Consumer electronics giant Dyson will open a factory in Tuas to manufacture nextgeneration batteries and electronics for the company's new products, describing the move as "the most sienificant investment in advanced manufacturing in the firm's history". The new facility is expected to be fully operational by $2025$ if all goes well.

It is part of a broader move to ramp up software, artificial intelligence $($AI$)$ and product development globally that will see Dyson double its manufacturing footprint worldwide The Singapore$-$headquartered company will also invest in new sites in Britain and the Philippines that focus on research and development $($RQD$),$ among other capabilities. The latest developments are part of an ongoing $2\mathrm{.}75$ billion $($SS$4\mathrm{.}6$ billion$)$ five$-$year investment plan, said Dyson on Wednesday.

Founder James Dyson said: "Software, connectivity, AI and proprietary new technology batteries will power the next generation of Dyson technology. Just like our long$-$term investments in pioneering digital electric motor technology, Dyson's next generation batteries will drive a major revolution in the performance and sustainability of Dyson's machines." The high$-$tech plant will produce proprietary batteries that will be smaller, lighter, more sustainable and more energy$-$dense than the ones available today, said the spokesman. Dyson started developing in$-$house batteries more than a decade ago.

Given the competitive manufacturing electronics industry. Dyson management has also identified specific functionalities that must be incoporated in its electronics as part of the plans. As some of the functionalities are novel and quite complex, the management is willing to extend the deadlines that the electronics will be rolled out in the market by a maximum of $3-6$ months. The mangement is willing to recrit more specialists to meet the required deadlines. While the costs of such plans may exceed the initial agreed upon budget, the management believes the benefits far ourweigh the costs in the long term.

Dyson management plans to engage extemal vendors from India and Malaysia to develop some of its sofware for manufacturing pupose. At the same tine, some of the software will be developed in$-$house. Additionally. Dyson management prefers to scale and reduce its computer hardware and network resources based on the company's needs. During intensive projects period, there is a need for more hardware while at other times, there is a lower need for hardware. Dyson management does not wish to own unnecessary hardware due to its depreciation over time.

Dyson chief executive Roland Krueger noted that the company's advanced mamufacturing expansion in Singapore will enable Dyson to bring entirely new battery technology and electronics to the market. Dyson also gave a nod to Singapore's highly skilled workforce of engineers and scientists, along with a supportive govemment. To motivate its employees who are less technically inclined, Dyson management will offer rewards to those who attend optional training classes that may be held outside office

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hours. Dyson currently operates an advanced mamufacturing facility in westem Singapore that produces its motors. Plans for the existing Singapore advanced mamufacturing facility remain unchanged, the spokesman said.

$($Source: Adapted from: "Dyson to build new battery plant in S$"$pore as it ramps up software, AI development": Straits Times, $3$ May $2003$; Additional fictitious information has been added$)$

Question $1$

$($a$)$ Formulate the Information Systems Strategy triangle of the business by determining whether the IS strategy is aligned with the business strategy of Dyson in its plans. Explain your answers with case facts.

$(9$ marks$)$

$($b$)$ Propose infommation resources that Dyson could employ by providing an example of the following:

II assets $($II Infinstrucrure and Information Repository$)$ and

II capabilities $($II Management skills and Relationship Skills $-$ externally focused$).$