W.Media - Global

Executive Editor

TAP Content Pte Ltd

I work as a technology journalist, contributing to trade, technology, and consumer publications. As a seasoned contributing editor, I have written over 2,000 bylines. In the enterprise space, I currently focus my attention on cloud computing, cybersecurity, data science and AI, and data centres.

Editor-at-large

I founded TAP Content as my day job to write and edit enterprise white papers, marketing collateral, and thought leadership content for top global brands. Working alone or with experts in diverse fields, I have produced a diverse array of content, including product brochures, EDMs, video scripts, infographics, e-Books, blog content, thought leadership articles, and white papers.

Contact me (paul@mah.sg) for more details or samples of my commercial work.

Founder

CDOTrends

Data science and AI are two niche topics that recently exploded into the mainstream. Here, I am responsible for the thrice-a-month Data Science and AI newsletter. I also moderate engaging (I might be slightly biased here) panel discussions and roundtable meetings for enterprise brands such as IBM, Informatica, Microsoft, and others.

Senior Editor

The Straits Times

Writing tech stories for consumers can be hard, especially for a techie like myself. This is how I stay sharp. Feel free to pitch ideas to me at paulmah@sph.com.sg, but please do look at the stories I cover first.

Contributing Writer

South China Morning Post SCMP

I have a soft spot for gadgets and tech gear, as you can probably tell. Am always on the lookout for the best tech tools.

DataCenterDynamics

This is where I write about everything related to data centers and the cloud. Love the opportunities to visit fascinating data centers and gallivant around the world attending tech conferences.

South East Asia Correspondent

Republic Polytechnic

Facilitate classes for modules such as operating systems, data communications and networking two or three times a week in a PBL (Problem-based learning) setting. Wrap up at the end of the day with a short lecture of the key learning points.

Associate Lecturer

TAP Solutions, Singapore

Accidental writer who quit a proper 9-to-5 job to pursue a "gig" lifestyle writing full-time. Had the privilege of contributing to some of the leading tech publications around the world and crafting content for multiple growing tech brands.

Notable past publications:
- Editor for CMO Innovation, Questex Asia (HK) - 5 years
- Practically Tech Blogger for ZDNet (SG) - 1 year
- Editor for FierceCIO, FierceMarkets (US) - 8 years
- Contributing Writer for CIO Magazine (US) - 6 years
- Contributing Writer for PC World (US) - 1 year
- SMB Blogger for IT Business Edge (US) - 5 years
- Contributor for Ars Technica (US) - 3 years
- Network Administrator Blogger for TechRepublic (US) - 4 years

Freelance Writer

Overseas Courier Service (Singapore) Pte Ltd

In charge of the IT department and its operations in Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. Lead a team to execute multiple concurrent IT projects to maintain and improve server hardware, pager/SMS infrastructure, client-server systems, and back-end software.

Head of IT

Razer

Management of Razer-branded computer peripheral as well as working with worldwide distributors to ensure that logistical and time requirements are met.

Product Manager

Technology had always fascinated me, and I loved getting computers to do things.

So no, I never planned to be a writer.

💾 𝗔 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗶𝘁𝘀

As a youth, I had a blast learning to code and writing apps. When others went partying, I pored over IT magazines and compared the specifications of enterprise systems.

Technology works through rigid interfaces and often immutable rules. I enjoyed breaking preconceptions of what's possible and stitching new capabilities together in unanticipated ways.

I began my career as an IT professional.

- Wrote some code.
- Set up server rooms.
- Dabbled in networking.

The only writing I've done at this point is emails. And some code.

📝 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗲

I collected my last monthly pay cheque in 2009, joining the gig economy before the term was coined.

It started with an attempt to earn some extra income writing some blogs. Then it became a full-time job.

Through fortuitous timing, I had the privilege of being paid to hone my craft writing for top global IT publications.

- PC World.
- TechRepublic.
- Computerworld.
... and many others.

Over 15 years, I've also written for local and regional broadsheets, trade media outlets, and consumer tech publications. I continue writing editorially to this day.

💰 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴?

Glad you asked. Besides my editorial work - Muck Rack shows over 2,000 bylines, I help corporate clients with their content.

Here's what I've done:

🔸𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲: Content for top brands in the enterprise IT, cybersecurity, cloud, data centre, DBMS, and data science space.

🔸𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁: CIO statements for annual reports, research reports of over 80 pages, and custom ABM briefs.

🔸𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁: Edit or rewrite content for government agencies, banks, and enterprise tech firms.

