SCS Magazine 2017 Issue 2

THE

MCI (P) 102/07/2016

EVERYDAY TECH = EVERYDAY HACK 02 The Ride for Bike-sharing Business: Uphill or Downhill?

SOCIETY

04 How NLB Keeps Our Love for Reading Alive?

The Magazine of the Singapore Computer Society

06 Find out Why Technology has a Place in Pest Control

Issue

02 2017

Contents EDITOR’S MESSAGE

POWER BOOST

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Technology is Affecting Our Everyday Lives

THE BIG IDEA

Vision To be the leading infocomm and digital media professional society in Singapore

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To lead and contribute to the vibrancy and growth of Singapore’s infocomm and digital media industry

#LATEST@SCS 18

Appointment of SCS Executive Council Members

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How NLB Keeps Our Love for Reading Alive?

SCS Welcomes New Honorary Advisory Council Members

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Find out Why Technology has a Place in Pest Control

Conferment of Fellow Status for Eight SCS Members

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Line-up of SCS Chapters and Special Interest Groups

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SCS Upcoming Events

The Ride for Bike-sharing Business: Uphill or Downhill?

What is the Future of Rail?

Mission Lead the Way

How Everyday Tech has Changed Without You Realising

SPOTLIGHT 10

Tan Kiat How Talks about IMDA

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Alex Lau Explains Why Innovation is Not an Everyday Man’s Job

GEEK SPEAK 25

Same Same but Different (…and Still the Same)!

Add Value To add value to the infocomm and digital media professional’s career and personal development

Be the Voice To engage and be the voice of the infocomm and digital media community

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FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

9:41 AM

Like it or not – Technology is Affecting the Way We Eat, Sleep and Live

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e’ve all heard how technology is here to improve our lives and make things easier. Indeed, technology has brought convenience in many ways – instead of searching for that elusive book by walking up and down library aisles, you can now reserve the book online and selfcollect it from the reservation lockers conveniently located outside the libraries. And bike-sharing businesses such as oBike has just rewritten the rulebook of first- and last-mile travel in Singapore.

Truly, the positives of technology are aplenty. And the real impact of technology on our lives goes beyond the ones we use in our everyday living to include those that happen without our realisation. Just imagine life without smart sensors – maintenance of our MRT train system will happen when it is too late and pests like rats will have to run amok on the streets before we discover infestations. Dreadful possibilities right?

Aren’t we glad that technology is decidedly here to stay? Well, if it is up to Tan Kiat How, Chief Executive of Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore, and his team, we can expect technology to become more accessible and relevant in the days ahead.

But while government support is essential in ensuring that no one gets left behind in these times of

EDITOR Tan Teng Cheong CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Elgin Ee Lynnette Kang Khoo Li Ying Vladyslav Koshelyev Greg Ong EDITORIAL SUPPORT Claudia Lim

ADVERTISING SALES & ADMIN Claudia Lim For ad sales enquiries, Tel: 6226 2567 ext 12 Email: claudia.lim@scs.org.sg Mailing Address 53 Neil Road Singapore 088891 EMAIL scs.secretariat@scs.org.sg EDITORIAL & DESIGN Lancer Design Pte Ltd

digital transformation, the growing importance of technology holds an added significance for us – the tech professionals. As pathfinders in this digital journey, the onus is on us to stand up to the test both in terms of our resilience and innovativeness. In which aspect, Alex Lau from Anacle Systems has proven his mettle with his products and his dedication to all things innovative.

Being the biggest infocomm and digital media professional society in Singapore, SCS is mindful that our decisions and actions contribute to shaping a more vibrant and progressive local tech community.

That is why we take a proactive and serious approach towards the appointment of our executive and honorary advisory council members, and encourage your participation in our Chapters and Special Interest Groups. We are confident that – together we will be able to steer the ship we are in towards brighter and broader horizons.

For starters, enjoy your dose of The IT Society!

TAN TENG CHEONG Editor Fellow, SCS tengcheong.tan@scs.org.sg

FEEDBACK We value your feedback for this magazine. Simply email scs.secretariat@scs.org.sg with your comments to help us produce an even more interesting and relevant magazine for you in subsequent issues. You are welcome to submit articles for inclusion consideration.

For advertising enquiries, please call 6226 2567 or email scs.secretariat@scs.org.sg. The IT Society is the official publication of the Singapore Computer Society. Any part of this publication may be reproduced as long as credit is given to the publisher, Singapore Computer Society.

All views expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Society.

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THE BIG IDEA

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THE IT SOCIETY / Issue 02/2017

Bike-sharing Business – Is it an Uphill or a Downhill Ride?

ELGIN EE Country General Manager, oBike Asia

The sharing economy has transformed the way we live, work, play and travel. These include sharing homes with tourists, private cars with strangers and, the latest, bicycles. Within a short span of six months – starting from January to June 2017 – three bike-sharing operators have exploded into the scene. Today, sightings of yellow and orange bikes have become common on the streets of Singapore.

One wonders how the local pioneer in bike-sharing business, oBike, is enjoying the ride thus far and keeping its lead on the competition.

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rior to the inception of bikesharing operators, cycling is often perceived as a form of sports or leisure activity in Singapore. Who would have pictured that smart bicycles parked all around Singapore was all it took for people to start seeing cycling as an inexpensive mode of transportation and, more fundamentally, inspire widespread interest in cycling. Indeed, to say that oBike has built an innovative business is an understatement. It has paved the way for a new means of getting around in Singapore.

BIKE-OWNERSHIP VERSUS BIKE-SHARING Let’s face it. Singaporeans, unlike people in many other countries, are not huge cycling fans. While the sweltering weather is definitely a contributing factor, scarce bicycle parking racks, insufficient designated cycling paths and busy roads also made bike ownership less essential and attractive compared to car ownership, despite the high cost of the latter.

However, thanks to oBike, cycling has

become an activity that is no longer tied to bike ownership. As long as one has a smartphone (which is almost everyone today) and the user-friendly mobile app installed, they can scan, hop on and hop off, anytime – be it in the wee hours of the morning or the middle of the night; and get to anywhere, regardless of the destination, whether it is to the nearest train station or the neighbouring supper place.

And these are not the only conveniences bike-sharing services like oBike offer.

