NCS Group

NCS was founded in 1981 when the Government of Singapore embarked upon initiatives to harness information technology (IT) for both the public and private sectors.{{Cite book|last1=Hanna|first1=Nagy|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/769644297|title=National strategies to harness information technology : seeking transformation in Singapore, Finland, the Philippines, and South Africa|last2=Knight|first2=Peter T.|date=2012|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-1-4614-2086-6|location=New York, NY|pages=45–46|oclc=769644297}}

It was restructured as a commercial entity in 1996 and a year later, became a wholly owned subsidiary of SingTel Group.{{Cite web|last=siowmeng|date=2021-01-22|title=NCS Has Moved Out of Singtel Group Enterprise and Doubled Down on Digital Services|url=https://itcblogs.currentanalysis.com/2021/01/21/ncs-has-moved-out-of-singtel-group-enterprise-and-doubled-down-on-digital-services/|access-date=2022-02-15|website=IT Connection|language=en}} NCS adopted its current name on 1 November 2003.

SingTel Aeradio was a communication engineering services provider in airport consultancy, facility management services, engineering and radio communications, C4ISR*, intelligent building, smart security services, transportation services, IT infrastructure system, IT Security training and certification, telecommunication and multimedia.{{cite web|title=NCS Communications Engineering|url=http://www.ncs.com.sg/about2/ncs-comm-eng|publisher=NCS|accessdate=25 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101120928/http://www.ncs.com.sg/about2/ncs-comm-eng|archive-date=1 November 2012|url-status=dead}}

In 2002, SingTel Aeradio merged with NCS, retaining much of its identity as NCS Communications Engineering (NCS Comms Engg).{{Cite web|date=2002-10-02|title=INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS|url=https://www.afr.com/politics/international-business-20021002-k1wfu|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Australian Financial Review|language=en}}

In 2008, NCS bought 60% of local rival IT company, Singapore Computer Systems, shares, triggering a buyout of the company.{{Cite web|title=SingTel buys 60% of rival IT company SCS|url=https://www.asiaone.com/News/The+Business+Times/Story/A1Story20080826-84385.html|access-date=2022-02-15|website=www.asiaone.com}}

In 2020, NCS acquired digital services 2359 Media.{{Cite web|title=Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem|url=https://www.techinasia.com/singtels-ncs-acquires-singapore-digital-services-startup-2359-media|access-date=2022-02-15|website=www.techinasia.com|language=en-US}}

In 2005, Chong Yoke Sin became the chief executive officer (CEO). She resigned in 2007 for personal reasons and Lim Eng took over as the CEO.{{Cite web|title=CEO of SingTel's unit NCS stepping down|url=https://www.asiaone.com/News/The+Business+Times/Story/A1Story20071124-38231.html|access-date=2022-02-15|website=www.asiaone.com}}

Lim retired in 2010 and Chief Operating Officer Chia Wee Boon took over as CEO.{{Cite news|date=2010-06-16|title=Singtel's subsidiary NCS CEO to retire|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/singtel-idINSGE65F0D420100616|access-date=2022-02-15}}

On 1 August 2019, the Singtel Group appointed Ng Kuo Pin as the new chief executive officer of NCS after Chia stepped down.{{Cite web|last=hermesauto|date=28 June 2019|title=Singtel promotes Ng Kuo Pin to next CEO of unit NCS|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/singtel-promotes-ng-kuo-pin-to-next-ceo-of-unit-ncs|access-date=15 June 2020|website=The Straits Times|language=en}}

The company’s business operations are organized as follows:

Core services offerings:{{Cite web |title=NEXT reaches new heights as NCS' ambition soars |url=https://www.channelasia.tech/article/1292596/next-reaches-new-heights-as-ncs-ambition-soars.html |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=Channel Asia |language=en-US}}

·      Applications

·      Cyber

·      Engineering

·      Infrastructure

NEXT, an expanded digital arm focusing on addressing key digital trends, includes:

·      Cloud

·      Data

·      Digital

·      Platforms

NEXT, when combined with NCS’ core service offerings, aims to offer technology services.

