In a recent article in the Financial Times (11 February 2013), Professor Steve Miller, Dean of the School of Information Systems and Vice Provost (Research), explained that soon you won’t have to search for the best bargains along Orchard Road; they’ll find you. That’s if you sign up for a new service being piloted by SMU’s School of Information Systems. SMU’s research into ‘live data’ has created a platform which enables retailers nearby to select offers for you and alert you via your mobile phone. In fact, shoppers can currently opt into this service in three locations: Orchard Road, Sentosa island and Changi airport.

SMU’s cutting-edge research into ‘live data’ is drawing substantial support from the Singapore government for two separate initiatives. SMU’s LiveLabs, which is conducting the programme described above, is due to receive S$9.94m over five years from the National Research Foundation’s Interactive Digital Media Programme, subject to further funds being raised from industry. In addition, SMU’s Living Analytics Research Centre (Larc) which is run jointly with Carnegie Mellon University, will receive S$26m for a separate research project to develop Singapore as one of the world’s leaders in live data. This will enable researchers to observe how large numbers of users behave by observing their digital traces – from mobile phones and tablets, for example. They will be able to chart how people react to various offers and stimuli and how behaviour adapts and evolves.

Professor Miller enthused about the extent of the projects: “We’re not aware of anyone in the world that is doing things on this scale,” he said. “We’re building a larger ecosystem than anyone else.”

[Photo: (Left to right) SMU Vice Provost (Research) & Dean of the School of Information Systems, Prof Steve Miller, sharing his vision and plans for LiveLabs at its launch with Guest of Honour, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Research Foundation Mr Teo Chee Hean, former CEO of Starhub Mr Neil Montefiore and SMU President Prof Arnoud De Meyer.]