Tuesday, March 29, 2011
SingTel bullish on cloud computing
SingTel bullish on cloud computing
By Ryan Huang | Posted: 28 March 2011 2154 hrs
SINGAPORE: SingTel has raised its forecast of contribution of cloud computing to its revenue.
The telco now expects the segment to now grow as much as 70 per cent each year until 2014, instead of the previously estimated 50 per cent.
This is on the back of a strong take-up rate for its services, and also as more companies think of business continuity measures in the wake of the massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Cloud computing is Internet-based, and shared services, resources and software are provided to users on demand.
The destruction caused by the massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan more than two weeks ago has left many companies to pick up the pieces.
SingTel said many of its customers are now thinking more about disaster-recovery measures, and how they can leverage on cloud computing for the business continuity.
SingTel Business Group EVP Bill Chang said: "Recently, with the unfortunate earthquake in Japan, we see that if businesses have the means to move their applications up to the cloud, it will help them secure a lot of their work load and be able to tide through this period".
VMware's Southeast Asia GM Ed Lenta said: "The unfortunate reality is that a lot of our customers in Japan found that their virtualised infrastructures were far easier to recover then their physical infrastructures.
"Virtualisation doesn't just drive consolidation, it standardises the atomic units of your data centre".
SingTel said it is aiming to meet those needs and the wider growth for cloud computing services, with a new enterprise grade offering that it is launching in Singapore and across Asia.
Targeted at large enterprises, this service enables businesses to lease IT infrastructure such as processing power and storage, without losing control over sensitive data, under a pay-as-you-use model called PowerON Compute.
SingTel said it would be the first time the so-called "infrastructure-as-a-service" product will be offered under a hybrid cloud.
A hybrid cloud allows companies the flexibility to decide how much of its sensitive data it wants to manage in-house.
This is opposed to a public cloud where the data is housed externally.
SingTel will be partnering VMware to offer its hybrid cloud solution across Asia, and will be launching it in the coming months in other key Asian cities like Hong Kong.
SingTel currently offers it in Australia through Optus.
VMware chief executive officer Paul Maritz said: "Hybrid clouds provide customers with freedom of choice that will eventually give rise to applications that can be 'dragged and dropped' between clouds and delivered securely to any device, anywhere, at any time".
The telco is bullish on demand for cloud-computing services and has raised its 50 per cent annual growth forecast made last year September.
"We are starting to see more robust growth rates," Mr Chang said.
"That's because Singapore (is getting) more wired up to its fibre connectivity to all businesses. When that happens, (many) more people will be more open to the cloud services.
"The other thing is that there are more smart devices penetration (such as) smart phones and of course, the tablet revolution that's happening. That allows customers and businesses to consume all these cloud services more rapidly."
SingTel said that by tapping on processing power and storage on demand, businesses can reap cost savings of up to 73 per cent.
Mr Chang said: "They will also be able to preserve investments in existing computing infrastructure without changes to their IT operations.
"By improving their productivity and simplifying their processes, we seek to allow customers to increase their business agility, focus on their core business activities and reduce their costs significantly".
-CNA/wk
- wong chee tat :)
By Ryan Huang | Posted: 28 March 2011 2154 hrs
SINGAPORE: SingTel has raised its forecast of contribution of cloud computing to its revenue.
The telco now expects the segment to now grow as much as 70 per cent each year until 2014, instead of the previously estimated 50 per cent.
This is on the back of a strong take-up rate for its services, and also as more companies think of business continuity measures in the wake of the massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Cloud computing is Internet-based, and shared services, resources and software are provided to users on demand.
The destruction caused by the massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan more than two weeks ago has left many companies to pick up the pieces.
SingTel said many of its customers are now thinking more about disaster-recovery measures, and how they can leverage on cloud computing for the business continuity.
SingTel Business Group EVP Bill Chang said: "Recently, with the unfortunate earthquake in Japan, we see that if businesses have the means to move their applications up to the cloud, it will help them secure a lot of their work load and be able to tide through this period".