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Other than having to exercise care when riding, users are not expected to carry out any bike maintenance duties such as cleaning the bike or oiling the gears. In addition, stress arising from potential theft is also non-existent.

All in all, the key driving force behind the growing bike-sharing craze in Singapore has to be the freedom to drop off bikes at any designated public bike-parking zone. This provides optimum flexibility for users – they can choose to change their transport modes or routes as they wish without being limited to fixed starting and ending points.

CYCLING AS A BETTER WAY TO COMMUTE And truly, cycling has proven to be more than just an environmentally friendly option for first- and last-mile commuting. For an urban city like Singapore where traffic congestion is an everyday reality, bike-sharing services also help to ease traffic congestion by connecting the mile from home or office to bus stop or MRT station and vice versa; making the travelling experience on public transport more seamless.

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THE BIG IDEA

Although some may argue that existing feeder bus services have already taken care of this need, there is no denial that bike-sharing services triumph in giving users flexibility and control. Users have absolute control in the time they start and end the journey and the preferred route to take.

for future collaborations. As a homegrown company, oBike also has a better understanding of the population’s lifestyle habits. This proved to be especially critical in the early days of operations which helped determine the optimal spots for deployment of bikes.

In addition, the Singapore government’s continued push in creating a carlite society and the promise of the completion of a 360-kilometre cycling path network by 2020 has also fuelled the appeal of cycling.

Since then, oBike has been leveraging on analytics to learn more about usage behaviours, including duration of use, distance travelled, and the popular starting and ending points.

In addition, continuous enhancement of mobile application features in response to user feedback, and proactive expansion and upgrading of physical bikes fleet have also kept oBike ahead of its peers.

SUSTAINABILITY OF BIKESHARING AS A BUSINESS At a glance, everything looks rosy for the bike-sharing business – favourable opportunities and strong market demand. But surely, three operators to serve a population of about 5.6 million, is one too many. Fortunately, oBike not only enjoys the first mover advantage, but also home ground familiarity.

As a first mover, oBike has established strong relationships with the local authorities and town councils. This facilitates discussions on arising issues as well as cements opportunities

Before 2017, bike-sharing exists merely as a concept. Today, with an estimated combined fleet size of 30,000 bikes among three operators, it is a thriving industry with evidence to suggest that it will continue to grow at an accelerating pace. And in the case of oBike, the sights are already set for the next lap – Southeast Asia.

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THE BIG IDEA

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THE IT SOCIETY / Issue 02/2017

How Technology Keeps Our Love for Reading Alive Many of us would have grown up with libraries playing a big part in our lives.

Against the backdrop of an increasingly affluent society and convenient access to abundant reading materials on the Internet, libraries have continued to feature prominently in our everyday lives through the engagement of technology to stay relevant to users and the community.

LYNNETTE KANG Librarian, Public Library Services, National Library Board

KHOO LI YING Project Manager, Technology and Innovation, National Library Board

TECHNOLOGY AS AN ENABLER TO BETTER USERS’ EXPERIENCE Managing a network of 26 public libraries across the island, the National Library Board (NLB) has consistently focused on adopting technology to transform well-used, process-heavy services, by shifting service delivery away from manual touch points and towards technologydriven interfaces. NLB was one of the first libraries in the world to implement Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to track the movement of library items.

This transformation enabled our users to

check-out and return items independently.

Self-checkout stations, which were introduced to public libraries in 1998, reduced the time needed to borrow a library item from 45 to less than 5 minutes. Subsequently, transaction kiosks known as eKiosks provided a one-stop, self-service platform for a variety of transactional and payment functions.

Users not only enjoyed significant time savings but were also able to complete more transactions on their own.

Most recently, Reservation Lockers give users the convenience of self-collecting their reserved library items. This was previously a two-stop process that required staff to manually retrieve library items and then process the loan. The new service enables users, who receive SMS notifications when their items are ready for collection, to retrieve and borrow the items in a single step by scanning their library cards. Accessible even outside library opening hours, the lockers give users absolute flexibility in collecting their items.

BEYOND PHYSICAL LIBRARY SPACES Recognising that Singapore has one of the world’s highest mobile penetration rates1 averaging 149.2% between July to December 2016, it was evident that library service innovations should be adapted to a digital lifestyle through extended offerings to the online space.

In response, the library has invested significantly in its digital provisions. In addition to e-content subscriptions, massive efforts have been made to digitise local content, and collaborate with local newspaper vendors to provide digital newspapers. These materials are now easily accessible online, and users can access NLB’s websites and e-resources on their mobile devices. Digital content displays and reading terminals in newer libraries also allow users to browse seamlessly across print and digital content. Such initiatives allow customers to access NLB’s e-contents seamlessly, anytime, anywhere.

According to published figures by Infocomm Media Development Authority on https://www.imda. gov.sg/industry-development/facts-and-figures/telecommunications/statistics-on-telecom-services/ statistic-on-telecom-service-for-2016--jul

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READING ON THE GO A new mobile application, called NLB Mobile, was launched in September 2014. Beyond transactional services, the application provides easy access to NLB’s other services and collections, delivering value to users with diverse information needs.

A key feature of the app makes innovative use of the smartphone camera to scan NLB bar codes, allowing library users to check-out physical books on the spot (for example, while they are browsing the shelves) using their own mobile devices. Library users can now perform transactions on their phones which previously could only be done at stations in fixed locations, a major breakthrough innovation in libraries around the world.

The app, which underwent a revamp and was re-launched in 2016 with a suite of new and enhanced features, was a key milestone in NLB’s efforts to provide an even more personalised and contextualised experience for patrons, seamlessly

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integrating the physical and digital library spaces. The new NLB Mobile app interface not only allows discovery of both physical and digital resources, but also provides up-todate information on library events and programmes. Users are able to receive recommendations of events and titles based on their own location and borrow history. The app also includes a catalogue search function that searches across NLB’s physical and digital collections, and allows users to borrow and read eBooks and eAudiobooks within the same app environment. This ensures a seamless browsing experience of digital resources on personal devices regardless of whether they are outside or within the libraries.

The NLB Mobile app won the prestigious American Library Associations’ (ALA) Presidential Citation for Innovative International Library Projects in 2015, and the Best Community Service / Government

THE BIG IDEA

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app at the Mob-Ex awards in 2017.

