SIA buys into Aus tech

SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) has bought into Australian technology firm Data Republic as part of a strategy to increase the carrier’s digital capabilities.

The airline yesterday announced it had acquired a minority stake in the company through a placement of new shares, having gained approval from the Australian Foreign Investment Review Board.

Data Republic has created a governance platform called Senate, which allows organisations to safely collaborate on shared data projects in a secure environment.

It says its technology protects privacy, provides audit trails and ensures data security.

“Singapore Airlines recognises the increasing importance that data plays in allowing organisations to have an enriched understanding of customers’ preferences,” said SIA Senior Vice President of Information Technology George Wang.

“Our investment in Data Republic highlights our commitment to data innovation through a platform which leverages technology to ensure data security and privacy and further enhance our digital capabilities,” he said.

SIA plans to work with Data Republic to provide organisations with “a practical means to collaborate and innovate at speed using Data Republic’s unique secure data sharing technology”.

It says it has been significantly enhancing its digital capabilities through a company-wide program that includes IT-related recruitment, training and staff involvement in innovation projects, large-scale investment in IT infrastructure and increased collaboration with global technology leaders, start-ups and research institutes.