Daily Briefing: Changi Airport to roll out contactless check-in kiosks; Dataxet buys Sonar Platform

And upgrades and rebuilding of school campuses delayed by one year.

From Channelnews Asia:

Changi Airport will be rolling out contactless check-in kiosks which will allow travellers to check in and drop off their luggage without needing to touch the electronic screens, according to Changi Airport Group (CAG).

The upgraded kiosks are part of precautionary measures against COVID-19 and in preparation for the resumption of air travel. For an extra layer of protection, the screens of the automated kiosks have also been sprayed with a long-lasting anti-microbial disinfectant coating that reduces the risk of virus transmission.

More than 160 automated kiosks in Terminal 1 and 3 will be progressively installed with proximity touch screens and infrared sensors to track finger movements.

For passengers who need to check-in at counters manned by customer service agents, acrylic screens will provide a barrier between passengers and staff.

Read more here.

From DealStreetAsia:

Singapore-based data intelligence company Dataxet is acquiring Indonesian digital media monitoring startup Sonar Platform for an undisclosed amount.

Following the acquisition, Dataxet will expand its existing solution offerings by adding Sonar Platform’s analytics, influence, and crisis support products. The deal follows the Singapore firm’s recent joint venture with peer Truescope Singapore to expand across Asia Pacific.

Dataxet has also sealed a deal to acquire Malaysia’s News and Ads Monitoring (NAMA), which offers a range of media monitoring services, including print and broadcast, as well as online and social media tracking.

The Sonar Platform acquisition will provide an exit to its investors, including MDI Ventures and Gunung Sewu.

Read more here. 

From ChannelNews Asia:

Infrastructure projects for two secondary schools and four junior colleges will be deferred by one year due to a slowdown in the construction sector, said the Ministry of Education (MOE).

The schools affected are Woodlands Ring Secondary School, Yusof Ishak Secondary School, Anderson Serangoon Junior College, Jurong Pioneer Junior College, Temasek Junior College, and Yishun Innova Junior College.

The ministry notes that measures to contain the spread of the pandemic have affected the production and delivery of construction materials, design plans, availability of workers, as well as on-site construction works.

MOE said the circuit breaker measures have affected preliminary construction works for four junior colleges under the JC Rejuvenation Programme.

The ministry added that it will also continue to monitor the situation closely and assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ongoing construction works.

Read more here.