SPRINGnewsJUNE 2016ENABLING ENTERPRISE

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY

SHOWCASEDRESSED FOR SUCCESS: LA BELLE COUTURE WEDDINGS

SHOWCASEA TASTY SERVING OF BUSINESS SUCCESS: TIMBRE+

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CONTENTS

6

EDITORIAL TEAM Marion ABRAHAM (marion_abraham@spring.gov.sg)Felicia LEE (felicia_lee@spring.gov.sg) Kathleen TAN (kathleen_tan@spring.gov.sg) Mark TAN (mark_tan@spring.gov.sg)Kathryn ZHANG (kathryn_zhang@spring.gov.sg)

DESIGN & LAYOUTKevin LOO (kevin_loo@spring.gov.sg)

PUBLISHING CONSULTANTEditor Group

SHOWCASEDRESSED FOR SUCCESS

A TASTY SERVING OF BUSINESS SUCCESS AUTOMATING PROCESSES TO ACCELERATE PERFORMANCE

SPOTLIGHT DRIVING EFFICIENCY WITH TECHNOLOGY

PROFILE A CASE FOR BOOSTING PRODUCTIVITY WITH AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS

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17

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1214AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS

OFFER A COMPELLING SOLUTION FOR SMEs IN TODAY’S HIGHLY COMPETITIVE, DYNAMIC BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

JUNE 2016

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FEATURE STORY

THE KEY TO HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY

BUZZ

JUNE 2016 3

Mr Teo Ser Luck, Minister of State, Ministry of Manpower placing an order at a self-service kiosk at Popeyes Restaurant, Punggol East.

A serving of high efficiencyFaced with a shortage of cashiers, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen has launched a new way to place orders at its outlets. On 27 April, the fast-food chain introduced self-order kiosks at its restaurants in Punggol, IMM Jurong and 313@Somerset. The kiosks, supported by SPRING Singapore’s Capability Development Grant, have halved the time it takes to place an order, increasing sales by more than 10%. ¢

Strengthening SME capabilities

New Singapore standard for handling frozen fish and seafood

On 19 May, the second SME Capabilities Forum was held to educate small businesses on areas crucial for long-term success. It featured thought leaders – such as Mr Joseph Baladi, Chief Executive Officer at BrandAsian, and Dr Wilson Chew, Strategy Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers – and covered a range of topics relevant to SMEs, including business strategy innovation and emerging technologies. “Transforming the way we do business and enhancing business capabilities are some of the critical ways to keep pace with the changing economic climate,” said Ms Chew Mok Lee, Assistant Chief Executive of SPRING Singapore, at the event. ¢

A new Singapore standard – TR49: 2016 Cold Chain Management of Frozen Fish and Seafood – has been launched to reduce food and seafood spoilage, waste and safety risks. Launched by the Singapore Manufacturing Federation Standards Development Organisation, SPRING Singapore and the Seafood Industries Association Singapore on 25 May, the standard is targeted at key stakeholders in the fish and seafood industry, including producers and retailers. It provides guidelines for the cold chain management of raw and minimally processed frozen seafood. ¢

Panellists taking questions on the new standard.

A panel discussion taking place at the SME Capabilities Forum 2016.

BUZZ

JUNE 2016 5

Manpower plan for food services sector

New online academy to boost MSME growthOn 31 May, Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Trade and Industry

(Industry) (below, right), launched a Food Services Sectoral Manpower Plan (SMP) to reduce the sector’s reliance on manpower and enhance the skills of Singaporeans working in the sector. Developed by SPRING Singapore and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency, the five-year SMP comprises three strategies: accelerating the process of redesigning jobs through business transformation, building a strong and future-ready Singapore workforce, and strengthening human resources capabilities. The SMP complements the second Food Services Productivity Plan, launched in 2015. ¢

The new ASEAN Online SME Academy offers micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) easier access to business courses and information on topics such as finance, technology and logistics. Launched on 31 May at the inaugural ASEAN Coordinating Committee on MSME meeting hosted by SPRING Singapore, the academy also provides region-specific information and networking opportunities to help ASEAN MSMEs grow their businesses in Southeast Asia. ¢

We’re on YouTube!

Business leaders at the launch of the ASEAN Online SME Academy.

6 JUNE 2016

Automation and robotics offer a compelling solution for SMEs in today’s highly competitive, dynamic business environment

magine walking into a hotel staffed by humanoid robots capable of greeting guests, carrying luggage and cleaning rooms. Or imagine

having your hair styled by a 24-fingered hair-washing machine. While these might sound like scenes from a sci-fi movie, they could soon be a reality in Singapore.

Recently, Mr Teo Ser Luck, Minister of State for Manpower, went on a Lean Enterprise Development (LED) study mission to Japan. He was joined by representatives from the Restaurant Association of Singapore, Singapore Productivity Centre and SPRING Singapore, and delegates from local food and beverage companies.

