Exclusive Photographs from Asocio Apicta 07

Check out all the photographs from Asocio Apicta 07! Take a look at the top picks below or grab your own photos at the website! Photos are sorted according to date taken.





View Gallery: Day 1 – 26 Nov 07


View Gallery: Day 2 – 27 Nov 07


View Gallery: Day 3 – 28 Nov 07


View Gallery: Day 4 – 29 Nov 07

Asocio Apicta 2007 Site Visits – 27 Nov 07

In conjunction to Asocio Apicta 2007, a site visitation is organized by SiTF to allow fellow delegates to look at some of the IT companies in Singapore, at the same time achieve a better understanding about the IT role in Singapore.

Group photo at NCS Pte Ltd

The group left Swissotel Hotel at 0830 hours on 27 Nov 07 and took a chartered bus to NCS Pte Ltd. They were given a short introduction of what NCS does.

Mr Ng Chong Khim giving a presentation at ST Electronics Ltd

Next, the group of delegates proceeded to ST Electronics Ltd. ST Electronics does not only play an IT role in Singapore, they are an important player too in Hong Kong. The delegates were shown a video of how ST Electronics Ltd’s technology has helped the Hong Kong Fire Services simplify their processes.

HP presents its grand seminar room

After visiting ST Electronics, the delegates headed to HP Cooltown. They were greeted with an address by Mr P Ramakrishna, Director, Industry Development, IDA. After a short presentation by Mr Des Yee, Director, Technology Cooltown Innovation, the delegates proceeded to the Cooltown. Over there, cool gadgets and innovative technologies made in Singapore were showcased. The delegates took a group photograph, which was in turn put onto their handouts and given as souvenirs.

A casual presentation with cocktail

Then, the delegates went to NUS - eGL where they were given an overview of the Singapore e-Government Leadership Centre. Finally, the delegates attended a more casual presentation at Ascendas. Cocktails were served and the delegates must have felt that the trip was enriching and enjoyable.

For more pictures, view our photo gallery

APICTA Award 2007

Congratulations to all winners and merits at the APICTA 2007! Team Singapore have a total of 3 winners and 7 merits. Special mention goes to Eubiq Pte Ltd, Transmex Systems International and RadianTrust Pte Ltd for doing Team Singapore proud by winning in their respective categories.

Below are the full list of winners:

e-Community and e-Government
Winner - Immigration Department, HKSAR Government (Hong Kong)

Education and Training
Winner - ReadOn Pty Ltd (Australia)
Merit - Pelangi Multimedia Technologies Sdn Bhd (Malaysia)

Secondary Student Project
Winner - Sarasit Phithayalai School (Thailand)
Merit - Hwa Chong Institution (Singapore)
Merit - Raffles Institution (Singapore)
Merit - Foon Yew High School Kulai (Malaysia)

Tertiary Student Project
Winner - Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (Sri Lanka)
Merit - University of Tasmania (Australia)
Merit - Institute of Technology Surabaya (Indonesia)
Merit - Chulalongkorn University (Thailand)

Tourism and Hospitality
Winner - AISOFT Co Ltd (Thailand)

Media and Entertainment
Winner - PCCW-HKT Telephone Limited (Hong Kong)
Merit - Cyberplant Interactive Co Ltd & True Corporation Public Co Ltd (Thailand)

Communications
Merit - Eastcom Systems Pte Ltd (Singapore)
Merit - PixSense (Pvt) Ltd (Pakistan)

Financial Industry Applications
Winner - NetSol Technologies Limited (Pakistan)
Merit - TrustDefender Pty Ltd (Australia)

Industrial Applications
Winner - Eubiq Pte Ltd (Singapore)
Merit - MSL Software (Thailand) Co Ltd and Thailand Textile Institute (Thailand)

e-Logistics
Winner - Transmex Systems International (Singapore)
Merit - Autoscan Techonology Pte Ltd (Singapore)

Tools and Infrastructure Application
Winner - Outblaze (Hong Kong)
Merit - Team and Concepts Limited (Hong Kong)

Research and Development
Winner - Largner Technology Co Ltd (Thailand)
Merit - Clearhub Pte Ltd (Singapore)

General Applications
Winner - CargoWise edi Pty Ltd (Australia)
Merit - Mobigator (H.K) Limited (Hong Kong)

Start-Up Company
Winner - Les' Copaque (Malaysia)
Merit - Ohanae (Singapore)

Security
Winner - RadianTrust Pte Ltd (Singapore)
Merit - Data Security Systems Solutions Pte Ltd (Singapore)

Special Recognition Awards
Chung Hwa Middle School (Brunei)
Guandong Vtron Yutsun Electronic Co Ltd (China)
University of Macau (Macau)
K&H Midi Music School (Vietnam)

NCS takes technology to Sri Lankan jungles

Singapore’s IT solutions provider introduces mobile teller services for Seylan Bank, enabling customers to conduct basic transactions

Armed with a personal digital assistant, mini printer and cash, Seylan Bank’s motorcycle-bound business development officers (BDOs) are bringing banking services to the heart of the Sri Lankan jungle. BDOs can open accounts, take deposits of up to Sri Lankan Rupees (SLRs)250,000 ($2,265), dispense cash of up to SLRs5,000 and provide services such as insurance and consumer finance.

In the past, BDOs could conduct most of the same activities in remote areas, although it would require time-consuming trips back and forth between the branch and the customers.

The bank’s $3.5 million “palm top banking” programme from Singapore’s NCS is part of a rapid shift to mobile banking services on the island. Seylan Bank already had SMS banking since 2004 and offers 11 services via mobile phone, including balance inquiry, funds transfer between accounts and utility bill payments.