🔸𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆: Produce strategic content and put together content strategies for niche industries.

🔸𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀: Plan, record podcasts, host private roundtables discussions, and moderate panels.

☀️ 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀

The world is changing quicker than ever, and it's crucial to understand the implications of these advancements.

As part of my own exploration, I seek to write about new tech developments to:

- Add context and depth to bland reports.
- Concisely flesh out pertinent details.
- Highlight what is not being said.
- Explain what it means to you.

I get to the tech that matters and make complex concepts accessible.

👉 Follow me to see more of my posts.
✅ Or check out my blog and sign up for my newsletter.

Paul Mah

Frothing water. Gurgling tanks. I visited Bridge Data Centres' state-of-the-art plant in Johor today and learned how it produces water for data centres.

Bridge Data Centres is the first in Malaysia to use treated wastewater for its sprawling 200MW MY-07 data centre campus. I realised today that there are multiple steps.

𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀?

- Join over 900 on my WhatsApp channel.
- Nobody can see your number.

👉 www.techstories.co/wa

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿

As demand for data centres exploded in Johor, so did the demand for water to cool power-hungry servers. But water is precious. How do we manage this precious resource in a sustainable manner?

That's where water reclamation comes in. Instead of discharging the non-potable treated effluent from sewage treatment plants (STP), why not further process it into high-grade water for data centres?

And that was how the Bridge Data Centres Water Reclamation Plant (WRP) at Ulu Tiram came about.

𝟭/ 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

Effluent from nearby STPs is piped into the WRP for processing. Initial key steps:

- Anoxic tank: Removes nitrogen from water.
- Oxidation tank: Bacteria break down organic matter.

Together, they remove nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic pollutants to achieve high pollutant removal standards.

𝟮/ 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 (𝗠𝗕𝗥)

Next, the MBR uses membranes to remove suspended solids, bacteria, and even some pathogens to produce high-quality effluent.

In photo 3, you can see the MBR in operation. Water is suctioned through the membranes, which retain pollutants (photo 4).

𝟯/ 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗢𝘀𝗺𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀 (𝗥𝗢)

Finally, RO uses high pressure to force water through an extremely fine membrane to remove dissolved and microscopic contaminants.

These are spiral-wound membranes packed tightly inside a long tube. As I wrote previously, the ones in Bridge Data Centres WRP are made by Suntar International Group, a Singapore-headquartered firm.

Also, Bridge Data Centre's WRP uses 3 passes; Singapore's NEWater is produced from 2 passes of RO, though the latter is paired with other processes.

𝟰/ 𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲?

Today, I also learned that there are processes to clean both MBR and RO membranes to extend their lifespans, which I understand to be measured in years.

And as shared by Lye Yit Tho on a panel discussion at DCW Asia, if incoming treated wastewater quality is good, the team may elect to skip the RO pass.

There are some other steps I didn't go into due to space. Suffice to say, the WRP produces high-grade water that goes into storage tanks for data centre use.

Do you see this as the future of data centres - with a focus on sustainability with water treatment done in-house? What do you think?

🌐 go.techstories.co/FnDg

Photos:
1. RO.
2. Oxidation tank.
3. MBR in operation.
4. MBR before deployment.
5. Incoming water to MBR.
6. Anoxic tank underneath.
7-8. RO.
9. Treated wastewater from IWK.

Helping global tech firms with their content and strategy

Nanyang Technological University Singapore

I teach strategic communications to the next generation of leaders at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information. I helm courses like Creative Strategies, Advertising Creativity, Integrated Marketing Communication and the foundations of Media Writing. As the world transforms with the rise of Generative AI, it is imperative for leaders to have mastery over both communication and technology, and I am here to help.

Lecturer in Strategic Communication

ThinkTan

I provide consulting and coaching services for marketing and communication. I also coach business and marketing professionals in using Generative AI to augment their work performance. Since 2023, I have conducted Generative AI upskilling workshops and talks for DBS Bank, Singhealth, IHH Healthcare, Canon Singapore, Ensign Cybersecurity and NTUC First Campus. I am also the Generative AI trainer for the Straits Times Masterclass series for the public.

Consultant - Communications and Generative AI

Singapore Polytechnic

Teaching at the School of Life Skills and Communications in the areas of critical thinking, sustainability and strategic communication.

Adjunct Lecturer

Lenovo

Sales and brand marketing leader of the Lenovo Legion gaming hardware business spanning high-performance laptops, desktop PCs, mobile gaming devices, monitors and accessories across 12 Asia-Pacific markets (JP, India, ANZ, Korea, HK, TW, SEA). Grew market share from #5 to #2.