Japan is considered a world leader in adopting automation solutions and robotics to boost productivity and reduce manpower needs. Restaurants throughout the country have rolled out a number of innovative technologies to ensure quicker service, including laser-scanning meat machines, conveyor fryers, and edible ink and image printers.

Singapore now aims to emulate these concepts and successes in local industries. “The government is keen to support manpower-lean growth through the LED Scheme – be it in the form of grant support, consultancy or temporary manpower flexibility – to help SMEs reinvent their current workflow processes,” says Mr Teo.

I The government has put in place a range of support programmes to help local companies enhance their technology innovation capabilities. These include SPRING’s Innovation & Capability Voucher which helps SMEs upgrade their capabilities, and the Capability Development Grant (CDG) – a grant assistance programme that helps enterprises upgrade their capabilities across 10 key areas by covering up to 70% of project costs, including consultancy, manpower, training and certification.

Although this strong government support alleviates some of the financial pressures SMEs face when adopting new technologies, the challenge now is to accelerate

THE KEY TO HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY

FEATURE

THE KEY TO HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY

adoption throughout entire industries. Doing so will enable automation solutions to really move the needle on Singapore’s productivity and economic performance.

AutomationAutomation can be used to perform dedicated functions, such as inserting specific components in assemblies, or multiple tasks like tagging, tracking and checking items as they come off the production line.

The biggest benefit of automation is that it enables businesses to produce more with less labour, less waste and less time. In other words, it allows businesses to increase their capacity without increasing costs. Other immediate gains cannot be tangibly measured. SMEs in the finance sector that use automated software can chart asset allocation plans more efficiently. Small accounting firms can move away from bookkeeping and become business consultants.

In 2014, Foodgnostic, a local supplier of baked goods, decided to semi-automate its core production processes to reduce manpower requirements, improve workflow and boost productivity.

This strategy has helped Foodgnostic decrease staffing costs by up to 70% and reduce production wastage to nearly zero. In September 2015, it reported a double-digit net profit margin – something even large companies in the food and beverage industry struggle to achieve.

Such benefits are the reason this year’s Singapore Budget included a strong push for automation. It introduced a new automation support package to cover up to 50% of project automation costs, meaning there is no better time for SMEs to shift away from manpower-led growth to productivity-driven growth.

RoboticsRobotics can be a viable path to profitability for SMEs – especially those in the food and services industries – because robots can be easily reprogrammed to adapt to real-world variability and imperfections.

Fragrance Foodstuff Pte Ltd, a local family-owned provider of traditional Chinese food products such as bak kwa and mooncakes, is a robotics champion. In 2014, using SPRING’s CDG, it installed robotic arms in its

JUNE 2016 7

Process automation is helping Foodgnostic improve productivity, reduce waste and stay competitive.

The healthcare, construction, manufacturing and logistics sectors have been identified by the Singapore government as potential candidates for robotics and automation applications.

product assembly line. The robot’s job may be simple – to pick, pack and label food products – but the company has since seen a 50% increase in productivity.

“Previously, it used to take two staff members to produce only 100 kilograms of packed bak kwa products,” says Mr CK Tan, the company’s Senior Manager. “Now, using the same number of staff members, we can produce up to three times the amount of such products.”

Recently, the Singapore government identified the healthcare, construction, manufacturing and logistics sectors as potential candidates for robotics and automation applications. In addition, the government has set aside more than S$450 million to drive robotics development in these industries, and to create packaged solutions at a reasonable price for SMEs.

“What we want is to find ways for SMEs to adopt this technology, but SME owners have to first understand its potential, then ‘cross the Rubicon’ and try it,” said Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry), during his March visit to a local start-up, Aitech Robotics & Automation Pte Ltd.

If implemented correctly, robots can work safely with humans and help companies improve productivity and profitability, paving the way for a new era of business.

Conventional or robotic automation?The choice between conventional automation or robotic automation, and the extent to which the choice is implemented, depends on a business’s unique needs.

For SMEs that require a more ‘adaptive’ solution, robotics is the answer. According to Mr Hui Wing Feh, Application Engineer at Kurve Automation – a local developer of automation and robotics solutions for SMEs – the need for flexibility is a basic reason for choosing robotics. “Conventional automation solutions will suit businesses that need sustained high-rate production capabilities with reduced human labour,” he explains.

However, Mr Hui says there are situations where robotics and automation are both required to maintain product quality. “For delicate processes and materials, or for production processes that involve hazardous materials and must be performed in unstaffed,

8 JUNE 2016

FEATURE

remote locations, both robotics and automation may be needed.”