VMware's Southeast Asia GM Ed Lenta said: "The unfortunate reality is that a lot of our customers in Japan found that their virtualised infrastructures were far easier to recover then their physical infrastructures.
"Virtualisation doesn't just drive consolidation, it standardises the atomic units of your data centre".
SingTel said it is aiming to meet those needs and the wider growth for cloud computing services, with a new enterprise grade offering that it is launching in Singapore and across Asia.
Targeted at large enterprises, this service enables businesses to lease IT infrastructure such as processing power and storage, without losing control over sensitive data, under a pay-as-you-use model called PowerON Compute.
SingTel said it would be the first time the so-called "infrastructure-as-a-service" product will be offered under a hybrid cloud.
A hybrid cloud allows companies the flexibility to decide how much of its sensitive data it wants to manage in-house.
This is opposed to a public cloud where the data is housed externally.
SingTel will be partnering VMware to offer its hybrid cloud solution across Asia, and will be launching it in the coming months in other key Asian cities like Hong Kong.
SingTel currently offers it in Australia through Optus.
VMware chief executive officer Paul Maritz said: "Hybrid clouds provide customers with freedom of choice that will eventually give rise to applications that can be 'dragged and dropped' between clouds and delivered securely to any device, anywhere, at any time".
The telco is bullish on demand for cloud-computing services and has raised its 50 per cent annual growth forecast made last year September.
"We are starting to see more robust growth rates," Mr Chang said.
"That's because Singapore (is getting) more wired up to its fibre connectivity to all businesses. When that happens, (many) more people will be more open to the cloud services.
"The other thing is that there are more smart devices penetration (such as) smart phones and of course, the tablet revolution that's happening. That allows customers and businesses to consume all these cloud services more rapidly."
SingTel said that by tapping on processing power and storage on demand, businesses can reap cost savings of up to 73 per cent.
Mr Chang said: "They will also be able to preserve investments in existing computing infrastructure without changes to their IT operations.
"By improving their productivity and simplifying their processes, we seek to allow customers to increase their business agility, focus on their core business activities and reduce their costs significantly".
-CNA/wk
- wong chee tat :)
M&A activity in Asia set to rise: analysts
M&A activity in Asia set to rise: analysts
By Stella Lee | Posted: 28 March 2011 2322 hrs
SINGAPORE : Mergers and acquisition (M&A) activity in Asia is set to increase with stronger investor confidence in the market, analysts said on Monday.
They said the outlook for mergers and acquisitions is looking healthy for 2011.
Bankers said the M&A deal volume is increasing due to the narrowing gap between the price buyers expect to pay and that sellers hope to receive.
Other factors include better market sentiment, easier access to bank financing and private equity funds waiting on the sidelines since the 2008 market crash for good buying opportunities.
Chang Tou Chen, head of global banking, South-East Asia, HSBC, said: "As the M&A pie grows, I would expect that more and more transactions will be completed out of stock deals or stock mergers.
"The drivers for Asia will be confidence and availability of liquidity. On both counts, our clients are very confident about the future."
According to Thomson Reuters, announced mergers and acquisitions in Asia excluding Japan rose nearly 10 percent in the first three months of 2011 to US$129 billion.
China, Australia and India made up nearly half of the deals in the first quarter.
"A lot of M&A activity that we work on are cross-border activity - that's where opportunities for scale and synergy exist," said Mr Chang.
And the rise in M&A activity is not confined to just large companies. Small and mid-tier companies are also consolidating or becoming acquisition targets for larger players.
Benjamin Ong, executive director, M&A, KPMG Corporate Finance, said: "SMEs and mid markets are actively exploring M&A in order to build better platforms for themselves to compete in the international marketplace."
While total M&A deal volumes increased for Asian emerging markets in the first three months of 2011, Asian developed markets saw a 17 percent drop compared with the same period in 2010.
Bankers expect commodities, energy and natural resources to witness vigorous M&A activity this year.
- CNA/al
- wong chee tat :)
By Stella Lee | Posted: 28 March 2011 2322 hrs
SINGAPORE : Mergers and acquisition (M&A) activity in Asia is set to increase with stronger investor confidence in the market, analysts said on Monday.
