Demonstrating public sector agility - Singapore's IDA surges ahead with egovernment revitalization plans

Tags: government, public policy, social media, web 2.0, it priorities

IDC Government Insights'  latest report "Opportunities Abound: Analysis of Singapore's US$720 Million Public Sector FY10 ICT Procurement Plans (Doc #AP9694104S, June 2010) " reveals that the Singapore government's future ICT procurement plans will revolve around new technology areas such as business intelligence (BI), ubiquitous presence and social media.  

This finding was echoed in a recent interview which Straits Times did with James Kang  (Chief Information Officer at the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore). In the interview, James shared that the Singapore government is starting to transform its online citizenry services to leverage on the rapidly evolving ICT environment that the nation is building upon.

There is also a strong indication that the government is planning to boost collaborations; and, it is not just within the government organization, but also with various stakeholders such as the ICT industry and the citizenry it serves. Increased collaborative engagements through social networking platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are likely to be pursued.

As the government pushes ahead with the upcoming iGovt2015 public sector masterplan, IDC Government Insights expects to see strategic directives in revitalizing public services, systems consolidation and sustainability business solutions.

To date, Singapore has received several international accolades for its e-government excellence. This success however, is not an overnight miracle. Singapore's computerization journey first began almost 30 years ago with the Civil Service Computerization Program that was primarily targeted at automating work functions and reducing paperwork for greater internal operational efficiencies.  

Ultimately, egovernment efforts are not all about the implementation of technology alone, but also, the changing approach to the way the government delivers its traditional services. James also said in the interview that the key to successful egovernment implementation lies in changing mindsets and taking calculated risks within the government. I can't agree more with this statement. In addition to "changing mindsets and taking calculated risks," strong leadership directives and commitment from all stakeholders involved remains crucial ingredients of successful egovernment transformation.

Business Analytics - Establishing Rapid Inroads into Asia

Tags:

Business analytics (BA) is typically implemented to gain insights into and reveal patterns about consumers' behavior. It utilizes statistical technologies such as data mining, clustering and regression modeling to discover relationships in data that can determine the probable outcome of future events and allow for users to take preemptive actions if necessary. Often, such analytics are able to make predictions that are otherwise not apparent or too complex to be identified using core analytics software.

The Changing Times of Chinese Manufacturing

Tags: manufacturing, supply chain, china, automation

Over the last few weeks, issues related to Chinese manufacturing have been all over the news. On one end, we have the continued pressure of the U.S. government for China to revalue its currency, and on the other end, we have the increasing discontent of Chinese workers, demonstrated by suicides at the Foxconn plant, and strikes at well-known brands such as Honda and Brother.

While the currency discussion continues with no end in sight, the RMB is unlikely to reduce in value in the near future.  In addition, with the various strikes and labor disputes, the management of these companies is responding by raising wages and improving working conditions. With a 24% wage hike at the Honda plant being implemented, the costs will need to be allocated. Even with the parent company absorbing some, part of the cost will be passed on to end customers. Theoretically, Chinese manufactured products are going to get more expensive.

However, this is only true if there is no change to the manufacturing process within the factories. Recent research from IDC Manufacturing Insights shows that Chinese manufactures are increasingly interested in automation; for both manufacturing processes and the adoption of information technology to support information flow across the various support processes within the factory. However, implementing automation will require a detailed understanding of the underlying business processes.

I remember a discussion with a Chinese manufacturer a few years ago when I asked about automation and process efficiency. At that time, he said that he could not justify the investment in technology and would simply put additional people to work on a task when the need arises. With the recent changes in workforce behavior and currency issues, the mind-sets of Chinese manufacturers will have to change with times.

Are Vendors Really Moving Toward Open Standards-Based Offerings to End Users?

Tags: asia/pacific, it priorities

There have been multiple acquisitions recently with vendors acquiring complementary or competing products to consolidate their position and offer an integrated solution to end users. Other vendors with limited offerings rely on ecosystems with multiple alliances to position their products as solutions.

Some alliances achieve desired objectives. However, vendors do face execution challenges across geographies. Alliances also pose high risk. For example, the alliance partner that has been acquired may jeopardize joint investments, support to customers, and exploit intellectual property.