At the same time, it is impossible to automate business processes or implement robotics unless a company has a handle on how jobs flow and how much labour and raw materials are consumed in the process. “First, assess what is causing the most pain in terms of labour, errors and waste,” Mr Hui advises. “Then, SMEs need to prioritise three to five core areas that align with their business goals, and automate or robotise those processes.”

A boon for SMEsAcross Singapore, SMEs outnumber large corporations. Collectively, they employ more people and form the backbone of Singapore’s economy. However, many small businesses have yet to realise the advantages of implementing automation and robotics – like attracting and retaining high-skilled workers.

Singapore company Ugene Laboratory Services has designed and built a robot that can process food samples and conduct tests for contaminants, additives and bacteria. The company now attracts professionals looking for meaningful learning experiences rather than just pay cheques.

Adopting automation and robotics has given Ugene Laboratory Services a competitive edge in the testing, inspection and certification market.

Mr Hui Wing Feh Application Engineer Kurve Automation

First, assess what is causing

the most pain in terms of labour, errors and waste. Then, SMEs need to prioritise three to five core areas that align with their business goals, and automate or robotise those processes.

Budget 2016 introduced a new automation support package to cover up to 50% of project automation costs, meaning there is no better time for SMEs to shift away from manpower-led growth to productivity-driven growth.

“Robots and automation tools are not only workforce multipliers; they lead to workforce satisfaction,” says Ms Eunice Ng, Technical Director of Ugene Laboratory Services. “These applications are cool and they attract highly inquisit ive, talented people.”

Two years ago, Ugene Laboratory Services faced the same challenges as most SMEs: rising labour costs,

tight competition, quality concerns, a shortage of skilled workers and limited resources. The difference? It was not afraid of change. In fact, the company embraced it.

Ms Ng puts it this way: “Adopting automation and robotics was the single biggest driver in the change to our business. Had it not been for these, we would be significantly smaller and have less of an impact

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JUNE 2016 9

and competitive edge in the testing, inspection and certification market.”

The recurring theme among successful businesses seems to be that automation and robotic solutions help boost productivity, profitability and business growth. This provides all the more reason for SMEs to adopt these new technologies and ensure long-term competitiveness and sustainability.¢

SHOWCASE

10 JUNE 2016

DRESSED FOR SUCCESSLa Belle Couture Weddings’ virtual fitting room system takes the stress out of choosing a wedding dress

JUNE 2016 11

inding the perfect wedding dress can be the most important part of the wedding planning process for a bride-

to-be. “But it can also be a tiring, over-whelming and time-consuming affair,” says Ms Peiru Teo (below), Managing Director and owner of La Belle Couture Weddings, a local bridal boutique that offers more than 700 wedding gown choices.

According to Ms Teo, brides-to-be typically spend up to four hours trying up to 20 dresses. “Each dress weighs between 7 and 15 kilograms, and takes about 20 minutes to put on,” she explains. “It’s often a physically and mentally exhausting process for both our customers and staff.”

In 2015, Ms Teo found a way to reduce the stress involved in choosing a wedding dress. With the support of SPRING Singapore’s Capability Development Grant (CDG), she purchased FX Mirror – a virtual fitting room system that allows customers to digitally try on hundreds of wedding gowns without the hassle of dressing and undressing. La Belle Couture Weddings is the first company in Singapore to implement the system.

“With the FX Mirror, our customers no longer have to try on more than a dozen wedding gowns to pin down the right size, colour and design,” she says.

Unique shopping experienceSince 2006, La Belle Couture Weddings has evolved from a company with only three staff members into one of the leading bridal boutiques in Singapore. However, Ms Teo admits that getting her business off the ground was no easy feat.

F

keytakeaways¢ Innovative technologies are the key to long-term competitiveness and business sustainability.¢ Visit www.spring.gov.sg/CDG to find out how SPRING can help you upgrade your business capabilities.

“In our first few years, we faced difficulties in maintaining standard service levels. Our customers naturally have high expectations and some- times it was difficult for our staff members to meet their needs and demands,” she explains. “This led to inconsistencies in terms of service quality and experiences.”

That pressure on staff members was greatly alleviated in January 2016, when Ms Teo installed the FX Mirror at La Belle Couture Weddings. The South Korean system uses Microsoft Kinect cameras and 3D virtual fitting software to analyse and measure height and body proportions, such as shoulder width, waist size and hip circumference, to accurately fit a virtual garment on the customer.

“The FX Mirror makes it easy for customers to choose and eliminate wedding dresses and suits as it displays all information about a particular outfit – from design details to colour choices – in one central system,” says Ms Teo. “Additionally, because it takes only two seconds to put on a virtual dress, our customers now have more time to try on as many styles and designs as they like.”

The system also helps staff members quickly grasp customers’ preferences. “Based on what they pick, our consultants can tell what they like and dislike, enabling them to provide higher-quality recommendations,” Ms Teo adds. “It puts us in a better position to advise brides- and grooms-to-be and increases customer trust.”