They said the outlook for mergers and acquisitions is looking healthy for 2011.
Bankers said the M&A deal volume is increasing due to the narrowing gap between the price buyers expect to pay and that sellers hope to receive.
Other factors include better market sentiment, easier access to bank financing and private equity funds waiting on the sidelines since the 2008 market crash for good buying opportunities.
Chang Tou Chen, head of global banking, South-East Asia, HSBC, said: "As the M&A pie grows, I would expect that more and more transactions will be completed out of stock deals or stock mergers.
"The drivers for Asia will be confidence and availability of liquidity. On both counts, our clients are very confident about the future."
According to Thomson Reuters, announced mergers and acquisitions in Asia excluding Japan rose nearly 10 percent in the first three months of 2011 to US$129 billion.
China, Australia and India made up nearly half of the deals in the first quarter.
"A lot of M&A activity that we work on are cross-border activity - that's where opportunities for scale and synergy exist," said Mr Chang.
And the rise in M&A activity is not confined to just large companies. Small and mid-tier companies are also consolidating or becoming acquisition targets for larger players.
Benjamin Ong, executive director, M&A, KPMG Corporate Finance, said: "SMEs and mid markets are actively exploring M&A in order to build better platforms for themselves to compete in the international marketplace."
While total M&A deal volumes increased for Asian emerging markets in the first three months of 2011, Asian developed markets saw a 17 percent drop compared with the same period in 2010.
Bankers expect commodities, energy and natural resources to witness vigorous M&A activity this year.
- CNA/al
- wong chee tat :)
HDB to launch tender for Sengkang residential site
HDB to launch tender for Sengkang residential site
By Stella Lee | Posted: 29 March 2011 2207 hrs
SINGAPORE : The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is launching the tender for a residential site at Buangkok Drive/Sengkang East Drive on Wednesday.
The site, which is slated for condominium development, can potentially yield 550 dwelling units.
It is being released for tender under the Confirmed List of the 1st Half 2011 Government Land Sales Programme.
Located to the east of Sengkang New Town, residents there will be served by the Buangkok MRT station.
The land parcel has an area of over 19,500 square metres, with a maximum gross floor area of about 58,600 square metres.
The site has a lease term of 99 years and the tender will close at noon on June 2.
Mr Ku Swee Yong, the CEO of International Property Advisor, said the supply was overwhelming for the area and may create problems, such as traffic congestion, later on.
He added: "Within 15 months from 1st Jan 2010 till today, we have a potential supply of almost 10,000 units of HDB and 6,000 units of private residences that will be completed in 2014-2015.
"And there are more Government Land Sales parcels coming up in the rest of this year - both on the confirmed and reserved lists and including ECs."
- CNA/al
- wong chee tat :)
By Stella Lee | Posted: 29 March 2011 2207 hrs
SINGAPORE : The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is launching the tender for a residential site at Buangkok Drive/Sengkang East Drive on Wednesday.
The site, which is slated for condominium development, can potentially yield 550 dwelling units.
It is being released for tender under the Confirmed List of the 1st Half 2011 Government Land Sales Programme.
Located to the east of Sengkang New Town, residents there will be served by the Buangkok MRT station.
The land parcel has an area of over 19,500 square metres, with a maximum gross floor area of about 58,600 square metres.
The site has a lease term of 99 years and the tender will close at noon on June 2.
Mr Ku Swee Yong, the CEO of International Property Advisor, said the supply was overwhelming for the area and may create problems, such as traffic congestion, later on.
He added: "Within 15 months from 1st Jan 2010 till today, we have a potential supply of almost 10,000 units of HDB and 6,000 units of private residences that will be completed in 2014-2015.
"And there are more Government Land Sales parcels coming up in the rest of this year - both on the confirmed and reserved lists and including ECs."
- CNA/al
- wong chee tat :)
URA launches 2 residential sites for sale
URA launches 2 residential sites for sale
Posted: 29 March 2011 2154 hrs
SINGAPORE : The Urban Redevelopment Authority has launched two residential sites for sale by public tender under the Government Land Sales programme.