Vendors are becoming more critical in selecting partners and are increasingly focusing on the long-term viability of partners. Also, the alliances are gradually becoming strategic partnerships with focus on joint product development and go-to-market activities.

However, despite vendors’ verbal commitments to adopt more standard based open architectures, their integrated systems approach is limiting the openness with select few options to end users.

The benefits of acquisition or strategic alliances may be faster ROI, cost reduction, ease of deployment, among others. However, there is a trade-off with higher risk of being locked-in.

As information technology is becoming strategic and integrated to businesses, end users’ journey with vendors is becoming very critical. End users need to look at “openness” in vendors’ solutions, scalability, viability of product, ROI, cost, long-term support, and diversify their risk well before engaging with them.

What does the Future Hold for the Insurance Industry?

Tags: insurance, it priorities, asia/pacific

While the industry’s resilience was undoubtedly tested during the economic fallout, insurers have nevertheless weathered the economic malaise with immense vigilance and fervor. Although today's global economic climate may still be fraught with unpredictability, profound challenges and changing regulatory landscapes, new business opportunities abound in both matured and emerging insurance markets.

Now is the opportune time for insurers to revolutionize their business strategies and architectures in an effort to steer themselves back to a growth trajectory. Insurers that are staying one step ahead of the competition are those that are able to create a more dynamic business framework via the assistance of technology, take on operational improvement initiatives, explore alternative distribution channels while staying customer-centric, and place more rigor on compliance and risk mitigation techniques, amongst others.

This year, as the world emerges from the global financial upheaval, IDC Financial Insights is taking the opportunity to reconvene the Asian Insurance Congress 2010, a knowledge-centric and networking conference for insurers across this region. This Congress will be the platform for industry executives to engage with prominent thought leaders as they share their views and experiences in building up successful operations in the rapidly growing and diverse insurance markets in the Asia/Pacific region.

Join me at this Congress in Singapore on 26th August to hear industry thought-leaders share their views on:

Hope and Optimism for 2010 and Beyond
- Regulatory Measures: Steering Insurers onto More Stable Ground
- Industry Outlook: A Sneak Peek of Future Opportunities
- Ready for the Upturn: Crafting the Winning Formula for Insurers
- Rethinking Your Business Operating Model
- Embracing a Tech-Savvy Culture: Panacea to Business Sustainability and Efficiency
- Increasingly on the Radar: Corporate Governance and Risk Mitigation
- Beyond Fraud Management 101: Elevating Fraud Detection and Prevention to New Levels

A Corporate Blueprint for Effective Business and Technology Processes
- Core Systems Enhancements: Out with the Old, In with the New?
- Change Transformation Initiatives: Adopting Process Reengineering to Optimize Business Performance
- Streamlining Data Processes: Transforming Noise into Valuable Information
- Adoption of Alternative Technology Delivery Models: Has this Gone Mainstream, or are we still at the Bleeding-Edge of Adoption?
- Alternative Technology Consumption Models: A Case Study

Strategic Approach Toward Fostering Market Sustainability
- Customer Centricity: Your New Age Marketing Tool
- Business Analytics: Unlocking the Benefits from Customer Segmentation
- Ensuring an Effective Agency Channel Management
- Alternative Distribution Channels: Moving to Higher Gear
- Core Fundamentals in Managing Bancassurance Relationships

Growth Opportunities from Alternative Lines
- Micro-insurance: Beyond Social Protection to Bottomline Benefits
- Product Innovation: Positioning your Insurer to Capture Opportunities in Health Insurance

This is definitely an event not to be missed by insurance practitioners and service providers. Attendance is complimentary for professionals from insurance organizations. Do visit http://www.idc.com.sg/insurecongress/2010/ for more information and I look forward to seeing you there!

The Ash Cloud in Europe - What is the Impact on Asian Manufacturers?

Tags: manufacturing, manufacturers, asia/pacific, supply chain, video-conference

We are now entering the sixth day of the Icelandic ash cloud impacting air travel in Europe. The plight of travelers has been well documented, but the discussion on the impact on manufacturing and retail businesses has not been highlighted.