Now, each fitting appointment takes less than three hours. “The system has helped our staff members reduce time spent per customer by 20%. This, in turn, has increased our overall capacity to take in more appointments by 30%, especially on peak days,” Ms Teo explains.

Overall, the FX Mirror has enhanced the customer experience at La Belle Couture Weddings, providing a personalised, consistent and convenient service. In 2015, the company conducted a customer satisfaction survey and received a score of 9.2 out of 10 – a

10% increase compared with surveys conducted in 2013 and 2014.

A forward-looking partnerToday, La Belle Couture Weddings works with some of the biggest names in the hospitality industry, including Mandarin Oriental Singapore, Regent Singapore and Pan Pacific Singapore, offering customised wedding packages and services. “The FX Mirror has strengthened our status as a forward-looking bridal boutique and has led to us becoming a preferred wedding services partner,” says Ms Teo.

Within the next year, the company plans to implement an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution to digitise the customer journey, automate back-office functions and integrate business operations, such as sales, inventory and marketing.

This will empower customers to ‘self-help’ online and get instant confirmations on, for instance, change requests, which otherwise may take up to five days to manually process.

“Then, we plan to link our ERP solution to our soon-to-be-launched e-commerce platform to analyse inventory patterns, identify popular designs and track every item,” Ms Teo adds.

As for the FX Mirror, the company plans to incorporate it into its ERP solution and e-commerce platform. In the future, customers will be able to try on gowns at La Belle Couture Weddings using the FX Mirror, save their selections to a personal e-wardrobe and make payments online.

“Essentially, we’re using technology to enhance the customer experiences we provide,” says Ms Teo. “With the FX Mirror, customer experience has become our competitive advantage.”¢

SHOWCASE

r Edward Chia (above), Timbre Group’s Managing Director, already runs

some of Singapore’s most successful bars. But with his latest venture, Timbre+, a mixed-concept eatery, he’s aiming to be a hit on the local food scene as well.

Launched in April this year, the company’s new 800-seat “gastropark” is equipped with sophisticated technology, including a centralised high-tech dishwashing point, an IT-powered tray system and a self-order and payment kiosk.

The motivation for these technology investments? “The tight labour

A TASTY SERVING OF BUSINESS SUCCESSHow Timbre+ is using innovative technologies to engineer social change and boost productivity

M

12 JUNE 2016

market,” says Mr Chia. “We needed to find a way to reduce our reliance on manpower because we realised that the more we expanded, the more workers we needed to hire – something that’s unsustainable in the long run.”

Using SPRING Singapore’s Capability Development Grant (CDG) in 2015, Mr Chia set about buying new high-tech equipment, and designing and building a high-tech dishwashing facility.

“The CDG allows businesses to claim up to 70% of qualifying costs for initiatives to upgrade business capabilities, so our plan was to put processes in place that could improve

workflow and boost productivity,” he says.

Lean operationsAs well as serving up tasty dishes, Timbre+ aims to engineer social change. Its IT-powered tray system requires diners to pay S$1 for a tray, which is automatically returned when they take the radio-chipped tray to the dishwashing point.

The solution – for which Mr Chia has filed a patent – seems to be working. Since April this year, more than 90% of trays have been returned by diners.

“Now, instead of eight cleaners, we only need three,” says Mr Chia. “Our cleaners have been redeployed to

more value-added roles, such as providing assistance to customers at the dishwashing point to improve dining experiences. As a result, they’ve reported feeling more job satisfaction.”

Timbre+’s labour-saving results have also inspired other food court developers across the island. “We’ve received a number of enquiries asking us to help design and put in place some of Timbre+’s operational processes in other food centres, as well as to set up Timbre+ in other locations,” he adds.

A healthy landlord-tenant

keytakeaways¢ Continuous improvement is the key to sustaining a competitive edge.¢ Visit www.spring.gov.sg/CDG to find out how SPRING can help you improve your business processes.

JUNE 2016 13

We need to constantly think

of new, innovative ways to reduce manpower needs, boost productivity and ensure business sustainability – all of which are possible with technology. Mr Edward Chia Managing Director Timbre Group

By the end of this year, he plans to install solar-powered smart bins at the eatery. Each bin will contains in-built solar-powered compaction technology that increases its capacity (from 606 litres to 800 litres) when full.

“These home-grown smart bins will be able to send out alerts to our cleaners when they are full, ensuring an effective and efficient rubbish management system at Timbre+, and overall cleanliness.”

As for more long-term plans, Mr Chia is looking at drones. “We’re exploring how we can use them, instead of waiters and waitresses, to deliver food to customers’ tables.”