The sites at Jalan Loyang Besar/Pasir Ris Drive 4 and Sembawang Road/Jalan Sendudok can potentially yield a total of 970 housing units combined.
The 2.7-hectare land parcel at Jalan Loyang Besar/Pasir Ris Drive 4 has a maximum permissible gross land area of over 56,600 square metres and can potentially yield about 580 housing units.
The site is located close to Pasir Ris Park and is well connected to the rest of the island via the Tampines Expressway.
The 2.8-hectare land parcel at Sembawang Road/Jalan Sendudok has a maximum permissible gross land area of about 38,700 square metres which can potentially yield around 390 housing units.
The site is adjacent to the Sembawang Shopping Centre and near the Sembawang MRT Station.
The tenders for the Jalan Loyang Besar/Pasir Ris Drive 4 and Sembawang Road/Jalan Sendudok sites will close at noon on May 10 and May 26 respectively.
- CNA/al
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 29 March 2011 2154 hrs
SINGAPORE : The Urban Redevelopment Authority has launched two residential sites for sale by public tender under the Government Land Sales programme.
The sites at Jalan Loyang Besar/Pasir Ris Drive 4 and Sembawang Road/Jalan Sendudok can potentially yield a total of 970 housing units combined.
The 2.7-hectare land parcel at Jalan Loyang Besar/Pasir Ris Drive 4 has a maximum permissible gross land area of over 56,600 square metres and can potentially yield about 580 housing units.
The site is located close to Pasir Ris Park and is well connected to the rest of the island via the Tampines Expressway.
The 2.8-hectare land parcel at Sembawang Road/Jalan Sendudok has a maximum permissible gross land area of about 38,700 square metres which can potentially yield around 390 housing units.
The site is adjacent to the Sembawang Shopping Centre and near the Sembawang MRT Station.
The tenders for the Jalan Loyang Besar/Pasir Ris Drive 4 and Sembawang Road/Jalan Sendudok sites will close at noon on May 10 and May 26 respectively.
- CNA/al
- wong chee tat :)
MDA launches tender for 2 FM frequencies
MDA launches tender for 2 FM frequencies
By Mustafa Shafawi | Posted: 29 March 2011 1205 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Media Development Authority (MDA) is conducting a public tender to allocate two FM frequencies - FM 89.3 and FM 92.0.
The frequencies will be used to operate commercial or not-for-profit radio stations in Singapore.
In a statement, MDA said the tender follows an earlier 'Expression of Interest' (EOI) exercise conducted in April last year.
More than 20 parties registered their interest at the close of the exercise.
The three-month public tender exercise will close on June 28.
As part of the tender exercise, MDA welcomes new ideas and it does not intend to limit the future station(s) to any particular genre, in order to encourage a variety of proposals.
The tender also aims to encourage new players to enter the market as well as to provide more choices for listeners.
MDA said it will evaluate the bids submitted based on three criteria.
They include programming innovation, characteristics and quality as well as financial standing and business plan.
Bidders must also show the ability to produce and promote local content that aids the development of Singapore's media industry.
In addition, not-for-profit radio stations will be evaluated on the social impact of their offerings.
MDA said the results of the tender will be made known by September.
If successful in their bids, the operators of FM 89.3 and 92.0 will add to the already vibrant radio industry here.
According to the Nielsen Media Index survey done in the period between July 2009 and June 2010, 93 per cent of the population aged 15 and above tuned in to radio in the past week.
There are now 20 FM radio stations in Singapore with 13 of them managed by MediaCorp.
MediaCorp Radio managing director Florence Lian said: "Radio at 75 years old is facing its next exciting phase. The number of proposals submitted during the 'Expression of Interest' (EOI) exercise shows how desired a medium it is. MediaCorp will definitely participate in the tender."
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
By Mustafa Shafawi | Posted: 29 March 2011 1205 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Media Development Authority (MDA) is conducting a public tender to allocate two FM frequencies - FM 89.3 and FM 92.0.