NCS serves three strategic business groups – Enterprise,{{Cite web |title=Alfred Goh to lead new NCS enterprise business unit |url=https://www.channelasia.tech/article/1269360/alfred-goh-to-lead-new-ncs-enterprise-business-unit.html |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=Channel Asia |language=en-US}} Gov+,{{Cite web |title=NCS looks beyond government, Singapore for 'transformation' growth |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/ncs-looks-beyond-government-singapore-for-transformation-growth/ |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=ZDNET |language=en}} Telco+.

The company provides its technological services with a focus on these industries – healthcare, transportation, financial services, industrial, commercial, communications, media and technology. And, placing its focus into high-growth markets – Singapore, Australia, and greater China.{{Cite web |date=2021-07-07 |title=NCS Group refreshes branding to reposition firm for growth in 5G era |url=https://www.marketing-interactive.com/ncs-group-refreshes-branding-to-reposition-firm-for-growth-in-5g-era |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=Marketing-Interactive |language=en}}

In 2024, NCS was recognized as a leader in the Asia Pacific Professional Cloud Services space in the IDC Marketplace.{{Cite web |last=Asia |first=CIO World |date=2024-02-07 |title=NCS Recognized as a Leader in IDC MarketScape |url=https://cioworldasia.com/2024/02/07/ncs-recognized-as-a-leader-in-idc-marketscape/ |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=CIO World Asia |language=en-US}}

NCS provides early talent programmes through work-study arrangements – Nucleus (for university graduates), Fusion (for polytechnic graduates), and Ignite (for ITE graduates).{{Cite web |title=NCS Group {{!}} Programmes and Job Opportunities for Graduates {{!}} NCS SG |url=https://www.ncs.co/en-sg/opportunities/ |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=NCS |language=en}} The company is focused on developing local tech talent through Tech Skills Accelerator (TeSA), despite recent layoffs from tech giants.{{Cite web |title=Singapore to continue investing in local tech talent despite lay-offs at tech giants: Josephine Teo |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/tech-talent-skills-train-invest-lay-offs-microsoft-amazon-3233086 |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=CNA |language=en}}

In 2022, NCS and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) signed a partnership aimed at addressing the shortage of local tech talent by offering work study programmes for polytechnic and ITE graduates.{{Cite news |last=Low |first=Dominic |date=2022-10-05 |title=Local tech firm to hire 400 poly grads for work-study programme to plug shortage of tech talent |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/tech/tech-news/400-poly-graduates-to-get-hired-by-ncs-and-attain-degrees-under-new-work-study-programme |access-date=2024-04-15 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}{{Cite web |date=2022-10-05 |title=NCS, IMDA to support 1,600 tech jobs in the next two years |url=https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/ncs-imda-support-1600-tech-jobs-next-two-years |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=The Business Times |language=en}} The programme will provide 1,600 tech jobs and opportunities.{{Cite web |title=imda-ncs-rolls-out-work-and-study-programme-polytechnic-grads |url=https://sbr.com.sg/hr-education/news/imda-ncs-rolls-out-work-and-study-programme-polytechnic-grads }}

Other than work-study programme for polytechnic and ITE graduates, NCS also collaborates with universities to provide sponsorships. NCS partners with Singapore Management University (SMU) to train undergraduates in SMU’s School of Computing and Information Systems through the Bachelor of Science (Software Engineering) SkillsFuture Work-Study Degree.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-04 |title=SMU and NCS to nurture software engineering talent through the University's first SkillsFuture Work-Study Degree |url=https://news.smu.edu.sg/news/2022/07/04/smu-and-ncs-nurture-software-engineering-talent-through-universitys-first |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=SMU Newsroom |language=en}}

In 2021, NCS rebranded itself with a new brand identity.{{Cite web |date=2021-07-07 |title=NCS Group refreshes branding to reposition firm for growth in 5G era |url=https://www.marketing-interactive.com/ncs-group-refreshes-branding-to-reposition-firm-for-growth-in-5g-era |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=Marketing-Interactive |language=en}}