Inspired by Bill Gates’ “banks are dinosaurs” accusation, Seylan Bank’s chairman Dr Deshamanya Lalith Kotelawala, the head of Ceylinco Consolidated that owns Seylan Bank, wanted to find a way to empower bankers with technology before they lost touch with their clients.

The 20 people NCS assigned to the 10-month project were involved in developing the IT infrastructure, as well as the user interface, which included designing the form factor of the small screen, which is based on Microsoft’s .net platform. The project used some existing NCS platform components to hasten the development cycle.

Eventually the company will be involved in the third stage of the project, which will be to put the capabilities into a mobile phone.

“Our input was the technology and the user interface. It is quite unlike the PC or the laptop where the form factor is huge, the screen available to do the transactions,” says Chong Yoke Sin, NCS’s CEO. “And the key thing is that we have to ensure the security and the encryption of all the transactions.” NCS claims that Seylan’s palm banking system is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka.

Seylan’s Kotelawala is also using the technology to circumvent a combative regulator who will not approve new branches or ATMs. “I can’t help it if the regulatory people have myopic vision,” he says.

Considered a maverick, partly due its chairman’s strong sense of corporate social responsibility, Seylan Bank has seen high NPLs due to a willingness to work with delinquent borrowers on restructuring bad loans rather than foreclosing. But the resulting NPLs, 10.9 percent in the first half of 2007, are one reason why the bank hasn’t received approvals for new branches. So it is using “palm top banking” to find a way around the barrier.

The “palm top banking” project will also complement the remittance system the bank put in place with NCS in late 2006 for overseas Sri Lankan workers. “This is the second project that we’ve done with Ceylinco. The first one was a full-fledged remittance system, Fast Cash, done in only three months as a cash-to-cash and cash-to-account systems,” says Chong.

The new project means that after the remittance system has delivered money to the unbanked, the bank now has a way to provide value-added services such as savings, mortgages, or business loans.

Distribution is a natural challenge for all of Sri Lanka’s banks, but not everyone is hopping on motorbikes to address the issue. Many other banks currently rely on agreements with other banks to offer counter services, but the arrangement can be unreliable. - Peter Hoflich

Source: The Asian Banker

ICT Summit (IDA)

| View | Upload your own

Asocio Apicta ICT Summit 2007

Check out the slides from our distinguished speakers, available for download and viewing right here at the SiTF blog! See and download IDA's iN2015 masterplan here too.

View Upload your own

Singapore Computer Systems Wins Inaugural Asia Business Continuity Award For Business Continuity Provider Of The Year (Recovery Site)

Receiving a prestigious award - SCS Representative

Singapore Computer Systems Limited (SCS), a leading information and communications technology service provider in Asia, has emerged the top business continuity provider of the year in Asia for its Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery (BC/DR) site in the inaugural Asia Business Continuity Awards (ABCA), beating contestants from various countries around the world.

SCS has been providing BC/DR and data centre services since 1987. SCS has almost 100,000 square-feet of BC/DR and data centre facilities, and has been certified as a Full BC/DR Service Provider by the world’s first SS:507 standards, as well as for Information Security Management System (ISMS). SCS supports customers across multiple industries including financial services, government, logistics, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, property, and many more.

SCS’ President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tan Tong Hai, said, “SCS is delighted to win the first ever Asia Business Continuity Awards, for the business continuity provider of the year (recovery site) category. Since establishing the first BC/DR site in Singapore in 1987, SCS’ BC/DR team has conducted over 4,000 recovery tests and has helped clients recover from 9 live disasters, including SARS in 2003. SCS has also developed end-to-end BC/DR offerings and introduced new innovations, such as adding mobility, scalability, flexibility and automation to our offerings. We believe that our proven experience, expertise and innovative spirit are key to us winning this award and we will continue to introduce new concepts to bring BC/DR to the next stage.”

For full story, click here

For reported profit is Q3 FY2007, click here

---

About Singapore Computer Systems Limited

Singapore Computer Systems (SCS) is a leading information and communications technology service provider in Asia. As the provider of Trusted Services to its customers, SCS empowers organisations with competent IT professionals, using proven processes and living technologies in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Our services are designed to maximise organisational performance and are compliant with regulatory and security guidelines. They range from traditional IT infrastructure, business solutions, systems integration and managed services to state-of-the-art Application-Aware Infrastructure, Infrastructure-Aware Applications, converged communications, business rules management systems, business process outsourcing, and business continuity management services. These are flexible solutions that are adaptable to our customers’ needs as their businesses grow or change.

Trusted Services have been successfully deployed in multiple sectors including government; banking, insurance and financial services; manufacturing, logistics and distribution; healthcare; property; and telecommunications.

Incorporated in 1980 and listed on the Main Board of The Singapore Exchange in 1991, SCS has operations in Asia spanning Singapore, Brunei, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.

For more information, please visit http://www.scs.com.sg/.

Singapore Consumers Demanding More from Contact Centers - AVAYA

Next generation contact centers may be the key competitive differentiator for businesses in Singapore, according to a research commissioned by Avaya. The report, Avaya Contact Centre Consumer Index Score Report Singapore 2007, undertaken by research firm callcenter.net, showed that while over 80% of consumers surveyed preferred to speak directly to a customer service representative (CSR), they retained a low expectation of the service quality from contact centers. Key reasons for low marks are attributed to long waits (40%) and lack of knowledge/giving wrong information by the CSR (21%).

When compared to other countries like China (13%) and India (20%), more than 40% of Singapore consumers surveyed indicated a significant dislike for contact center interaction; and registered the lowest service level expectation of the three countries. However, Singapore also saw a higher percentage of first preference to telephone and speak directly with a CSR.

As one of the main communications channels for many companies, the customer experience with the CSR can have a direct impact on the company’s revenue as well as reputation. In fact, over one third of respondents stated that the most important thing for them is to have their call answered fast or issue resolved quickly. The resulting feedback showed that just having the human element, the CSR in this case, is insufficient.