As more and more companies adopt lean supply chains, with just-in-time production methods, any disruption to that chain can have disastrous consequences, whether it results to quality issues in the factory or disruption to the logistics network. It is the disruption to the logistics network that we are now experiencing.

Shipping manufactured products by air is normally seen as the most expensive option, and is traditionally used only for high value, low weight / volume products, or perishable goods. The impact on these sectors is now starting to be felt by companies in the region. In the automotive sector, Nissans’ production of three models in Japan will stop on Wednesday (21/4/2010) because it was unable to import air pressure sensors from Ireland. Production of the three models, which are targeted at the North American market, will be reduced at its Oppama plant in Yokosuka outside of Tokyo.

Manufacturers also rely on air freight to deal with problems in the supply chain such as shortages in parts and quality issues. Normally, these parts would be shipped by sea, but when there is a problem and a fast response is required, air freight is used. With the unavailability of this option at the present moment, many companies will be feeling the impact in their supply chain where the opportunity to have a fall-back option is removed.

The export focused factories countries of China and Korea are now also being impacted as factories in China's Guangdong province have seen air shipments of clothes and jewellery delayed. In South Korea, Samsung and LG said they were unable to airfreight more than 20% of their daily electronics exports. On the import side, lovers of fine food in Hong Kong are now being impacted as hotels and restaurants in the country are facing shortages in French cheese, Belgian chocolates and Dutch fresh-cut flowers.

The Icelandic ash cloud is also providing opportunities for some – customers are looking for alternative sources, particularly for food and fresh produce. Australia and New Zealand food manufacturers are now seeing orders increase from SE Asia, the Middle East and the U.S. For technology vendors, providers of video conferencing technology are seeing a boom in demand, as executives stuck in different parts of the world seek to cope with travel disruptions.

In the long term, impact of the ash cloud will drive manufacturing companies to rethink their supply chain disaster plans. This may lead to a change in inventory holding policies, suppliers' selection and support, and/or a shift to more regional production centers. But, one thing is certain: manufacturers will be looking at this latest challenge and taking steps to deal with this type of challenge in the future.

IDC Financial Insights' AFS Congress returns with a stellar line up of speakers from the FSI industry

Tags: financial services, afs congress

On February 25-26, as many as 500 financial industry practitioners across the region are expected to converge in Singapore for the 6th Asian Financial Services (AFS) Congress.  This year's  Congress, which takes on the theme "Prescriptions for the Upturn - What Next?", is based around lessons learned from the recent financial crisis and how banks should set themselves up for the return of less turbulent times.

Hot topics that will be featured in the Congress include: where value can be build in the period of uncertainty; how Asia's institutions should create and rebuild their franchise; what technology investments have been pushed to the top of the agenda; and, where the opportunities for business transformation and operational innovation lie.

Here are a selection of presentations lined-up for the AFS Congress:

Weathering the Perfect Storm: Sustaining Growth During Market Turmoil
by Ray Ferguson, Regional CEO, Singapore and SEA, Standard Chartered Bank
The financial tsunami has resulted in the decline of revenue or even the failure of some institutions worldwide. While some may have failed, others are showing signs of turnaround. How do you sustain growth during the crisis and more importantly, gear your processes and resources to capitalize on the recovery? Standard Chartered Bank will share the lessons learnt from the financial crisis and how they managed to perform well during the turbulent period.

Tomorrow's Retail Bank: A Path of Transformation
by Michael Lor, Group CEO, EON Bank Group
Amid the financial crisis and dip in global consumer spending, Asia remains profitable and offers an avenue for growth. How can financial institutions leverage on the opportunities presented during this crisis? EON Bank will be sharing their journey of transformation and insights on the potential pitfalls.

The Top 10 Strategic Initiatives for Asia/Pacific Banks in 2010 - Investing for the Comeback
by IDC Financial Insights' regional team of analysts
This session highlights the business and technology issues that will be relevant to the recovery of Asia/Pacific's financial institutions, and how these priorities bear on the plans of technology providers that serve the banking industry.

At the break-out sessions, hear from other industry thought-leaders as they share their views on:

This is definitely an event not to be missed for executives in the  financial services industry.

