VOLUME 26 MAY 2016

THE AGE OF ENTERPRISE SHIFT TWO STARS RISING ON THE DIGITAL HORIZON

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PASIG • SUBIC • CEBU • MAKATI • CLARK ASC Ref. Code: P024P041116T MU LTI P L E ON MU LTI P L E Jovy Hernandez Editor MUVERGES LTI P L E Mikey Smyth Jill Gonzales Nikko Bustamante Managing Editor Paula Venturina Sara de Guzman Associate Editors Gerrard Fabie Rachel Despe Fate and destiny in the Year of the page 126 features Big Data as a Service as a External Consulting Editor Dale German Monkey are said to reward those who are transformative solution to gain marketing and Enrique Estagle Lo Regino mindful of the animal’s inherent nature: business decision insights. Our co-offering Gary Ignacio Inez Golamco Emily Reyes inquisitive, magnetic, and inventive. We with Akamai, as featured in the same section, Editorial Adviser are going to need those qualities and more describes how we improve enterprise web Jenina Ibanez Clah Cebanes Anton Santos in dealing with a world of upended old experiences that lead to greater sales and Markus Jentes Murielle Sarmiento conventions. Business revolutions are engagement. Creative Director Dessa Malaluan Editorial Coordinators happening at an almost alarming rate. While On page 54, our MoBiz section explores

Andrew Batiduan Gian Nazario we have spoken of impending dramatic change how mobile enterprises inspired a shift in Taimak Sevilla for the past decade, it can still be surprising to insurance towards using solutions such as the Art Director Mac Lubaczewski Isabella Escano Banjo Dizon watch it happen with such speed across several Smart Enterprise Gadget Shield Pro. Also Vickie Perez de Tagle Daniella Marfori Circulation Coordinators fronts. covered is the new Smart Enterprise Cloud This issue will explore those multiple Push to Talk service, and how it modernizes Executive Producer Editorial Contributors verges of change occuring right now. Our Main two-way voice communications.

Window on page 8 examines the big picture This issue’s Were You There section on view of how cultural, technological, and page 78 features a bustling calendar of events business shifts have coalesced into a massive that celebrated industry growth and highlighted force for transformation. As always, our Live PLDT ALPHA Enterprise’s transformative Wire on page 16 bears witness to our most solutions. successful clients who are successfully riding Our Second Screen on page 112 provides industry shifts and setting new trends. a sneak peak into the social media articles of Our PLDT Insider on page 106 with PLDT’s thought leaders on the strides various ePLDT CIO and Solutions Consulting Head industries have taken for the promotion of Brett Medel examines the unmistakable trend enterprise efficiency through SMACS-based of enterprise Data Center offloading and what solutions. makes it all so compelling. Our ALPHA Extra ALPHA Bits on page 132 delves into feature on page 58 enlightens us on Avaya's some of the latest positive upheavals in each perspective on the digital shift. Our Partner pillar of the digital enterprise—Social, Mobile, Peek on page 70 features the esteemed MEF Analytics, Cloud, and Security (SMACS). And who has given long standing recognition to so please enjoy this issue of Hot Joe; we always PLDT as the sole world-class telco in the strive to keep you informed and enthralled country. On page 62, we also explain what’s with our chronicling of technology-led change new in the ACASIA alliance as the larger in business. I must admit though, that this is ASEAN region prepares to make the transition the first issue, wherein the pace of change has to “ACASIA 2.0”, to prepare for integration reached a true tipping point in almost all areas and common market formation. of the transformed digital enterprise. A jolting Our Solved Section on page 52 highlights cup of Hot Joe indeed. our recent successful launch for #MyNumber, a revolutionary simplified and unified hotline service for enterprises to engage with more customers across the archipelago. Similarly, other products offered in tandem with visionary partners in Sleeper Hit on Jovy hernandez Editor

MAY 2016 SOLVED 52 Optimize your hotline delivery service nationwide with PLDT #MyNumber

MOBIZ 54 Broaden your enterprise mobility capabilities with Smart Gadget Pro and Cloud Push-to-Talk

ALPHA EXTRA 58 Avaya Director for Sales Engineering – APAC Sami Ammous on the role of digital technologies and solutions in enterprise transformation. 22 28

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 03 Jovy Hernandez examines 08 today’s “multiple verges”.

CLIENT CALLS 07 Letters from clients on their 16 unique experiences with PLDT ALPHA Enterprise.