The frequencies will be used to operate commercial or not-for-profit radio stations in Singapore.
In a statement, MDA said the tender follows an earlier 'Expression of Interest' (EOI) exercise conducted in April last year.
More than 20 parties registered their interest at the close of the exercise.
The three-month public tender exercise will close on June 28.
As part of the tender exercise, MDA welcomes new ideas and it does not intend to limit the future station(s) to any particular genre, in order to encourage a variety of proposals.
The tender also aims to encourage new players to enter the market as well as to provide more choices for listeners.
MDA said it will evaluate the bids submitted based on three criteria.
They include programming innovation, characteristics and quality as well as financial standing and business plan.
Bidders must also show the ability to produce and promote local content that aids the development of Singapore's media industry.
In addition, not-for-profit radio stations will be evaluated on the social impact of their offerings.
MDA said the results of the tender will be made known by September.
If successful in their bids, the operators of FM 89.3 and 92.0 will add to the already vibrant radio industry here.
According to the Nielsen Media Index survey done in the period between July 2009 and June 2010, 93 per cent of the population aged 15 and above tuned in to radio in the past week.
There are now 20 FM radio stations in Singapore with 13 of them managed by MediaCorp.
MediaCorp Radio managing director Florence Lian said: "Radio at 75 years old is facing its next exciting phase. The number of proposals submitted during the 'Expression of Interest' (EOI) exercise shows how desired a medium it is. MediaCorp will definitely participate in the tender."
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
Electricity tariff to increase 6.1% starting April
Electricity tariff to increase 6.1% starting April
By Mustafa Shafawi & Dylan Loh | Posted: 29 March 2011 1619 hrs
SINGAPORE: SP Services said households will pay more for their electricity from April, with their electricity tariff increasing by 6.1 per cent to 25.58 cents per kilowatt-hour.
On average, families in four-room HDB flats will pay about S$4.85 more a month for their electricity based on the new tariff.
Explaining the tariff increase, SP Services said the average fuel oil price increased sharply by 14 per cent to S$113.37 per barrel over the last three months.
At the same time, there was an annual review of the grid network cost or the cost of transporting electricity through the power grid, which resulted in network charges being lowered by 3 per cent for the year ahead.
It said the significant increase in fuel cost, however, more than offsets the reduced network charges.
The Energy Market Authority has approved the increase.
However, about 800,000 Singaporean HDB households can expect to receive S$194 million worth of Utilities-Save (U-Save) and Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC) rebates in April under the 'Grow & Share' Package announced in the Budget.
The Finance Ministry (MOF) said this is on top of the S$108 million in rebates that households will receive this year under the on-going GST Offset Package.
In total, it said the Government will be giving about S$300 million in U-Save and S&CC rebates this year.
This April, a Singaporean household will receive S$170 to S$220 worth of U-Save rebates and half to one month waiver of S&CC, depending on HDB flat type.
The rebates aim to help households, especially lower income households, cope with rising costs, including higher utilities bills due to the increases in electricity tariffs.
Those living in 1-room and 2-room HDB flats will enjoy utility rebates for at least five months.
Those living in bigger flats will benefit from at least a month of offset of their utilities bills on average.
- CNA/cc
- wong chee tat :)
By Mustafa Shafawi & Dylan Loh | Posted: 29 March 2011 1619 hrs
SINGAPORE: SP Services said households will pay more for their electricity from April, with their electricity tariff increasing by 6.1 per cent to 25.58 cents per kilowatt-hour.
On average, families in four-room HDB flats will pay about S$4.85 more a month for their electricity based on the new tariff.
Explaining the tariff increase, SP Services said the average fuel oil price increased sharply by 14 per cent to S$113.37 per barrel over the last three months.
At the same time, there was an annual review of the grid network cost or the cost of transporting electricity through the power grid, which resulted in network charges being lowered by 3 per cent for the year ahead.
It said the significant increase in fuel cost, however, more than offsets the reduced network charges.
The Energy Market Authority has approved the increase.
However, about 800,000 Singaporean HDB households can expect to receive S$194 million worth of Utilities-Save (U-Save) and Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC) rebates in April under the 'Grow & Share' Package announced in the Budget.
