Initiative supports Singapore’s Smart Nation vision by transforming industries through networked intelligence
Singapore, 26 November 2015 – Microsoft today announced their ongoing commitment to build the intelligent cloud platform by empowering over 50 IT partners, including independent software vendors and application builder partners in Singapore, to help public and private organisations leverage the Internet of Things (IoT) to reimagine their businesses in a connected world envisioned by Singapore’s Smart Nation vision. Specifically, these partners will build applications by harnessing untapped data for actionable insights that can help organisations be more customer obsessed, transform into a digital business, and become more responsive.
As data and devices continue to proliferate, there is vast opportunity for businesses to tap into their data to make their applications more intelligent. The convergence of connectivity, cloud and mobility technologies have also help to create a shift in enterprise models towards IoT to reimagine their businesses.
Microsoft’s IoT partners were selected because they had shown at an early stage that they understood the depth of the transformation that can be realised through the acceleration of IoT, and by the level of engagement they have in providing IoT solutions for customers. They are already working with customers in vertical markets including manufacturing, oil and gas, building management, and healthcare co-develop solutions around asset management, smart building facilities, remote monitoring and predictive maintenance to create an ecosystem which integrates devices, connectivity and analytics through a cloud platform.
Through this initiative, Microsoft will enable these selected IT partners to rapidly expand their IoT capabilities in Singapore by partnering closely with them to enhance their skillsets and capabilities. Partners will also have deeper access to Microsoft’s Azure IoT Suite technical roadmap, while working closely with these Microsoft to optimise their go-to-market strategies.
Among these partners are Astoria Solutions, Nextan, and S3 Innovate:
- Astoria is one of the earliest ISV partners in Singapore, and South East Asia, to adopt Azure, and whose key customers are in the oil and gas industry where operating environments are highly hazardous. Astoria developed the SafeSmart™ solution by combining RFID, sensor-to-cloud and software to pin-point the number and location of workers in real time, and in an unobtrusive way, to improve the safety and accountability of customers’ workforce, especially in high-risk environments. The data generated can also be processed or data-mined for useful information regarding man-hours worked by the various trades, contributing to adherence of overall project schedules; and thus earning early completion bonuses or avoiding late delivery penalties.
- Nextan is leveraging IoT, analytics with machine learning, cloud and sensors, to help Singapore address an ageing and shrinking population by providing response and care services that connect services such as vital signs monitoring and tele-medicine in a one-stop service cloud for the Smart Home of the future. It developed an Eldercare Management System that comprises motion sensors, emergency buttons, and bed sensors that alert care givers in situations of emergency. The system also predicts irregularities in the lifestyles of the elderly such as frequent toilet activity or infrequent sleep activity that allow care givers to detect potential medical symptoms such as sleeping disorder and urinary tract infections for early treatment.
- S3 Innovate, also a Microsoft BizSpark Plus partner, applies smart cloud-based IoT technologies, including the Microsoft Azure IoT Suite and advanced analytics such as machine learning, to connect everything, everywhere, and all the time to return meaningful insights to their customers in building and environment, transportation, health and education industries. In a recent collaboration with the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore, S3 Innovate implemented a Chiller Efficiency Smart Portal that collects, visualises and analyses chiller efficiencies of 30 buildings in Singapore.
“We live in a connected world, and the Internet of Things are allowing organisations to accomplish what was previously unimaginable – or so costly as to be prohibitive to all but the largest organisations – just a few short years ago. More importantly, adoption of IoT is fostering innovation that benefits both organisations and their customers, and helping Singapore to become closer to being a Smart Nation by harnessing networked intelligence,” said Gerald Leo, Director, Small Midmarket Solutions and Partner Group, Microsoft Singapore.
To help industries accelerate the adoption of IoT and build successful IoT practices, Microsoft is investing in our partners to ensure success in the rapidly growing IoT market. In addition to offering technical courses to ensure that the partners are able to build capabilities, we are also extending Microsoft resources to help partners develop business go-to-market models and grow their IoT offerings. This is in addition to our recent launch of Azure IoT Suite which enables rapid scalability through pre-configured solutions and delivery through the Microsoft Partner Network.
As part of nurturing the local IoT ecosystem, the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) School of Design and Environment and Microsoft announced the collaboration on the Centre for Integrated Building Energy and Sustainability in the Tropics (CiBEST) to develop cutting-edge expertise in designing energy efficient and sustainable buildings in the tropical climate. Over a period of five years, CiBEST will receive funding of close to S$3 million to strengthen and deepen its capabilities to develop itself as a global leader in this important area that is strategic for Singapore as the nation makes rapid progress to become a Smart Nation. Microsoft as the technology partner will help CiBEST leverage big data technology, including cloud (Azure), machine learning and analytics, to help cities in the tropics be more resilient and sustainable, as well as progress Singapore as a Smart Nation.