Web Services continue to gain momentum in Singapore, as the collaborative technology stimulated some $70 million investment spend, created more than 290 jobs and generated S$450 million in infocomm revenue over the ...
Singapore, 4 October 2005 | For Immediate Release
Public and Private Sectors Collaborate to Drive Industry-Wide Adoption>
Web Services continue to gain momentum in Singapore, as the collaborative technology stimulated some $70 million investment spend, created more than 290 jobs and generated S$450 million in infocomm revenue over the past one year. With this, adoption of Web Services amongst businesses now stands at 14 per cent, up from 8 per cent in 2003.
These updates from the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) were shared with more than 500 industry players at the WEAVE Seminar held today. WEAVE or Web Services Add Value to Enterprises is a three-year industry development programme (2003 to 2006) driven by the IDA in partnership with the industry, to fuel Web Services developments in Singapore through seeding intellectual capital, research and development and infrastructure-building.
Web Services has been identified as a key engine of growth for Singapore. IDC estimates that US$2.3 billion was spent worldwide on total Web Services Software in 2004, more than double the amount from the previous year. IDC expects spending to continue to increase dramatically over the next five years, to reach US$14.9 billion by 2009. (Source: IDC - "Worldwide Web Services Software 2005-2009 Forecast: Let the Races Begin" (#33418), May 2005.
IDA CEO, Mr Chan Yeng Kit, said, "Web Services adoption has grown not just in numbers, but deeper and more extensively into key growth industries, transforming key growth sectors. We believe this trend will continue. From a little known technology less than five years ago, the technology has today evolved into a powerful business transformation tool embraced by forward-looking businesses that effectively deploy Web Services to help maintain their leadership positions in their respective industries."
Wider Sectoral Adoption
Today, leading industry players in the transport sector, such as Singapore Airlines (SIA), PSA Corporation Ltd (PSA) and the motor insurance industry (eg: AXA, NTUC Income, Asia Insurance, Mitsui Sumitomo, and Royal and SunAlliance) join others in the financial (eg: NETS, ABN Amro, Hong Leong); and lifestyle and entertainment (eg; SISTIC, NTUC Big Trumpet) sectors in embracing Web Services to raise the bar in customer service and business process re-engineering. Since its inception in 2003, the WEAVE programme has helped 52 companies in these sectors.
At the WEAVE seminar, industry players heard how transport giant, SIA, has adopted Web Services for its Kris Flyer programme. Through this technology, its members now enjoy integrated and seamless services with other member airlines in the Star Alliance group at the click of a mouse. These include alliance-wide transfer and redemption of miles, as well as miles conversion, to name a few. The industry also heard how PSA, another transport giant, through its subsidiary Portnet.com, implemented a Web Services-based improvement to its PORTNET system that now effectively reduces cumbersome documentation amongst shippers, hauliers and logistics providers. One of Singapore's local leading financial institution, OCBC Bank, has also developed a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) based on Web Services to bridge its legacy systems, resulting in better work and business integration across the bank. The government is also another adopter of Web Services. For instance, the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA), uses Web Services to offer online and real-time company and business information to other government agencies, shortening the turnaround time for businesses/company related transactions.
To give Web Services a further boost in Singapore, IDA and the industry are working together to build higher skilled Web Services manpower, and address interoperability issues.
Certified Web Services Professional (CWSP) programme for capability development Lee Kwok Cheong, Chairman of the National Infocomm Competency Centre has this to say about NICC's certification for Web Services professionals: "The success of the implementation of IT solutions depends to a large extent on the competency of the IT professionals. Organisations intending to deploy Web Services solutions will need trained and competent professionals to deliver such solutions. The Certified Web Services Professional (CWSP) is the professional ready for such a challenge."
Under the WEAVE programme, there are now more than 2,800 Infocomm professionals with Web Services skills and knowledge. Of this, some 633 have received professional certification. At the WEAVE seminar, the first batch of graduates from the NICC Certified Web Services Professional (CWSP) programme received their certification. Supported by IDA, the CWSP was launched in 2003, and aims to develop Infocomm professionals and re-skill them by meeting their career and skills-progression needs at all levels, ranging from Web Services developers to professionals, architects and consultants. NICC expects to certify 400 - 500 Infocomm Professionals under the CWSP over the next three years.