MAIN WINDOW 08 The world is shedding its skin 40 on multiple fronts. Is your enterprise ready? PARTNER PEEK 62 ACASIA’s Azmal Yahya talks about redefining Southeast Asia’s LIVE WIRE foremost ICT provider in the age 16 Here’s how Jollibee, Unilever, of ASEAN Integration. Eastvantage, FWD Life, RRCG, and Convergys are MEF’s Nan Chen reveals the introducing industry shifts with emergence of the Third Network. PLDT ALPHA Enterprise’s market-leading ICT and digital solutions. 70 WERE YOU THERE 78 PLDT ALPHA Enterprise kicks 46 off 2016 activities with Akamai and #MyNumber product launches, the International ICT Awards, and more. CLIENT Well done, Nova Rosales. Hi Precy, Calls I really appreciate your pro-activeness and On behalf of AMADEUS, we would like to say thank you to PLDT immediate response to ALPHA Enterprise for another successful partnership during the 23rd Dear Jay, Benjie, Rose, our concern. Truly, a great Travel Tour Expo last 05-07 Feb 2016. Jhun, Ace, SL Villanueva, customer experience. and RA Rosales, After partnering with PLDT, we received very positive feedback from some I commend you and of the exhibitors as our Internet connection was up and running, stable, I would like to convey Ace Evangelista for and reliable from day one. There are even some airline representatives my appreciation to all all the support. who approached me asking to help them address their Internet connection of you for delivering problem. They requested to be connected to the Amadeus network another mission-critical Regards, in order to restore their normal operations during the event. After installation despite the Judith S. Antaran connecting them to the Amadeus network powered by PLDT Power Pack very short notice. Country Director C connections, they were up and running within minutes from the time Information Technology of their request. They are now considering partnering with Amadeus for Thanks Jay and Benjie DHL Global Forwarding future Travel Fair Events and this is because of the PLDT Power Pack C for leading your team (Phils.), Inc. DSL connection. to provide excellent customer experience. Special thanks to the following persons:

Kudos and keep it up! 1. Ms. Ann Turao who is always going the extra mile to make sure that she Dear PLDT team, can deliver our requirements and expectations when it comes to Internet Judith S. Antaran connections. Country Director On behalf of the 2. Ms. Lo Regino who handled this Travel Tour Event for the 1st time and 62 106 Information Waltermart Management, was able to deliver my expectation. I salute her, as I did not make a single Technology we would like to thank call to follow-up on the DSL installation during ingress time. DHL Global you for all the effort that 3. Mr. Severino Mejillano, Jason Toledo, and Jesus Zamboanga – the PLDT Forwarding (Phils.), your team delivered for the contractors who are now familiar with Amadeus during travel fair – they Inc. Waltermart Cabanatuan impressed me with the way they supported us during the entire event. They project. made sure that any DSL related problem will be handled and resolved 58 immediately. We are grateful for your Dear PLDT partners, support and are looking Again, THANK YOU to PLDT ALPHA Enterprise for the support. SLEEPER HIT forward to accomplish 126 Learn how Big Data Thank you for the more projects in the future. Best Regards, insights refine enterprise support and partnership. Ronan G. Ignacio decision-making with Best regards, Head - South East Asia (SEA) Service Delivery Team ePLDT Big Data Insights Sincerely, Lawrence Christopher C. Amadeus Marketing Philippines Inc. Villanueva as a Service. LMPI Family Waltermart Property Management Inc. Your web presence, now on overdrive with Akamai solutions.

CAUGHT ON PAGE THE SECOND SCREEN THE ALPHA BITS 100 Great partnerships sealed 112 Our visual digest of recently- 132 Immense bits of knowledge WE WANT TO with ACASIA, CDC posted online articles from any ALPHA should know. Millenium Ortigas, Cordlife PLDT ALPHA Enterprise HEAR FROM Philippines, Inc., Marco Polo thought leaders. YOU Davao, and more. THE LAST SAY 136 Eric R. Alberto dissects COMING AND GOING the true price of SEND YOUR THOUGHTS, COMMENTS, PLDT INSIDER 118 What’s coming, what’s going, corporate hubris. OR FEEDBACK AND RECEIVE 106 Newly-appointed ePLDT and what’s staying still in the PREMIUM ALPHA ITEMS! CIO and Solutions world of tech. Consulting Head Brett Medel Keep up-to-date with our latest on his multifaceted role news and solutions. Subscribe and approach to disruptive Email: pldtalpha@pldt.com.ph to our ALPHA Mail newsletter at organizational transformation. Call: 88-ALPHA www.pldtalpha.com. (88-25742) or visit www.pldtalpha.com THE WORLD'S ON MULTIPLE FRONTS, SHEDDING ITS CHANGE SKIN RULES THE WORLD

