1. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and IBM (NYSE: IBM) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate and implement an energy efficiency programme for LTA's IT environment.

2. The three-year "Green IT Initiative" aims to further promote responsible and efficient use of energy in LTA. The MOU is effective immediately.

3. LTA is committed to providing an effective and efficient land transport system to meet diverse public needs. InfoComm Technology (ICT) is an integral component in its daily operations and LTA continuously seeks ways to innovate and provide quality public services. The LTA-IBM "Green IT Initiative" marks a significant environmental milestone for LTA following its ICT environmental care projects since 2003.

4. In June 2007, LTA awarded IBM the contract for the provision of IT innovation and infrastructure services. This engagement has enabled both organizations to embark on ground-breaking ICT initiatives of which the Green IT programme is a priority that is aligned with LTA's environment-friendly commitment. Through this collaboration LTA seeks to implement a methodology for Energy Efficiency improvement across all its control centres.

5. The methodology for Energy Efficiency improvement will be based on IBM's Project Big Green Roadmap technique to plan and enable energy-efficient use of space, power and cooling for optimal IT operations. Using the roadmap, LTA and IBM will conduct a comprehensive, fact-based analysis and prioritise steps to reduce energy use across LTA's IT Infrastructure. IBM will provide consultancy on the best practices in building green facilities which are safe, efficient and environmentally friendly, green IT user policy and green IT management.

6. In addition, LTA and IBM will undertake green innovation pilot projects together. The companies will co-research the use of innovative green technologies and intelligent software to optimise usage of its IT infrastructure, thereby reducing power and operating costs. They will also investigate the potential of emerging liquid cooling solutions, including the use of water to cool IT infrastructure. LTA will leverage on IBM's researchers and industry and technology expertise to explore new green solutions to meet LTA's specific needs.

7. The first area of collaboration will be LTA's 24-hour control center operations, which perform various functions ranging from traffic management to vehicle processing operations. LTA plans to complete a thematic analytic assessment and to identify the major hotspots within its control centers. Following this analysis, LTA and IBM are expected to rollout the appropriate green IT actions in the first quarter of 2008. Through the "Green IT initiative", we aim to achieve a savings of at least 20% in energy consumption.

8. Rosina Howe, Group Director, Innovation and InfoComm Technology, LTA, said, "LTA is committed to delivering innovative and efficient services to the public. Our collaboration with IBM will provide global insights on the environmental issues and green technologies which are available and emerging. This will enable LTA to add best-in-class environmental solutions and practices to our overall value to the public and Singapore."

9. Teresa Lim, Managing Director, IBM Singapore, said, "IBM has a longstanding commitment to corporate environmental responsibility. Our environmental leadership is based on a global commitment to actions and results which translates to sustainable benefits for our clients and society. IBM applauds LTA for having a visionary green IT programme, and for striving to become a role model in environmental conservation and preservation."

10. For information about IBM, visit http://www.ibm.com