Several enhancements are already in the pipeline for subsequent releases, including the integration and access to eMagazines and eNewspapers.

LOOKING AHEAD There is no doubt that the true value of NLB remains the same – a reliable provider of quality information resources. Intrinsically, this has propelled NLB to proactively expand digital collections to provide access to popular reading materials such as digital books, magazines and newspapers.

In summary, thoughtful use of technology provides a great tool for the library to deliver value to users who now have different information consumption patterns. To that end, the NLB has put various digital and technological strategies in place to ensure that the organisation is always able to meet its commitment to deliver a delightful user experience for all library patrons. This is an ongoing journey – and NLB is well prepared for it.

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THE BIG IDEA

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Possibilities are Limited Only by Your Imagination Interest in Internet of Things (IoT) is gaining traction.

And not just among the tech community. Many people and businesses are equally excited about the potential IoT can bring to their personal and business productivity.

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ndeed, apart from enabling increased visibility and capability over current methods, IoT has the power to transform work processes and create new business value like never before.

No wonder so many businesses look to leverage IoT as THE solution to higher return on investment. But, is IoT truly the answer to increasing productivity and profitability? We think it may well be.

SAY GOODBYE TO INEFFICIENCIES Very often, challenges confronting today’s business can be traced to the adequacy and efficiency of resources. This translates into the deployment of more resources in a traditional business context. With IoT, however, problems are first distilled down to the vital few things that can be automated while retaining the key process. Targeted solutions are then developed accordingly.

The implication of this is huge for business productivity. Beyond taking on mundane tasks that neither add significant business value nor inspire employee motivation, machines are known to be more consistent performers than humans. Not only are they unlikely to be demotivated, the only time turnover happens is when the system is faulty or when a system upgrade is in order.

WELCOME VALUE CREATION WITH OPEN ARMS While it is evident that there is everything to gain with the adoption of IoT solutions, there seems to be less enthusiasm when it comes to IoT implementation because of the perceived risks of the unknown.

Doubts such as “is technology really

reliable” and “surely the humans can do a better job than the machines” continue to be the main psychological hurdles for many in the management. Employees likewise resist IoT, fearing that the machines will replace them.

Truth is, there is everything to love about IoT systems – both for the management and the employees. For the former, they improve their team’s productivity and enjoy a more motivated workforce; for the latter, they can now spend more time dealing with root causes, listening to customers and building better customer relationships. A positive and driven environment results amidst higher productivity and improved return on investments.

THE IT SOCIETY / Issue 02/2017

GREG ONG IoT Evangelist, Vital Xense

GO BACK TO BASICS A reality check tells us that IoT delivers the best value when IoT system developers work hand-in-hand with the users to establish an in-depth understanding of the various domain areas and how they function. No two companies are the same – even when they are in the same industry or competing for the same business – because processes are typically unique.

That is why IoT developers need domain knowledge to specifically tailor the technology to the tasks at hand and devise solutions that effectively address the needs and requirements of the users.

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THE BIG IDEA

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A Smart Rodent Monitoring System Business Challenge A major pest control company in Singapore wanted to automate the inspection of rodent traps across their installed base.

The Situation Having to carry out rodent trap inspections manually caused the company to face manpower shortage and scheduling problems from time to time.

The Solution The company decides to do away with routine manual inspections totally and rely instead on technology to monitor the rodent traps, changing their business model to one that manages by exception. Through the use of motion sensors, the company is not only able to detect snap trap activations, but also monitor bait consumption in bait station and rodent movement in known rodent runways. Once any abnormality is detected, a SMS and/or email will be sent to coordinators who would then dispatch personnel to conduct inspections, clean up or lay new bait.

Benefits arising from Deploying IoT Solution Greater Effectiveness After a period of time, the rodent situation becomes clear, allowing pest controllers to take appropriate actions to isolate and permanently eliminate rodent harbourages.

Zero Latency The use of technology to monitor the rodent traps enables the company to effectively keep tab on each trap 24/7 and 365 days in a year.

Advantage Using data points and reports generated by the system, the company can more effectively identify, isolate and eliminate rodent harbourages than their competitors.

About Vital Xense Vital Xense is an IoT engineering company that specialises in sensor platforms and cloud-ready solutions. Using patented technologies and industrial grade hardware and software platform solutions, Vital Xense helps companies deploy IoT solutions in their business.

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THE BIG IDEA

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The Future of Rail MRT trains move over half the Singapore population every day, place to place, empowering the conduct of everyday activities.

There is little margin for error. SMRT – one of the two rail operators in Singapore – harnesses technology to ensure reliability.

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n the last 30 years, ridership on the network, and correspondingly train frequencies, has increased tremendously.

Old maintenance regimes for hardware are no longer adequate; new ways of assessing risks are needed – particularly, the ability to track train conditions so that emerging issues can be rectified early before they cause problems. For which, sensors play a significant role – both in predicting future failures as well as enabling effective data collection.

SENSORS AS A MONITORING DEVICE Trains draw power from the power rail through train-mounted current collector device (CCD) shoes. If the power rail sags below an acceptable limit, a power disruption could be triggered. The sensors, which sit in tandem with the CCD shoes, measure the dynamic readings and ensure that the data, with variations as small as 1mm, are within safety thresholds. These mechanical sensors, which are currently mounted on five trains on the North-South and East-West Lines (NSEWL), monitor the condition of the power rail during service hours. In 2016, about half of all SMS alerts that were triggered prompted immediate rectification work.

EMPLOYING SENSORS FOR “SENSE-MAKING” All data collected weekly is plotted against data from previous weeks, allowing identification of preventive maintenance required for power rail segments. These sensors supplement the multifunctional vehicle (MFV) that circulates the entire track during engineering hours between 1am and 4am, collecting information on 16 parameters relating to the track and the power rail. One MFV takes about four to six months to cover the entire NSEWL. THE FUTURE ROLE OF SENSORS Using the latest available technology, including sensors and analytics, is a major part of the strategy to build a futureproof rail system. For that reason, a sensor system that will be able to watch for anomalous vibrations as proxies to track and train conditions is currently

under development. When the system is completed, new sensors placed along two to four sectors of the track and on two trains, will provide a running system health check on up to six parameters, including if and how much the rail has been worn down, and if there are cracks or chips on the track. On trains, details like the level of suspension or the condition of the wheels will also be monitored to positively impact the comfort of rides.