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 Every year, the world emerges from several changes — some relatively minor, others more dramatic — to reveal altered lifestyles, business practices, or political realities. However 2015-2016 seems to be a period of drastic transformation, the proverbial tipping point on several fronts. Here we will examine two compelling trends among many with far-reaching and possibly enduring effects: the shift in the energy power structure from oil to renewables; the continued ascent of the gig economy. "FRANKLY, WE, STRICTLY SPEAKING, The Fall of Oil. The Shift in HAVE NOT FULLY RECOVERED FROM Petrol Power THE CRISIS OF 2008.” Politics Dmitry Medvedev Russian Prime Minister OPEC looks more like a tattered giant nowadays, in the face of diving prices and Saudi Arabia’s continued determination not to cut production to stave off further declines. The best outcome for producers Iran, which has just emerged from that it loses about $2 Billion for every drop so far seems to be a shaky agreement to generations-old rounds of sanctions, is in the price of the oil. freeze production, which is little comfort eager to ramp up production to fund social Once-proud oil producers now tread for OPEC members who don’t have programs. Its population-to-reserves ratio carefully in unchartered territory. It is their pockets that are as deep as the Saudis. is nowhere near Saudi numbers and it new reality brought about by a combination Venezuela was already in deep waters simply cannot afford to wait it out for the of key factors that include a worldwide even before the crisis, struggling to pay long term. Its head-butting with the Saudis slowdown in demand led by China, the for expensive government subsidies on the issue feeds a larger theological and US shale oil revolution, and the rising and programs. Its latest inflation figures political conflict. And it only promises popularity of renewable energy and Electric hover around 60%, and the last time the to complicate and fuel more tension the Vehicles (EVs). For many analysts, the last government lifted subsidies and allowed region certainly does not need. two represent unprecedented dramatic fuel prices to adjust upward, the streets And Russia has sobered up and shifts that could very well outlast any erupted in riots to leave scores dead and perhaps is now ready to stop its resurgent resolute and well-financed Saudi waiting injured. nationalistic breastbeating due to the fact scheme.

12 MAY 2016 MAY 2016 A study commissioned by Fieldglass, a vendor management system software The Rise of the vendor, found that by 2015, “…nearly Gig Economy 35 percent of today's total workforce is comprised of non-employee workers.” What does this mean? A greater number of US businesses—95 percent—regard freelancers as crucial to business success. The term “gig” is borrowed from This also means a revolution in Human the music industry, and could have been Resources management and hiring. derived from the fact that session musicians In the larger scheme of things, regularly played with several bands or acts freelancers could soon become an throughout their careers. Each “gig” paid organized or unionized labor force, them for services rendered. exercising more clout in negotiations with That’s the model for the “gig enterprise as well as in politics on such economy” today, with various workers issues as workforce welfare and taxation. in different specialties spanning editorial Arun Srinivasan, Senior Vice President work, animation, finance, and software of Strategy and Customer Operations engineering, among others. It’s also called of SAP Fieldglass offers his forecast for the “flex economy” and its workers given the years ahead. "The changing needs of THE CHANGING NEEDS OF TODAY'S WORKERS, many names including “contingent labor”, today's workers, the war for talent and the temp labor”, or “precariat”. Gig workers globalization of the workforce are just THE WAR FOR TALENT AND THE GLOBALIZATION enjoy unprecedented freedom and space to a few reasons that today's technology is work when they want and where they want, evolving so rapidly. All of these forces with no formal ties to any one organization. are driving workforce management to the OF THE WORKFORCE ARE JUST A FEW REASONS However, they also give up a lot in terms of top of the business agenda, especially as company benefits like paid leave, tenure, or talent becomes a true differentiator for THAT TODAY'S TECHNOLOGY IS EVOLVING SO RAPIDLY. health plans. organizations," he was quoted as saying. But that’s just great for gig workers, because latest surveys show that as a Arun Srinivasan percentage of the labor force, they are Senior Vice President of Strategy and a growing and vibrant segment. In fact, Customer Operations of SAP Fieldglass millenials who are under 34 years of age actually prefer freelancing than any preceding generation. That is probably due to the growing range of applications, websites, and platforms that make outsourcing to the gig economy so much easier. There are more online labor markets, freelancer networks, and job boards than ever; and social media is also playing a greater role. What does this mean down the road for enterprise organizations who ironically sparked the gig economy to cut down on labor costs? 2015 was seen as the pivotal year where the balance of the labor force started to tip towards freelancers.

