Author : Akmal Razman
Jakarta, November 2025 — DataOn / SunFish, a leading provider of Human Resource Information System (HRIS) solutions in Southeast Asia, successfully hosted The 15th Annual HR Conference 2025 at The Tribrata Dharmawangsa, Jakarta. Carrying the theme “Empowering People in a Complex Digital Future,” the conference once again stood as one of the most highly anticipated annual events for HR professionals and business leaders across the region.
The full-day conference brought together thousands of participants from diverse industries including HR leaders, business executives, and strategic decision-makers. Through a series of keynote sessions, insightful presentations, and interactive gamified experiences, DataOn facilitated in-depth discussions on how organisations can navigate digital complexity whilst placing people at the heart of every innovation.
Distinguished Speakers Share Vision for Future of Work
This year’s conference was made even more remarkable by the presence of distinguished keynote speakers offering powerful insights into the future of work. The event opened with a welcoming address by Mokhammad Farid Ma’ruf, Head of Data Centre and Employment Information Technology, Ministry of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia, who emphasised the importance of building a superior workforce through data, technology, and collaboration.
He was followed by Dharma Syahputra, Executive Director of GNIK (Gerakan Nasional Indonesia Kompeten) and Human Capital Director at PT Kimia Farma Tbk, who highlighted the importance of upskilling Indonesia’s workforce to remain globally competitive through sustainable digitalisation rooted in human values.
Gordon Enns, Chief Executive Officer of DataOn / SunFish, opened the keynote lineup with “Shaping the Future of HR in a Complex Digital World.” He presented five key shifts towards Future-Ready HR, powered by SunFish HR technology.
According to Enns, HR transformation is not merely about adopting new tools, but about solving real organisational challenges through connected and intelligent systems. “HR technology will continue to grow in complexity every year, introducing more functionalities, one of which is AI. AI support will remain a key trend next year as global macroeconomic conditions continue to impact career development worldwide. According to the World Economic Forum, by 2027, around 6% of employees will need to change how they work. That’s why our mission is to support organisations through employee reskilling and technology enablement,” said Gordon Enns.
He further explained how modern HR must move beyond fragmented, administrative systems towards platforms that deliver clarity, agility, empowerment, real-time insight, and strategic partnership, reflecting DataOn / SunFish’s vision of building organisations that are adaptive, data-driven, and people-centred.
Government and Industry Leaders Champion Workforce Transformation
Prof. Yassierli, Ph.D., Minister of Manpower of the Republic of Indonesia, also shared his vision for national labour transformation in the digital age. He emphasised that collaboration between government, industry, and technology providers such as DataOn / SunFish is essential to build an inclusive, productive, and sustainable workforce ecosystem. “Conferences like this play an important role in disseminating emerging trends. AI and big data science will become core skill sets that Indonesian talent must master. My hope is that this event inspires collaboration amongst experts and practitioners to deliver meaningful contributions for the future of our workforce,” said Prof. Yassierli.
Gemini Aryanto, Group Chief People & Culture Officer of Kopi Kenangan, discussed “Scaling Culture and Performance for Growth.” He explored the evolution of workplace culture in an era of rapid change through the H.O.P.E. framework (Humanism, Openness, Proximity, and Enthusiasm). He emphasised that sustainable business growth can only be achieved when companies remain true to their “soul”, maintaining human connection and authenticity whilst expanding globally and embracing digital transformation.
Swasono Satyo, Chief Human Resources Officer of Sinar Mas Mining, highlighted the shift from AI Adoption to Adaptive Intelligence in modern HR strategy. He introduced the HR Blueprint, illustrating the organisation’s journey from descriptive to predictive analytics where AI helps HR “see ahead” by anticipating risks, identifying skill gaps, and forecasting workforce needs. This proactive, data-driven approach enables HR to move beyond reporting what happened to shaping what’s next, strengthening workforce resilience and agility for the future.
Joko Utomo, Senior Group Head of Human Capital at InJourney Hospitality, shared his perspective in a session titled “Employee Experience is Customer Experience: Driving Service Excellence Through Digital HR.” He emphasised that exceptional customer experiences begin with empowered employees, and that HR digitalisation through platforms like SunFish 7 connects people, processes, and data to drive excellence in service industries.
Together, these keynote speakers presented a holistic view of how HR can become a catalyst for people-centred transformation with technology as its enabler.
Panel Discussion: Leading Transformation through Advanced HR Systems
The event also featured a Panel Discussion on “Leading Transformation through Advanced HR Systems and Technology.” The session gathered HR transformation leaders from various sectors, including Debby Priscilla, Head of Human Capital Division at PT Danareksa (Persero); Cahyaningtiyas Rispinatri, Head of PMO Transformation at Perum BULOG; and Jolanda J. Sadrach as Moderator.
The discussion explored how national organisations manage change through modern HR systems, AI-powered tools, and long-term transformation strategies designed to enhance efficiency, performance, and employee experience. Panellists agreed that successful digital transformation requires not just advanced technology, but also cultural readiness, cross-functional collaboration, and strong leadership commitment.
Immersive Employee Journey Experience
One of the highlights of this year’s conference was the interactive experience titled “Walk Through the Employee Journey.” Participants explored five digital zones that showcased SunFish HR Mobile, tracing every stage of the employee lifecycle from recruitment and onboarding to performance, engagement, and learning.
Through an experiential learning approach, attendees were able to test various HR digital features firsthand. The use of personalised QR codes on each attendee’s lanyard provided seamless access to the system, creating an immersive and engaging HR digital experience. This initiative demonstrated DataOn’s commitment to making digital HR transformation practical, efficient, and human-centred.
Building the Future of Work Together
As it celebrates its 15th year, the DataOn Annual HR Conference reaffirms the company’s position as a strategic partner for organisations driving digital HR transformation in Indonesia. Support from key partners SRW & Co., GreatDay HR, Good Doctor, and GOERS enriched the overall conference experience and fostered cross-industry collaboration towards building a modern HR ecosystem.
About SunFish
SunFish HR is a leading provider of Human Resource and Business Management solutions in Southeast Asia. With over two decades of innovation, SunFish empowers organizations with scalable, data-driven HRMS technology to enhance productivity, ensure compliance, and drive sustainable growth.
Media Contact:
Akmal Razman (Marketing Executive)