In 2023, NCS partnered with global players such as Dell Technologies, Mandiant, Visa, AI Singapore, Assurity Trusted Solutions, Globe Group (Philippines) and the Singapore Institute of Directors) to advance toward a collaborative, empowered and safer tomorrow.{{Cite web |title=NCS partners global players to advance a 'collaborative, empowered and safer tomorrow' |url=https://www.intelligentcio.com/apac/2023/09/07/ncs-partners-global-players-to-advance-a-collaborative-empowered-and-safer-tomorrow/ |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=Intelligent CIO APAC |language=en-GB}}

The company also announced its strategic partnership with Google Cloud to accelerate digital transformation in the Asia Pacific region in the same year.{{Cite web |last=Cambosa |first=Teddy |date=2023-12-11 |title=NCS, Google Cloud to accelerate digital transformation in APAC in new partnership |url=https://marketech-apac.com/ncs-google-cloud-to-accelerate-digital-transformation-in-apac-in-new-partnership/ |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=MARKETECH APAC |language=en-US}}

In 2024, NCS announced its expanded collaboration with Microsoft to accelerate AI and cloud innovation.{{Cite web |last=www.ETCIO.com |title=NCS announces expanded collaboration with Microsoft to accelerate AI and cloud innovation - ETCIO SEA |url=https://ciosea.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/cloud-computing/ncs-announces-expanded-collaboration-with-microsoft-to-accelerate-ai-and-cloud-innovation/106713751 |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=ETCIO.com |language=en}}

{{Main|Ministry of Health (Singapore)#Community Health Assist Scheme computer system error}}

On 16 February 2019, the MOH released a statement stating that due to an error in computer systems managed by NCS in relation to the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS), certain subsidies had been miscalculated. Remedial actions were then carried out by MOH and NCS to assess the impact on the affected applicants. MOH stated that it intended to recover its costs and expenses arising from this incident from NCS as it was entitled to pursuant to the contract between the parties.{{Cite web |last=Ng |first=Huiwen |date=16 February 2019 |title=Chas subsidies for about 7,700 people miscalculated due to IT error: MOH |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/chas-subsidies-for-about-7700-people-miscalculated-due-to-it-error-moh |access-date=2 March 2020 |website=The Straits Times |language=en}}

On 18 October 2022, 9 foreign workers blocked the main entrance of NCS Hub, the company's headquarters in Singapore, and held up signs to protest their employers' failure to pay their salary. Some workers held signs reading "欠債還錢" (owe money pay money) and one person held up a sign stating "上海忠記私人有限公司" (Shanghai Chong Kee Pte Ltd).

The Singapore Police Force received a call for assistance at around 1.50pm and thereupon deployed officers to the entrance NCS Hub. The Ministry of Manpower confirmed that it had been alerted of the incident by the police.

The NCS Group told Singapore media outlet, Lianhe Zaobao, that this incident had nothing to do with NCS Group. According to the NCS Group, the incident arose out of a dispute between NCS Group's main contractor Shanghai Chong Kee Pte Ltd, and sub-contractor Zhengda Corporation, and the 9 workers who protested were employees of the sub-contractor, Zhengda Corporation.

According to Zhengda Corporation, Shanghai Chong Kee had not make payment to it for weeks. The latter had since issued two cheques.{{Cite web |title=声称被拖欠三个月薪金 九名外籍劳工举纸张抗议 {{!}} 早报 |url=https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20221018-1324110 |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=www.zaobao.com.sg |language=zh-Hans}}{{Cite web |title=Police investigating after 9 workers protest outside Ang Mo Kio building over unpaid wages |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/nine-men-public-assembly-ang-mo-kio-police-investigating-3013156 |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=CNA |language=en}}

