Home Digital Transformation Workplace Evolution NTU Singapore adopts cloud-based enterprise technology

NTU Singapore adopts cloud-based enterprise technology

NTU Campus
Image courtesy of NTU

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has embarked on a major digital transformation of its administrative processes by adopting cloud-based enterprise technology. The changes are designed to meet the changing needs of the University and its employees, to streamline processes and to enhance operational efficiency as part of the NTU Smart Campus vision.

Working in partnership with IBM and Workday, NTU is the first university in Asia to implement a full-suite cloud-based HR and payroll solution to 9,600 university employees.

The implementation of Workday replaces 65 HR legacy systems at NTU, and comes a year after the University adopted SAP Ariba, a cloud-based procurement system that provides an end-to-end procurement to payment system – from sourcing to invoicing, payments and reporting – through a single point of entry. NTU is the first Singapore organisation to adopt a cloud-based procurement solution that meets the compliance requirements of the Government Procurement Act.

NTU also implemented ServiceNow in July last year, to improve employee efficiency, enhance the user experience, and optimise its IT and financial resources. By leveraging a common platform and standard data interface, all data and information is immediately visible and up-to-date at all times, so that management decisions can be based on real-time data and information for greater accuracy and reliability. ServiceNow has also enabled the University to fulfil IT service requests more quickly and easily, and led to a significant change in the way users interact with IT and other shared services.

The three cloud-based systems have been rolled out to support the efficient operation of the University.

NTU President Professor Subra Suresh said, “As a leading science and technology university engaged in research, education and innovation, NTU is already playing an important role in the development, dissemination and deployment of technologies, such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and the Internet of Things. The implementation of the latest cloud solutions will bring NTU a step closer to realising our NTU Smart Campus vision. These innovative, employee-focused systems will enable our faculty and staff to work better together, and drive our future success in the dynamic global higher education and research landscape.”

NTU’s implementation of Workday is a significant technology upgrade and an integral component of the University’s effort to create a more agile HR model. For instance, employees can access and update their personal records and payroll details, such as personal and banking information and benefits, anywhere, anytime, and on any device. Workday also helps NTU with its on-boarding programme to help new hires adapt to the social and performance components of their jobs.

The Workday system allows users to turn the University’s employee and business data into quickly accessible, executive-level reports, thereby equipping managers with accurate real-time data, so that they can focus on strategic workforce issues, such as workforce forecasting, attraction and retention strategies, mobility and succession planning.

Tan Aik Na, NTU’s Vice President for Administration, said, “Workday is all about simplifying the way we work and collaborate. This is particularly important for NTU in its next stage of growth amid growing global competition. The higher education landscape, particularly in the areas of employee and student expectations, business needs and technology offerings, has changed significantly in recent years. This prompted us to explore technology deployment that will strengthen NTU’s competitive edge moving forward.”

Samuel Ho, Workday Practice Leader, IBM ASEAN, said, “It has been an incredible journey working hand in hand with NTU to rethink and recreate employee experiences that matter, using Workday as the technology enabler.

“We designed and deployed a modern, intuitive, mobile-enabled HCM (human capital management) solution that is powered by real-time analytics dashboards. This is a transformational project, which brings together data, processes and technology, not just for operational efficiencies and effectiveness, but most importantly with a strategic focus on people at its core. As NTU’s implementation partner, we look forward to further progressing the employee transformation journey.”

Rob Wells, President of Asia, Workday, said, “We believe that people are the most valuable resource in an organisation and by harnessing the power of technology, we are able to elevate their abilities to doing more meaningful work and enable them to make data-driven administrative decisions. As NTU’s trusted partner, we look forward to creating greater value for the University and continuing its legacy as a forward-thinking institute driven by technology and innovation.”