SOA (Service-Oriented Architecture) Centre to address interoperability issues
A multi-party collaboration involving IDA, Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), Singapore infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF) and 18 leading technology vendors, has come up with the region's first-ever Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) Centre. The $2.5 million centre, when ready over the next three months at NYP, will allow Web Services solutions providers to use the centre to test cross-platform interoperability applications. The 18 leading technology vendors are Accenture, BEA Systems, Cisco Systems, Crannog Software, Ecquaria, Hewlett-Packard, IBM Singapore, iLOG, Mercury, Microsoft, NCS, Novell, Oracle, Parasoft, SAP, Singapore Computer Systems, SQL View and Sun Microsystems.
Mr Edward Ho, Deputy Principal for Technology, NYP said, "With this partnership comes many great opportunities to promote and embrace SOA technology and to accelerate the adoption of Web Services-based SOA to the local industry. It will also serve as a platform to nurture staff, students and professionals with SOA technology skill-sets, through training and project development. We hope that through this Centre, there will be a more pervasive deployment of SOA technology and innovation in the industry."
Mr Stephen Lim, Chairman, SiTF added, "In the SOA Centre, we have leading companies from our Web Services Chapter coming together to address the common challenge of interoperability. In the process, we are also helping to spur the development of the Web Services industry in Singapore, and promote its wider adoption. The SOA Centre will generate significant value, both to our participating members, but also to the industry at large, as it becomes a strategic resource to Web Services development, and to reinforcing the 'Made in Singapore' branding."
The SOA Centre aims to test 60 projects over the next two years.
ISSUED BY CORPORATE & MARKETING COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Notes to Editor:
Web Services is a set of open standards that enables machines to communicate with other machines over networks such as the World Wide Web. One advantage of using Web Services is that it allows a website to pull together all the functionalities of other machines, since one machine can now talk to another with Web Services. At the end of the day, Web Services pace the way for smoother automation of businesses processes, better integration between enterprises, and helps companies to operate more efficiently.
About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is committed to growing Singapore into a dynamic global infocomm hub. IDA uses an integrated approach to developing infocommunications in Singapore. This involves nurturing a competitive telecoms market as well as a conducive business environment with programmes and schemes for both local and international companies. For more information, visit https://www.imda.gov.sg/
For media clarification, please contact:
Dawn LIM
Manager, Corporate & Marketing Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: +65-6211-0514
Fax: +65-6211-2227
Email: dawn_lim@imda.gov.sg
About the National Infocomm Competency Centre
The National Infocomm Competency Centre (NICC) is the main accreditation body in Singapore promoting and facilitating the development and implementation of Infocomm certification. Founded by IT industry bodies such as Singapore infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF), Singapore Computer Society (SCS) and Information Technology Management Association (ITMA),, NICC is an industry-driven national body working closely with the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) to promote Infocomm knowledge and skills.
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About Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation
The Singapore infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF) is Singapore's premier infocomm trade industry association. It brings together more than 600 corporate members from MNCs and local companies, which together account for over 80% of industry revenues, and assists them in business development, market intelligence, overseas trade missions, networking and alliances. For more information on SiTF, please visit www.sitf.org.sg.
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About Nanyang Polytechnic
Nanyang Polytechnic is a modern tertiary institution that offers quality education in IT, engineering, design, chemical & life sciences, business management, and health sciences. NYP constantly collaborates with the industry in cutting-edge technology projects, so as to provide relevance and a firm foundation for its students. As part of its capabilities development programme, the Polytechnic engages in applied R&D in core competencies such as SOA, XML & Web Services, Grid Computing, RosettaNet, RFID, Wireless and Mobile Computing, to the end that its graduates will meet the ever-changing demands of the industry. For more information, visit http://www.nyp.edu.sg.
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Nanyang Polytechnic
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Email : Sandra_Tan@nyp.gov.sg
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