Several NCS employees have been accused of corruption-related offences. On 24 March 2020, Teo Joo Tye, a Senior Technical Services Manager at NCS, was charged with 19 counts of offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1960 (PCA) in relation to allegedly receiving rewards for recommending a subcontractor to NCS to perform IT infrastructure works relating to various contracts. The offences were allegedly committed between July 2016 and March 2018.{{Cite news |last=Low |first=Dominic |date=2020-10-29 |title=Man jailed for 12 weeks over bribes to secure contracts involving government agencies |language=en |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/man-jailed-for-12-weeks-over-bribes-to-secure-contracts-involving-government |access-date=2023-11-19 |issn=0585-3923}}{{Cite web |title=Charged with Committing Corrupt Acts for Business Recommendations |url=https://www.cpib.gov.sg/press-room/press-releases/charged-committing-corrupt-acts-business-recommendations/ |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=www.cpib.gov.sg |language=en}}

On 18 March 2022, Edward Goh Hai Chew and Lee Wen Han, director and project director at NCS Communications Engineering Pte Ltd (NCS CE), were charged in court for various offences under the PCA. According to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), Edward and Lee had corruptly accepted rewards from Jeffrey Goh Sia Choon, the sole director and shareholder of SC Integrated Engineering Pte Ltd (SCI), including SGD 96,000 in the form of air tickets, cash, and electronic products, in return for advancing SCI's business interests with NCS and NCS CE.{{Cite web |title=Three Charged for Alleged Corruption Involving About S$96,000 |url=https://www.cpib.gov.sg/press-room/press-releases/180322-three-charged/ |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=www.cpib.gov.sg |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=涉受贿近10万元 两名公司高层被控 {{!}} 联合早报 |url=https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20220318-1253489 |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=www.zaobao.com.sg |language=zh-Hans}}

In October 2022, Kandula Nagaru, an Indian national working at NCS, had his contract terminated, allegedly due to poor performance. He had been part of a 20-member quality assurance (QA) team at NCS between November 2021 and October 2022. Despite his termination, his access credentials remained valid and he was able to access NCS's systems on various occasions after his termination, up until March 2023.

On one occasion in March 2023, he ran a script which deleted 180 of NCS's virtual servers. According to NCS, its losses as a result of the deletion of the virtual servers amounted to SGD 917,832.

Nagaru was sentenced to imprisonment of two years and eight months for one charge of unauthorised access to computer material (with another charge taken into consideration for sentencing). He explained that he had felt "confused and upset" in relation to his termination as, in his view, he had been a good performer and had "made good contributions" to the company in the course of his employment.

In response to media queries, NCS stated that Nagaru's unauthorised access to its systems was a result of "human oversight" as Nagaru's access was not terminated immediately upon departure from the company. According to NCS, the 180 virtual servers deleted were part of a "standalone" QA test environment and no sensitive information was stored on those servers. NCS further stated that it had "stringent processes and controls in place" and would continue to review and enhance these processes.{{Cite web |last=Morales |first=Jowi |date=2024-06-13 |title=Disgruntled ex-employee costs company over $600,000 after he deletes all 180 of its test servers — found server deletion scripts on Google |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/disgruntled-ex-employee-costs-company-over-dollar600000-after-he-deletes-all-180-of-its-test-servers-found-server-deletion-scripts-on-google |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=Tom's Hardware |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Toulas |first=Bill |date=14 June 2024 |title=Former IT employee gets 2.5 years for wiping 180 virtual servers |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/former-it-employee-gets-25-years-for-wiping-180-virtual-servers/ |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=BleepingComputer |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |date=12 June 2024 |title='Human oversight' enabled fired NCS employee to access company test system and delete servers |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/former-ncs-employee-access-computer-system-delete-servers-human-oversight-4405131 |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=CNA |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Lim |first=Rachel |date=11 June 2024 |title=Fired employee accessed company’s computer 'test system' and deleted servers, causing it to lose S$918,000 |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/former-employee-hack-ncs-delete-virtual-servers-quality-testing-4402141 |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=CNA |language=en}}

{{reflist}}

Category:1981 establishments in Singapore

Category:International information technology consulting firms

Category:Business process outsourcing companies

Category:Information technology companies of Singapore

Category:Singaporean companies established in 1981

Category:Companies established in 1981