The Finance Ministry (MOF) said this is on top of the S$108 million in rebates that households will receive this year under the on-going GST Offset Package.
In total, it said the Government will be giving about S$300 million in U-Save and S&CC rebates this year.
This April, a Singaporean household will receive S$170 to S$220 worth of U-Save rebates and half to one month waiver of S&CC, depending on HDB flat type.
The rebates aim to help households, especially lower income households, cope with rising costs, including higher utilities bills due to the increases in electricity tariffs.
Those living in 1-room and 2-room HDB flats will enjoy utility rebates for at least five months.
Those living in bigger flats will benefit from at least a month of offset of their utilities bills on average.
- CNA/cc
- wong chee tat :)
New non-invasive treatment for prostate cancer
New non-invasive treatment for prostate cancer
By Vimita Mohandas | Posted: 29 March 2011 1806 hrs
SINGAPORE: A new non-invasive treatment option for prostate cancer has been developed that minimises the side effects and down time for patients.
Seven patients with low risk prostate cancer took part in Phase one of trials conducted by the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) last August.
Based on initial results, this non-invasive (magnetic resonance-guided focused) ultrasound method offers few complications.
In Singapore, prostate cancer is affecting its ageing population four times more frequently as compared to 30 years ago.
Existing treatment options for prostate cancer include surgical removal of the prostate gland and radiation therapy, and have lasting side effects.
However, the new treatment allows patients to resume their normal activities a couple of days after treatment, as compared to about two weeks for radical prostatectomy.
The new treatment allows doctors to visualise the tumour and surrounding tissue.
High levels of heat will then be concentrated on the cancerous tumour to destroy it, without affecting the surrounding healthy tissue.
Experts say the main benefit of the new technology is its accuracy in monitoring and adjusting treatments in real time.
The use of real-time 3D MR thermometry provides accurate monitoring of the treatment outcome and ability to adjust the treatment according to specific patient physiology in real time.
"When we treat, we are treating only the part of the gland with the cancer as opposed to the conventional treating methods like surgery or radical prostatectomy where the patients undergo surgery to remove the whole gland and those are associated with increased incidence of incontinence and impotence," said Dr Kwek Jin Wei, senior consultant radiologist for National Cancer Centre Singapore.
Phase two trials started last month and upon its successful completion, the option is expected to be made available to patients in about two years.
- CNA/cc
- wong chee tat :)
By Vimita Mohandas | Posted: 29 March 2011 1806 hrs
SINGAPORE: A new non-invasive treatment option for prostate cancer has been developed that minimises the side effects and down time for patients.
Seven patients with low risk prostate cancer took part in Phase one of trials conducted by the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) last August.
Based on initial results, this non-invasive (magnetic resonance-guided focused) ultrasound method offers few complications.
In Singapore, prostate cancer is affecting its ageing population four times more frequently as compared to 30 years ago.
Existing treatment options for prostate cancer include surgical removal of the prostate gland and radiation therapy, and have lasting side effects.
However, the new treatment allows patients to resume their normal activities a couple of days after treatment, as compared to about two weeks for radical prostatectomy.
The new treatment allows doctors to visualise the tumour and surrounding tissue.
High levels of heat will then be concentrated on the cancerous tumour to destroy it, without affecting the surrounding healthy tissue.
Experts say the main benefit of the new technology is its accuracy in monitoring and adjusting treatments in real time.
The use of real-time 3D MR thermometry provides accurate monitoring of the treatment outcome and ability to adjust the treatment according to specific patient physiology in real time.
"When we treat, we are treating only the part of the gland with the cancer as opposed to the conventional treating methods like surgery or radical prostatectomy where the patients undergo surgery to remove the whole gland and those are associated with increased incidence of incontinence and impotence," said Dr Kwek Jin Wei, senior consultant radiologist for National Cancer Centre Singapore.
Phase two trials started last month and upon its successful completion, the option is expected to be made available to patients in about two years.
- CNA/cc
- wong chee tat :)
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