Services sector gets SAP boost

[Steve Bennett]

Cross post:

SAP has pledged $12.6 million over seven years in funding, technology equipment and infrastructure to a local research initiative.

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Automated CORTEX news service

[Steve Bennett]

Services sector gets SAP boost

AustralianIT

Fran Foo | July 03, 2008

SAP has pledged $12.6 million over seven years in funding, technology equipment and infrastructure to Australian research initiative, Smart Services Co-operative Research Centre.

Local private organisations, government and universities will invest $120 million over that period to commercialise products in Smart Services' labs.

The German software maker is the largest contributor to the program.

Other investors have poured in $89.2 million worth of funding, including Telstra, global outsourcing firm Infosys, insurer Suncorp-Metway, Fairfax Digital and the governments of NSW and Queensland. Infosys said it would contribute $1.9 million in cash and services towards the program.

About $30.8 million will come from the federal Government.

At the launch of Smart Services in Sydney today, federal Innovation Minister Kim Carr said the research initiative was long overdue , given that services provides most of the country's jobs and generate large amounts of gross domestic product.

"The services sector dominates our economy in just about every area except one - exports.

"It is pleasing to see Smart Services setting itself the goal of making Australian services more internationally competitive and boosting service exports," Senator Carr said.

The investment by the Commonwealth and other investors are estimated to enable Smart Services to return at least $250 million to the Australian economy by 2016, he said.

Smart Services will embark on 11 research projects this month.

Smart Services chief executive Warren Bradey said his outfit differs from other R&D institutions as commercial viability and business benefits are put ahead of technical research before an idea find its way into the labs.

[Steve Bennett]

Carr to unveil $120m services program

Fran Foo | July 03, 2008

PRIVATE companies, government and universities in Australia will invest $120 million over seven years to turn ideas into commercial-ready products for worldwide consumption.

The project, spearheaded by Smart Services Co-operative Research Centre, has drawn in Telstra, German software giant SAP, global outsourcing firm Infosys, insurer Suncorp-Metway, Fairfax Digital and the governments of NSW and Queensland as investors.

Infosys has pledged $1.9 million in cash and services towards the program.

Innovation Minister Kim Carr said Smart Services should make a significant contribution in developing the nation's services sector.

"The Commonwealth will contribute $30.8 million in funding until June 30, 2014," Senator Carr said.

"The investment by the Commonwealth and the participants in the CRC are estimated to enable Smart Services to return at least $250 million to the Australian economy by 2016.

"The services economy is commonly known as the largest contributor to Australia's industry value added and employment, and a growing contributor to exports.

"The Rudd Government recognises the importance of the services sector to the national innovation system and productivity of the economy. In an advanced knowledge intensive country like Australia, a strong and competitive services sector is fundamental to our wellbeing."

Senator Carr is expected to officially announce Smart Services' funding details at an event in Sydney today.

Smart Services chief executive Warren Bradey said although research and development was the company's bread and butter, it differed from other R&D organisations.

"We look at the commercial viability of an idea and the market need or opportunity for such a product before launching into research," Mr Bradey said.

Smart Services would kick off 11 research projects this month, he said.

They would be focused on three main streams: finance, government and media.

He said one venture would look at how customers could access multiple banking activities across myriad devices, from the internet to smart phones, keeping trust and privacy assurances intact. "We're also looking at how to personalise people's media experiences across a multi-channel, multi-platform environment," he said.

Another area of interest was to create online templates for government agencies.

These could be created once and reused several times.

Although Smart Services consists of several partners, it will retain the intellectual property of products and applications developed at its labs.

Smart Services was conceived a few years ago but suffered several setbacks.

"The establishment of Smart Services was delayed due to a number of participants either withdrawing or reducing their anticipated contributions," Senator Carr said.