Cloud computing is changing the tide of technology and Singapore is at the very forefront of this transformation. Cloud computing in the Republic is expected to grow 43 per cent over the next five years, so it is not surprising that companies like Microsoft, Hewlett Packard (HP), Google, Apple and IBM are battling for a piece of the action.

IBM and HP have both opened research labs in Singapore for cloud and collaborative computing research, while Microsoft is investing in data centres and hosting services in Singapore.

Cloud services in the Asia Pacific, excluding Japan, are projected to hit over US$4.5 billion by 2014, bringing new opportunities for regional providers. It is a key component of Microsoft’s growth strategy, driven from its Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore.

Emilio Umeoka, President, Microsoft Asia Pacific, says: “The key reasons for choosing Singapore as our base are its connectivity, ease of doing business, and the ability to attract quality talent at the right time. Our Asia Pacific team, comprising over 750 local and foreign talents, has more than 34 nationalities and we speak more than 60 languages combined.”

Jessica Tan, Managing Director, Microsoft Singapore, adds that Microsoft invests in building a talent pool for its growth as well as for the broader IT ecosystem. “We work with both the industry as well as the institutions on how technology can be incorporated into the curricula, so students will want to build their careers in IT.”

Microsoft deploys a series of programmes to develop talent in Singapore from schools to start-ups. In November 2008 amid the economic downturn, Microsoft also launched a global programme called BizSpark, working with government agencies to provide software, business enablement and international visibility to more than 500 Singapore start-ups to help them achieve commercial success.

For HP, Singapore was a natural choice as it is not only considered Asia’s most network-ready country but also one of the most innovative. A survey last year of global innovation leaders, by Boston Consulting Group and the Washington-based National Association of Manufacturers, ranked Singapore top in innovation amongst 110 countries, ahead of the US, Japan and Germany.

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HP chose Singapore as its seventh global research lab partly because of its conducive environment that encourages innovation. From its interactions, the company also found it easy to find partners from different disciplines and industries who are willing to collaborate to try out new ideas.

Chris Whitney, Managing Director of HP Labs Singapore says, “What draws me is how we can take advantage of the talent pool in the Asia Pacific region. Singapore, being at the crossroads of the technologically-advanced West and emerging East, makes it a great location to tap on the pool of local and international talent.”

He adds, “What we try to do in HP Labs is to attract the best talent, so we looked for a place where we could gain access to a rich pool of university talent, entrepreneurial talent, as well as general technical talent. We look for people with PhDs and those with a research background. We also welcome entrepreneurs and creative people who can come up with wacky ideas.”

Wacky ideas not withstanding, some of the best and brightest minds in IT are promoting research and pushing the frontiers in IT advancement in Singapore, and both Microsoft and HP recognise the potential the talent here hold.

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