Beyond measuring critical systems, SMRT Trains is working to move to a stage where everything can be measured and resources can be better optimised while ensuring fewer delays and disruptions for commuters in the long run.

USE OF SENSORS IN A POWER RAIL INCIDENT RECOVERY 1

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Train-mounted sensor alerts on-board computer that the power rail had shifted out of position

SMS alerts concurrently sent to SMRT Trains’ 24/7 Maintenance Operations Centre at Bishan Depot, and the Emergency Response Unit

A visual check shows that the problem could not wait till the trains stop running at 1am

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Operations Control Centre switches off power

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Emergency Response Unit verifies power is off using voltage testers

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Perform rectification work (constant communication is maintained)

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Power is restored after all personnel and equipment is cleared from the track

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SPOTLIGHT

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THE IT SOCIETY / Issue 02/2017

The Digital Revolution:

Changing the Way We Work, Play and Live TAN KIAT HOW Chief Executive, Infocomm Media Development Authority Age: 40 Earliest Tech Experience: Programming computer games using BASIC! Lived through: Y2K and dot.com burst Studied: Computer Engineering and Economics Currently Reading: Rereading ‘Culture Matters’ by Samuel Huntington Pet Topic of the Moment: Digital Economy

A digital transformation is taking place and the extent of change promises to be more extensive than the wave of computerisation in the 1990s.

Tan Kiat How, Chief Executive, Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), provides insights on the authority’s role in spurring continued technological advancements while safeguarding interests of businesses and people.

Q: Question, KH: Kiat How ON THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE Q: How is the digital transformation in 2017 different from the one in 1990s?

KH: In the 1990s, the transformation was chiefly about digitisation. We were changing physical processes to digital processes. One example is bookkeeping – instead of keeping physical books, we use accounting software. At the risk of oversimplifying things, digitisation brought about increased productivity, processing speed and accuracy.

Today when we talk about digital transformation, we refer to digitalisation – the use of digital technologies to conduct business. What is the difference you may ask – digitalisation entails a deep fundamental change in how we do things. It transforms business models and makes us rethink about how things are done and resources are allocated. It also opens up new market opportunities and ways of generating revenue. For example,

many new businesses started life as a digital business before establishing a physical brick and mortar presence, challenging the status quo. Traditional businesses in turn respond by trying to transform into a digital first organisation.

Q: Why should we be excited about digitalisation?

KH: The transformation has given rise to new business opportunities like never before. Businesses in Singapore can now look beyond the market size of five million to reach out to the whole world and at a low cost. However, to fully leverage the opportunities presented by digitalisation, it is important for our workforce to learn new skills and embrace more open mindsets.

Hearteningly, in our interaction with companies across different sectors – finance, retail, security and cleaning, we are increasingly seeing people respond positively to digitalisation. They are prepared to disrupt themselves despite

profitability or revenue trade-off because they recognise that is necessary to stay competitive.

Q: What is IMDA’s role in empowering industry transformation?

KH: Our mission is to help Singapore remain at the forefront of technological innovation. And being an industry developer and regulator for telecommunications, media and personal data, we have a holistic appreciation for technology changes and technology needs. We are also at a vantage point to see and respond to emerging trends. For instance, our media sector today is very different – from advertising formats and news dissemination modes to content consumption habits. These changes call for different regulation frameworks to protect the interests of consumers.

In 10 to 20 years from now, as machine learning or artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more pervasive, we will

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increasingly confront the challenge of how to protect the privacy of individuals even as we make sense of data. With the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (PDPA) under the purview of IMDA, we are in a strong position to ensure our regulations remain pro-innovation and pro-business, and at the same time, protect an individual’s rights in this rapidly evolving space.

SPOTLIGHT

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sectors to enable outreach to more vulnerable segments of the community.

For example, while the Silver Infocomm Junction helps seniors pick up useful technology tips for their daily lives, the infocomm and assistive technology workshops at Enabling Village empower people with disabilities to participate more fully in society.

ON THE LOCAL TECH SCENE

Q: How else does IMDA advance Singapore towards the Smart Nation goal?

KH: To realise the Smart Nation vision, having a digital government and a digital economy is not enough. Our society must also embrace digital in a very inclusive manner. Technology has the power to benefit everyone regardless of age or physical abilities. However, not everyone enjoys the same accessibility for various reasons. It is thus our job to make technology available to them and include them in our pursuit of a Smart Nation. To which end, we have roped in partners from the private and people

Q: How can tech professionals benefit from the digital revolution?

KH: Growing at about 6% annually and creating many new jobs, there are exciting opportunities in the tech sector. Importantly, the tech sector has far-reaching potential to bring about transformation in every industry in our economy – from solving business problems today to capitalising on opportunities for the future. To harness the transformative power of technology, we need tech professionals to apply their mind and skills to solve

business problems today, think about opportunities for the future as well as reach out and help the vulnerable segment of our society.

Q: What is your advice for tech professionals to stay relevant in the fast changing digital landscape?

KH: Technology is changing at an increasing pace. Topics that we are concerned about now may become irrelevant or very different in three to five years’ time. Therefore, tech professionals ought to stay curious and always be prepared to learn and relearn, adopting best practices and new innovations. This also applies to professionals in other sectors as technological disruptions are far-reaching. Intrinsically, a nimble mind, an expansive worldview and a sense of humility are what will keep us rooted, relevant and progressive.

“Singapore is at an inflexion point in how we respond to digital disruptions. By bringing together the Media Development Authority, Infocomm Development Authority and Personal Data Protection Commission under one roof, we can have a more complete view of the developments, gain access to more levers and move nimbly to seize opportunities to make a positive difference for Singapore”

Everyone should embrace technology in everyday living because...

Who inspires you professionally?

What about the future tech landscape excites you?

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What is a quote you live by?

What is one advice for tech professionals?