To offer better response and improve positive experiences, businesses need to extend the capabilities of the CSR and one of the ways to break out from the competition is through next generation contact centers.

“The contact centers of the future will be IP-based,” said Eric Tan, Country Director, Avaya Singapore. “Together with Session Initiated Protocol (SIP), the contact centre can now have a more complete profile of the customer, together with applications to connect with experts for efficient issue resolution. This capability allows enterprise knowledge workers to become on-demand experts whose availability can be determined in real time and then easily located and contacted.”

In addition, the research has revealed that the customers’ contact centre experiences can be diverse and addressing the Satisfaction Index means offering a range of business communications technologies as there are generation-differences in using technologies.

For example, the older generations have a higher propensity to contact the company via the telephone, while the Generation Y (16-30 year olds) prefers self-service technology. However, the research also showed that their tendency for contacting agents arises when the transactional complexity increases. In fact, this group also has a high expectation of service from contact centers. As this group represents future customers, the need to upgrade existing contact center technology cannot be ignored.

“This group has stated a high preference to have video streaming/conference in their interaction and the best way to deliver this capability is on the IP platform,” added Tan.

Overall, the research have indicated that a positive experience from the contact centre interaction has a direct correlation to the loyalty index and an increased propensity for customers recommending services/products from the company to others; a likelihood of additional purchases; as well as using the contact centre again for their next interaction. The bottom line then, is that the contact centre can afford companies a competitive edge today and for the future.

---

About Avaya

Avaya delivers Intelligent Communications solutions that help companies transform their businesses to achieve marketplace advantage. More than 1 million businesses worldwide, including more than 90 percent of the FORTUNE 500®, use Avaya solutions for IP Telephony, Unified Communications, Contact Centers and Communications-Enabled Business Processes. Avaya Global Services provides comprehensive service and support for companies, small to large. For more information visit the Avaya Web site: www.avaya.com.

Networking session with Sri Lankan delegates

Presentations from companies

Let's exchange business cards!

SiTF welcomed Sri Lankan delegates for a networking session at the SiTF house on 15 Nov 07. Our distinguished guests are from the Sri Lanka - Singapore Business Council (SLSBC), which is part of the ceylon chamber of commerce. During the session, both local and Sri Lankan delegates had their air time to share with the group a little more about their respective companies. Contacts were also exchanged as new opportunities are explored.

Grabbing opportunities

For more pictures, visit our gallery

---

"I am pleased to send this message to mark the occasion of the visit to Singapore of the Sri Lanka Singapore Business Council delegation to attend Global Entrepolis Singapore 2007. As at date, 11 delegates representing 8 companies will participate in this premiere business networking event to identify business opportunities and to establish contact with members of the Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF) where one to one business meetings have been arranged. The delegation will also network with companies from overseas that will participate at the event. The focus this year too will be essentially IT/ITES related and the companies from Sri Lanka many of which lead their field will comprise the delegation. An important feature in the companies participating is that many have innovative products and operate in diversified markets. This reflects the resourcefulness of the entrepreneurs and management of those companies and the talent of their teams, which has the potential to mutually benefit both the company and its business partners."

-Shamil Mendis

President, Sri Lanka - Singapore Business Council

---

About Sri Lanka - Singapore Business Council

The Sri Lanka - Singapore Business Council (SLSBC) was inaugurated on 14 August 1997 with the objective of promoting trade, investments, joint ventures, services and tourism between Sri Lanka and Singapore. The Council with its membership of over 50 reputed companies in Sri Lanka, serves as a recognised representative of business sector interests. The Council functions under the aegis of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the premier Chamber in Sri Lanka with its membership representing the entire spectrum of the business community.

The services of the Council range from assisting in matchmaking / establishing business contacts, sourcing business partners for visiting businessmen, organising one to one business meetings, inward / outward missions, trade fairs / exhibitions and dissemination of trade related information.

Visit by Vietnam Delegates

Local delegates interacting with our guests

Vietnam delegates came to Singapore for a visit on the 14 Nov 07. The networking lunch session was held at Suntec Tower 3. Over 40 participants from local companies and MNCs were present to interact with the Vietnamese. Some SiTF members snapped at this wonderful chance as well to enlarge their network. It is a fruitful networking session as both local and Vietnam delegates grabbed the opportunity to exchange contacts.

Lunch time! Let's eat!

Visit our gallery!

GlobalRoam heeds the call of China

EVER wanted to give your phone number to someone you met - a business contact, housing agent or even a date - but did not want them to keep calling you if the relationship soured? And what about worrying if they will pass your number to other people? In the past you had to change your number to stop unwanted contact. But GlobalRoam's new cMask service lets you give out a cMask number that others can call and SMS as if it were your real number.

If you want contact to cease you just delink the cMask number without having to change your real number. And only those you give your cMask number to can contact you. Anyone else who calls the cMask number from another line won't be able to reach you.

GlobalRoam, which is listed on PhilipCapital's OTC market, may be about to strike gold with the new service. This month it signed a preliminary pact with China Unicom New Space - a subsidiary of giant China Unicom - to launch the cMask service in four Chinese cities by the middle of next year. And dating online communities Eteract.com and SingaporeCupid.com started using cMask this year to let members chat on the phone without giving their real numbers.

GlobalRoam chief executive Clarence Tan (main head picture) says the technology is useful for many purposes. "You can give cMask numbers to business partners but if the deal turns bad you can easily break the link. And when people advertise to buy and sell things, they can give out their cMask number and deactivate it later."

GlobalRoam's second new service, gCross, lets mobile phone users call their friends' personal computers (PCs) to chat using a Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) or instant messaging. This helps parties save money as PC users do not have to pay for calls received.

