolios, I rely on reliable technology systems for effective financial management and credit risk assessments.

Enhancing human capital is also crucial; I continually develop team competencies, ensuring our workforce evolves alongside the pace of transformation and fosters a culture where everyone contributes to and benefits from our success.

I uphold Good Corporate Governance by embedding transparency and trust in all digital transformation initiatives to maintain stakeholder credibility. Additionally, I support national economic policies and contribute to the welfare of Indonesian society, ensuring that our technology initiatives align with regulatory requirements and broader financial goals.

Finally, I promote a culture of collaboration, agility, and innovation, ensuring that our transformation efforts meet operational needs and contribute to the company’s long-term goals of growth, security, and stakeholder trust.

Impactful Digital Transformation Initiatives in the Financial Services Industry

One specific digital transformation initiative I led in the multi-finance and lending industry was migrating to a cloud-native system, which enabled a hybrid IT infrastructure for our legacy systems. This transition created a scalable foundation for rapid user adoption and transaction volume growth.

By aligning our digital initiatives with the company's vision, we enhance our credibility and value to stakeholders while fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration that drives growth

We also integrated AI-driven solutions for credit risk assessment, fraud detection, and debt collection strategies, significantly improving decision-making accuracy and reducing our risk exposure. In parallel, we implemented data privacy measures and risk management processes in compliance with Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK) regulations, ensuring consumer protection and regulatory adherence.

These initiatives resulted in substantial business outcomes, including increased system reliability, higher transaction volumes, and enhanced customer trust.

Leveraging AI and Machine Learning for Accelerated Digital Transformation

I utilize AI for credit risk assessment, which enables more accurate and faster decision-making in lending processes, particularly given the high volume and frequency of transactions in Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL).

Machine learning algorithms are applied for fraud detection, significantly reducing risks and enhancing security. Additionally, I leverage AI to deliver personalized product recommendations, which improves user engagement and overall customer experience.

We continuously optimize our systems using machine learning to adapt to evolving data patterns, ensuring ongoing improvements in performance and accuracy.

Exciting Emerging Technologies and Trends in Digital Transformation

Emerging technologies must promise to enhance customer engagement, improve operational efficiency, and drive innovation in the digital finance sector.

Critical considerations for implementation include ensuring solid data security and privacy, maintaining regulatory compliance, and building scalable infrastructure to accommodate increased demand.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are transforming customer experiences by creating immersive, interactive shopping environments, enhancing the potential for digital financial services like Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL).

Embedded finance allows for the seamless integration of financial services within non-financial platforms, improving accessibility and convenience for consumers.

Wearable technology opens new opportunities for on-the-go financial services, making transactions and access to BNPL more convenient for users.

The rollout of 5G enables faster, real-time transaction processing and supports more complex technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), ultimately improving overall system performance and user experience.

Building a Strong Network for Career Growth in IT and Digital Transformation

Engage actively in industry and academic communities to stay updated on trends and build valuable connections with peers and leaders.

Seek mentorship from experienced professionals for guidance and career development while offering mentorship to others to expand your network.

Build long-term, meaningful relationships based on trust and collaboration, as quality connections are more valuable than many contacts.

Participate in cross-functional and cross-disciplinary projects to gain diverse perspectives and broaden your problem-solving capabilities.

Develop critical thinking skills to effectively address challenges by applying structured frameworks and methodologies for problem-solving, enhancing decision-making and communication within your network.

Attend industry events, conferences, and webinars to stay informed and build your network, opening doors to new opportunities.

Continuously evolve your network to include professionals from emerging industries, ensuring your connections grow in alignment with your career development.