You are a geek because you…

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THE IT SOCIETY / Issue 02/2017

Naked Truth:

Innovation is Not an Everyday Man’s Job ALEX LAU Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Anacle Systems SCS Entrepreneurship of the Year 2017 Age: 44 Earliest Tech Experience: Playing with Pong Machines and the Apple IIe Favourite Mobile Apps: Twitter, Wikipedia Intrigued by: Titbits on Natural History and Scientific Developments Current Pet Topic: Donald Trump Secret Career Ambition: To be a doctor

The popping up of the words “disruptive technology” every so often coupled with wildly successful start-up stories have made innovation seem like an easy feat even for the average Joe. Contrary to this perspective, The IT Society found out from our conversation with seasoned innovator Alex Lau, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Anacle Systems, that the road to true innovation is filled with challenges and backbreaking work.

Q: Question, AL: Alex Lau FROM LAB TO MARKET Q: Was coming out with the Starlight® Energy Management System (STARLIGHT) idea the hardest part?

AL: Every product idea starts with a pain point and it was not any different for STARLIGHT. We were working with a few real estate companies on another product and they shared about their challenge in managing energy costs. This was the time when oil and electricity prices were growing year on year, and constituted a huge part of operating expenditure. For these companies, a 1% saving makes a tangible positive impact to their bottom line. It was an obvious opportunity – there was a problem and a potential market; what we needed to do was to come out with the product.

Q: Was the subsequent research and development process equally smooth sailing?

AL: We set ourselves up for a challenge right from the beginning. Rather than positioning STARLIGHT as a system only for new buildings, we also targeted the product at existing buildings. After all, most mature economies, including Singapore, have many more old buildings than new ones. However, that also meant that we needed to work around existing building structures, retrofitting them so that we can accurately collect their energy consumption data and present it in a meaningful manner.

factors contributing to this challenging situation include a lack of testing laboratory for power instrumentation and control equipment in Southeast Asia.

To top it off, STARLIGHT consists of both software and hardware. The hardware component requires high investment of time and money in rounds of prototyping, lab testing, sample fabrications, etc. Other

Of course, this journey is also filled with its share of trials and tribulations. For example, in the early months of launch, we had to deal with many incidents involving lightning protection, and proper

Q: What kept the team going despite these challenges?

AL: We believed in our product and what it can do. And true enough, the market reacted well to STARLIGHT when it was launched. There was much interest in it and we made our first sale quickly. To date, we have deployed approximately 30,000 units. That is quite a feat if you were to consider that STARLIGHT was only commercialised in late 2011.

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installation and usage. Often, these incidents not only tested our customers’ confidence in us and our product, but also caused a strain on our resources.

Because fixing the problems often entail shutting down the whole building before replacing the faulty parts – compensating every tenant in the process – or waiting for business hours to be over before commencing repair works. The upside of going through these challenges is that we have become very disciplined. Today, our factory in India puts each unit through 72 tests to ensure a product lifespan of at least 15 years.

THE MAN BEHIND THE PRODUCT Q: What personal beliefs have guided you through this entire journey?

AL: There are two beliefs that I have held closely for most parts of my career. They may seem contradictory, but they actually make a lot of sense. The first is, “nobody owes me a living or my success.” It is a keen reminder that if I want to make it, I have to be the one to make it happen – hard work and all. The second is actually

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the same belief that makes the US great – an immutable belief that everyone is destined for great things and all is going to end well no matter what. This manifesto conditions one to be positive and forward-looking regardless of the circumstances.

Q: Do you have a most admired tech personality or company?

AL: My most admired company is 3M. All the little things their products do for us, we barely even realise, but they take care of all the little life inconveniences and make a difference to our lives.

Imagine life without post-it notes?

Cellophane tapes? Or sandpaper? Not just that, they have built a strong culture

INTERNET OF THINGS How billions of online objects are making the web wiser

2006

2 Billion

2015

15 Billion

2020

200 Billion

A Spectrum of Smart Stuff

of innovation. And they continue to do that sustainably over a hundred years. That is amazing. It is my wish that Anacle can be like 3M – improve people’s lives in little ways that they take for granted.

On a personal level, I have deep admiration for Steve Jobs’ product vision and Eric Schmidt’s management capabilities. The first is legendary in creating groundbreaking products that people want while the latter had transformed Google from a start-up to what it is today, overtaking the market leader – Yahoo – along the way. They are both inspiring and amazing in their own ways.

Where the Wireless Things are – and Why Business/ Manufacturing

Healthcare

Sources: IDC, Intel, United Nations

30.3%

Portable health monitoring, electronic record-keeping, pharmaceutical safeguards

Smart Dust Computers smaller than a grain of sand can be sprayed or injected almost anywhere – to measure chemicals in the soil, or to diagnose problems in the human body.

Retail

8.3%

Inventory tracking, smartphone purchasing, anonymous analytics of consumer choices

7.7%

Biometric and facial recognition locks, remote sensors

That will be around

for every human being on Earth.

40.2%

Real-time analytics of supply chains and equipment, robotic machinery

Security

26 SMART OBJECTS

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“It is tough to come up with something truly innovative so not being able to come up with one doesn’t mean you are less worthy. Some people are lucky and make an instant hit, but for most, the climb is steep – so just be prepared that you are likely to be unsuccessful rather than successful. But never give up!”

A Guide to the

The Big Data Bang

SPOTLIGHT

An Entire City Fixed and mobile sensors dispersed throughout the city of Dublin are already creating a real-time picture of what is happening, and will help the city react quickly in times of crisis.

Sources: Everythng.com, NYTimes.com, TechCrunch. com, GigaOM, McGill University, NBC News, University of Washington, Venture Beat

Transportation

4.1%

Self-parking cars, GPS locators, performance tracking Sources: Strategy Analytics M2M Strategies advisory service, McKinsey Global Institute, NYTimes.com

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How Everyday Tech has Changed without You Realising As mobile supercomputers, intelligent cities, global networks and other wonders of our age become part of the daily routine and office furniture, it is easy to forget how things were once upon a time and the almost magical nature of these everyday tech that we have come to take for granted.

T

his might very well be for the better – since it is only when these “gadgets” become mundane that we’ll aim for even more incredible breakthroughs. For someone who has lived through these exciting times, every time I pause and look around, I cannot help but marvel at how my yesteryear fantasies have become everyday realities today.

THE IMPOSSIBLE IS ALREADY HERE As a kid, I liked to read science fiction. I could spend hours sitting under a tree, immersed in the distant worlds of the far future where people carried in their hands tiny but powerful supercomputers that could instantly deliver any information.