He puts it this way: “The current tight labour situation means we need to constantly think of new, innovative ways to reduce manpower needs, boost productivity and ensure business sustainability – all of which are possible with technology. We see our technology strategy as a win-win solution for all stakeholders.” ¢

relationshipMr Chia’s technology strategy has helped the company deliver on another business imperative: the landlord-tenant relationship.

“Many landlords – especially in the retail space in Singapore – are scrambling to attract and retain tenants, highlighting the importance of tenant satisfaction,” says Mr Chia. “Many have reported seeing tenants come and go in as little as six months, which isn’t very good for business.”

That’s why, he says, landlords have to step up and play a bigger role in ensuring the success of their tenants.

“Our centralised dishwashing point and IT-powered tray system benefit all tenants at Timbre+, because each hawker stall, restaurant or food truck housed here does not need to hire their own cleaners or dishwashers,” Mr Chia explains. “This translates to lower operational and administrative costs and higher profits for our tenants.”

Strategy for the futureThe success of Timbre+ has given Mr Chia the confidence to further strengthen the company’s technology efforts to drive business growth, productivity and sustainability.

14 JUNE 2016

AUTOMATING PROCESSES TO ACCELERATE PERFORMANCEUgene Laboratory Services is using robotics to produce test results more quickly and ease manpower constraints

SHOWCASE

JUNE 2016 15

i nce 1998 , Ugene Laboratory Services has provided Singapore’s food sector with vital quality

checks to ensure products are safe for consumers. The company’s microbiologists test food products and traditional Chinese medicines for a full range of potentially harmful foodborne microorganisms, ensuring their clients comply with food safety regulations.

“Quick and accurate results – that’s what our clients want,” says Ms Eunice Ng (left), Technical Director of Ugene Laboratory Services.

As demand for the company’s services grew, she realised that it needed to hire more workers. “The problem was that hiring the right people turned out to be unsustainable, given Singapore’s tight labour situation,” says Ms Ng. “We needed people willing to under-take a number of manual, routine and time-consuming processes, but they were proving hard to find.”

The company decided to invest in robotics to address its manpower challenges. In 2015, using SPRING Singapore’s Capability Development Grant, it embarked on a project to design and build a two-armed robot that could process food samples and conduct tests for contaminants, additives and bacteria.

Quicker, more accurate resultsPutting its robot to work means Ugene Laboratory Services has been able to automate a number of repetitive tasks, such as setting up and weighing test samples. This enables the company to generate test results and reports quicker.

It used to take the company five days to issue a test report. Now it can deliver one quicker.

“Previously, our laboratory personnel needed up to 20 minutes to complete a test. Now, it takes only 10 minutes and the results are completely accurate. This means we can now generate test reports more quickly,

S

keytakeaways¢ Robotics can help companies improve business efficiency, and product and service consistency.¢ Find out how SPRING can help your business implement robotics by visiting www.spring.gov.sg/CDG.

further reducing the time to market for our clients’ products,” says Ms Ng.

More business opportunitiesReducing the time spent performing manual, routine tasks has significantly improved the company’s productivity and business opportunities.

“Not only have we been able to do up to 35% more tests with the same number of staff members, we’ve also been able to secure more contracts for food testing because our clients see us as a more reliable, trusted partner,” Ms Ng reports. testing services and reports as a

‘gateway’ to overseas markets.

“Robotics enables us to deliver test results more quickly and accurately, which, in turn, allows our clients to gain quicker access to markets,” Ms Ng adds.

The company’s success as a result of implementing robotics has given it more confidence to expand its business offerings. “This year, we plan to implement an automated pathogen testing system to detect bacteria, such as salmonella and listeria, in food samples,” explains Ms Ng.

The system will further ensure the safety and quality of food products. “It will complement the testing services provided by our robot and help us achieve our target of 20% growth in the sales of our services,” Ms Ng adds.

Overall, she believes that the robotics solution is one of the company’s biggest assets. “It enables us to produce higher-quality test results and reports more quickly, reduce risks and generate manpower savings – all of which have put the company on a path to future growth.” ¢

Robotics enables us to deliver test

results more quickly and accurately, which, in turn, allows our clients to gain quicker access to markets. Ms Eunice Ng Technical Director Ugene Laboratory Services

The company has also achieved manpower savings. “Previously, we needed three people to set up and weigh samples, but now we require only one person to operate the robot,” says Ms Ng.

With the new robotics solution in place, Ugene Laboratory Services’ staff members can focus on revenue-generating activities, such as per-forming hygiene audits, environmental testing and water testing for leading food manufacturers, restaurants and hotels in Singapore.

“As a result, these new services now make up almost 20% of the company’s total revenue,” says Ms Ng.

A solution for successToday, many local and international firms use Ugene Laboratory Services’

Develop Your Human Capital

For more information, visit www.spring.gov.sg/HCD or email hcd@spring.gov.sg

Make people your most valued asset Invest in talents and enhance your HR capabilities to support your business growth.

