Cloud computing may be helpful new technology for Elderly – AARGlobalNetwork – 10 Nov 2010

Michael Thatcher, a regional technology officer at Microsoft Asia recently told The Korea Times that the country's unparalleled internet infrastructure has made it an ideal spot for the development of cloud computing.

This technology stores data, software and resources on the internet instead of personal computers. Thatcher suggested that these services could be particularly helpful for seniors and aging baby boomers, because of their implications for healthcare products and services.

"Cloud computing promises huge benefits for healthcare. These could include improved patient care, better health for the overall population providers serve, and cloud computing can help do all of this in a cost-effective way,’’ he told the news provider.

Thatcher added that many policies to educate older adults about computers and the internet have already been implemented in the United States and Microsoft is looking to do the same in South Korea.

In the United States, IBM is also trying to leverage cloud computing for healthcare services such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The complicated payment and billing processes of these systems could be greatly simplified by cloud technology, according to InformationWeek.com.

Deputy chief technology officer Robert Ames told the news source that implementing this innovative solution could reduce the business redundancies in federal health agencies, as well as make it easier to identify fraudulent medical reimbursement claims.

Source: https://www.aarpglobalnetwork.org/netzine/Industry%20News/ProductsandServices/Multimedia%20Trends%20for%2050%20plus/Pages/Cloud%20computing%20may%20be%20helpful%20new%20technology%20for%20elderly800231329.aspx

Singapore Preschools to Receive USD $2 Million Cloud Computing Power from Lien Foundation and Salesforce.com Foundation - lienfoundation.org - 24 May 2010

More than 600 Teachers & Administrators across 60 Non-Profit Preschool Centres to Benefit from USD $2 Million Philanthropic Cooperation

SINGAPORE, May 24, 2010 – The Salesforce.com Foundation, the global leader in integrating philanthropy and business, together with Lien Foundation, a Singapore philanthropic house, announced today a USD $2 million joint initiative aimed at transforming Singapore’s non-profit, preschool sector.

Modeled after Salesforce.com Foundation’s unique 1/1/1 model, Lien Foundation and Salesforce.com Foundation have agreed to pull in resources worth USD $1 million each to transform one education sector in Singapore. Lien Foundation has committed USD $1 million in capital to support the implementation of IT solutions and accompanying hardware to 60 nonprofit preschool centres over the next year and a half. Salesforce.com Foundation will donate USD $1 million in licenses to give more than 600 teachers the ability to update and manage student data in the cloud.

“It is rare to have two foundations– one from the East and one from the West – coming together for an initiative of this size, and with the common interest to enhance the productivity of non-profits through harnessing the power of infocomm technology,” said Mr Lee Poh Wah, Chief Executive Officer of Lien Foundation. “We expect the combined resources from Lien and Salesforce.com Foundation to inspire a major transformation in Singapore’s preschool sector over the next year.”

“The idea behind Salesforce.com Foundation’s 1/1/1 model is to harness the power of a company’s resources, such as the intellectual wealth of its employees, technology or products and financial resources to support organizations that are making the world a better place,” said Suzanne DiBianca, Executive Director, Salesforce.com Foundation. “We are proud to join forces with Lien Foundation and use our collective resources to radically transform the nonprofit, preschool sector in Singapore.”

The project will begin its implementation with a pilot in five major non-profit preschool operators, including Presbyterian Community Services (PCS) and Persatuan Pemudi Islam Singapura (PPIS). The pilot is scheduled to begin in June this year.

Mr Laurence Wee, Executive Director, PCS said, “The quality of preschool education is not only dependent on teachers but also the infrastructure that can aid or hamper their teaching. Unfortunately, preschools from the nonprofit sector often face intense competition for resources and have minimal IT infrastructure and limited funds. We believe this initiative can help empower our staff and children to their greater potential.”

This project is timely for Ms Nadhira Koyakutty, Head, Early Childhood Education, PPIS. She said, “IT is an important tool that we use to support our curriculum. With greater IT access and support to help our teachers become more productive, we can expect a very positive impact on teaching. For instance, we can reduce manual tasks and unnecessary duplication of work. We look forward to streamlining the students’ records, creating lesson plans creatively and having regular and better feedback with parents through the new system. Ultimately, we hope to enhance our children’s education in their most formative years.”

Source: http://www.lienfoundation.org/press/SFDC%20Lien%20Foundation%20Release%20Final%20.pdf?id=2002