They would go about their business on fast trains that navigated by themselves without drivers, and work in cities with buildings as high as the sky. They could talk to anyone in the world through their video screens and get live news from any country and in any language. I thought: “If I could just go to such a place – I’d be the happiest kid in the world.”

Now I have grown up. As I sipped my cup of coffee this morning, I was scrolling through the live newsfeed from Asia, US and Europe with my smartphone in hand.

I hopped on the fully automated MRT train to ride to the Singapore downtown where the sight of towering skyscrapers never ceases to take my breath away. Because my phone is always connected to the Internet,

along the way, I researched on the latest marketing trends for my client meeting.

After work, I had two video chats – one with my mom in Europe, and another with a good friend in South America – as if we were in the same space and time zone.

THE POWER IS IN YOUR HANDS As it stands, the cheapest modern smartphone today is more powerful than the famous Deep Blue, the gigantic supercomputer that won a chess game against the world champion for the first time – big story during my childhood. It is as capable of controlling a spacecraft as the entire room of transistors that sent Apollo 11 to the moon. But if you’d rather stay in your couch, the phone can generate virtual reality experiences that would make the Neuromancer graphics pale in comparison.

That is barely the full story of what technology can do too. These days, we can have video calls virtually anytime, anywhere and on any screen. 4G wireless connection enables video streaming with remarkable quality on our sleek tablets as compared to clunky tethered devices protagonists of futuristic movies from the 90s used. Thanks to technology, people today can even build careers and manage organisations using nothing more than a few online collaboration tools. It is foreseeable that as fast connectivity continues to spread, meeting, working and playing with people even as we move

POWER BOOST

15

VLADYSLAV KOSHELYEV Member, SCS Client Solutions Manager, Facebook Editor, 2Footsteps.world

around the globe will become even more seamless.

TECH IS IN PLAY EVERYDAY, EVERYWHERE It may not be immediately obvious, but advanced cities such as Singapore have already implemented fully automated rail systems capable of controlling and coordinating vast train fleets over many kilometres. Not only does the system constantly optimise schedule times, braking points, accelerating speeds and other parameters, the trains are also connected to an even wider transport network of thousands of vehicles through sensors that add real-time data and make the city smarter with every passing minute.

EVERYONE IS A CHANGE AGENT The modern Metropolis is a living and breathing information system, buzzing with intelligence, always connected, always learning and improving. And each of us contributes to enriching the data – simply by going about our everyday life. I am humbled by the opportunity to build a reality that people of the past couldn’t even dream of.

These days, I no longer need to read science fiction to fuel my imagination – I just grab the latest issue of a science magazine, such as the one you are holding now. And I become again that little kid, staring in awe at the world right in front of my eyes.

Overcoming Digital Disruption & Transformation

Creating Sustainable Social Media Strategies

Overcoming Digital Disruption for Business Leader

Digital Transformation and Leadership for Business

13, 14 & 15 September 2017

18 August 2017

7 & 8 September 2017

While there isn’t a single path to success on social media, there are several key things that companies should do to optimise their usage of social media. This training will provide you with the key principles to achieve social media success for your business. Get yourself up to date with growing trend of social media and see the results immediately.

Are your business and employees ready to prosper using today’s web technologies, especially digital marketing and social networking? This training provides an exciting look at how these tools can be used for enhancing your marketing, business building, community organizing, service support, communications and more.

Are you ready to understand the impact and future of today’s digital technologies, especially the enormous technological and societal changes? This seminar provides a preview into the evolution of society, how technologies are changing and disintermediating traditional businesses and impacting our responses. It provides a look at possibilities and some of the practices happening today.

Speaker: Mr. Jason Lim

Speaker: Mr. Iqbal Siraj

Speaker: Mr. Iqbal Siraj

Course fee: S$1,926.00

Course fee: S$128.40

Course fee: S$642.00

(inclusive of 7% GST)

(inclusive of 7% GST)

(inclusive of 7% GST)

18

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THE IT SOCIETY / Issue 02/2017

New Leadership Renews Commitment to Build a Stronger Tech Community

E

ighteen members were elected into the SCS Executive Council at the Society’s 50th Annual General Meeting on 23 March 2017.

Setting their sights on advancing talent development and deepening industry collaboration, the new leadership lineup will build on the SCS initiatives to help members stay relevant and ready for a digital future.

“The infocomm and digital media (ICM) industry is experiencing rapid growth and dynamic transformation. For Singapore to continue harnessing technology for our competitive advantage, we will need a strong ecosystem which encourages innovation, talent development and job creation. We are focused on contributing to this growth and bridging the talent gaps in the industry. We will continue to be the voice for our members and shape a future where Singaporeans are at the forefront of a new digital economy.”

– Howie Lau, SCS President

Key Highlights in 2016 • SCS TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA) Committee was formed to devise strategies that will enhance members’ employability in a new digital economy

• Employability Survey was conducted in the first quarter of 2016 to understand the challenges and issues facing tech professionals and displaced workers in Singapore

• Career mentors were recruited and the SCS Career Compass was launched in October 2016 to provide advice on trending skills and essential knowledge

Council members elected at the SCS 50th Annual General Meeting. First row (from left): Dr Kwong Yuk Wah, Yap Chee Yuen, Dr Chong Yoke Sin, Howie Lau, Ong Whee Teck, Lum Seow Khun; Back row (from left): Gilbert Leong, Dr Timothy Chan, Tan Teng Cheong, Philip Kwa, Yeo Teck Guan, Dennis Ang; Not in photo: Adrian Chye, Khoong Hock Yun, Lau Shih Hor, Lawrence Ng, Ng Peng Khim, Leslie Ong, Joshua Soh

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SCS Executive Council 2017/18 PRESIDENT Howie Lau, FSCS StarHub VICE-PRESIDENTS Dr Chong Yoke Sin, FSCS StarHub Ong Whee Teck, SMSCS Trusted Source Yap Chee Yuen, FSCS Genting Singapore HONORARY SECRETARY Tan Teng Cheong, FSCS DISYS Singapore HONORARY TREASURER Dr Timothy Chan, FSCS Singapore Institute of Management COUNCIL MEMBERS Dennis Ang, SMSCS Nanyang Polytechnic Adrian Chye, SMSCS Mediafreaks Group Khoong Hock Yun, FSCS Infocomm Media Development Authority