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 "THERE IS NOTHING MORE DIFFICULT TO TAKE IN HAND, It is Useless MORE PERILOUS TO CONDUCT, to Resist OR MORE UNCERTAIN IN ITS SUCCESS, THAN TO TAKE THE Both the oil power and labor shifts LEAD IN THE INTRODUCTION owe their origins to new transformative technology. The Saudis are attempting to OF A NEW ORDER OF THINGS." drown out US shale which is a product of new fracking technology. They are assaulting it with every weapon in the book, including Niccolo Machiavelli PR. But many experts see this move as futile, because all US shale producers did was to merely cap wells and wait for the Saudis (or their less than patient partners) to blink first. Renewable energy is also mounting a serious challenge to the Oil Kingdoms, as are electric cars. It is already well known how much cheaper solar generation and conversion has become, and how the growth in other renewables as household wind can enable consumers to sign off the grid indefinitely, if not permanently. That is sure to shake up more than a few established players in traditional fossil energy. Freelancing first began as a curious niche among enterprise organizations, with the business author Peter Drucker first coining the term “the open economy” in his 1959 book “Landmark of Tomorrow”. But it has moved well past that now, and only faces endangered power structures that remain in the most stubborn or stodgy organizations. As it gets easier to recruit, pay (less), and administer freelancers, resistance can hold out only for so long. Perhaps the master of power politics Niccolo Machiavelli said it best in his masterpiece The Prince: "There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things." In the case of the changes described here—along with so many others—one of the greatest dangers as far as business survival is concerned is to ignore the forces of transformation now unmistakably before us.

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 A BETTER WAY TO SECURE FULLER LIVES

PLDT ALPHA ENTERPRISE AND SMART ENTERPRISE ARE FWD LIFE’S PARTNERS IN HELPING FILIPINOS GET THE BEST OUT OF LIFE.

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 “IN THIS DIGITAL ERA, INTERNET CONNECTIVITY AND MOBILITY For decades, insurance companies have been empowering customers to get the ARE AS BASIC AS THEY ARE most out of life with products and services that support a more fulfilling, worry-free lifestyle. Presently, the insurance industry is on a sustained push for more network capability and digital solutions to deliver services to a more online, mobile, and TO DELIVERING ON OUR tech-savvy market. 79% of consumers are BUSINESS PROMISE.” already thinking of using digital channels for their insurance needs in the near future, according to Bain and Company in 2015. The management consultancy firm also Peter Grimes noted that insurers foresee life premiums FWD Life President and sold online growing from 8% to 15% in Chief Executive Officer the next three to five years. It all represents an inevitable transition to a future industry that is highly focused on data and the customer. Companies will choose more omnichannel strategies. Driving this movement are younger players such as Southeast Asian guarantor FWD Life Insurance Corporation, which is continuously growing its active, dynamic brand of life management solutions to effectively serve Filipino customers.

An Expanding Regional Provider FWD Life is part of the Pacific Century Group-owned FWD Group, which has a presence in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, and Thailand. The Group entered well in the Philippines,” said FWD Life “Our ‘Fight Plan’ proposition is in policy holders greater control over their “PLDT ALPHA Enterprise and the Philippine market in November 2013. President and Chief Executive Officer line with FWD’s goal of offering simple funds, is easily accessible across different Smart Enterprise provide essential It received its license to operate from Peter Grimes. “When we entered the and affordable products that help ensure customer platforms. “We specifically services which enable our tools and Opposite page, seated (L-R): the Insurance Commission the following Philippine market last year, we stated that lifestyle continuity among Filipinos, no designed our Customer Connect portal platforms to better connect us internally FWD Life President and Chief Executive April, making it the first foreign life insurer our business objective is to become a matter what life throws at you,” Mr. with our customers in mind; all customer and, more importantly, with our Officer Peter Grimes with PLDT VP and Head of Corporate Relationship Management approved by the government in nearly leading player in the country within five Grimes noted. touch points are continuously being customers,” he shared. Jay Lagdameo, together with (standing) a decade. The company then began full years.” improved, to be as intuitive as possible, In supporting their operations, FWD FWD Life’s Chief Finance Officer Lucia Chona commercial operations in January 2015. And to better establish its fresh brand, Ensuring Effective Insurance and hopefully being able to satisfy all of Life is employing a range of network Sevilla-Ventura and Chief Technology and Operations Officer Lee San Yuen, PLDT Now with 1,300 agents, FWD Life has FWD Life is committed to developing Delivery in the Digital Era our customers’ needs and preferences,” capability and mobility solutions from Relationship Manager Ken Carangue, expanded into the rest of Luzon, Visayas, products that specifically address Filipino As part of its ongoing growth, FWD Mr. Grimes added. PLDT ALPHA Enterprise and Smart FWD Life Chief Human Resources Officer and Mindanao. The company is set to open needs. A recent example is the “Fight Plan.” Life also leverages technology in delivering To enable this and other technology- Enterprise. The Dedicated Internet Rozanne Parungo, PLDT Head of Corporate Relationship Business Kent Dela Calzada, and more urban “business hubs” this 2016, This unique offering provides financial first-rate customer services via digital driven initiatives of FWD Life, PLDT Access Service (iGate) is critical to FWD FWD Life Chief Strategy Officer Mervin Pobre allowing it to offer insurance services to support for customers battling any type and mobile channels in addition to more ALPHA Enterprise and Smart Enterprise Life’s communication platform, enabling more Filipinos. of cancer for up to fifteen years with a traditional means. FWD Life’s online have become its trusted end-to-end ICT fast and reliable transmission. iGate “I am pleased to say that we started maximum benefit of₱ 2 million. Customer Connect portal, which gives partners. also powers the firm’s digital platform,

