IBM, National University of Singapore team to research and build Singapore's expertise in SCM skills; IBM brings SCM capabilities to region with Customer Solutions Center
Singapore — March 10, 2005 — IBM, which has announced the opening of the IBM-NUS On Demand Supply Chain Solutions Center and the launch the IBM Asia Pacific South Customer Solution Center (CSC), is collaborating with the National University of Singapore (NUS) on education and training to fulfill the growing demand of highly skilled supply chain management professionals in Singapore, encourage knowledge exchange and undertake joint research.
The CSC aims to use IBM's knowledge in integrated supply chain management to build, configure, test and ship products according to client's unique needs. The total investment in these two centers is S$15 million.
The IBM-NUS On Demand Supply Chain Solutions Center
The On Demand Supply Chain Solutions Center, according to IBM, aims to develop skilled resources in the area of supply chain management (SCM) and serve as a center for joint applied research and development and knowledge exchange.
The On Demand Supply Chain Solutions Center marks a new stage in the partnership between IBM and NUS, which started with the opening of the Grid Innovation Zone in 2004. The GIZ@NUS is a collaboration between IBM, NUS and Intel on the promotion of the usage of grid computing infrastructures in Asia Pacific.
NUS said that companies willing to re-think the role a supply chain plays in their business — from merely a cost-cutting machine to an engine of innovation and growth — will lead in the era of on demand business. In response to this market opportunity and need, the Center aims to create skilled supply chain management professionals for Singapore and the world and facilitate the training and education of students on the business and technical aspects of SCM. The center will also be the premier location for joint applied research to develop solutions for real supply chain issues.
"In setting up the On Demand Supply Chain Solutions Center with IBM, NUS will help students become experts in supporting the development and deployment of SCM for the industry," explained Professor Lai Choy Heng, vice provost, National University of Singapore. "They will also have the opportunity to team with IBM and leaders in academic research to develop solutions for real supply chain issues. The collaboration further demonstrates the school's commitment to giving students more choices in their studies and career prospects."
IBM Asia Pacific South Customer Solution Center
IBM has also opened the IBM Asia Pacific South Customer Solution Center (CSC). The CSC will use IBM's integrated supply chain management best practices to develop flexible, scalable, customized and integrated end-to-end solutions for clients in the Asia Pacific. The CSC will help businesses create greater business value by enabling them to sense and respond on demand to business and marketplace fluctuations ahead of their competition.
The CSC team brings along years of experience across broad spectrum of technologies, complemented by continued investments in industry-recognized training and certification programs, ensuring CSC staff and solutions remain on the cutting-edge of business innovation.
Teo Ming Kian, chairman, Singapore Economic Development Board, said the CSC is one manifestation of IBM's ability to build and customize products according to their clients' needs by using Singapore's competencies and quick time to market. "At the same time, I am heartened to know that IBM is also actively helping to build a talent pool of supply chain specialists to meet industry demand in Singapore," he said. "The IBM-NUS On Demand Supply Chain Solution Centre's study lab will inject some realism into theory by integrating industry practices and case studies in the curriculum. This will provide our graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge to develop innovative supply chain models and continue to make Singapore the logistics hub and SCM nerve center."
Stuart Reed, vice president, Worldwide Manufacturing, Integrated Supply Chain, IBM Corp., said, "IBM's transformation to an on demand company started with the supply chain. As an on demand company IBM can respond with flexibility and speed to any client demand, market opportunity or external threat. Since 2002, IBM's integrated supply chain has helped IBM save more than $20 billion dollars, turning a cost center into a competitive advantage. With this experience, we are working in partnerships with institutions such as the National University of Singapore, to grow the available pool of skilled resources in supply chain management in Singapore."
