26 April 2016 - The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and Marina Bay Sands organized a Learning Journey for Small Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the cleaning sector.
Singapore, 26 April | For Immediate Release
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and Marina Bay Sands organized a Learning Journey for Small Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the cleaning sector. As part of the Ministry of Manpower’s Lean Enterprise Development (LED) that was announced in September 2015, the Learning Journey is a series of events which showcases how SMEs can become the early adopters of change, become more productive, able to innovate and become manpower-lean. This edition of the Learning Journey introduces automated smart technology for SMEs in the cleaning sector and was graced by Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister for Manpower.
The pilot smart technology will act as an enabler to help redesign workflow processes and transform the cleaning landscape to become manpower-lean. Smart technology will also help to create easier, safer and smarter job for the workers.
Working with the Environmental Management Association of Singapore (EMAS) and WDA, IDA introduced a Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) pilot solution by V3 Teletech, an ICT Solution Provider. V3’s solution features an autonomous controller, which can be retrofitted to existing cleaning scrubber machines, allowing for workflow re-design, and empowering SMEs to be more manpower-lean.
The scrubber can be operated autonomously with the onboard camera and sensor that can record images, remote monitoring and analysis of cleaning tasks. This will lead to an increase in the consistency in cleaning services. RaaS also offers SMEs the flexibility to adapt the technology to existing fleet of mechanical cleaning machines that will enable them to leverage of existing scrubbers.
Cleaners from SMEs are provided with the opportunity to be re-trained and upgraded to technicians. As technicians, they will be able to manage multiple robotized machinery at once. This will help to address manpower shortage allowing the deployment of replaced manpower to other job functions. With technology, jobs can be redesigned consequently to make cleaning jobs more attractive through deployment and management of high tech robotics equipment.
This pilot project is supported by IDA’s (an LED taskforce agency) Enhanced iSPRINT programme that looks at a sector wide-transformation in supporting SMEs with smart technology such as sensors, data and analytics and autonomous systems to boost productivity and growth. V3 Teletech’s RAAS aims to innovate the way companies deliver service excellence in the cleaning industry in which man-labour remains tight. This smart technology is currently being tested by Ramky Cleantech Services, one of the leading environment management service providers that has grown rapidly in regional markets such as India, China and the Philippines.
“Productivity can be seen as achieving more with less use of resources. Technology can be a force multiplier to help SMEs achieve greater productivity. I am glad that some SMEs in the cleaning sector has adopted the use of technologies to help address their labour crunch challenges, to do more with less. I encourage more SMEs to explore our Enhanced ISPRINT schemes to see how they can harness smart technologies as game changers to enhance their business competitiveness,” said Mr Khoong Hock Yun, Assistant Chief Executive (Development) and Chief Data Officer of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore.
This pilot is supported under the Lean Enterprise Development (LED) scheme, which was launched in Oct 2015 by the Ministry of Manpower together with other sectoral agencies to assist SMEs transform and grow in the new manpower-lean landscape.
“With over 2,500 hotel rooms and an average occupancy of over 90 per cent, Marina Bay Sands is constantly looking at improving our efficiency and effectiveness to remain successful. The heart of our productivity roadmap is based on 'doing more with less’. As we future-proof our operations and prep ourselves for productivity-led growth, we are actively leveraging analytics, innovative technology, as well as continuous staff engagement. In the long run, our goal is to optimize available technology to automate processes where possible so as to enable our staff to take on high-value jobs," said Mr Ian Wilson, Marina Bay Sands, Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations.
JOINTLY ISSUED BY THE INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE AND SINGAPORE WORKFOCE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Related Resources:
- Annex A: Quotes (145.94KB)
- Factsheet for the Innovative Smart Technology for Smart Cleaning (142.17KB)
About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The mission of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is to develop information technology and telecommunications within Singapore with a view to serve citizens of all ages and companies of all sizes. IDA does this by actively supporting the growth of innovative technology companies and start-ups in Singapore, working with leading global IT companies as well as developing excellent information technology and telecommunications infrastructure, policies and capabilities for Singapore. For more news and information, visit www.ida.gov.sg. Follow IDA on Facebook IDA.Singapore and Twitter @IDAsg.
About Singapore Workforce Development Agency
The Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) enhances the competitiveness of our workforce by encouraging workers to learn for life and advance with skills. In today's economy, most jobs require not just knowledge, but also skills. WDA collaborates with employers, industry associations, unions and training organisations, to develop and strengthen the Continuing Education and Training system that is skills-based, open and accessible, as a mainstream pathway for all workers - young and older, from rank and file to professionals and executives - to upgrade and advance in their careers and lives.
For more information, please visit www.wda.gov.sg.
For media clarifications, please contact:
Aung Thi Ha (Mr)
Assistant Manager, Corporate and Marketing Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
DID: (65) 6211 1309
Email: Aung_thi_ha@imda.gov.sg
Shan Singam (Ms)
Senior Manager, Media Relations
Singapore Workforce Development Agency
Corporate and Marketing Communications Division
DID: (65) 6512 1060 HP: (65) 9299 1127
Email: Shan_singam@wda.gov.sg
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