Older technology required a unique number to be bought for every PC, which could be expensive, Mr Tan says. "If there are two million VoIPusers, you need two million numbers." But gCross uses technology that helps the company save resources so only 200 numbers are needed for four million VoIP users.

Both services use SmartMap, a technology that GlobalRoam has filed a patent for. SmartMap was developed by professors at the National University of Singapore (NUS) and is based on mapping algorithms. "The professors provided the algorithms and we commercialised the technology by putting up applications," says Mr Tan, who has an MBA from NUS.

For full press release, click here

---

About GlobalRoam Group LimitedGlobalRoam Group Limited is a group of companies which provides innovative infocomm services. The Group's objective is to connect people across diverse media, transcending barriers created by technology across different platforms. With its patent-pending technology, this includes bridging the mobile world to the online world, at convenience and cost savings to end-users. GlobalRoam collaborates with Telecommunication companies and service providers in reaching out to new markets. GlobalRoam is headquartered in Singapore with data centers in Singapore and US. GlobalRoam is the first OTC-quoted company in Singapore. For more details, visit www.globalroam.com.

ASOCIO APICTA is here!

View Upload your own

Download event programme

SiTF is hosting the regional Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organisation (ASOCIO) ICT Summit and the Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Awards. This is the first time in history that these two events are being held together.

On 28 November 2007, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan is the guest of honour and will be giving a ministerial address during the ASOCIO ICT Summit. Be the first to hear on what the Minister has to say. IDA will be updating on the progress made on the progress made on the IN2015 master-plan. In addition, Japan, Korea and Malaysia will share their ICT opportunities and future plans. More than 200 delegates are expected to attend the ASOCIO ICT Summit, including regional delegates. No other forum where you will get such a mix of audience and speakers.

The networking opportunities are immense. There will be senior infocomm managers (buyers and sellers), venture capitalists and top government officers. We expect about 500 delegates to attend the various ASOCIO and APICTA events. Part of the program includes the business matching birds-of-a-feather session. This event is open to all, complimentary of SiTF. You will get to listen to exciting presentations throughout the afternoon and view exhibits of not only local companies, but from the region as well.

Please visit: www.sitf.org.sg/singapore2007 and click on the ASOCIO icon for more information and online registration.

Join us @ Sitex 2007 - your digital playground

Come join us @ Sitex 2007 - your digital playground!!!


Date: 29 November 07 - 2 December 07
Time: 11am - 9pm daily
Venue: Singapore Expo Hall 5-6



FREE ADMISSION!!!

Lucky Draw

For every $100 spent at the show, you'll be entitled to 1 lucky draw entry. Multiple entries will be generated based on how much you've spent (up to a maximum of 20 entries per customer). For example, S$500 gets you 5 entries. Proceed to SITEX 2007 Lucky Draw Area for redemption of lucky draw coupons.

1st Prize: Pioneer 50" HD Plasma TV, $8,299.00
2nd Prize: Pioneer Home Theatre, $6,093.00
3rd Prize: POS Corporate Software, $5,000.00
4th Prize: DAUF Navigation System AUF 6800, $2,600.00
5th Prize: Packard Bell EasyNote MV85-002, $2,298.00
6th Prize: Packard Bell EasyNote GN45-019, $1,798.00
7th Prize: Compaq Presairo F576AU Notebook PC, $1,099.00
8-9th Prize: Packard Bell Compasseo 600, $788.00
10-12th Prize: Packard Bell Compasseo 600 (160+40), $788.00
13th Prize: UTILITY Desktop, $899.00
14th Prize: DAUF Portable GPS Navigation, $700.00
15th Prize: X-BOX 360 Model, $699.00

Plus, loads of awesome prizes including Free Edvan Multi-Media Speaker System, IT magazine subcription, Besta Electronic Dictionary, Pioneer HDMI DVD Player and Aztech Helex RC Helicopter!

With such attractive prizes, what are you waiting for? Mark it down on your calendar, "29 Nov 07 - 2 Dec 07: Sitex 2007!!!"
For more inforation, visit http://www.sitex.com.sg/

Infocomm Singapore explores opportunities in Central and Eastern Europe

Mr Pek, Chairman of SiTF, standing right of PM Lee Hsien Loong during a group photograph

The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), together with the Singapore Business Federation, led a business delegation to Hungary and Poland last month as part of efforts to help local infocomm companies explore e-government opportunities in Central and Eastern Europe. The business trip took place in conjunction with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s official visit to Hungary on 8-10 October 2007.

Members of the infocomm delegation included CrimsonLogic, Singapore Technologies Electronics, Stratech Systems and the Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation.

Commenting on the infocomm opportunities in the two countries, Ms Tham Ai Chyn, Assistant Chief Executive, Industry and Cluster Development, IDA, noted that Poland and Hungary had joined the European Union (EU) in 2004 and were aligning themselves to the EU’s i2010, a strategic policy framework which lays out broad policy guidelines for the information society and the media. “In the two country's transition towards a vibrant free market; opportunities exist for Singapore companies, particularly in areas like IT solutions in e-government, intelligent transport systems, hospitality management services and possibly environmental services and logistics, she said.

Hungary is one of Singapore's largest trading partners among the Central European countries and the country’s infocomm and telecommunications (ICT) industry has considerable backing from the government. Last year, the Hungarian government spent some €19.5 million ($40.56 million) on the development of IT. A further investment of €546 million is planned over the next seven years from EU funds.

