SNS AI Factory, Malaysia’s first NVIDIA H100-powered GPUaaS

[This is a sponsored article with SNS Network.]

I think that it’s safe to say that we’re all pretty familiar with the term “artificial intelligence” or “AI” at this point.

It’s a technology that saw explosive growth in 2023 with the development of generative AI models such as ChatGPT, and it has only gained momentum since.

Come 2030, the industry is expected to contribute an estimated US$15.7 trillion to the global economy.

But as convenient as the technology can make things, incorporating it into business models can prove tricky in more ways than one.

Training AI models effectively requires immense computational power, making GPUs more or less essential for handling vast amounts of data. 

Originally designed for digital image processing and computer graphics, GPUs have evolved into the backbone of AI workloads due to their parallel processing capabilities. 

The challenge for businesses, then, often comes in the form of the high cost of acquiring and maintaining these similarly high-performance GPUs.

And that’s where a GPU-as-a-Service, or GPUaaS, comes in.

Breaking ground without breaking bank

A GPUaaS can essentially be described as a service that allows businesses to “rent” powerful GPUs via the cloud.

This is especially important for businesses looking to adopt AI, because they operate on a pay-as-you-use model.

Organisations can align their expenses with how much they’ll actually be using the GPU without having to overcommit one way or the other.

Meaning, they can scale up when workload is high, or scale down during lower-demand periods, giving businesses the freedom to experiment.

Having a GPUaaS also means having access to a ready-to-use AI-optimised infrastructure, eliminating the complexities of procurement and setup. This extends to re-equipping themselves with the latest GPU technologies, removing the need to spend more money on upgrading pre-existing equipment.

SNS Network, a local ICT reseller, told Vulcan Post that it launched its own GPUaaS, SNS AI Factory, to bridge the AI infrastructure gap and accelerate AI adoption across industries in Malaysia.

In partnership with giants

Named SNS AI Factory, SNS Network’s GPUaaS is powered by NVIDIA’s H100 GPUs, which is said to be a first for local GPUaaS platforms.

For those not in the know, the particular significance of this is that NVIDIA is the market leader when it comes to GPUs, the beating heart of AI technology.

Their H100 is the company’s first GPU specifically optimised for machine learning, and was noted by the World Economic Forum to be the “most powerful GPU chip on the market” at the time of release.

The SNS AI Factory also provides users with full exclusive access to NVIDIA AI Enterprise (NVAIE), a software suite equipped with tools that aid in the development and deployment of AI.

This includes NeMo which can be used to fine-tune generative AIs and language-learning models as well as AI blueprints which offer pre-configured workflows for “rapid” AI implementation.

These systems bridge the skill gap required to set up AI, allowing organisations to focus on actually using it.

Additionally, SNS Network is also a Dell Technologies Titanium Partner, giving the company priority access to Dell Technologies’ latest AI-optimised hardware.

This includes Dell PowerEdge servers, which SNS AI Factory is built on.

“Being a Titanium Partner also means direct engagement with Dell Technologies’ technical and engineering teams, enabling us to design and deploy solutions based on validated architectures that meet the highest industry standards,” said the company.

“Through this partnership, SNS Network can offer tailored AI solutions with flexible financing and enterprise-level support, making AI adoption easier and more cost-effective for Malaysian businesses.”

In healthcare, for instance, SNS Network notes that GPUaaS can be utilised for accelerating medical imaging analyses, drug discovery, as well as personalising treatment plans.

Financial institutions meanwhile can leverage GPUaaS for fraud detection, risk analysis, and real-time trading strategies.

The manufacturing sector benefits by having AI-powered predictive maintenance and process optimisation, improving productivity.

Under lock & key

But those benefits aside, a major concern when it comes to cloud services like a GPUaaS is what’s known as “data sovereignty.”

Essentially, it means that data originating from a certain country is subject to the laws and regulations of said country. The government thus reserves the right to regulate the collection, storage, processing, and distribution of data originating from home soil.

Utilising the services of foreign cloud providers comes with the risk of clashing with data sovereignty regulations on top of being a security concern.

This is especially the case for heavily regulated industries that deal with sensitive data such as the financial, healthcare, and public sectors.

SNS AI Factory ensures complete data sovereignty by having its servers hosted in Malaysia, fully managed by a Malaysian company.

Their AI infrastructure is deployed in a Tier-III certified data centre in Cyberjaya, featuring end-to-end encryption. And this too, of course, is run by a Malaysian operator.

Fun fact: Data centres are rated in four tiers according to the reliability of their infrastructure, Tier I being the worst and Tier IV being the best. A Tier III data centre notably does not require a complete system shutdown for maintenance and can continue operating for at least 72 hours in the event of a power outage. Read more about it here.

“Our collaborations with government agencies such as MDEC and NAIO reinforce our commitment to providing a trusted AI ecosystem for Malaysian businesses,” they shared.

“By keeping AI workloads and data processing local, SNS Network ensures that enterprises can innovate with AI without exposing their data to foreign jurisdictions, aligning with national AI goals while safeguarding digital sovereignty.”

Paving the way

The long-term vision for SNS Network with their GPUaaS is to position Malaysia as a regional lead in the field of AI.

To that end, their aforementioned collaborations with MDEC and NAIO will see SNS Network facilitate various AI adoption programs for businesses of all sizes. 

This includes bootcamps, hackathons, and industry-specific initiatives, providing Malaysians with “the necessary resources, guidance, and funding support to explore and scale their AI capabilities,” SNS Network explained.

“With flexible subscription models tailored for startups, SMEs, and large enterprises, SNS AI Factory’s GPUaaS aligns with Malaysia’s National AI Roadmap to accelerate AI-driven transformation and strengthen the country’s position in the global digital economy.”

If what the trusted and authorised reseller has to offer interests you, then you can register your interest through their Microsoft Form here.

You can also follow SNS Network’s Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the latest info on what they have in store.

• Learn more about SNS AI Factory here.
• Read other articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups here.

Featured Image Credit: SNS Network