NEC chooses Singapore as regional launch pad for its RFID solutions & services business expansion in Southeast Asia

SINGAPORE, 25 February 2005 - NEC Solutions Asia Pacific Pte Ltd (“NECSAP”), a wholly owned subsidiary of NEC Corporation (‘NEC’), will spearhead its RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) solutions and services business expansion in Southeast Asia, using Singapore as its regional base, with the soft launch of its RFID centre known as “RFID@NEC” at Republic Polytechnic (“RP”).

The launch of RFID@NEC is in sync with Singapore’s aspiration of being the leading regional logistics hub as envisioned by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA). RFID@NEC will focus on solutions in the area of logistics and supply chain management and will also work with local partners to develop integrated offerings and help them expand their regional footprint.

"We are pleased that NEC has chosen Singapore as the place to set up its first RFID centre outside of Japan, in partnership with Republic Polytechnic. This centre will offer the first Electronic Product Code, or EPC network service in the region. Companies in the region will be able to make use of this service to exchange valuable product and shipment information using information captured via RFID. This decision by NEC is a strong endorsement of our efforts to position Singapore as the top location in the region for RFID development and implementation," said Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Chief Executive Officer, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore.

Over the years NEC has developed technical competence as well as implementation know-how in this area. NEC has successfully developed and deployed RFID-based solutions in Manufacturing, Retail, Logistics and Security applications.

Said Mr.Tomohiro Yagi, CEO of NECSAP, “RFID@NEC is part of our company's strategy to bring this expertise to Southeast Asia. The centre will be NEC's vehicle for localising its RFID solutions and subsequent diffusion to the region through our network of regional offices. We plan to invest S$5 million in the set-up over the next two years. As a leader in ground-breaking RFID applications and enabled by market-proven technology leadership in Japan and Asia Pacific, NEC is well-placed to spearhead its RFID solutions business in this part of the world.”

Located at Phoenix Park (RP’s Tanglin campus), RFID@NEC is a 1-stop facility offering solutions and services to NEC's regional customers and partners through its latest RFID technology know-how in applications and middleware. RP’s academic staff and students will also gain access to the centre and engage in applied RFID-related development within the context of an actual working environment. Their involvement in RFID applications development at RFID@NEC will position RP as an academic and industrial training partner under the joint initiative as it provides real-life learning for its students and enhances the professional development of its academic staff.

“RFID@NEC is a fine example of how Republic Polytechnic builds successful links with industry leaders. Providing our academic staff and students access to cutting edge RFID equipment will certainly elevate the research projects at our Technology Development Centres to new heights of commercial promise. Our final year students will be challenged to take on exciting developmental work and their exposure to RFID technology within the context of an actual working environment gives them an invaluable headstart for their future careers in Engineering and IT," said Prof. Low Teck Seng, Principal and CEO of Republic Polytechnic.

Said Mr. Akinobu Kanasugi, President of NEC Corporation, “Building a ubiquitous society through technology has always been the heart of NEC’s mission. The arrival of ubiquity will transform our society as we share information freely and safely anytime, anywhere. RFID is one of the core technologies contributing to the realisation of the ubiquitous society. Although still in its infancy stage, NEC has achieved significant successes in many RFID trials and early implementations around the world. Today we are pleased to further promote RFID technology with a major tertiary institution in Singapore to shape the future of a society that’s empowered by technology and innovation.”

Said Mr. Yagi, “The launch of NEC RFID Centre at Republic Polytechnic (RP) marks the expansion of our collaboration in creating synergy between the IT and educational sectors. This joint initiative with Republic Polytechnic is an expansion of our current partnership with RP. In our pilot project with Republic Polytechnic in 2003, we supported RP’s industrial enrichment programme for their teaching staff by allowing them access to our biometrics expertise and facilities. We are pleased to work with RP again in applied R&D for RFID solutions as their real-life approach to research and unique problem-based learning environment runs parallel to NEC’s focus on providing innovative technological solutions to challenges in our daily lives.”

RFID@NEC will offer customers a comprehensive suite of RFID solutions and services. Said Mr. Vikram Mengi, Director, RFID Solutions & Services of NECSAP, “The centre will be NEC’s vehicle for generating new RFID applications and Intellectual Property (IP) to solve practical everyday problems for our target markets in Southeast Asia. RFID@NEC will drive adoption in Singapore by providing easier means for testing the feasibility of concepts. The centre will also provide end-user compliance testing services in line with EPC-Global's standards and set up EPC Information Network to allow users across the supply chain to share information.”

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About NEC Corporation
NEC is one of the world's leading providers of Internet, broadband network and enterprise business solutions dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of its diverse and global base of customers. Ranked as one of the world's top patent-producing companies, NEC delivers tailored solutions in the key fields of computer, networking and electron devices, by integrating its technical strengths in IT and Networks, and by providing advanced semiconductor solutions through NEC Electronics Corporation. The NEC Group employs more than 140,000 people worldwide and had net sales of approximately $43 billion in the fiscal year ended March 2004. For additional information, please visit the NEC home page at: http://www.nec.com

About NEC Solutions Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
A wholly-owned subsidiary of NEC Corporation, NEC Solutions Asia Pacific is a leading information technology services provider with core competencies spanning the entire range of systems integration and consultancy services. This includes world-class identity solutions, turnkey implementation of mission-critical solutions, project management, and regional systems support and maintenance services. As the NEC regional hub for systems integration in South Asia, the company also supports sales and services in South Asia including Malaysia and Thailand for systems integration. NEC Solutions Asia Pacific is the first recipient of the Singapore Economic Development Board's International Headquarters Award.

The company's suite of solutions and services covers Systems Integration, Identity Solutions, RFID Solutions, Financial Solutions, Retail Management Solutions, Manufacturing Business Solutions, Enterprise Resource Planning, Imaging and Workflow Solutions, Enterprise Information Portals and Knowledge Management, NECare Service Centre, Enterprise Servers, Network Solutions and Multimedia Products. Visit http://www.nec.com.sg

About Republic Polytechnic
The first educational institution in Singapore to adopt the Problem-Based Learning approach for all its diploma programmes, Republic Polytechnic has four schools offering ten diploma courses in Information & Communications Technology, Engineering, Applied Science, and Technology for the Arts. Republic Polytechnic is committed to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurial learning in an environment that develops problem-solving process skills and a life-long learning attitude. Its holistic, broad-based curriculum, covering culture, enterprise development and cognitive processes, prepares students for an active, meaningful role in society. The Republic strives for excellence by achieving various national and international accreditations, e.g. People Developer Standards, ISO9001, ISO14001, OHSAS 18001 and the Family Friendly Employer award.
For more information, visit http://www.rp.sg/.