New facility will drive IBM’s asset strategy in growth markets
SINGAPORE – 05 Dec 2011: IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced today the opening of a new Services Integration Hub in Singapore that will drive the adoption of reusable solutions in growth markets and across the Asia Pacific region.
The hub will help clients in Asia Pacific deploy powerful solutions fast. Reusable solution content – called services assets – are at the heart of this mission. Assets range from components to complete systems. They are especially relevant in growth markets, where there is an urgent need to build out systems and infrastructure quickly – often in the face of skills shortages.
Assets represent a big step forward in the delivery of IT services, which for decades have relied on one-off, customized solutions, built from scratch again and again. By contrast, IBM has been busy making services more like software, aware that the new environment requires flexible applications that can be assembled quickly from pre-existing parts. A reusable asset approach can help overcome the skills gap, while speeding up delivery of solutions.
IBM will make significant investments in the hub over the next few years, including spending on infrastructure and skilled resources. The hub will initially employ several hundred services professionals. To help develop the necessary local skills, an international leadership team and senior subject matter experts will be based at the hub to ensure ongoing sharing and development of knowledge and expertise.
Officially launched today by Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Lim Hng Kiang, at the Changi Business Park, the hub will provide a new level of global consistency, integration and standardization in solution development and delivery for clients served by IBM Global Services. It will also tap into the resources and expertise of the rest of IBM – from hardware to software, research and global finance – to drive differentiated industry solutions and services, mitigate risk and assure business continuity.
Speaking at the launch of the hub, Minister Lim said, “Singapore’s infocomm industry remains a key sector in our economy. Our successful partnership with IBM in the Global Services Integration Hub is a testament to Singapore’s goal to be a global Asia-hub for multinational companies and global mid-sized companies to tap into pan-Asian growth opportunities as well as for Asian firms to access global markets beyond Asia.”
Singapore was chosen as the location for this regional capability based on the strong public-private partnership with the country, its accessibility and connectivity, established industry verticals, and the talent and skills that the country has to offer.
Mr. Rajesh Nambiar, General Manager, IBM Global Services – Services Integration Hub said, “Our clients today need IBM services to manage their technology infrastructure, as well as to solve their highest-priority business challenges, both locally and globally. By using globally consistent operational and delivery processes aligned with standardized offerings, we ensure that our solutions are based on IBM’s leading global expertise and capabilities.”
“Our delivery approach brings together deep industry, technical and analytics expertise through common processes, methods and tools as foundational elements of both our consulting and applications businesses. The model also enables business outcome-based differentiation, and quality and productivity improvements through the use of repeatable assets and analytics.”
The new facility will provide IBM’s sophisticated process for solution design to clients across a range of industries. The ability to deploy reusable assets that have been developed and previously tested, and successfully delivered creates greater predictability in the services engagement, driving better outcomes for clients.
Ms. Janet Ang, Managing Director, IBM Singapore, said, “The creation of the new Services Integration Hub deepens the long-standing collaboration between IBM and Singapore. It is the latest in the numerous centers of excellence that IBM has established here over the years. Today’s announcement will boost Singapore’s reputation as a global hub for high-value services while taking our cooperation to a new level.”
For more information, please visit http://www.ibm.com/sg