Philip Kwa, SMSCS Quann Asia Pacific

Chong Chee Wah, SMSCS TreeBox Solutions

Dr Kwong Yuk Wah, FSCS National Trades Union Congress

Kwok Quek Sin, MSCS Government Technology Agency

Lau Shih Hor, SMSCS Elixir Technology

Bruce Liang, SMSCS Integrated Health Information Systems

Lum Seow Khun, SMSCS IBM Singapore

Andrew Lim, SMSCS Singtel

Lawrence Ng, SMSCS PSA Corporation

Prof Miao Chun Yan, SMSCS Nanyang Technological University

Ng Peng Khim, MSCS DBS Bank

Ong Chin Ann, SMSCS Prime Minister’s Office

Leslie Ong, SMSCS VMware Singapore

Harish Pillay, FSCS Red Hat Asia Pacific

Joshua Soh, SMSCS Ohanae Inc

Tony Tay, SMSCS Accenture

Yeo Teck Guan, SMSCS Singapore Pools

HONORARY LEGAL ADVISORS Dr Toh See Kiat, FSCS Goodwins Law Corporation

CO-OPTED MEMBERS Chak Kong Soon, FSCS Stream Global

Gilbert Leong, MSCS Rodyk & Davidson LLP

Jason Chen, MSCS IBM Singapore

SCS Honorary Advisory Council Bolsters SCS Leadership Strength

S

CS Honorary Advisory Council contributes to the dynamics of SCS leadership. Comprising eminent leaders from different fields committed to growing the tech sector in Singapore, the members provide strategic advice to help shape the directions and strategies of SCS.

Eddie Chau Founder and Chairman, Neeuro

Prof Chong Tow Chong Provost, Singapore University of Technology and Design

David Koh Chief Executive, Cyber Security Agency

Sopnendu Mohanty Chief FinTech Officer, Monetary Authority of Singapore

Ng Cher Pong Chief Executive, SkillsFuture Singapore

Jacqueline Poh Chief Executive, Government Technology Agency of Singapore

Tan Choon Shian Chief Executive, Workforce Singapore

Tan Kiat How Chief Executive, Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore

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21

Outstanding Members Join the Ranks of SCS Fellows

S

CS recently conferred eight outstanding individuals the status of SCS Fellow for their valuable contributions to the infocomm community and seniority in their respective fields.

Congratulations to our deserving SCS Fellows!

“SCS plays a critical role in rallying our tech talents to constantly develop broad and deep skillsets.

I have been fortunate to contribute alongside passionate ICT leaders since the early days of certifications and development of ICT skills competency framework, TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA), Tech3 forums and informal and formal mentoring programmes. I am very humbled to be named a SCS Fellow.”

“SCS is a premier organisation for tech professionals in Singapore.

I am proud and honoured to be a Fellow of this prestigious organisation. As the ex-president of the Quality Assurance (QA) Chapter, which has played a key role in bringing the QA community together through talks, trainings and networking opportunities, I intend to continue to contribute to the QA fraternity through SCS.”

– Foong Sew Bun

– Francis Mahendran

Foong Sew Bun Global Head, Digital Transformation, Standard Chartered Bank

Dr Joseph Leung Director, Corporate Development, Asiapay

Lee-Lim Sok Keow Deputy Principal, Temasek Polytechnic

Dr Ling Tok Wang Professor, National University of Singapore

Francis Mahendran Director, Easyworks

Freddy Tan Director, NCS

Tan Yen Yen President, Asia Pacific, Vodafone Global Enterprise

Timothy Tay Industry Advisory, Insurance, Fuji Xerox Asia Pacific

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Stay Connected.

Stay on Top of Trends.

THE IT SOCIETY / Issue 02/2017

een to grow your domain knowledge and meet likeminded professionals? Join our Chapters and Special Interest Groups (SIGs). From seminars, roundtable discussions and site visits to various career and networking platforms, our 13 specialist groups help you plug into the latest technology trends, connect with business communities and stay on top of the fast-changing tech landscape.

Infocomm Security (IS) Chapter A secure and reliable infocomm environment is key to enabling community and business development. The (IS) Infocomm Security Chapter is committed to be the voice of infocomm security professionals in Singapore, and catalyst for professional collaboration and knowledge sharing for the community.

President Philip Kwa, SMSCS

Business Analytics (BA) Chapter The importance and value of data is increasing at an exponential rate. Deriving meaningful insights from data helps businesses make strategic decisions and optimise operations. The Business Analytics (BA) Chapter shares knowledge, resources and experiences to ramp up analytics capabilities and drive analytics for applications across industries.

Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Chapter New technologies and content platforms will continue to transform the media industry. The Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Chapter provides members with learning opportunities in areas such as gamification, media production management and games publishing, building up digital content and growing digital media talents.

President Nicholas Aaron Khoo, SMSCS

Internet of Things (IoT) Chapter Internet connectivity, computing capability and sensors are extended to everyday objects for real-time data collection and transmission.

The Internet of Things (IoT) Chapter provides a platform for professionals to share knowledge and advance the common understanding of IoT technology, applications and standards.

President Loh Mun Yew, SMSCS

Project Management (PM) Chapter Strong project management skill is key to delivering successful project outcomes. Catering to CITPM and COMIT certified professionals, the Project Management (PM) Chapter aims to sharpen skills, deepen knowledge areas, elevate competency and professionalism levels in managing IT projects and IT outsourcing through knowledge sharing and group mentoring.

President Jonathan Tay, SMSCS

K

Business Continuity (BC) Chapter Cyber threats, malicious attacks and natural disasters underscore the importance of safeguarding critical business functions. The Business Continuity (BC) Chapter promotes corporate resilience and learning in areas such as IT disaster recovery, data centre and crisis management to improve the competencies of IT and BCM professionals.

Cloud Computing (CC) Chapter Cloud computing has been transforming nearly every aspect of the tech industry. The Cloud Computing (CC) Chapter strengthens awareness of its impact on the economy and the society. It partners with businesses and agencies to accelerate cloud adoption in support of Singapore’s Smart Nation initiatives.