Implement basic HR systems and processes

Attract and develop young talents

Embark on HR capability upgrading projects

SPOTLIGHT

The Singapore School Transport Association’s integrated technology solution is set to inject new life into the school transport industry

ingapore school bus drivers often have to deal with rowdy children and anxious calls from parents

– all while operating a 10-tonne vehicle. This can potentially lead to distracted driving and accident risks.

“In addition, school bus operators manually track the daily attendance of students, which is time-consuming and prone to errors,” says Mr Wong Ann Lin (above, centre), Executive Council Chairman of the Singapore School Transport Association (SSTA). The SSTA was established in 1958 to bring together and represent the interests of school bus operators, improve services, and reduce disputes between its members and clients.

For bus operators, a new School Bus Management System (SBMS) is set to alleviate some of these stresses.

The centralised fleet management and dynamic bus routing system – developed by the SSTA and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research’s Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), with support from SPRING Singapore’s Local Enterprise and Association Development (LEAD) programme and the National Trades Union Congress – includes features such as an in-vehicle surveillance system, a student attendance and tracking system, and a smart bus route planning system.

S Increased visibilityOne of the SBMS’s main features is its in-vehicle surveillance system, which allows operators to monitor the behaviour of passengers and other drivers.

“The system, which is fitted with cameras, can record up to eight different angles – four directed to the roads and four internally. This means bus operators will be able to tell when other drivers speed or engage in dangerous driving,” says Mr Jeremy Ng (above, left), Executive Secretary of the SSTA. In addition, operators will be able to use the system to help find missing items on buses.

DRIVING EFFICIENCY WITH TECHNOLOGY

Develop Your Human Capital

For more information, visit www.spring.gov.sg/HCD or email hcd@spring.gov.sg

Make people your most valued asset Invest in talents and enhance your HR capabilities to support your business growth.

Implement basic HR systems and processes

Attract and develop young talents

Embark on HR capability upgrading projects

JUNE 2016 17

Whichever stage of growth your business is at, having the right set of business capabilities will make you more competitive. SPRING Singapore’s Capability Development Grant (CDG) helps defray up to 70% of qualifying project costs when you enhance your capabilities to grow your business.

For more information, visit www.spring.gov.sg/CDG today!

TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

HUMAN CAPITAL

DEVELOPMENT

BRAND & MARKETINGSTRATEGY

DEVELOPMENT

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

SERVICE EXCELLENCE

PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & FRANCHISING

ENHANCING QUALITY &

STANDARDS

BUSINESS STRATEGY

INNOVATION

Build Up Your Businesswith the

Capability Development Grant

keytakeaways¢ Technology innovation is the key to rejuvenating industries and businesses.¢ To find out how the LEAD programme can help enhance industry and enterprise competitiveness, visit www.spring.gov.sg/LEAD.

The SBMS can be used as a

powerful technology tool to improve visibility and services, minimise disputes, and maximise productivity and efficiency.Dr Liu Wei Senior Scientist SIMTech

Whichever stage of growth your business is at, having the right set of business capabilities will make you more competitive. SPRING Singapore’s Capability Development Grant (CDG) helps defray up to 70% of qualifying project costs when you enhance your capabilities to grow your business.

For more information, visit www.spring.gov.sg/CDG today!

TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

HUMAN CAPITAL

DEVELOPMENT

BRAND & MARKETINGSTRATEGY

DEVELOPMENT

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

SERVICE EXCELLENCE

PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & FRANCHISING

ENHANCING QUALITY &

STANDARDS

BUSINESS STRATEGY

INNOVATION

Build Up Your Businesswith the

Capability Development Grant

The automatic attendance-taking and notification system, which will use radio frequency identification tags attached to each child and a mobile app, will send push notifications to parents about their child’s location. “For instance, the app will send a notification to parents 10 minutes before the bus arrives at their home. When the child boards the bus, the parents get a message, and they get another when the child reaches school,” explains Mr Ng.

Parents are again notified when the child has boarded the bus after school. “These notifications will help reduce the number of calls drivers get from parents and allow them to concentrate on driving,” says Mr Ng.

For drivers, the system is also set to be a productivity boon. “Attendance-taking is automatic, which will help eliminate the time it takes to manually record student attendance,” says Mr Ng.

A smarter way to planAnother feature of the SBMS is a smart bus route planning system that provides operators with the fastest route.

“Previously, drivers used to take up to five days to manually plan their school bus routing schedules based on student pick-up locations,” says Mr Ng. “Now, drivers just have to enter all the addresses into the system and it will suggest the best possible route.”

Essentially, with the smart bus route planning system, drivers will be able to avoid the fuel wastage caused by excessive idling and inefficient routes. “And with proper driving behaviour, accident repair and downtime opportunity costs

can be reduced by up to 85%,” says Mr Wong.