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 particularly the eApp sales tool, which FWD Life is also enhancing its mobile Together Committed to focused on meeting FWD Life’s evolving First Vice President and Head of PLDT ensures that FWD Life advisors submit web presence with PLDT ALPHA A Committed Partnership Improving Filipino Lives IT needs and requirements.” ALPHA Enterprise and Smart Enterprise and deliver their applications efficiently and Enterprise’s SafeZone toll-free Internet Mr. Grimes said PLDT has On a final note, Mr. Grimes said that Jovy Hernandez. “Like them, we Key officials from PLDT ALPHA on time. platform. This supports FWD Life’s rapid Enterprise and Smart Enterprise been with FWD Life since it began these tools and services from PLDT appreciate the intrinsic value of improving Vanity Numbers encourage faster and robust growth plans, boosting FWD join top executives of FWD Life operations in 2014. He noted that the ALPHA Enterprise and Smart Enterprise Filipino lives. We will continue innovating brand recall, so that customers can easily Life’s brand visibility alongside granting Insurance Corporation at the insurer’s telecommunication firm’s services and are “essential” to helping them innovate and enhancing our digital solutions so that headquarters in Taguig, underscoring and instantly contact the FWD Life team. distribution teams cost-efficient Internet their firm partnership and dedication products have always been integral to their towards becoming the preferred insurance FWD Life may better secure valuable life Smart Enterprise’s Smart Messaging access. to providing quality services for their sales, operational support, and service provider for Filipinos, and support their continuity for its customers.” Suite (SMS) meanwhile addresses the “In this digital era, Internet Filipino customers. delivery. They are quite delighted with long-term vision of transforming industry need to quickly send notifications to a connectivity and mobility are as basic PLDT’s relationship management team. perceptions. large number of advisors, as well as the as they are crucial to delivering on our “PLDT’s relationship managers are “We thank FWD Life for entrusting us company’s growing customer base. business promise,” Mr. Grimes explained. part of a service-friendly and dynamic with the ICT and digital requirements that team, who understand our business are crucial to their organization’s service objectives,” he said. “They are extremely delivery and expansion,” said PLDT

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 WIFI THAT MOVES WITH RRCG TRANSPORT SYSTEM MAKES THE SMARTER SWITCH TO SMART ENTERPRISE YOU FOR ITS FLEET’S HIGH-SPEED WI-FI NEEDS. The bus is an essential pillar of the Philippine mass transportation, a veritable workhorse for ferrying workers, students, families, and tourists throughout an entire archipelago on a daily basis. Historically, it has helped fuel economic growth and drive social mobility.

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 “THERE HAVE BEEN PASSENGERS WHO HAVE POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA, THANKING US FOR THIS FEATURE.”

Robbie Torres RRCG General Manager

Today, there are 5,057 bus units owned more routes across the metro. Since the also quick to note that RRCG was one of The Connected RRCG Passenger by more than 200 operators plying around very beginning, RRCG has operated with the first to install televisions on buses, now 100 designated routes in Metro Manila a simple philosophy in mind: “bringing in its 21st century guise as Bus TV. According to Mr. Torres, it all started alone, according to the latest figures humanity back in public transportation,” “We did Bus TV to encourage with RRCG consulting one of their Bus published by the Land Transportation as described by General Manager Robbie ridership,” said Mr. Torres. Dubbed by TV media partners in choosing the right Franchising and Regulatory Board or Torres. This core value is clearly evident in RRCG as the “smallest TV network in the partner for the Wi-Fi project. “They are LTFRB. And one company has continually its distinctive brand of service and branded country,” Bus TV is a revolutionary system one of Smart Enterprise’s long-term stood out, driven by a vision of providing in the iconic and welcoming teddy bear beamed on bus LED screens, displaying a clients, and they also highly recommended Filipinos first-rate public transportation: decals affixed to all its yellow-and-white rotating selection of original and curated them for us,” he said. Clearly, there’s no RRCG Transport System Co., Inc. buses. content from a handful of TV networks better endorsement than one from a highly Using this unique approach, RRCG and YouTube-based producers, interspersed satisfied customer. Pioneering Innovations to has pioneered on several fronts and has with advertising. Smart Enterprise’s sheer persistence Bring “Humanity Back in effectively set the standard for passenger And to further serve a riding public was one of the main reasons why the bus Public Transportation” comfort. The company was one of the first that is increasingly dominated by what Mr. company made the switch. “It was easy to to operate air-conditioned buses in Eastern Torres calls the “selfie generation,” RRCG build a relationship with Smart Enterprise,” Starting in the late ‘80s with five (5) Rizal. Recently, they unveiled the “Pink has promptly made the smarter switch to he added. “It is easy to talk to them, as well used buses traversing the Binangonan Bus” exclusively for women, senior citizens, Smart Enterprise for better in-bus Wi-Fi as invite them in our offices to discuss all -Ayala route, RRCG has expanded to serve and persons with disabilities. Mr. Torres was connectivity. our concerns.”