For a full description of the agenda and speakers, you can visit AFS Congress 2010 or register here

I look forward to see you there!

The China v. Google standoff: An end to the Chinese consumer myth?

Tags: china, search engine, government,

Improving Productivity: The Challenge for Asia Pacific

Tags: manufacturing, manufacturers, asia/pacific, supply chain, videoconference, plm, engineering

I have been traveling around the region over the last few weeks, spending time in Japan, Australia and Singapore. A common thread of discussion that keeps coming up is how to improve productivity. In Singapore's case, there is the need to see the next wave of growth coming from putting focus on improving the productivity of the workforce, rather than importing workers. In Australia and Japan, the focus is on the need to deal with the ageing workforce.

The key question is: how? Obviously technology is going to play a crucial part. Examples being cited include the use of mobile technologies to improve responsiveness. The use of PDAs in restaurants to speed up service byremotely transmitting the diners' orders to the kitchen, and to the cashier. For manufacturing, we will see a far greater emphasis on moving towards automation of the production line. Other tasks we will see getting automated include product tracking, either through barcode or RFID tags, the use of sensors in production machines to give feedback as to what is happening, reducing the number of operators required. We are also seeing this come to the fore in the product development space where companies are seeking to ensure that engineers spend their time engineering instead of doing administration. The use of videoconferencing is another technology that will find its place as managers seek to reduce the need to travel, in turn improving their productivity by being able to connect face-to-face with customers, partners and suppliers with minimal difficulty.

The key focus will be to ensure that people are used productively; the automation of the production lines, as well as the use of mobile technologies and sensors will be at the forefront as retailers and manufacturers seek to improvep roductivity within their operations. 

From Green IT to IT for Green: The Move Towards a Sustainable Society

Tags: green it, economic crisis, pcs

The 'Green' movement continues to polarize individuals, businesses and policy makers across the globe. The lack of clear direction across this spectrum correlates with the view that significant portions of Green projects do not deliver tangible returns. And when the economy takes a turn for the worse, those 'discretionary projects' get cancelled or put on hold due to increasing budget constraints – which is exactly what has happened over the past 12 months.

However despite these economic pressures, climate change as a global issue is not going away – with the Copenhagen meetings looming in December and new emission reduction targets likely to become more of a reality – increased pressure will be placed on organizations to reduce impact of their operations on the environment. Running in parallel to this, more progressive organizations in the Asia/Pacific region are beginning to realize that objectives around environmental and economic sustainability can coexist, and in fact compliment each other in many instances. The role that ICT can play in terms of fulfilling these objectives is becoming a lot clearer – as part of a better understanding of how the market is transitioning from the Green IT (mainly focusing on reducing the electricity consumption associated with the powering and cooling the existing IT infrastructure) to IT for Green (a more intelligent use of technology to reduce carbon emissions within the business process itself).

The diagram below highlights how the adoption of Green technologies and associated services has evolved over time – thereby tracking the progress of this market transition. The starting point focused on the platform, and specifically energy efficiency within the data center – mainly in terms of virtualization and consolidation projects as part of an infrastructure optimization strategy. Building on this, organizations realized how better data, voice and video connectivity could enhance collaboration – as part of the unified communications trend to help employee productivity, creating a smarter work environment, while at the same time reducing carbon emissions associated with work travel (mainly by air and road). 

The next phase focused on the distributed environment in what IDC called the creation of the Green Office – better management of devices in the distributed environment. This contributed lower electricity consumption associated with PCs and printers – but also included a higher level of focus on responsible IT asset management (from procurement to end-of-life). This phase also placed greater emphasis on changing the corporate culture as it related to the usage of devices in the office environment. For example introducing paper management policies, changing from print to online where possible and launching device switch-off campaigns.  IDC expects the final and most important step of this market evolution to focus on what we call a 'Sustainable Society', which integrates all the underlying components, but takes the advantage of 'smart' technologies – particularly focused on buildings, transport systems and electricity grids to reduce the carbon footprint of the associated processes. We are seeing this being played out most prominently in the context of the wave of investments at the local government level as part of a drive to build 'Intelligent Cities' – a subsection of Intelligent Green and ultimately, the intersection between economic and environmental sustainability.