During last month’s visit, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between ST Electronics and Hungary’s Albacomp Computers Company to jointly pursue and implement infrastructure projects for the public and private sectors in the country. Albacomp is one of the five largest IT companies in Hungary. The MOU was signed in Budapest during the Singapore-Hungary Business Forum, witnessed by Prime Minister Lee and Hungary's Minister of Economy and Transport, Mr Janos Koka. As a start, both companies have identified and agreed to pursue two public projects in the areas of mass transit and e-Government, and are expecting potential market opportunities in these areas with value worth more than US$100m in the near term. The Singapore delegation also visited Poland, where €700 million is planned to be spent on developing IT resources within public administrations offices between 2007 and 2013. Speaking at the Poland-Singapore Business Forum during the visit, Mr. S. Iswaran, Minister of State for the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry, said he saw great scope for cooperation in ICT, especially in the e-Government space. “Poland is the largest ICT market in Central and Eastern Europe, and its ICT industry contributed a significant 5.5 per cent to GDP in 2005.Prospects for the Polish ICT industry remain bright due to fresh demand, especially in e-Government,” he said.

---

“The trip to Europe is really interesting for me both as a Siemens staff, and also as the Chairman of SiTF. The projects that are available there are typically huge by Singapore standards. With the EU backing in terms of funding and policies, our companies can replicate a solution to the EU countries with some minor changes, but again there is tremendous synergy. What is key to success is that of determination, and stamina. Our members should understand that the countries are much bigger compared to Singapore which is a city, state, and country at the same time. Contrast this to the European countries, you will realise that the customer knowledge network increases exponentially. However, if we can navigate this like some of our other companies, there is a tremendous pot of gold for us. I do hope that we have more companies that are keen to be in Europe, and I wish them all success.”

-Mr Pek Yew Chai
Chairman, SiTF

Looking out for an IT vendor

Fancy your IT expertise? Be the one to maintain SiTF's own server!

SiTF is looking for an IT vendor to give IT support to the organisation. The job scope would include server maintainence and providing IT support to related issues. Applicants must have substantial knowledge on both hardwares and softwares.

Interested personnel can give us a quote. For more details, please contact jenny at 63259705 or email her at jenny@sitf.org.sg

I Want Windows Mobile for FSI Solutions

Developing Windows Mobile applications and need a platform to help market your applications to your target audience? Need to train your developers to get up to speed but don't have the budget for the training? Need access to devices for testing but faced with limited budget?

Microsoft and SITF Wireless Chapter has announced the “I Want Windows Mobile for FSI Solutions” programme to help local ISVs to get jumpstarted in this market.

| View | Upload your own

If you qualify, you get:
1. Free 3 days training on Windows Mobile development
2. A free Motorola MC35 Windows Mobile Professional device
3. A loaner Moto Q Windows Mobile 6 Standard device for testing

Developer Learning Solutions has been appointed the training partner for this programme. Check out the course info here.

Read with FlipViewer®!

Check this out! If Adobe makes documents look like paper on the computer, FlipViewer makes documents look like a magazine on the computer!

Flips like a book!

E-Book Systems' Digital Flip® solutions turn printed publications into a digital, multimedia-enhanced 3-D page-flipping format for both online and offline distributions. The company can convert any PDF, HTML, Flash and Word files into its patented online page-flipping format. The publications can remain online after they are downloaded, which allows readers to click on page links and advertisements. The Digital Flip® technology can incorporate a variety of multimedia elements, like MID, WAV and MP3 files, to enhance the publication. E-Book Systems' Digital Rights Management (DRM) solution safeguards content providers' intellectual properties.

Get Started @ www.flipviewer.com

---

About E-Book Systems

E-Book Systems (www.flipviewer.com) was founded in 1998 with a mission to bring the natural look and feel of the paper-based book into the domain of consumer products, computers and the Internet. E-Book Systems' products make use of its patented Digital Flip® technology to deliver multimedia content such as digital photographs, animations, text, audio and music via a 3-D Page-Flipping interface, which appears as a virtual book. These contents could be streamed or delivered online and offline through E-Book Systems' OpenFlip(TM) format. E-Book Systems also offers Digital Rights Management, FlipBook tracking ASP services and Flip Enterprise solutions for publishers and corporations. E-Book Systems, a private corporation, has offices in Santa Clara, Calif., Beijing, China and Singapore. Investors include Creative Technology Ltd and SOFTBANK Media & Marketing Corporation, a subsidiary of SOFTBANK Corp. E-Book Systems' products are distributed worldwide, including the U.S., Europe, Japan and Asia Pacific Region. For more information, contact Lauren Kinzler of Dittoe PR at (317) 202-2280 or call E-Book Systems at (408) 625-8000, e-mail at info@ebooksys.com.

::Members News - Global Roam::

GlobalRoam Group Limited proudly announces that it is the technology provider for StarHub’s Advanced Multimedia Services’ new pfingoTALK myGlobal Number Private service which enables pfingoTALK users to manage their calls easily and cost-effectively. GlobalRoam’s patent-pending SmartMap is the revolutionary technology that powers pfingoTALK myGlobal Number Private.

Users can obtain a US, UK or Australia phone number and allow up to three contacts per country to reach them through pfingoTALK. The callers pay their respective local calling rates when they dial the myGlobal Number Private, avoiding hefty IDD charges. >>more

GlobalRoam Group Limited has also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with China Unicom NewSpace, a fully-owned subsidiary under China Unicom, one of the largest mobile telecommunication operators in China with over 150 Million subscribers to launch cMask® service. The initial launch of cMask® will take place in 3 to 4 cities by mid 2008. Powered by GlobalRoam Group Ltd, cMask® is a 2-way anonymous mobile communication service that enables the subscribers of China Unicom to chat via voice and SMS on their mobile phones without revealing their real mobile phone numbers. >>more

---

About GlobalRoam Group Limited
GlobalRoam Group Limited is a group of companies which provides innovative infocomm services. The Group's objective is to connect people across diverse media, transcending barriers created by technology across different platforms. With its patent-pending technology, this includes bridging the mobile world to the online world, at convenience and cost savings to end-users. GlobalRoam collaborates with Telecommunication companies and service providers in reaching out to new markets. GlobalRoam is headquartered in Singapore with data centers in Singapore and US. GlobalRoam is the first OTC-quoted company in Singapore. For more details, visit www.globalroam.com.

