Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in the Philippines are beginning to appreciate the value of telecommunication in their business environment. However, they found it hard to get access to this business solution due to low coverage areas and high transactional cost.

Globe Business seeks to address that by offering SME nationwide a one-stop-shop for all their communication needs. Only Globe Business provides wireless, wired, and broadband solutions to entrepreneurs so they get a complete package that can be customized to their specific requirements.

SMEs are assisted by Globe Business’ Account Managers who offer consultancy to help them find solutions that fit their needs. It’s the Account Managers that make it easy and convenient to get the right solutions that would help SMEs grow their businesses and profits.

"We help entrepreneurs stay on top of their business. We know they want to be more efficient in their operations and at the same time aptly manage their expenses. It is important that they are able to consult with one reliable provider. When they come to us, they realize there are many business tools and communication solutions that can be tailor fit to meet their different requirements. Our Account Managers are specially trained to listen, scope and deliver on their concerns. This is our value to our customers," said Manny Aligada, head of corporate and SME Segments at Globe Business.

The best example is the widely popular mobile offer — Business Plus. Used by Bibingkinitan owner Richard Sanz, it helps SMEs get in touch with customers and suppliers while spending less with postpaid plans that carry unlimited calls and handset combos. It has the Business Starter Plan which offers unlimited calls to Globe and TM, free 300 texts to other networks, plus a handset for only PhP 499/month.

For SMEs that call all the time, the Business Value Plan offers unlimited calls and text to Globe and TM, plus free 60 local call minutes to other networks for only PhP 999/month. Entrepreneurs requiring unlimited calls, text and mobile browsing may opt for the Business Executive Plan at PhP 2,499/month, or the Business Elite Plan at PhP 3,499 which also comes with unlimited WiFi. Sanz relies on his Business Plus and Globe DUO to stay connected to the office.

TxtConnect, another solution with high demand among SMEs, is a text broadcast service that could send messages to thousands of pre-registered recipients. The Generics Pharmacy uses TxtConnect to stay in touch with franchises and keep them up-to-date on company announcements and info. Other SMEs can use this to announce a sale and market their products, or provide updates and info to employees. It comes in handy for businesses that need to disseminate information in a cost-efficient way. TxtConnect allows entrepreneurs to save costs on calls. As a web-based service, it is also convenient to use since it can be accessed anywhere.

A great innovation in improving business operations is the Inventory and Ordering System (IOS) which allows entrepreneurs anytime access to their inventory lists, so they can better manage their stocks and raw materials. The IOS has enabled Lots’A Pizza to shift from manual inventory tracking, ensuring that their order reports and inventory records are accurate. As a complete solution for supply chain management, IOS also makes it easy to do sales monitoring, automated invoicing, and procurement for Lots’A Pizza. IOS allows orders and reports via SMS or web, all in a simple web-based and self-service set up.

These game-changing business solutions, only offered by Globe Business, can be found at Globe Negostar events, Globe Stores and through consultations with Globe Account Managers.

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In the last couple of years or so, growing concerns over the environment and its subsequent effects of climate change blamed on human population boom has led to the establishment of a "green revolution."

Initially, considered more of a loose movement of environmentalists and academicians, this green revolution literally has grown into a global phenomenon that has finally involved government agencies and private industries where once-traditional operations have been infused with ecologically friendly processes, usually in the form of decreasing expulsion of greenhouse gases and wastewater.

But the green revolution has expanded to different sectors from agriculture, manufacturing and power distribution to water resource management, traffic systems and construction, among others.

These sectors have adopted "green systems" primarily for long-term sustainable development. Such adoption is no longer a way for industrialists to make environmentalists happy but it is one that should enable them to realize the cost-benefits of new, more efficient, and environment-friendly processes.

Based on empirical data from academic and government sources, adoption of eco-friendly green programs could result in positive gains in a country’s economy.

The United Nations Environment Program released a report in late 2010 proving that investing —n green technology — that is, processes that enhance the planet’s "natural capital" — would have long-term benefits in terms of ensuring availability of natural resources for any industry, more jobs, and even more efficient industries that produce more for less raw materials.

One sector that has fully embraced green technology is the information and communications technology (ICT) industry, which has become the backbone of nearly all industries as it builds on the need for faster and more efficient transactions at lesser costs.

In fact, an International Data Corp. study revealed that ICT investments went up to $3 trillion in 2010. This already points to increasing demand for ICT in various businesses.

With ICT having a lot of potential going for it, it is also a very resource-intensive industry, consuming space and power for use in communication and data transfer.

Majority of ICT investments are in businesses and most of these are located in buildings, which are the world's primary consumers of electricity, rated at about 40 percent overall.