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 With the switch to Smart Enterprise, now that are Euro 5 emission compliant,” a considerable number of RRCG buses which are stricter than the Euro 4 now have Wi-Fi units connected to standard the government mandates this RRCG General Manager Robbie Torres, Smart’s high-speed 3G/4G network. 2016. In addition, RRCG is also deploying Bus TV General Manager Jeanette Mercado, Passengers can now surf the Internet “low entry buses,” with less steps at the PLDT Head of Corporate Relationship Business Ben Melasa, PLDT Corporate during commutes with no add-on cost to entryway for the benefit of persons with Relationship Manager Girlie Lee, and PLDT their fare. disabilities (PWDs). VP and Head of Corporate Relationship To say the least, the reception has On the digital front, Mr. Torres, PLDT Management Precy Katigbak been positive for RRCG, according to Mr. ALPHA Enterprise, and Smart Enterprise Torres. “There have been passengers who will collaborate on both real-time CCTV have posted on social media, thanking us monitoring as well as smarter analytics for this feature.” He also mentioned that through Big Data. he heard how some students with laptops “We at PLDT ALPHA Enterprise and are riding RRCG’s Wi-Fi-enabled buses to Smart Enterprise are grateful to RRCG work on school requirements, deducing Transport System for choosing us as their that a standard round-trip bus ticket is less partner and enabler in providing high- expensive than the usual stay at a café or speed Wi-Fi connectivity to their riding restaurant. public,” said PLDT FVP and Head of PLDT ALPHA Enterprise and Smart A Progressive Push for Better Enterprise Jovy Hernandez. “We look Philippine Public Transportation forward to collaborating further with RRCG towards better public transport As a forward-thinker, Mr. Torres plans services in this digital era.” to roll out greener RRCG buses in the near future. “A significant amount of our air pollution is generated by vehicles,” he said. “That is why I am building buses

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 O L LY JNEW HOTLIN E JOLLIBEE SETS THE TREND WITH THEIR NEW, CENTRALIZED HASHTAG HOTLINE, POWERED BY PLDT ALPHA ENTERPRISE’S #MYNUMBER.

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 “THE SOLUTION IS SEEN AS A GREAT WAY TO HELP JOLLIBEE FOODS CORPORATION

MORE SALES, FURTHER BUILD

There is no doubt about it, the name ITS BRAND, AND ENHANCE Jollibee has become synonymous to Filipino fast food not just within the country, but THE OVERALL CUSTOMER around the world as well. It is the quintessential global Filipino EXPERIENCE.” business success story. What began back in 1975 as a single Ice Cream parlor in Cubao, Jovy Hernandez Jollibee has flourished into an unstoppable PLDT First Vice President and Head fast food empire with thousands of stores of PLDT ALPHA Enterprise both here and abroad. Its following has expanded beyond the local demographic, with even famed chef/author/travel personality Anthony Bourdain famously giving praise for the chain’s myriad of “Langhap Sarap” selections. Throughout its nearly four-decade existence, Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) And this convenient service becomes service. However, their current delivery transformed its business to address the much so as PLDT ALPHA Enterprise hotline lineup features different numbers needs and tastes of its customers. From recently enabled Jollibee to have a single, for different areas. For example, callers in Seated (L-R): PLDT AVP and Head of Corporate Business Solutions the original Yumburger, its menu offerings nationwide delivery number through its the Metro Manila area dial 8-7000, while Gary Ignacio, PLDT VP and Head of have expanded to other well-loved signature PLDT #MyNumber service. those in Cebu dial 238-7000 and callers in Corporate Relationship Management items such as the Jolly Spaghetti, Jolly Pampanga dial 888-7000. Jay Lagdameo, Jollibee Delivery Manager Val Abadesco, and Jollibee Hotdog, Palabok Fiesta, and of course the Continuous Commitment Multiple hotline numbers can be Delivery Channel Officer Mina Sarreal. Chickenjoy. The company has also ventured to Customer Satisfaction problematic for a fast food delivery service. to other brands, acquiring fast food chains Managing them effectively requires costly Standing (L-R): PLDT Product Manager Caloy Octavio, Jollibee Call such as Greenwich Pizza, Chowking, Red Jollibee consistently strives to deliver the equipment dedicated to each hotline. In Center Delivery Specialist Jhaymie Pili, Ribbon, Mang Inasal, and the local Burger best food and experience to their customers, addition, to reach customers in different PLDT Enterprise Voice and Managed King franchise. including those who order through their areas, Jollibee had to continuously modify IT Category Head Fay Ocampo, Jollibee Call Center Delivery Officer Beyond the physical stores, Jollibee has delivery service. Jollibee Vice President and its marketing and advertising campaigns Vergel Sapo, and PLDT Relationship provided greater convenience for Filipinos National Business Channels Head Manjie based on the appropriate hotline for each Manager Tin Ordona. with its Jollibee delivery service. Today, Yap emphasized, “To ensure that we meet location. anyone can enjoy their favorite Jollibee meals the satisfaction levels of customers, we To pursue their commitment to at home, at school, or at work by dialing the continuously introduce innovations to the customer satisfaction in their delivery hotline or through the company’s website. delivery business.” service, Jollibee sought out a new hotline Among its stores nationwide, Jollibee solution. “What we wanted was to have one currently has 308 stores that offer delivery national hotline that customers can easily