President Simon Thomas, SMSCS Committee Members https://www.scs.org.sg/ Chapter/ba-exco.php

President Paul Lee, SMSCS Committee Members https://www.scs.org.sg/ Chapter/bcc-exco.php

President Dr Anton Ravindran, SMSCS Committee Members https://www.scs.org.sg/ Chapter/cc-exco.php

Committee Members https://www.scs.org.sg/ Chapter/is-exco.php

Committee Members https://www.scs.org.sg/ Chapter/idm-exco.php

Committee Members https://www.scs.org.sg/ Chapter/iot-exco.php

Committee Members https://www.scs.org.sg/ Chapter/citpm-exco.php

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Quality Assurance (QA) Chapter Software quality is often a direct reflection of the quality of software engineering processes and methods. The Quality Assurance (QA) Chapter engages members in various learning opportunities to empower the exchange of ideas, experience and knowledge in QA.

Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) SIG The augmented and virtual reality industry is set to see more disruptive business models and hardware, software and content development challenges. The Augmented Reality/ Virtual Reality (AR/VR) SIG works with government agencies to bridge gaps and build a sound VR/AR investment and software engineering ecosystem.

Enterprise Architecture (EA) SIG A solid enterprise architecture embraced at every level is integral to the growth and survival of every enterprise in today’s digitally disruptive era. Recognising that knowledge sharing begets new knowledge, the Enterprise Architecture (EA) SIG runs events which promote exchanges of ideas and EA best practices among diverse industry professionals.

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President Quek Ser Choon, SMSCS Committee Members https://www.scs.org.sg/ Chapter/qa-exco.php

Chairman Desmond Ng, MSCS Committee Members https://www.scs.org.sg/SIG/ sig-arvr.php

Chairman Aaron Tan Dani, MSCS Committee Members https://www.scs.org.sg/SIG/ sig-ea.php

Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) SIG Open source development is changing the world through its collaborative and sharing approach, driving innovation and transformation. The Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) SIG aims to not only introduce and educate members about open source, but also encourage engagement with larger communities.

Chairman Richard Koh, MSCS

Supply Chain Management (SCM) SIG Supply chain IT professionals need to deliver solutions amidst fast-changing business objectives. The Supply Chain Management (SCM) SIG works with businesses to comprehend the supply chain business and corresponding operational requirements, exploring emerging technology innovations to address arising challenges and create disruptive business models.

Chairman Philip Ong, SMSCS

Technopreneurship (TNR) SIG Singapore’s start-up scene is becoming increasingly vibrant. To fuel the continued dynamism of the ecosystem, the Technopreneurship (TNR) SIG aims to address the growing relevance of technopreneurship in Singapore and nurture a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship endeavours among tech professionals.

Chairman Chak Kong Soon, FSCS

23

Committee Members https://www.scs.org.sg/SIG/ sig-foss.php

Committee Members https://www.scs.org.sg/SIG/ sig-scm.php

Committee Members https://www.scs.org.sg/SIG/ sig-tnr.php

SCS EVENTS 2017 JUL

27 AUG

17 AUG

24 SEP

15 SEP

25

Applied Research in Software Quality Assurance and Data Analytics Powering Massive IoT with Sigfox

JUL

28 AUG

21-22

Microsoft + Open Source: Empowering Customers

AUG

IDEAS Series: Robotics Processed Automation

SEP

Amazon Web Services – IoT for Smart Cities

Learning Journey to RSA & IBM Security Operations Centres

AUG

Secure Software Development Model Training

AUG

QA for Scrum

AUG

29 19 SEP

28

5 23

Career Fair Preparatory Workshop

AUG

Cloud 201 Series: Data Privacy Matrix

AUG

CITPM Preview Session

SEP

31 ASCENT Series: Machine Learning

COMIT Preview Session

SEP

20

12 23 4-6

Driving Digital Business Transformation

SEP

Youth Engagement Series: Branding Your Career cum Infocomm Technology Career Fair Project Management Clinic on Scope and Time Management CSQA Preparatory Workshop & Certification

CITBCM Preview Session

21

The event listing provided above is correct at the time of printing.

You are encouraged to visit the SCS website for any updates and latest information about the events.

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GEEK SPEAK

25

FIELD REPORTS from the Helpless (Service) Desk

Same Same but Different (…and Still the Same!)

By Franky Siow

I

’ve been promoted! Starting from this month, I’m a “Service Desk Analyst Level 2”. Just a while ago, I was a “Technical Support Engineer” before the “Help Desk Specialist” role. It sure looks like my career is progressing. My job title is upgrading faster than my operating system. My salary? Getting there I suppose. The work I do? Same same but different… and still the same!

In Chinese, they say – 换汤不换药 or simply “different broth but the same old medicine”.

This sets me thinking – people who call us geeks and boring don’t know better; the tech industry is creative. And I don’t mean just coming out with new job scopes.

Just think…

FROM MAINFRAME COMPUTING TO CLOUD COMPUTING A long long time ago, programmers worked on (dumb) machines connected

to a mainframe computer located in a data centre faraway. Nobody really cared where the mainframe was as long as RPG and COBOL programmes can compile and run, and reports can be printed. Yes, the mainframe was most likely running a virtual machine, or several.

Fast forward. Today, programmes are written in the same way except – a thousand new languages have spawned – from the good old COBOL, C++, C# and Java, to the new and funky R, Python, Swift and GO. Programmes are still compiled for execution on machines located in remote data centres. And all is happy and peaceful so far as the URL can be accessed and the system is available.

FROM LOTUS NOTES TO THE IPHONE iPhone burst onto the scene in 2007.

Before then, we had nothing. All we had was a void (or so it seemed). Everything about the iPhone was new: new interface, new apps, new capabilities.

But hey, heard of Lotus Notes? That nice little “Groupware” created in 1989 that went big in the 90s? Our government was using it. Compare the Lotus Notes user interface to the iPhone’s – take a look above – see any similarities?

THE FUTURE, THE PRESENT, THE PAST Then there is the future vision of “autonomous or driverless car”. I bet you didn’t know that the word “car” is an abbreviation of the phrase “horseless carriage”? Well that’s what it is, according to Wikipedia. So doesn’t “driverless cars” sound familiar to “horseless carriage”? And how about calling them “taxi” or “Uber”? Other than not being app activated and voice controlled, they are already available today – there’s no need to wait for the future.

The future is now – not that different from the past but different… and still very much the same. What say you?