Mr Philip Heah, Senior Director for Online Development, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore - Remarks Starhub Business Showroom-On-Wheels - International Park ...
Mr Philip Heah, Senior Director for Online Development, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore - Remarks
Starhub Business Showroom-On-Wheels - International Park
Singapore, 27 August 2003
Mr Andrew Grenville
Vice President (Product Management & Marketing, Business Markets) StarHub
Dr Kaizad Heerjee
Vice President (Corporate Business, Business Markets), StarHub
Mr Koh Chwee
Director for Industrial Park Development Group, Jurong Town Corporation
Colleagues and friends
Good morning
I am happy to be here this morning to celebrate the launch of StarHub's "Business Showroom-on-Wheels".
Back in 1998 the then NCB had a similar vehicle called the IT Coach. Designed to bring IT to the workers, the IT Coach travelled to 40 factories and industrial estates. It engaged participants for 45 minutes with a fun-packed interactive computer programme to induce their appreciation of IT and how we can make it work for us- at work and at play. In about 6 months the IT Coach had successfully reached out to 16,000 workers. Feedback from the employers and their workers was very encouraging too.
In those days the IT Coach focused on the workers. Today, the StarHub Business Showroom-on-Wheels targets the companies. According to IDA's Annual Survey of Infocomm Usage in Businesses for 2002, 83% of our companies used infocomm technology but only 41% had broadband access. The same survey also revealed that our businesses are not sophisticated in their use of infocomm technology. Most are only using the Internet for information search, emails and file exchange.
Out of the office, broadband can also offer a new way to work. Telecommuting is a flexi-work arrangement that allows your staff to work anytime, anywhere, not just at the office desk. MNCs like Procter & Gamble and IBM, and local SMEs like JK Technology and SP Consultancy have adopted telecommuting polices as part of their corporate business strategy and testified to the benefits of telecommuting in achieving higher productivity as employees felt more empowered and trusted by their companies.
Telecommuting is especially useful in times when the unforeseen strikes us, like the SARs outbreak earlier this year. For companies that embrace telecommuting, their business continued to run like clockwork even if key personnel were placed under home quarantine order and stayed away from the office. To help every business understand what telecommuting is all about, IDA is pleased to bring you an exhibition on telecommuting, alongside the launch of the StarHub "Business Showroom-on-Wheels".
On this note, I wish you all a pleasant discovery.
Thank you.
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