Sales Director, Asia-Pacific

Razer Inc.

C-suite executive and thought leadership architect. Led global marketing and strategic communications for gaming laptops, esports peripherals, virtual currency, fintech, mobile smartphones, and software ecosystems. Managed global partnerships, sponsorships and drove esports industry milestones.

Associate Vice President, Global Marketing

Senior Director, Global Marketing

Andios Pte Ltd

Founding member and investor in startup to create SE Asia’s first online marketplace for pre-owned smartphones. Led brand development, strategic communications, product and website development, UI and UX design, business revenue growth, and marketing strategy.

Senior Director, Marketing

Microsoft

Established the new Microsoft Surface devices business in the Singapore consumer space, responsible for product management, retail excellence, business PnL and consumer marketing.

Category Lead, Microsoft Surface Computing 

Led the Xbox 360 console business in Singapore, overseeing product management, sales and marketing for console hardware, gaming software and user subscription revenue and profit, as well as driving industry partnerships.

Category Lead and Marketing Manager, Xbox 

Business owner and marketing lead for the peripherals arm of Microsoft – Microsoft Hardware - which created groundbreaking mice, keyboards and webcams.

Category Lead and Marketing Manager, Microsoft Hardware

Drove regional marketing for consumer products encompassing Xbox 360, Microsoft Hardware, Office For Mac, Windows and Office 2007 full packaged products at retail.

Marketing Communications Manager, Southeast Asia

Singapore Press Holdings

Edited the daily news, drove strategic planning for revenue, established new commercial growth opportunities, pioneered new editorial concepts, and conducted editorial training in the newsroom.

Special Projects Editor / Assistant News Editor

Spearheaded The New Paper’s first dedicated Technology section, which became a revenue-driver and daily mainstay of the newspaper.

Technology Editor

Award-winning photojournalist with The New Paper, covering all aspects of professional photography from news stories to feature stories to fashion shoots. Went back to writing and became a correspondent. 

Was on SPH Journalism Scholarship (bond tenure: 2001-2004).

Photojournalist, Journalist, Correspondent

Brand Builder | Business and Marketing Leader | Coach and Mentor

My life goal is to help people do things in a better and a simpler way. 

I am now educating the next generation of leaders to wield words, visuals and AI so they can make their dent in the world.  

I have been a global brand builder, business growth accelerator and people leader with an extensive background in strategic communications, integrated marketing and product management. I led strong brand, revenue and market share growth for Microsoft, Lenovo, Razer and Singapore Press Holdings. Managed PnLs of over USD $400M and teams of over 100 people.

Strengths: 
- Strategic communications, media relations, product management, 360 integrated marketing, business development, and PnL ownership.
- Building new growth sectors with startup agility and speed
- CEO and C-suite thought leadership, investor relations and crisis management
- Coaching and mentoring high-performance teams and leaders
- Bilingual in English and Mandarin with an award-winning journalism background


CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS

Rapid Revenue and Market Share Growth

- Grew Lenovo’s Asia-Pacific gaming division revenue 240% from USD $175M (2019) to USD $420M (2022), and increased market share to #2 although Lenovo was new in PC gaming.
- Grew Razer’s global revenue 37% to USD $712M (2019) for gaming hardware, cloud software and financial technology services. 
- Grew Microsoft Xbox Singapore 28% year-on-year revenue to USD $28m in 2012 despite 20% market shrinkage, and achieved 79% market share in Apr 2012.

Thought Leadership and Media Relations

- Led strategic communications, media and investor relations for Razer’s USD $4B IPO.
- Built Lenovo Legion brand in Google Trends to #2 position with 360 marketing and communications strategy  

Building New Businesses 

- Established new Microsoft Surface computing business in Singapore and achieved USD $23M revenue within 2nd year even though Microsoft was not a hardware company.
- Founding member in start-up Andios to create SE Asia’s first online marketplace for pre-owned smartphones in 2015. 
- Pioneered first technology editorial in Singapore Press Holdings publication (TNP) that earned 20% of newsroom revenue and captured youth audience mindshare.

High-Performance Leadership and Coaching 

- Led and coached over 120 Razer marketers worldwide across public relations, social media, esports, retail, ecommerce, partnerships, developer relations, investor relations and events sectors.
- Drove Lenovo gaming strategy and execution by guiding and influencing hundreds of sales and marketing staff from from twelve Asia-Pacific Lenovo teams.

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Paul Mah's LinkedIn Performance

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