In the News

SMEs to be recognised for infocomm adoption at National Infocomm Awards

October 1, 2008

Infocomm-enabled innovation is transforming different sectors of the economy and driving growth in organisations ranging from large corporations and government agencies to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

At this year's National Infocomm Awards (NIA), a real estate agency, an IT solutions provider and a digital imaging company are among the organisations that strongly illustrate how infocomm-enabled innovation can enhance a business. The three – HSR International Realtors, LGA Telecom and Pictureworks – are finalists in the category of Most Innovative Use of Infocomm Technology (Private Sector – SME), which is being introduced at this year's NIA.

Mr Liew: HSR SmartPlus supports HSR in managing the business 24×7, allowing us to plan, strategise and execute our programmes more effectively and efficiently.

HSR International Realtors has implemented a web-based multi-tier sales and management system for the real estate industry. The solution, HSR SMART Plus, comprises a public web portal which contains information on HSR activities, and an intranet – the HSR SMARTPlus Asso Corner – which allows HSR advisors to access their individual performance reports, match buyers and sellers, and register online for in-house courses. These functions are integrated with a content management system and with internal processes such as advisor management, accounting-related activities and various reporting systems.

"HSR SmartPlus supports HSR in managing the business 24×7, allowing us to plan, strategise and execute our programmes more effectively and efficiently," said Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Patrick Liew. "This has enabled us to be more responsive to the market, more scalable, and highly differentiated."

Mr Ang: Technology-wise, everyone has the same. Our advantage lies in service delivery. ERP helps to automate processes and allows us to scale the business.

Another example of successful infocomm adoption is LGA Telecom's implementation of the Compiere Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system which has enabled the company to eliminate redundant business processes and to generate more timely and accurate management reports.

LGA, which provides IP-centric communications services, used to have nine discrete applications and processes which resulted in a great deal of inefficiency. A lot of time was wasted pulling together information that was needed for decision-making. The deployment of the Compiere ERP solution has helped address this by enabling LGA to consolidate these applications into one.

"Business process is a key strategic advantage over our competition. Technology-wise, everyone has the same. Our advantage lies in service delivery. ERP helps to automate processes and allows us to scale the business," said CEO Daniel Ang. "Whether you take two hours to deliver a service or two minutes to deliver a service, it makes a lot of difference."

Mr Cheong: PictureAnywhere successfully leverages on the latest technologies to enhance the lifestyle of the community.

The third finalist in the SME sub-category, Pictureworks , provides digital imaging and multimedia services for mobile devices, the Internet, vending kiosks, theme parks and major events. Its PictureAnywhere solution allows pictures to be taken and transmitted wireless for printing at an instant.

Through PictureAnywhere, Pictureworks opens up new revenue streams for its customers and provides them with greater convenience and cost efficiency. The technology first saw action during the National Day Parade 2005 and is currently being used in various theme parks in Singapore. PictureAnywhere has also been deployed in many major events, both public and private.

"PictureAnywhere successfully leverages the latest technologies to enhance the lifestyle of the community," said General Manager Cheong Chia Chou. "It has created a brand new form of entertainment which is increasingly becoming an event 'must have'. It introduces the 'fun' element, providing a memorable souvenir for everyone, whatever the occasion."

The biennial NIA is jointly organised by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and the Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF). Besides the SMEs, the other Award categories are for the Most Innovative Use of Infocomm Technology (Public Sector), the Most Innovative Use of Infocomm Technology (Private Sector – General), and the Most Innovative Infocomm Product/Service. A total of 15 finalists have been shortlisted for the Awards this year, and the winners will be announced at the NIA Gala Dinner on 14 October 2008.

Introducing the other finalists…

This year's National Infocomm Awards attracted nominations from a
wide cross-section of organisations in areas ranging from traditional Chinese medicine to non-profit operations, from entertainment
software to logistics. Seasoned businesses and young start-ups alike, their participation is testimony to the vibrancy of Singapore's
infocomm landscape.

Most Innovative Use of Infocomm Technology (Public Sector)

Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore
Inland Revenue Interactive Network (IRIN) - The IRIN system incorporates best-of-breed software to deliver user-centric e-services on the myTax Portal and to enhance taxpayer relationship management, compliance management and taxpayer analytics.

Land Transport Authority
Intelligent Transport System: Optimising Road Network - The Intelligent Transport System is an integrated network of systems that enables LTA to manage the overall traffic in Singapore by capturing and analysing data from multiple sources to provide a complete picture for effective decision-making.

Ministry of Manpower
Employment Pass Online (EPOL) - EPOL is a one-stop web-based, secure and user-intuitive portal for work pass transactions. It reduces application processing from three to five weeks down to one, making this one of the fastest turnaround times for work pass applications in the world.

Most Innovative Use of Infocomm Technology (Private Sector – General)

Eu Yang Sang Integrative Health
Eu Yan Sang Integrative Health: Clinic Management System - The Integrative Health project is a web-based clinic management system that supports Eu Yan Sang's operations in 22 clinics across three countries. It has helped increase the work efficiency of clinicians and staff, improve patient management and reduce waiting time.

Lien Foundation
Project IngoT (IT Stretching NGO) - Project IngoT is a collaborative initiative to build an integrated Healthcare Enterprise Resource Planning platform to support 11 healthcare non-profit/non-government organisations in Singapore.

YCH Group
An RFID-enabled SCM Nerve Centre - The SCM Nerve Centre exploits RFID technology to create an unprecedented level of visibility, finer data granularity and more timely updates within the supply chain. This will enable YCH's customers and their partners to enhance business decision-making and collaboration.

Most Innovative Infocomm Product/Service

Ohanae
Securworkplace - Based on patent-pending technology, Securworkplace safeguards the users' entire online experience. The product generates strong passwords on-the-fly, intercepts and neutralises phishing key logging attacks, and encrypts working sessions. It also employs advanced endpoint sanitisation to continually protect the operating environment.

Third Sight
INSIGHT - INSIGHT transforms corporate email into a powerful knowledge management platform by recognising the inter-relationships within and across emails. The system, which is based on patented technology, enables users to configure their existing email system for optional, mandatory and rule-based filing.

TYLER Projects
Entertainment Software Developer Game - TYLER Projects is a successful operator of a network of games and other applications on Facebook and other social networks, with more than 50 games. Battle Stations, the company's first social massively multiplayer online game, is a well-known game on Facebook, not just within Singapore but also to North American audiences.

Advanced Network Technology Laboratories
Securite - The Securite is a transaction-based, online security suite which prevents security breaches before they occur. The solution focuses on the end-user instead of server-side infrastructure and is currently in use with Internet kiosks at Changi Airport.

RSTN Consulting
inQflow Solution – The inQflow solution relies on traditional writing with pen and paper, except that with the use of innovative technologies, the paper becomes "alive" and the pen becomes "intelligent". Using normal paper printed with patented dots, the solution converts handwritten information into digital documents which can be transferred to a backend server.

BuzzCity
myGamma: Community-based Mobile Advertising Network – Established in 1999 in Singapore, BuzzCity operates the world's largest wireless community – mygamma.com . BuzzCity provides marketers with opportunities to reach this audience via its far-reaching advertising, merchant and publisher programmes.