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 “WHAT WE WANTED remember and call,” Mr. Yap said. “This makes things easier for them since they WAS TO HAVE only need to dial one number regardless if they are in Manila or anywhere else in the country.”

Jollibee Goes #8-7000 Nationwide

Jollibee Foods Corporation called on PLDT ALPHA Enterprise for a single, easy-to-remember hotline number with the PLDT #MyNumber service. Replacing the company’s various hotline numbers is a single, easy-to-remember number that can be reached across the country’s nationwidest network: #8-7000. NATIONAL HOTLINE With Jollibee using PLDT #MyNumber, customer reach also increases because all PLDT landline calls from customers THAT CUSTOMERS CAN nationwide are free of charge. Smart, TNT, EASILY REMEMBER AND CALL.” and Sun subscribers also enjoy a lower per- minute cost as compared to conventional mobile to landline costs. This makes calls to the hotline convenient for customers almost Manjie Yap anywhere. Jollibee will soon roll out an efficient and Jollibee Vice President and comprehensive marketing communications National Business Channels Head campaign with nationwide advertisements through television commercials, radio spots, leaflets, flyers, and so much more. Now that the company has a single hashtag number as a call-to-action, its overall marketing communications budget is better spent promoting a central hotline number instead of several per area. “We are grateful that Jollibee Foods Corporation decided to centralize their Going #MyNumber entire delivery hotline system through the for Other JFC Brands #MyNumber service,” said PLDT First Vice President and Head of PLDT ALPHA According to Jollibee Delivery Channel Enterprise Jovy Hernandez. “The solution Manager Valentino Abadesco, Jollibee is seen as a great way to help Jollibee Foods intends to open at least 52 more delivery Corporation drive more sales, further build stores by the end of 2016, extending the its brand, and enhance the overall customer #MyNumber-enabled delivery service to experience. We look forward to seeing more than 360 stores nationwide. And soon, JFC’s other brands switching to a singular Jollibee Foods Corporation plans to use #MyNumber-based system soon.” PLDT #MyNumber for the delivery hotlines of its other brands, including Greenwich, Chowking, Burger King, and Mang Inasal.

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 AT THE

OF THE GAME

PLDT ALPHA ENTERPRISE USHERS MASSIVE GROWTH FOR CONVERGYS PHILIPPINES AS IT BECOMES THE TOP BPO IN THE COUNTRY.

Convergys Philippines SVP and Country Manager Ivic Mueco (Center) with Convergys Philippines VP for Business Development and Operations Support Rain Tan (Left) and Convergys Philippines Senior Director for IT Solutions Orlando Nobello (Right)

