A picture of Singapore's digital future is being drawn by some of the finalists at the First National Infocomm Awards. And it's a future where innovation and creativity using Infocommunications is the driving ...
Singapore, 7 March 2002 | For Immediate Release
A picture of Singapore's digital future is being drawn by some of the finalists at the First National Infocomm Awards. And it's a future where innovation and creativity using Infocommunications is the driving force of industry and the empowerment of the Singaporean.
The National Infocomm Awards are designed to celebrate and promote the spirit of innovation in the local Infocomm Industry. By recognizing companies or organizations who have used Infocomm technology creatively, the awards aim to inspire the spirit of innovation in our local industry and the creative use of Infocomm technology amongst Singaporeans. The transformation of business processes with Infocomm technologies is key to Singapore businesses becoming more competitive in the global economy.
Commented Ms Puni Rajah, Vice-President for Consulting at IDC Asia/Pacific, and a judge on the Evaluation Committee for Most Innovative Use of Infocomm Technology:
"To suggest that using Infocomm technologies will enhance a company's competitive advantage is clich? today. If a company or organization is to become more competitive and effective in meeting the needs of its customers, Infocomm technologies must not only be used -- it must be innovatively used. The creative and innovative use of Infocomm technologies by companies in Singapore will be instrumental in making Singapore an Infocomm hub."
In the category of Most Innovative use of Infocomm Technology, there are 8 finalists who have demonstrated this spirit.
1. Eastman Chemical (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd is harnessing internet technology for proactive customer acquisition and sales with an Emotionally Intelligent Interfacer for their websites.
First deployed on their China website, www.eastman.com.cn, the software enables online sales leads to be screened, using pre-defined "business-rule", so that targeted, real-time personal interaction between potential customers and Eastman customer services and sales staff is initiated and the success rate of converting new sales leads to buying customers is enhanced.
Powered by Perceptive I Site Vision, the project is a successful commercialization of technology, and has won the Tan Kah Kee Young Inventor's award in Singapore.
2. Fuji Photo Film (Singapore) Pte Ltd launched the world's first web printing system fronted by a network of independent Frontier Minilab shops nationwide. Comprising two online services, Print@FUJICOLOR and Fujifilm.net, consumers can upload, share and print digital images from the comfort of their own homes. The service is an end-to-end online photo development solution for high quality digital processing and printing of photographic images. Consumers first register for a personal electronic e-album, upload the digital images and place their print orders online. They then have the choice of picking up the prints from participating Fujifilm Digital Imaging Service outlets, or having the digital prints mailed to their chosen destination within Singapore.
The system is powered by innovative, locally developed technologies. The imaging and database technologies for speedy retrieval, matching and watermarking was developed by the National University of Singapore. By using the TeleMoney payment service developed by Systems@Work Pte Ltd, consumers can also enjoy the convenience, and security of making payments via their GSM mobile phones for transactions on Fujifilm.net.
3. An example of a successful Infocomm partnership, ICUS with its partners, INSEAD and Nokia, has launched the world's first pilot WAP-enabled eLearning course, here in Singapore. Founded in 1999, ICUS is a global eLearning consultancy specialising in corporate learning solutions. It develops innovative and enriching learning experiences by combining a 'high tech' with a 'high touch' approach in engineering programmes that deliver increased flexibility in learning methods and processes for corporations worldwide.
In October 2000, the hybrid mobile learning course 'eBusiness on the move' was launched, with 14 participants. The course was developed using INSEAD's course content, ICUS' application of its online instructional design principles and Nokia's technical WAP expertise. Using both WEB/WAP delivery modes, the eLearning course greatly increases flexibility in the learning delivery and access. Participants benefited from 'anywhere', 'anytime' access to information, and could learn in their own time, at their own pace.
4. In line with the e-community lifestyle of Nanyang Polytechnic, the e-Campus project is a campus-wide, Internet-enabled portal, designed to provide a comprehensive range of e-services for staff and students. These e-services include the Electronic Project Log Book, Mobile e-Learning, Calendar of Events, Electronic Form Generator, e-Marketplace and various productivity & IT tools. Some of these have proven to yield great commercial potential.
The e-Campus project rides on the latest technologies such as XML, WML, XSLT and SOAP. Its e-services extend beyond desktops to mobile devices and channels such as WAP, SMS and wireless LAN. More e-services are in the pipeline and are being continuously developed. The project enhances the Polytechnic's borderless e-lifestyle, as befits the new digital economy.
5. The Integrated Pull System deployed by Seagate Technology International, is an example of early adoption of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) technology. It allows seamless integration of Seagate's supply chain management system in diverse locations and countries.
Powered by the proprietary system of GridNode Pte Ltd, the Integrated Pull System allows tight integration of Seagate's business systems with its business partners. Parts request from the printed circuit boards production lines of its two manufacturing sites at Ang Mo Kio in Singapore and Senai in Malaysia can be transmitted to the Hub in Senai automatically via pull signals within a minute. These requests are translated to pick lists via the Hub's Warehouse Management system and delivered according to the specifications keyed in.
