National computerization and road map to information technology research and development
In 1981, Singapore has launched a national computerization program. Several educational, training, civil service computerization and computer industry promotion programs have been carried out. In 1985, encouraged by the positive results achieved, a new mission was added to create a R & D culture and capability for transferring information technology to Singapore for productivity gain and for supporting a successful information and software industry in Singapore for economic growth. Two R & D organizations, Institute of Systems Science (ISS) and Information Technology Institute (ITI) were hence established. This paper gives a historical perspective of Singapore's national computerization program. Some of the Information Technology (IT) R & D projects currently underway are described. Requirements, difficulties, progress and potential impact of these ambitious R & D plans are also discussed.