Commentary

Cobotisation – the solution to Industry 4.0 in Singapore

Traditionally, robots sit in the factory within a finite space and with fixed rules, a safe distance away from its human operators. Today, the capabilities of robots have grown and humans and robots can almost work hand in hand. This may have resulted in the fear of robots for taking over jobs or the loss of the "human touch".

Cobotisation – the solution to Industry 4.0 in Singapore

Traditionally, robots sit in the factory within a finite space and with fixed rules, a safe distance away from its human operators. Today, the capabilities of robots have grown and humans and robots can almost work hand in hand. This may have resulted in the fear of robots for taking over jobs or the loss of the "human touch".

Data hoarding in Singapore: Why it matters to businesses

Many of us spend a large amount of time using computers and we tend to download data – such as files, photographs, videos, and emails – saving them either on company computers or our own devices. Unsurprisingly, Singaporeans have adopted a 'save for a rainy day' way of thinking and we don't stop to consider if the information we safeguard is ever 'too much'.

Why a secure IoT environment matters

On the evenings of 22 and 24 October 2016, national telco StarHub's home broadband services unexpectedly were disrupted – an unprecedented occurrence in normally safe, efficient, and connected Singapore.

2016 Singapore Luxury Brand Index: What defines luxury for Singapore?

The array of Christmas lights along Orchard Road this year is incredibly beautiful and adds onto the festivity. Another iconic sight at Orchard is, of course, the amount of luxury brands lined up.

3 things that make Singapore an ideal cloud computing hub in Asia-Pacific

Cloud-based IT services are changing what is possible for enterprises and all kinds of businesses. From small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to multi-national corporations, the cloud is reshaping how and where we do business. It is making how we work and live simpler with access to communications, content, and a whole range of applications and services instantly accessible and efficient to use. 

What firms need to know to maximise returns of PIC investments

For any business owner in Singapore, you would have heard of the Productivity & Innovation Credit (PIC) Scheme.

Singapore's top 10 talent trends for 2017

Employers in Singapore will place greater emphasis on the personality and soft skills of candidates to fill vacancies in 2017. This is just one of the top 10 talent trends Hays predicts we'll see occur in 2017 in Singapore.

Breakthrough for B2B startups: Insights from a live exchange in Singapore

An ability to innovate is often the critical success factor for any global city. Or, for many of us as employees or entrepreneurs. 

How can Singapore remain relevant in the 4th Industrial Revolution?

As we have all come to accept, change is inevitable. In fact, change is the only constant in life. And with that understanding, we don't wet our pants when we come across predicaments such as an economic slowdown or a technical recession.

The business of relationships: Is the financial impact of getting married a deterrent for people in Singapore?

Much has been said about the cost of getting married in Singapore, which can range from S$35,000 to S$75,0001, depending on the scale. And of course, there is the house purchase that comes after that, kids' education, and the list just goes on. Do the financial costs coupled with a challenging economy deter people in Singapore from marriage? Or is the business of relationships a lot more complex than that? 

Data analytics at Alexandra Health System: A new journey in healthcare

By June 2014, Lau Wing Chew, Chief Transformation Officer (CTO) of Alexandra Health System (AHS) in Singapore, had implemented several administrative improvements using data analytics. His team in the Health Analytics Unit (HAU) had introduced initiatives such as the operating theatre (OT) dashboard, ageing-in-place programme, and several population health plans.

Defying disruption and embracing change in Singapore

With disruption highlighted as the defining challenge for Singapore's economy, small business owners can no longer rely on traditional brick-and-mortar stores for their survival. As technological change sweeps across many industries, what is key, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, is how Singapore chooses to respond – whether to close itself off, or embrace the change and help incumbents adjust.

Behind Singapore's food narrative

Some time has passed since the Michelin Guide for Singapore was debuted. Some said it's a recognition of the island's cultural heritage. Some really didn't care whether the stars descended or not. Whatever it is, it is undeniable that food is deeply ingrained in the Singaporean cultural DNA, and is a personal subject for most Singaporeans.

The formula for delighting guests in Singapore's luxury hotels

According to a recent survey conducted by Market Probe, there are a few key ingredients that really delight guests and keep them coming back to luxury hotels in Singapore.

Here's why I think Singapore CPF Life is awesome

If you read the Singapore newspapers or follow social media, you won’t have missed the ongoing controversy about the merits or otherwise of the Central Provident Fund (CPF) scheme. The CPF attempts to serve many objectives, but in this article I will look at just one – the provision of a guaranteed income in retirement.

Winning the innovation arms race with business defence for FinTech

With Singapore continuously strengthening its position as a global financial hub – now ranked third in the current Global Financial Centres Index – government bodies like the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) are increasingly looking to technology to not only support and expedite growth in the financial sector, but also to protect it.

Bye bye, TPP

With the new US President-elect, Mr. Donald J. Trump, it is now almost official that the TPP Trans-Pacific Partnership is over and will not be signed by the US Congress, putting the word end to what was envisioned as the largest free-trade agreement between the USA and 11 countries along the Pacific rim, namely Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam, representing 40% of global economy and 30% of global trade.