The project, which involved low implementation cost, helped Seagate achieve resource optimisation.
6. Singapore Airlines' (SIA) e-commerce initiative -- Singaporeair.com Anytime Anywhere (SAA) -- offers a seamless travel experience by providing an integrated online and wireless service to customers worldwide.
The entire architecture of Singaporeair.com was revamped to integrate different services through a common infrastructure and content management process for 37 country sites in 13 languages. SIA customers can access country-specific information and promotions in local languages via the country websites. The architecture not only supports richer functionalities but also allows for a more personalized experience while maintaining a consistent corporate image.
By integrating with mobile services via WAP, i-mode, SMS, Palm.net and AvantGo, Singaporeair.com provides customers with access to flight alerts, flight information, KrisFlyer accrued mileage details etc, anytime, anywhere, on any device. Customers can also obtain useful travel information for planning a trip.
With all e-commerce capabilities consolidated into a single global infrastructure, the scalability of the architecture is enhanced and this allows for faster development of new applications. Hence, new functionalities can be quickly introduced across all channels simultaneously.
7. The Automated Vehicle Screening System (AVSS) is a pioneering project deploying optical character recognition (OCR) technology to detect vehicle-of-interest at two land immigration checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas. Developed by the Singapore Police Force (SPF), AVSS will automatically capture and digitize the images of vehicle license plates passing through the immigration checkpoint lanes, and match them against the database of 'blacklisted' vehicles. When there is a 'hit', a police officer at the end of the checkpoint lanes will be alerted to stop the driver and the vehicle.
With AVSS, SPF's productivity and capability in detecting vehicles wanted for criminal activity, outstanding traffic summonses and parking fines are greatly increased. To-date, more than 250,000 vehicles with outstanding traffic summons or parking fines have been detected over a period of one year. In addition, over 150 vehicles wanted for investigation were also detected. AVSS has allowed significant savings in manpower resources deployed at the checkpoints in comparison to the previous manual system of tracking vehicles.
Another significant contribution is that enforcement officers can now focus on performing security checks on vehicles while leaving the detection of vehicles to the AVSS system. This has boosted the overall capabilities in checkpoint security.
The AVSS has helped SPF improve operational performance and meet its mission of upholding law and order in Singapore.
8. The Supreme Court has achieved several breakthroughs in the deployment of innovative technologies using "E-Litigation" to facilitate the administration of justice.
The Electronic Filing System (EFS) is the world's first comprehensive electronic litigation system. It was implemented by the Judiciary to allow the legal profession to file court documents and obtain litigation information from the comfort of the lawyers' offices. The EFS makes it possible for an electronic hearing environment that complements its Technology Courts. This innovatively harnesses modern technology to give our litigation lawyers' a cutting edge in presenting their cases. The EFS is extremely helpful as it also features e-Index Search of case files, e-Extract of court documents and e-Service of court documents at the click of a mouse. With all these electronic services of the EFS, and the video conferencing facility available for use in the Technology Courts, the Supreme Court can now also function as a cyber or virtual court for international litigation involving parties and witnesses from different parts of the world.
A combination of two enabling technologies, i.e. Virtual Private Network (VPN) and the Citrix server-based computing model ensures secure and efficient end-to-end delivery of EFS and other applications to the judges' notebook over the Internet. This allows judges to remotely access all EFS case files and other research modules to assist them in their preparation of the cases even from home, without having to move bulky books and paper files.
Supreme Court users are able to access the EFS applications at certain locations within the City Hall Building via wireless LAN. The availability of M-InfoSvcs also provides crucial information on court hearings almost instantaneously via the SMS. More recently, the use of Internet Protocol VideoPhones in the Supreme Court has made it extremely convenient for lawyers to "appear" in court via the videophone without physically appearing in court. This innovative use of technology will bring about savings in both time and cost.
Finalists for the category of Most Innovative Product / Service have also been announced.
ISSUED BY CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
About the National Infocomm Awards
The National Infocomm Awards is the highest industry accolade for Infocomm innovation in Singapore. Jointly organised by the IDA, ec.Think and CommerceNet Singapore, the Awards aims to provide a platform for promoting and recognising the innovative development and adoption of infocomm technologies by companies based in Singapore. The Award winners will be the ambassadors for Singapore in the global Infocomm arena and their brand names synonymous with outstanding Singapore Infocomm companies.
Of the original 347 nominations received, 229 were for Most Innovative Infocomm Product/Service and 118 were for Most Innovative Use of Infocomm Technology.
About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is a dynamic organisation with an integrated perspective to developing, promoting and regulating info-communications in Singapore. In the fast-changing and converging spheres of telecommunications, information and media technologies, IDA will be the catalyst for change and growth in Singapore's evolution into a vibrant global info-communications technology centre. For more information, please visit https://www.imda.gov.sg/.
For media clarification, please contact:
Kelvin Lee
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: +65 6211 1726/ 6211 1840
Elliza RAHIM / YANG Sook Chin
Edelman Public Relations
Tel: +65 6733 1110 ext. 223/ 235
Fax: +65 6733 5550
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