Fit for the futureFollowing a successful pilot run of the SBMS with Raffles Girls’ Primary School in December 2015, the SSTA now plans to roll out the system across the school transport sector, starting with 1,000 buses this year and reaching 5,000 buses by 2019.

The pilot demonstrated substantial productivity improvements. “For instance, the time spent at student pick-up points – including waiting for students to board the bus and taking attendance – was reduced by a total of 14 minutes per trip,” says Dr Liu Wei (page 17, right), Senior Scientist at SIMTech. “In addition, with the smart bus route planning system, the travel time from the first to last pick-up point was reduced by more than four minutes, while the distance travelled by the bus was cut by about 3 kilometres per trip.”

In future, the SSTA plans to enhance the security features of the SBMS. “We plan to add 16 more cameras to the in-vehicle surveillance system to give school bus drivers a real-time 360-degree, bird’s-eye view of their surroundings, to prevent accidents and improve pedestrian safety,” says Mr Ng.

Mr Wong, Mr Ng and Dr Liu expect the SBMS to be widely adopted across the school transport industry. “The SBMS can be used as a powerful technology tool to improve visibility and services, minimise disputes, and maximise productivity and efficiency,” says Dr Liu. “It will help Singapore play a greater role in developing global school transport systems.” ¢

SPOTLIGHT

JUNE 2016 19

20 JUNE 2016

Tell us more about Kurve Automation. Why did the company decide to focus on providing robotics for the food and service sectors?In 2013, when we set up the company, we planned to focus on general automation solutions serving a range of sectors. However, we noticed that the market for robotics technology – especially in the food and service

PROFILE

SPRINGnews recently caught up with Mr Hui Wing Feh (above), Application Engineer at automation and robotics solutions developer Kurve Automation. He shares his views on what automation and robotics mean for businesses in the food and service sectors.

industries – was under-serviced. This led us to shift our focus in 2015.

Food and service businesses require versatile, smart and collaborative robots that can be reprogrammed to handle various tasks, adapt to real-world scenarios, and work safely with and around humans.

These businesses do not need heavy automation equipment to perform specific tasks. If a piece of equipment

fails, the whole system stops. But if a robot fails, a human can step in and a company will not incur downtime.

So does that mean robotics and automation are two different things?Put simply, robotics is a tool for achieving automation. Think of it as a form of ‘flexible’ automation in that, unlike conventional automation solutions, robots can be used for a variety of tasks and applications.

A CASE FOR BOOSTING PRODUCTIVITY WITH AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS

JUNE 2016 21

What are some of the challenges faced by businesses in the food and service industries that Kurve Automation aims to address? Two of the biggest challenges facing these businesses are low productivity and a shortage of manpower. Both food manufacturers and service businesses are under increasing pressure to improve uptime while reducing costs in order to remain competitive and profitable.

That’s where we come in. We want to help companies in these sectors build businesses for the future by revolutionising how automation is deployed. Smart, collaborative robots are capable of working alongside humans and performing a wide range of tasks faster than people can, freeing up staff members to use their talents for more interesting, value-added work.

Could you tell us more about the company’s recent solution – the breakfast egg robot? With support from SPRING Singapore’s Capability Development Grant (CDG), we developed a new robot in January 2016.

The one-armed robot can perform more than 20 tasks – including beating, frying and flipping eggs – and operate up to 10 different pieces of equipment simultaneously. It’s the first robot in Singapore with this level of automation and robotics system integration.

It’s designed specifically to reduce waiting times at breakfast buffets and restaurants, so it can work twice as fast as humans and make all kinds of eggs – from creamy scrambled eggs and fluffy omelettes to perfect sunny-side up eggs. We’ve even programmed it to make dosai!

It’s developed in such a way that it can mix different products and make orders for individual customers. Now we’re working with Nanyang Polytechnic’s

1 – In December 2015, with SPRING’s support, the COIE launched an Internet of Things Open Innovation Community to create opportunities for academia, start-ups and larger companies to work together on diverse innovation projects.

Centre of Innovation for Electronics (COIE)1 in the area of Internet of Things to develop an automatic smart visual 3D sensing system, or ‘eyes’, to improve the robot’s accuracy, efficiency and quality control system.

What are some of its other benefits?With this robot, jobs will be transformed. While it serves up food – quickly and with no risk of error – human chefs can focus on becoming customer service champions, building bonds with customers. It will take away laborious, low-value tasks and, inevitably, improve the experiences of both staff members and customers.

How will this solution help encourage food and service businesses to adopt automation?We’ve really simplified our solution’s human-machine interface, so that anyone can program the robot. This ease of programming, combined with the robot’s mobility, will hopefully encourage businesses to embrace these advanced automated solutions – whether they’re micro and small enterprises or much larger companies.

