We are constantly upgrading our IT security capability to ensure that our IT working environment is protected against malicious hackers and unauthorised users.

The Group implemented various Information Technology initiatives in 2006 to enhance business processes, create a safer IT environment and better support the activities of business units.

We embarked on a global, Group-wide initiative to replace our current financial system, and other accounting packages used by the overseas offices, with the SAP Financial System. The enhancement will allow the Group to streamline the various Strategic Business Units’ (SBUs) financial process flows, and enable more timely and accurate access to financial data and reports that are needed for business decisions.

The requirements definition, system and vendor evaluation, and selection for the SAP implementation exercise, were done in the last quarter of 2005. Information Technology and Finance staff from all SBUs teamed up to form a project task force to work with the SAP consultants, and facilitate Group-wide implementation. The implementation process took the whole of last year, starting with a pilot run of two companies that had gone ‘live’ in March 2006. We have since successfully implemented it for 162 companies in 2006, and implementation activities have been planned for the remaining local and overseas companies, to be carried out in 2007 and 2008.

In 2006, we also enhanced the IT infrastructure and security to ensure that business
information that is exchanged, and used, among staff, business partners and customers, are safe and reliable.

The installation of a secured Wide Area Network (WAN) for all overseas offices to connect to CapitaLand’s Singapore Data Centre was started in 2006 and is currently being implemented. This will allow all overseas offices to seamlessly access all resources, i.e., system and data, that currently only Singapore offices can access, without worrying about network performance
or security.

We also developed, in-house, an Asset Management and Operation System (AMOS), and it has greatly improved the work efficiency and effectiveness of our Retail and Commercial and Integrated Development business units. The system was enhanced to further automate most processes, as well as interface with the new SAP Financial System. This system is also designed for overseas use, and has been deployed in China, Malaysia and India.

A new Facility Management System has also been implemented using Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)/ PocketPC and wireless technology. This system allows the technician/engineer to receive work schedules and defect/maintenance updates on his PDA and improves the facility management and operation workflow for CapitaLand’s retail malls and office buildings.