ICT Infrastructure Projects In Hungary

Signed agreement - A win-win situation

Singapore Technologies Electronics Limited (ST Electronics) and Albacomp Computers Company (Albacomp) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly pursue and implement ICT (Information Communication Technologies) -based infrastructure projects for the public and private sectors in Hungary. Albacomp is amongst the five largest IT companies in Hungary and is based in Székesfehérvár, 60km from Budapest. Witnessed by Singapore’s Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong and Hungary’s Minister of Economy & Transport, Mr Janos Koka, the MOU was signed in Budapest during the Singapore-Hungary Business Forum, organised as part of PM Lee Hsien Loong's official visit to Hungary. ST Electronics is the electronics arm of Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering).

As a start, both companies have identified and agreed to pursue two public projects in Hungary, in mass transit applications and in e-Government solutions. The companies expect potential market opportunities worth more than US$100m in the near term.

“ST Electronics has built up a solid track record in offering innovative ICT solutions in Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region, Gulf States, Kazakhstan and Africa. In the area of transportation systems, we have secured a total of about US$1b worth of contracts, and have in May this year added a US$83m (S$123m) contract in Turkey for a mass transit project. Our strategy is to work with strong partners, and hence, we are delighted to work with Albacomp to develop more business opportunities in Hungary. Through this partnership, we also aim to gain a strong foothold in Central and Eastern Europe.”

~ SEAH Moon Ming, President, ST Electronics

APICTA Singapore Send-off Party 2007

On the 10 October 2007, results for the Asia Pacific Infocomm Technology Alliance (APICTA) Singapore 2007 were announced at the NTU Alumni Clubhouse.

Held for the first time this year in Singapore, the 7th APICTA Awards, organised by the Singapore infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF), will provide a platform for innovators and entrepreneurs in the ICT sectors to benchmark their products against those from other member economies. This year, APICTA Singapore 2007 received a record 70 nominations from 15 categories. 44 shortlisted products/applications from 39 companies/institutions will stand a chance to be part of Team Singapore, representing Singapore in the Regional APICTA 2007 Awards to be held here from 26-29 November 2007. Some of the other 16 participating member economies include Australia, China, Hong Kong, India and Korea.

Welcome Speech by APICTA Chairman - Mr Goh Chin Teck

Welcome Speech

The session started with a welcome speech by APICTA Chairman, Mr Goh Chin Teck, who expressed his thanks to all participants for sending in their nominations and spoke of his high hopes for APICTA Team Singapore to scale new heights. Team Singapore achieved 3 winners and 1 merit in APICTA 2006. However, with record nominations and “home ground” advantage this year, Mr Goh hopes that Team Singapore will be able to outshine the achievements last year.

Panel of judges (from left to right) -

Mr Lee Ban Cheong, Prof Steven Miller, Prof Daniel Tan,

Dr Robert De Souza, Mr Alex Lin

Judges Feedback

Following the welcome speech, judges of APICTA Singapore were invited on stage to give their guidance and feedback on the participants. These useful feedback include clarity in message, visual representation and the mentality to win. The judges were also impressed by the students’ presentations in terms of their understanding from subject concern and their ability to break down complex ideas into simple ideas through a narration.

"Who wants to win APICTA 2007?" - Ms Deborah

Presentation skills

The participants were then given a short presentation by Ms Deborah Torres Patel, an extremely lively presenter. Ms Deborah re-emphasized the importance of the winning mentality in her presentation.

Award Winners

APICTA Singapore 07 Trophies

Masters of IT Innovation

Category Winners:

1. Applications And Infrastructure Tools - Elixir Technology Pte Ltd
2. Communications Applications - Innoxius Technologies
3. Education & Training - Nanyang Technological University
4. E-government & Services - Central Provident Fund Board
5. E-Logistics - Transmex Systems
6. Financial Applications - Protege Software Pte Ltd
7. General Applications - Tagit Pte Ltd
8. Industrial Applications - Anacle Systems Pte Ltd
9. Media and Entertainment - Innoxius Technologies
10. Research & Development - Clearhub Pte Ltd
11. Secondary School Project - Hwa Chong Institution
12. Security - Data Security Systems Solutions Pte Ltd
13. Start-Up - Ohanae Pte Ltd
14. Tertiary Student Project - Singapore Polytechnic
15. Tourism and Hospitality - ST Electronics (Info-Comm Systems) Pte Ltd

For complete list of Team Singapore nominees: click here

For more photographs: click here to view gallery

http://picasaweb.google.com/sitf.sg/APICTATeamSingaporeSendOffPartyNTUAlumniClubhouse

DMC Social Dinner & Gaming with Halo 3 - 11 Oct 07

Mr Chewy Chong showing

the coolest technology

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Digital Media Chapter (DMC) had a social dinner at Microsoft Singapore on 11 Oct 07. XBO360s were also wired up for members to let their hair down with the latest gaming experience – Halo 3.

Microsoft host

The host for the evening was Mr Chewy Chong, developer evangelist of Microsoft Singapore Pte Ltd. Mr Chong played a good host, showing off the coolest gadgets and technology available in the Microsoft Innovation Centre. Meanwhile, some other members tried out Halo 3 – a first person shooting game revolving a storyline about fighting aliens. The evening ended with dinner and a little casual chat among participants.

Below are some pictures from the evening.

Let the gaming begin!

"I'm going to beat you down!"

For more pictures, be sure to check out our photo gallery!

