Microsoft launches first SEA Center in Singapore

“Gates” open and “Bill-ed” at S$23 million for five years.

Microsoft launches South East Asia’s first Microsoft Technology Centre, where it is expected to invest S$23 million over the next five years. The opening ceremony was officiated by Guest-of-Honor Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts; and Jessica Tan, Managing Director of Microsoft Singapore.

The MTC is a unique collaborative environment for Microsoft customers to access innovative technologies and world-class expertise, enabling them to envision, design and deploy solutions that meet their exact needs. It brings together world-class technology infrastructure, experience and expertise by sharing architect talent and best practices from Microsoft and other global innovators. MTC is located within Microsoft Singapore’s office at One Marina Boulevard. This “experience first” approach will allow customers to test concepts and ideas before implementation, and enable them to save time and money.

Tan says, “The MTC is more than just a showcase of Microsoft technology. It features industry leading best-of-breed solutions from us and our partners, presenting many scenarios from increasing energy efficiency in data centre design to addressing customer retention strategies creating a more presenting many scenarios from increasing energy efficiency in data centre design to addressing customer retention strategies. For the first time in the industry, there is a place where senior decision makers from HR, Finance, Marketing and IT can go to see for themselves how they can use technology to transform their business and increase productivity. This will go a long way in ensuring we continue to enable world class capability and talent development through knowledge transfer, amongst organisations in Singapore.”

Since 1990, Microsoft has invested over S$4.7 billion in Singapore, and will be investing S$23 million in the MTC over the next five years. In addition to the physical structure and technology, Microsoft will also invest in hiring world-class experts to manage the MTC. These experts are expected to share their knowledge and expertise with local talents in Singapore.

Lucas Goh, Global IT Infrastructure Manager at Berg Propulsion International, who toured the MTC says, “The MTC very clearly shows the emphasis and commitment that Microsoft has in adding value to its customers and their business. It’s both very exciting and reassuring for us to continue our business relationship with Microsoft.”

Another customer who toured the MTC, Bernard Chew, Chief Information Officer with NTUC Fairprice adds, “All of us benefited greatly from the session. We glimpsed some of the new technologies that Microsoft is pioneering, as well as how the Microsoft Office, Sharepoint and Lync solutions can drive productivity improvements at our organisation, and transform the way we work. This makes it way easier for me to introduce these technologies to FairPrice in the coming months.”

Adds Tan: “The ‘experience first’ approach is a key differentiator for MTC, allowing our customers to ‘see, discuss and try’ before organisations incur actual costs in implementing scenarios. We believe will make a huge difference to organisations, to enable the adoption of cutting-edge technologies at their own pace while saving time and money in the process.”

In the near future, Microsoft also plans to include made-in-Singapore innovations to provide greater exposure to local softwarecompanies.

The MTC will also facilitate a whole new way of teaching and provide a place for business leaders and entrepreneurs to put their ideas to the test, in line with Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to play a partnership role in fostering growth and future competitiveness of Singapore. It complement the numerous programs that Microsoft Singapore has already put in place to contribute to talent development and capability building, with the belief that success in these areas will result in a skilled workforce that will drive a sustainable and healthy local software ecosystem.

Some of the key initiatives in these two focus areas include participation in efforts led by the Government to enhance Singapore’s world-class education practices; work closely with NGOs and similar organizations to equip the elderly, people with disabilities, and the socially disadvantaged with IT skills; partnerships to provide advice and technology to young innovative Singapore-based companies, especially start-ups; and sharing insights and best practices on how governments are transforming themselves through Web 2.0.

In addition, Microsoft also has a significant impact on the local economy in Singapore. According to a recent IDC Economic Impact Study, Microsoft partners and related IT organisations employ an estimated 47% of the total IT workforce in Singapore. And for every Dollar that Microsoftmakes in Singapore, its partners earn US$8.13.

The MTC will serve customers in Asia Pacific. Located within Microsoft’s office at One Marina Boulevard, it occupies an area measuring 7,000 square feet.