Recognizing that web services are a key technology for the future, the IDA announced today the new Web Services Industry Development Framework. Speaking at the annual Infocomm Local Industry Upgrading Programme (iLIUP) Recognition Event...
Singapore, 3 October 2002 | For Immediate Release
Recognizing that web services are a key technology for the future, the IDA announced today the new Web Services Industry Development Framework. Speaking at the annual Infocomm Local Industry Upgrading Programme (iLIUP) Recognition Event today, the Chairman of the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA), Mr. Lam Chuan Leong said, "The vision of Web Services is to make the Internet more intelligent by eliminating many of the human interventions we now need to provide seamless and integrated services."
In developing the framework, the IDA held several closed-door dialogues with industry players, market research companies, the academia and end-user organisations, and affirmed the large market potential for Web Services1. .Spotlighting Singapore's advantage in pursuing web services, Mr Lam said, "Singapore's high level of local connectivity and international connectivity provides a strong foundation for the deployment and adoption of web services."
The new framework provides a phased approach that will propel Singapore closer to the vision of commercial web services and keep it ahead of the region. In developing the framework, several "gaps" which were identified. These range from learning how to leverage development tools, platforms, methodologies as well as new business opportunities and revenue models, to taking advantage of a web services market that is expected to drive a 30% in the efficiency of IT development projects by 20052.Industry-wide issues such as inter-operability, security, network identity, semantics and the management of web services have also to be addressed.
IDA's new Web Services Industry Development Framework seeks to develop the industry through three key initiatives i.e.
Building Intellectual Capital
This initiative aims to build the necessary manpower capability and intellectual property (IP) to provide the foundation for the growth of the Web Services industry. The programmes in place under this initiative include the infocomm Local Industry Upgrading Programme (iLIUP), various web services competency centres, manpower development, Intellectual Property creation and commercialisation. An example would be the recently launched Java Smart Services Lab (JSSL) at Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) in August by Sun Microsystems together with other Java technology partners and the IDA, as part of our efforts to develop our Intellectual Capital. The JSSL aims to position Singapore as a regional hub for development and test bedding of web services.
Creating A Living Lab
The Living Lab initiative aims to establish market proof points to jumpstart web services adoption. The programmes under this initiative aim to encourage the development of flagship and Pilots And Trials Hotspots (PATH) projects in the vertical sectors including manufacturing, logistics and supply chain, healthcare, finance, travel and hospitality, etc. In April this year, for instance, IDA signed a Memorandum of Intent with Microsoft to jointly launch a nationwide web services initiative called .NET MySingapore. This flagship project will establish web services as one of the key technologies to better connect Singaporeans.
Creating Enabling Infrastructure
The Enabling Infrastructure initiative aims to address industry-wide issues that hinder growth of web services. These issues include interoperability, security, network identity, semantics, management of web services and public Universal Description, Discovery and Integration (UDDI) Registry. The recently announced collaboration between IBM and Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) to establish a Web Services Innovation Zone (WIZ) in NYP is an example of effort within this initiative. WIZ will focus on the interoperability issues across different technology platforms. The IDA is also planning to work with international bodies such as the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to address these issues.
Launch of SITF Web Services Chapter
The Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation (SITF) is also keen to tap into the web services market. Launched at the event, the Web Services Chapter aims to accelerate the adoption of Web Services applications and services. It will also maintain close working ties with the public and private sectors to promote Web Services as an emerging technology in the industry, and achieve the realisation of business opportunities and inter-operability through its various initiatives.
Announcement of new iLIUP Partners
At the iLIUP Recognition 2002 event, Mr Lam also welcomed new MNC partners to iLIUP. They are, Avaya, Borland, BearingPoint, Inc (formerly KPMG Consulting), Real Networks, SpeechWorks and the more recent partners, Mercury Interactive, NEC and Rational Software.
With 23 MNCs and more than 170 local companies participating in iLIUP, effective partnerships have resulted in the innovative development of over 60 Infocomm products, with another 40 in the pipeline.
ISSUED BY CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Notes to the Editor:
1 Source: IDC, 7 March 2002, Web services expected to drive total software, services, and hardware opportunity to US$34 billion by 2007.
2 Source: Gartner, 9 October 2001, The Hype Is Right: Web Services Will Deliver Immediate Benefits.
About iLIUP
The Infocomm Local Industry Upgrading Programme (iLIUP) aims to accelerate the development of Infocomm capability of Singapore Enterprises for international market competition; and enhance Infocomm market share and revenue for the mutual benefits of Multinational Corporations and Singapore.
There are currently 23 Multinational Corporations (MNCs), which is more than double the number of MNC partners participating in the programme two years ago. More than 170 local enterprises have also benefited from the programme.
Other current MNC partners include Apple, BEA Systems, CISCO Systems, Computer Associates, Hewlett Packard, IBM, ILOG, InfoTalk Technology, Macromedia, Microsoft, Oracle, Point Information Systems, Progress Software Corporation, Software AG, SUN Microsystems.
For more information, please e-mail iliup@imda.gov.sg
About Competency Centres and Development of Web Services Manpower
Competency Centres provide a collaborative framework whereby technology leaders can partner with Research Institutes and Centres (RICs), Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and Singapore Infocomm companies to build up a critical mass of local developers' community, accelerate development and piloting of technologies, as well as advocate standards adoption and best practices
Development of local manpower is required to expand the pool of web services-enabled professionals. Specific capabilities in areas such as Extensible Markup Language (XML), Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), use of web services development and deployment tools, will be identified and endorsed through various IDA manpower programmes.
About Pilot And Trial Hotspots (PATH)
PATH, first introduced in May 2001, is an industry development initiative that accelerates the development of innovative Infocomm infrastructure, applications and products. It facilitates this by supporting the trial and piloting of emerging Infocomm technologies and best-of-breed services.
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, visit https://www.imda.gov.sg/
For media clarifications, please contact:
Mr Kelvin Lee
Manager
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Phone: +65 6211 1726
Fax : +65 6211 2227
Email: Kelvin_lee@imda.gov.sg
Ms Elliza Rahim / Yang Sook Chin
Edelman Public Relations
Tel: +65 6733 1110 ext. 223/ 235
Fax: +65 6733 5550
Emails: erahim@edelman.com.sg / scyang@edelman.com.sg
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