DMC Social Dinner with Halo 3

Public Seminar - Scaling the summit for infocomm industry - Jointly organised by SiTF with SBF

Scaling the infocomm summit - SBF

This event is a partnership between SBF and SiTF to highlight new IT initiatives and innovative IT solutions for the Information Communication Technology (ICT) industry. Targeted at both IT companies as well as end users of IT solutions, the event will give the latest updates on the Infocomm Singapore Initiative as well as Singapore Infocomm Industry Portal, two initiatives under the Intelligent Nation 2015 (iN2015) Masterplan to enhance the branding of Singapore IT companies and to provide them with a marketing platform to establish a global presence.

The event will also feature the first of an ongoing series of “birds-of-a-feather” sessions highlighting innovative IT solutions from leading Singapore IT companies who took part in the Asia Pacific Information Communication Technology (ICT) Award (APICTA) in the past years across 16 different domain areas, in this case media and entertainment, security, wireless & communications and general applications. There will be plenty of opportunities for learning, networking, business matching, collaboration and technology & marketplace updates.

The morning session was kick started by Mr. Patrick Chan, Director, Industry Development, SBF who welcomes everyone to the public seminar, jointly organised by SiTF and SBF. After which, the Deputy Director, of Industry Development, IDA, Mr Low Aik Lim gave a welcome address and update on iN2015.

Following which, Mr Ng See Sing, General Manager, Portal City NCS Pte Ltd introduced the features of SIIP and adminstered by infocomm singapore branding intiative by SiTF.

After the morning tea-break and networking session, audience gathered in the room for a more exciting presentations of innovations and solutions.

Past winners of APICTA presented their innovations to the audience, including lively presentations from:
- DigiSafe (ST electronics) - infocomm security provider
Digi presented on their new product - DiskCrypt Mobile - World's first encrypting hard drive enclosure with smartcard protection

- Thio Fu Wang, presenting on product 'Radian Trust' from CrisonLogic. Radian Trust is a secured method of protecting health documents, "Your documents are your credibility".
RadianTrust is an end-to-end security service provider specialising in the government, legal, trade and logistics and healthcare sectors. Our experienced security consultants have the expertise to help you balance your business needs and security risks through proven processes and methodologies.

- Darius Cheng, from Wave Secure (Founder and CEO of tencube)


By Chai Pei Shan

Up Close and Personal with SiTF 2nd Vice Chairman 2007/08 - Dr. Chong Yoke Sin

“I firmly believe that SiTF deserves to be the voice of the IT industry.
As such, my interests in SiTF are about helping our companies establish ourselves firmly in the Singapore and global space, by being recognized as a trusted brand.”
– Dr. Chong Yoke Sin.

Hi Dr Chong, please tell us more about yourself.
I am currently the Chief Executive Officer of NCS Group and have been in the IT industry for 25 years. I started my career as a chemist before I dived into IT, starting out as a Systems Engineer. In the span of my career, I have taken on different areas including technical specialist, account management, as well as consulting in the domains of banking and government. I am a firm believer of creativity in everything we do.

During your free time, what do you enjoy doing most? What are your hobbies?
I enjoy reading, listening to music, brisk walking, and perhaps a spot of golf.

Dr Chong, what is your philosophy in life?

“It is better to put more life in your years than years in your life.”

:: On your passion and the spirit of volunteerism ::
My passion is to take NCS Group global and to do my part to help create a vibrant IT industry in Singapore, as well as to learn and grow with my fellow leaders in the industry. I believe in equality and justice for all, and availing opportunities to people who would otherwise not be able to know of them.

On volunteerism, I would like to spend more time with the elderly, and also to give more time to church and social work.

Do share with us more about your interests and involvement with SiTF.
I firmly believe that SiTF deserves to be the voice of the IT industry. As such, my interests in SiTF are about helping our companies establish ourselves firmly in the Singapore and global space, by being recognized as a trusted brand.

I am active in the e-Government chapter that promotes the Singapore quality of Government and systems to the rest of the world. The goal of the e-Government chapter is to make known our companies who have engaged in the various successes of the Singapore Government, to the rest of the world. At the same time, we hope to create business opportunities for Singapore companies overseas.

:: On leadership::

Moving forward, how do you see yourself as the role of the Vice Chaiman and areas of contributions?
I hope to work with our fellow councilors in promoting the cause of SiTF and the Singapore IT quality brand overseas. We are fortunate to have a dedicated team of councilors who readily give of their time and resources for the cause of the SiTF, and a competent Secretariat who looks after the operations of the SiTF.

We have good camaraderie among the Exco and Secretariat, which makes our work even more fun and meaningful.

As a Vice Chairman of SITF, do share with us your vision/aspirations for SiTF in the coming year/and strategic direction for SiTF.
We hope to rope in business associations into the SiTF, create more business opportunities for our members, and add more value to the activities for our members. Hopefully, more organisations will find it meaningful to join the SiTF.

::Profile::

2nd Vice Chairman
Dr Chong Yoke Sin, Chief Executive Officer, NCS Group

Yoke Sin is the chief executive officer of NCS Group. She has played an instrumental role in the rapid growth of NCS. Under her leadership, NCS has achieved seven times growth in revenues and is now the largest IT company in Singapore and No. 10 in the Asia Pacific region.

A well-respected veteran in the IT industry, Yoke Sin is a member of several government computerization project steering committees and is active in several IT and business associations. Amongst other key appointments, she sits on the Boards of the Health Sciences Authority, Women Leadership Board of The Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and the Institute of Systems Science at the National University of Singapore.

In addition, she is a regular contributor on e-Government issues in The Straits Times and The Business Times (Singapore). She also speaks frequently at regional conferences and has authored several papers on e-Government.

This is the second term that Dr Chong is serving as the esteemed 2^nd Vice-Chairman for SiTF. She is also the current Chairman of the eGov Chapter and 2006/07.