This will not decrease especially as more companies, homes, and the government rely heavily on ICT infrastructure for basically all modes of transactions.

A report in 2010 by Connection Research showed that greenhouse gas emissions from the ICT sector would increase slowly over the next decade until 2020.

Furthermore, the study showed that green ICT implementations are minimal or rudimentary at best. Surprisingly, the Connection Research report only covered the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and India, which are among the biggest consumers of ICT. This implies that companies and other institutions in these countries have yet to fully comprehend the need for green ICT.

Despite what seems to be the ICT industry’s own negative, albeit relatively minimal environmental impact and the slow process as to which major industries are implementing green ICT, there are still areas where ICT itself can still be a key tool in ensuring a sustainable green economy.

The European Commission identified several key roles where ICT can be used to achieve these goals.

For instance, "smart" electricity grids and metering systems improve distribution of electricity to areas where they are most needed, thus reducing wastage of power that could amount to millions, if not billions of dollars.

Likewise, water management systems can also be controlled using intelligent ICT systems in order to distribute just the right amount of potable water to different locations.

Sewer systems can also be monitored and maintained to reduce pollution, which costs money to manage through traditional means.

Buildings, which account for nearly 40 percent of all power being used, could cut down consumption by as much as 20 percent if automatic lighting and air-conditioning systems are put in place.

Even the construction of new buildings can be more efficient using ICT instruments that help engineers visualize the physical infrastructure as well as lay out all the utility requirements (electricity, cable TV, Internet and telephone connections, water, etc.) from the design phase.

Businesses can also increase their efficiency using ICT technologies. SAP has invested in business application software that manage resources efficiently. Increasing productivity at only a fraction of the cost means that companies can use the savings on investing in their core business or even expand their operations.

From an economic standpoint, as stated in a study by the World Economic Forum, the impact of ICT on the economy is not direct but through the benefits gained from its utilization in various sectors.

While it is taking time for many industries and governments to implement green ICT infrastructure, researchers all agree that green ICT will not be a fad but a core aspect of all businesses.

This would result in long-term sustainability not just for businesses but also more importantly for the environment.

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Following a recovery in information and computer technology (ICT) spending last year, the Philippine market will be characterized by further revitalization and sustained growth in technology spending in 2011, analyst firm IDC said last 13 January 2010 as part of its annual predictions for the Asia Pacific region.

It is expected that across Asia Pacific and in the Philippines, a significant majority of businesses will be focused on further business expansion, both in terms of market share and penetration, and will leverage heavily on ICT as a key business enabler, IDC said in a report by Newsbytes.ph.

The ability of ICT to deliver critical business upshots will become an even more important requirement and expectation from CIOs and line-of-business managers in 2011, it added.

"In 2011, fueled by the increased complexity in ICT needs of enterprises, as well as the ever-evolving needs of SMBs and consumers' increased usage of ICT, the market will see an even larger scale of competition. As a result, ICT stakeholders such as vendors, service providers (SPs) and channels would need to focus on coming up with products and services that offer specific business value to clients; smart pricing models; more tactical partnerships with strategic players within the ICT ecosystem; and, feeding channels with transformational initiatives," said Jubert Daniel Alberto, manager for IT spending research at IDC Philippines.

The following are the top 10 predictions that IDC believes will have the biggest commercial impact on the ICT industry in the Philippines in 2011:

1. Philippine IT spending will see sustained growth in 2011
   
   The Philippine IT spending is forecast to reach US$ 3.63 billion by end of 2011. The country is also headed to post a 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2006 to 2014. The political stability and upbeat direction of the economy has fostered confidence among vendors to spend on marketing efforts. Consumers, on the other hand, are also expected to spend due to the continuous improvement of the economy and to some extent, the purchasing power of Filipinos.


2. Telco spending will record modest year-on-year (yoy) growth of 6% in 2011
   
   IDC anticipates a 6 percent YoY growth on overall telco services in 2011, reaching US$ 4.49 billion by year end. Operators are continually moving to capture demand from mass markets, as well as the uncharted territories outside the big cities throughout the country. In addition, fixed line operators are seen to make bigger concerted efforts to explore and exploit new revenue streams.


3. Expected rise of media tablets will drive further portability and increased data consumption
   
   Filipinos have been waiting in anticipation for the slated tablet PC launch in 2011. With its ability to propel bigger IT spending and introduce a more mobile IT environment, IDC believes that tablet PCs will be one of the key growth drivers for IT in the Philippines. On a worldwide level, IDC predicts the media tablet phenomenon to result in the shipment of more than 57 million units in 2014, exceeding deployment of mini notebooks. Locally, the media tablets and all the hoopla around it are projected to challenge, rather than completely overthrow, the mini notebooks.


