GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES COLLABORATE TO CREATE INTELLIGENT URBAN SPACES
GREENWICH PENINSULA HOSTS PARTNERSHIP SIGNING CEREMONY WITH MINISTER OF STATE FOR UNIVERSITIES AND SCIENCE
LONDON – 4 May 2012
Living PlanIT SA, the leading global developer of urban operating systems for ‘Smart’ Cities yesterday announced partnerships with five leading international technology companies and signed a memorandum of understanding to work together to create applications that will enhance the construction of smart cities in conjunction with Living PlanIT’s Urban Operating System. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the presence of The Rt Hon David Willetts, Minister of State for Universities and Science, at the Digital Enterprise Centre on the Greenwich Peninsula. The presence of the Minister underlined the UK government’s commitment to promote and stimulate high tech industries and jobs.
Taking part in the signing ceremony were senior representatives of Hitachi Consulting, Philips, McLaren Electronic Systems, the engineering consultancy Buro Happold, Critical Software and 8over8 Limited. The technology platform and services that Living PlanIT and its partner firms are working on are fundamental to the development and regeneration of intelligent urban spaces: one of the most important and fast-growing global sectors. The Urban Operating System (UOS™) is the core technology platform that will manage vast amounts of data across cities and urban spaces and thereby facilitate smarter, sustainable and intelligent-living. This, in turn, will lead to more efficient use of energy and other resources, providing the basis for innovative services for residents, businesses and governments as well as new jobs and exports.
The Rt Hon David Willetts, Minister of State for Universities and Science was welcomed by the Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich Council, Chris Roberts.
The Partners will work together in Greenwich and at other key development sites to integrate and extend their own technologies with the UOS™. The importance of the Greenwich opportunity is that it could revolutionize the way in which people work and live in the centre of one of the world’s most global cities.
Minister of State for Universities and Science David Willetts said:
"We’re committed to stimulating high tech industries given their important role in job creation, which is why I’m delighted by the partnership of five leading international technology companies with Living PlanIT which will ultimately enhance the development of future cities. The area of smart and future cities is an area of growing importance globally, with the market for integrated city systems estimated to be £200 billion a year by 2030. The UK has the strength to exploit this market with world-leading companies in project management, engineering, architecture, energy and transport systems, communications, finance, legal and insurance and the digital economy."
Steve Lewis (CEO of Living PlanIT SA) said:
“We recognise the strategic importance of working with world class partners to extend and hasten our mutual desire for improving the way in which cities work and people live. The Urban Operating System (UOS™) has been widely recognised as a leading platform for intelligent urban spaces and M2M systems and is based on several years of intensive work. Together, in conjunction with our respective partner networks, we intend to deliver our solutions to world markets.”
About Living PlanIT
Living PlanIT S.A. is a technology company enabling the development of innovative, intelligent sustainable urban-scale environments. The company brings together people, industry and educational institutions to create innovation cities where emerging technologies are developed, perfected and experienced. Information about Living PlanIT can be found at: www.living-planit.com.
Contact:
Media
media@living-planit.com
About Hitachi Consulting
Hitachi Consulting Japan is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., and is one of the companies that make up the Information & Telecommunication Systems segment at Hitachi, Ltd. Hitachi Consulting Japan is also a core enterprise of the Hitachi Consulting group, which boasts 4,000 employees across the globe. Hitachi Consulting Japan utilizes its project management, solutions and business development abilities, and its extensive network, which it has cultivated in fields such as strategies and IT for enterprises and administrative bodies, for the purpose of next-generation urban developments and innovations. For more information visit: www.hitachiconsulting.com.
Contact:
Takashi Arai
Marketing & Communications Division Hitachi Consulting Co., Ltd.
info@hitachiconsulting.co.jp
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 122,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 22.6 billion in 2011, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at: www.philips.com/newscenter.
Contact:
Jo Picardo
Corporate Communications Manager, Philips
01483 298677
About McLaren Electronic Systems
McLaren Electronic Systems develops, manufactures and deploys control and data systems for the professional motorsport, automotive, transport and other industrial sectors. The company is the official supplier of engine control units (ECUs) to the FIA Formula One World Championship, NASCAR Sprint Cup and IZOD IndyCar series. McLaren Electronics also won a Queens Award for Innovation in 2009.
The company has been providing telemetry and data systems to Formula One since 1993 and these are characterised by moving huge volumes of data, in real-time, from the cars to the garages and across the world.
About Buro Happold
Buro Happold is an independent international practice of consulting engineers. Since 1976 we have grown in size and reach to serve public and private clients across a full range of sectors through an international network of 27 offices.
We draw on the multi-disciplinary skills, knowledge and experience of our local experts to design and deliver award winning building, infrastructure and environmental projects that excel for clients, engage with communities and enrich the lives of users.
Sustainability, innovation and holistic consulting are at the heart of everything we do and we are committed to touching the earth lightly. We think harder and are dedicated to addressing the big challenges that face the planet – climate change, population growth and scarcity of natural resources.
Current and recent projects include the Grand Museum of Egypt (Cairo), the Louvre (Abu Dhabi), the Aviva Stadium (Dublin), the London 2012 Olympic Stadium, the King Abdullah Financial District (Riyadh), the Royal Shakespeare Theatre (Stratford) and the Cutty Sark (London).
Press office and practice information at: www.burohappold.com.
Contact:
Gill Sincock
Corporate Communications Manager
+44 (0)1225 320600
gill.sincock@burohappold.com
About Critical Software
Critical Software is an international company providing dependable solutions, services, and technologies for business critical information systems, providing software tools that protect individuals, monitor equipment safety and guarantee business critical processes are carried out in a secure and efficient way. Critical Software's solutions help companies control their costs and improve performance by providing the real-time feedback needed to quickly identify and resolve issues that inhibit process, product and services improvements. Founded in Portugal in 1998, Critical Software currently has offices in Coimbra, Lisbon and Oporto, and subsidiaries in the UK (with offices in Southampton and Yeovil), the US (Chicago), Brazil (São Paulo), Mozambique (Maputo) Angola (Luanda) and Singapore. The company operates a quality management system certified to CMMI® Level5, ISO 9001:2000 Tick-IT and ISO 15504.
About 8over8
8over8 is the leading provider of Contract Management Solutions to organizations that build and operate assets. 8over8 developed the ProCon suite of solutions to accelerate and safeguard the planning, administration and execution of contracts. ProCon interfaces with SAP to bridge the gap between finance and project delivery teams.