Story by: Chai Pei Shan

:: Press Release :: 44 Teams Emerge Victorious in Singapore League of APICTA Awards 2007

::Press Release::
44 Teams Emerge Victorious in Singapore League of APICTA Awards 2007

SINGAPORE, October 10, 2007 — The most innovative local Infocomm Technology (ICT) companies that will represent Singapore in this year’s prestigious regional Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Awards, were announced at an awards ceremony today.

Held for the first time this year in Singapore, the 7th APICTA Awards, organised by the Singapore infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF), will provide a platform for innovators and entrepreneurs in the ICT sectors to benchmark their products against those from other member economies. This year’s event is also being held concurrently with the Asia-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization (ASOCIO) ICT Summit, for the first time. ASOCIO.APICTA Singapore will provide an excellent platform for networking and product benchmarking for ICT innovators and entrepreneurs in the region and will also spark off synergy in the areas of technology exchanges, ICT innovation and creativity, trade partnerships and opportunities for the ICT industry.

More than 70 local SMEs/institutions from the ICT sector competed in the Singapore League this year, more than triple the number of companies as last year. The 44 shortlisted companies will stand a chance to be part of Team Singapore, representing Singapore in the Regional APICTA 2007 Awards to be held here from 26-29 November 2007. Some of the other 16 participating member economies include Australia, China, Hong Kong, India and Korea.

The Selection Process

In order to qualify for the APICTA Awards, companies/institutions had to submit products for which the intellectual property rights are owned by a locally registered business or locally-based organization. The submission of entries for the awards closed on July 31, 2007 and teams were qualified for the shortlisting round based on product information that was submitted. Shortlisted products were judged based on a 35-minute presentation to a judging panel held between 4-6 September 2007. The products were evaluated on criteria such as the uniqueness of the product, the market potential, the functionalities and features, quality and application of technology as well as presentation.

Award Winners

Under the “Applications and Infrastructure Tools” category, Elixir Technology walked away with top honours for “Elixir Repertoire”, an application which fully embraces a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), making available Business Intelligence capabilities as well Web Services. “Elixir Repertoire” acts as the unifying business intelligence engine to power the new generation of enterprise applications. (Elixir is Red Herring 100 Asia Finalist Awards)

The winner for the “Communications Applications” category was Innoxius Technologies with its "WiFi TV" submission which is likely to be the world's first mass mobile media enabling solution. This solution converges broadcast mobile television over WiFi-networks and enables WiFi-enabled devices to receive the same broadcast mobile television content via the associated wireless access points. (Innoxius Technologies is Red Herring Asia 100 Winner, 2006)

Statutory Boards such as the Central Provident Fund Board also garnered an award in the “E-Community & E-Government” category with “my CPF - Different Strokes for Different Folks”, a proactive customised service framework which enables CPF members to transact electronically and conveniently via multiple electronic platforms such as the internet, biometric e-counters, mobile phones and islandwide kiosks. Aside from SMEs, educational institutions in Singapore were also recognized for their innovative ICT products. Crystal, an easily deployable web application framework developed by Hwa Chong Institution, which is able to support network-based applications on either a single server or geographically distributed servers without any modifications, won in the Secondary Student Project category. For the full list of companies/institutions shortlisted to be part of Team Singapore, please refer to Annex A.

Annex A – Companies/Institutions Shortlisted to Participate in Regional APICTA Awards 2007

1. Category: Applications and Infrastructure Tools

Elixir Technologies (Winner), ST Electronics (Info-Comm Systems) Pte Ltd, Genovate Pte Ltd

2. Category: Communications Applications

Innoxius Technologies (Winner), Eastcom Systems Pte Ltd, Clearhub Pte Ltd

3. Category: Education & Training

Nanyang Technology University (Winner), Temasek Polytechnic, Central Provident Fund

4. Category: E-Community & E-Government

Central Provident Fund (Winner), ST Electronics (Info-Software Systems Pte Ltd), Singapore Computer Systems Limited

5. Category: E-Logistics

Transmex Systems (Winner), Autoscan Technology Pte Ltd, GUI Solutions Pte Ltd

6. Category: Financial Applications

Protégé Software (S) Pte Ltd (Winner), ChainFusion Ltd

7. Category: General Applications

Tagit Pte Ltd (Winner), Cadi Scientific Pte Ltd, Central Provident Fund

8. Category: Industrial Applications

Anacle System Pte Ltd (Winner), Eubiq Pte Ltd, Singapore Health Services

9. Category: Media and Entertainment

Innoxius Technologies Pte Ltd (Winner), G Element Pte Ltd, DataMark Technologies Pte Ltd

10. Category: Research & Development

Clearhub Pte Ltd (Winner), Singapore Health Services, Data Security Systems Solutions Pte Ltd

11. Category: Secondary Student Project

Hwa Chong Institution (Winner), Raffles Institution, Jurong Secondary School

12. Category: Security

Data Security Systems Solutions Pte Ltd (Winner), Radian Trust, SecureAge Technology Pte Ltd

13. Category: Start-Up

Ohanae (Winner), Genometri Pte Ltd, TCM RFiD Pte Ltd

14. Category: Tertiary Student Project

Singapore Polytechnic (Winner), Singapore Institute of Management Pte, Temasek Polytechnic

15. Category: Tourism and Hospitality

ST Electronics (Winner), Hutcabb Consulting Pte Ltd, NCS Pte Ltd

For media enquiries, please contact:
Harpreet Kaur/Jenny Goo
PR Communications Pte Ltd
Tel: (65) 6227 2135
Fax: (65) 6227 3915
E-mail: harpreet@prcomm.com.sg/jenny@prcomm.com.sg

http://picasaweb.google.com/sitf.sg/APICTATeamSingaporeSendOffPartyNTUAlumniClubhouse

Click to see more!