4. From being just a theory to realization — 2011 will mark the dawn of the cloud era
   
   With a rich pool of clients waiting for cloud service offerings, providers of cloud services will have their hands full starting 2011. Cloud computing is becoming the buzzword for some SMEs and MNCs alike. The demand to increase business productivity will pave the way for SPs and MNCs to look into a new medium of managing and optimizing business systems – through the cloud.


5. Intelligent SMBs: social media and consumer technologies will adopt bigger roles among SMBs
   
   In 2011, IDC expects SMBs in the Philippines to increase usage of social media and consumer technologies. They will be regarded as solutions to achieve more benefits from technology adoption while working within limited budgets. The needs of SMBs are far more than scaled-down or "mini-me" versions of enterprise solutions. SMBs are a diverse group of businesses with disparate needs but limited funds. In the coming year, SMBs’ ICT needs will intensify, but, as with their larger counterparts, priorities will focus on reducing total cost of IT and aligning or adapting IT to the changing business landscape.


6. Mobile operators will blur lines between intra- and inter-network pricing
   
   In 2011, less exclusivity and more liberality will be the name of the game, with SPs relaxing their competitive boundaries though call-all, text-all networks schemes. SPs will be more lenient with their pricing schemes on calls and texts due to promising revenues from data consumption brought about by the increasing popularity of smartphones and Web 2.0 applications such as Facebook and Twitter.


7. Increasing usage of smartphones will give birth to new security models
   
   In 2011 IDC expects smartphones to comprise 23 percent of mobile phone shipments, as compared to only 18 percent in 2009. With the growing ownership of smartphones, coupled with the proliferation of more affordable mobile data plans, more and more employees are seen to use their personal mobile devices to access corporate information. This growth, however, comes as a double edged sword: accessing corporate data using personal devices can be a key factor in confidential data loss. In this regard, IDC predicts that increased usage of smartphones for both personal and business use will give birth to new IT security models in 2011.


8. Social analytics will be "the next big thing" to social media
   
   With the rise in social media technologies usage, investments on social analytics tools are expected to grow in 2011 as businesses start to realize the importance of data mining and how analytics tools can help them generate insights for future decision making and market predictions. In a survey conducted by IDC, one of the main IT-related priority of companies in the Philippines is to build better management tools to help them make better business decisions.


9. Web applications and social media will drive dynamics in flourishing smartphone market
   
   IDC believes that in 2011, web applications and social media will shape trends in the smart phone space, driving dynamics in areas such as pricing, features, and operating systems. The usage of Web 2.0 applications, whether social-oriented or media streaming, through mobile devices is rapidly increasing. This is expected to increase accessible customer data as well.


10. Business process outsourcing (BPO) in the Philippines will see continued traction
    
    In 2011, IDC believes that notwithstanding issues on manpower challenges, the BPO market in the Philippines will continue to see traction in terms of worldwide share of offshore services. The Philippine BPO industry will continue to perform well across the five (contact centers; HR, and finance and accounting outsourcing; medical transcription; software development and animation) key segments. However, maintaining its value proposition in the global BPO scheme of things in light of the intensifying competition and the presence of issues that could affect the industry’s growth prospects in the country will be the key factors that need to be resolved in order for the industry to continue to thrive.

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In the Philippines, micro and small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have long been considered the backbone of the economy.

The latest statistics from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) show that of the 780,437 businesses in the Philippines, 99.6 percent are MSMEs, with micro enterprises comprising 91.4 percent of the total number of MSMEs.

MSMEs also provided 63.2 percent of the jobs generated in 2009.

The importance of these enterprises is clear to 88DB.com, which is why it is committed to helping SMEs expand and grow through digital marketing.

Why digital marketing and not tri-media?

"Usually start-ups and MSMEs are critical about their marketing budget and digital marketing is a more cost-effective way of promoting a brand, product or service and the rate of response is higher than traditional media. 88DB.com is here to guide them and help them leverage on the site’s features and ad space," says Racquel Cagurangan, general manager of 88DB.com.

88DB.com, the country's first rich multimedia service and lifestyle portal, serves as a valuable tool that connects businesses with consumers.

The website is divided into categories and sub-categories, and each business’ ad is placed in the appropriate sub-category to make it easier for their clients to find them.

Entrepreneurs can also network and communicate with other entrepreneurs through the site's features like the forum and the mutual Q&A.

In its quest to encourage the development of MSMEs, 88DB.com has forged partnerships with several organizations which share the same goal.

"88DB.com's partnership with different organizations help MSMEs expand their reach and network, more visibility, more potential customers, therefore growth for their business," says Cagurangan.

88DB.com's partner organizations include the Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc., Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, Animation Council of the Philippines Inc., and Globe.

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