With this robot, automation can be as simple as sending an email!

Cost is a significant concern for most local SMEs when it comes to adopting new technologies. How should businesses deal with this challenge?SMEs can turn to SPRING for help, and use the CDG and Innovation & Capability Voucher as stepping stones to automation and business success. Those looking to scale up automation in their businesses can use the new Automation Support Package introduced as part of this year’s Budget to cover up to 50% of their project automation costs.

How would you advise Singapore SMEs looking to adopt automation and robotics? There is a clear financial incentive in moving towards automation and robotics. It saves money; does the job more effectively; and, ultimately, helps improve a company’s overall productivity, profitability and competitiveness.

In today’s highly competitive business landscape, automation is no longer a question of return on investment – it’s a necessity for survival! ¢

SMF

At the SME Centre, our Business Advisors partner you on your growth journey, guiding you to the next level in your business. Leverage their insights on the SME community, and tap on readily available business resources, to start growing your business today!

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SME Centre@SMF

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Standards CollectionNational Library BoardLee Kong Chian Reference Library 100 Victoria StreetLevel 7Singapore 188064Tel: (65) 6332 3255Email: ref@library.nlb.gov.sgWebsite: eresources.nlb.gov.sg/standards

SME InfolineTel: (65) 6898 1800Email: smeinfoline@spring.gov.sgWebsite: www.smeportal.sg

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SME Centre@SCCCISingapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) 47 Hill Street, #09-00Singapore 179365Tel: (65) 6337 8381Fax: (65) 6339 0605Email: enquiry@smecentre-sccci.sgWebsite: www.smecentre-sccci.sg

SME Centre@SICCISingapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) SICCI Building31 Stanley StreetSingapore 068740Tel: (65) 6508 0147Email: sme@smecentre-sicci.sgWebsite: www.smecentre-sicci.sg

Satellite SME Centres are also located at the Community Development Councils (CDCs).

CONTACTSSME Centre@SMCCI Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SMCCI) 15 Jalan PinangSingapore 199147Tel: (65) 6293 3822Fax: (65) 6293 3905Email: gadvisory@smecentre-smcci.sgWebsite: www.smecentre-smcci.sg

SME Centre@SMF Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) 2985 Jalan Bukit Merah Singapore 159457Tel: (65) 6826 3020Fax: (65) 6826 3021Email: query@smecentre-smf.sgWebsite: www.smecentre-smf.sg

For assistance, you can visit satellite SME Centres located at the Community Development Councils (CDCs), Changi Simei Community Club and Ang Mo Kio Community Centre.

SPRING Singapore is an agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, responsible for helping Singapore enterprises grow and building trust in Singapore products and services. As the enterprise development agency, SPRING works with partners to help enterprises with financing, capability and management development, technology and innovation, and access to markets. As the national standards and accreditation body, SPRING develops and promotes an internationally recognised standards and quality assurance infrastructure. SPRING also oversees the safety of general consumer goods in Singapore.

SMF

At the SME Centre, our Business Advisors partner you on your growth journey, guiding you to the next level in your business. Leverage their insights on the SME community, and tap on readily available business resources, to start growing your business today!

Supported by

Find out more at www.smecentres.sg

More than Business Advisors, they are my partners in business

Ms Shermaine TayBusiness Advisor

SME Centre@SMF

Join these SMEs that have taken their businesses to the next level

Mr Sia Chye WhattDirector

Darwin Design & Development Pte Ltd

Ms Angel Tnee Ching MeiFounder

Allure Beauty Salon Pte Ltd

Mr Ng Cheng KaiBusiness Advisor

SME Centre@SMF

Ms Ashura D/O Isaahak PiperdyBusiness Advisor

SME Centre@SMCCI

Mdm Supiah AbdullahDirector

Foodcrumz Pte Ltd

Ms Ho Qian Yi Fermelle Director

iConz Pte ltd

Mr Andrew GamBusiness Advisor

SME Centre@ASME

Mr. Ishvinder SinghBusiness Advisor

SME Centre@SICCI

Mr P. GunasegeranCEO

Just R Enterprise Pte Ltd

Ms Stella Aw Yong Business Advisor

SME Centre@ASME

Mr Kentigern TanDirector

Suniwell Trading Pte Ltd

Ms Ong Poh Geok Founder

Shing Mei Confectionery

Mr Alan Wong Peng HowBusiness Advisor

SME Centre@SCCCI

Ms Viswanatham SangariBusiness Advisor

SME Centre@SICCI

Mr Mahendran S/O Navaratna RajahRegional Director

Omni-Health Pte Ltd

Mr Tan Guang LinBusiness Advisor

SME Centre@SMF

Ms Ann YeoGeneral Manager

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Tel: +65 6278 6666, Fax: +65 6278 6667www.spring.gov.sg