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 The origins of the Philippine Business Employer. Convergys is also in the top three Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry can be Philippine BPOs with highest revenues. quality and reliability. Even more, it needs traced as far back as the 1980s. This once “The Philippines is a critical service top-notch, professional support. niche industry that institutionalized night- destination for Convergys and our clients,” The BPO firm has always counted on shift work has also become the nation’s says Convergys Philippines Senior Vice PLDT ALPHA Enterprise as its trusted, economic powerhouse. It is now poised to President and Country Manager Ivic Mueco. expert, end-to-end ICT partner for years. overtake Overseas Filipino Workers’ (OFWs) She attributes this leadership position to the As Convergys recently opened new sites remittances as the biggest contributor to ways they have unlocked the potential of in Clark, Baguio, and Quezon City, PLDT our Gross Domestic Product or GDP. Filipino talent. “The excellent performance ALPHA Enterprise continues to ensure Further proving the point is the fact that the of our team enabled us to grow the business round-the-clock interconnectivity via the country’s top BPO organization is also the and continuously provide meaningful Metro e-Line solution. largest private employer: Convergys. employment for talented Filipinos,” she said. According to Ms. Mueco, this and other Thirteen years since beginning local The organization’s exponential growth solutions from PLDT ALPHA Enterprise operations, Convergys has become quite isn’t limited to the country’s biggest urban are huge success factors in enabling the the force to contend with. Apart from its centers. Convergys Philippines currently delivery of high-quality, high-fidelity 63,000-strong workforce, it is also the first operates in 34 sites spread across the voice and data services, and multi-level in the industry to achieve Hall of Fame archipelago, located in areas including redundancy. Together, these guarantee status in the Philippines ICT Awards for Baguio, Pampanga, Laguna, Bacolod, and business continuity, cost-efficient domestic winning both Best Company and Best Davao. All the sites are seamlessly connected and international routing, and so much “We are grateful for their continued faith to the rest of the world, thanks in part to more. in us as their trusted expert, end-to-end, Convergys: Amor Gilos, Category Lead, Technology PLDT ALPHA Enterprise. She also complimented the PLDT ICT partner. And we look forward to and Telecom; Hermie Roque, Sr. Manager, Data ALPHA Enterprise relationship empowering their further growth through Network; and Bel Cabel, Sr. Manager, Global “Connected at All Times” management team as expert partners our evolving solutions portfolio.” Procurement, Phils and APAC in technology. She noted how they With Convergys Philippines stretching consistently meet or exceed the across the nation, the need to ensure requirements of Convergys, especially on business continuity is mission-critical. “All of timeline management and cost efficiency. our centers must stay connected at all times,” “The PLDT ALPHA Enterprise team, Ms. Mueco emphasized, adding that their from their relationship manager up to their networking solutions must be of the highest top management, is committed to nurturing our relationship as well as consistently “THE providing us valuable insights and support,” she added.

Never Resting on Its Laurels

“Convergys uses technology as a PERFORMANCE OF OUR TEAM source of innovation and advantage, rather than just providing the infrastructure for delivery,” says Ms. Mueco. She noted that the company puts analytics at the forefront of planning and solutions development for “ALL OF its clients. US TO GROW THE BUSINESS “As we keep a razor-sharp focus on data AND CONTINUOUSLY PROVIDE OUR CENTERS security while managing highly complex platforms and technology for our clients, MUST STAY we continue to rely on PLDT ALPHA Enterprise’s value-added high-quality CONNECTED AT connectivity solutions and support,” she says. “We appreciate being constantly EMPLOYMENT FOR ALL TIMES.” updated about the new technologies, trends, and insights that benefit our business.” TALENTED FILIPINOS.” “We at PLDT ALPHA Enterprise commend Convergys Philippines for their Ivic Mueco remarkable growth as the country’s top Convergys Philippines BPO company in the last thirteen years,” SVP and Country Manager says PLDT FVP and Head of PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Jovy Hernandez.

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 PLDT FVP and Head of PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Jovy Hernandez (Seated, Left), Convergys Philippines VP for Business Development and Operations Support Rain Tan (Seated, Center), and Convergys Philippines SVP and Country Manager Ivic Mueco (Seated, Right) with (Standing, from Left to Right) Convergys Philippines Senior Director for IT Solutions Orlando Nobello, PLDT Corporate Relationship Manager Catherine Arellano, and PLDT Corporate Relationship Management Advisor Victor Aliwalas

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 D RIVING DI GITA L INNOVATION IN OUTSOURCING

PLDT ALPHA ENTERPRISE FORTIFIES EASTVANTAGE KPO SOLUTIONS WITH SECURE AND RELIABLE NETWORK TECHNOLOGY.

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 “WE BELIEVE SMEs CAN OUTSOURCE AS WELL, THERE’S REALLY NOT MUCH OF A BARRIER ANYMORE. LIKE LARGE FIRMS, SMEs NOW HAVE THE

CONNECTIVITY, AND RESOURCES TO DO SO.”

Joeri Timp The outsourcing industry has definitely seen exceptional and dynamic growth Eastvantage Managing Director in recent years. Companies that turn to and CFO traditional Business Processing Outsourcing (BPO) for their fundamental processes – including accounting and finance, human resources, and customer-related services – reap great gains in terms of efficiency and cost savings. The success of this outsourcing approach led to further vendor offering improvements, as business core processes and competitive knowledge are now available to the market. As a result, businesses are now O&O capital of the world. In fact, Manila Founded in 2010, Eastvantage is a large firms, SMEs now have the technology, increasingly entrusting vital, information- already ranks second – next to Bangalore, Euro-Filipino outsourcing and consultancy connectivity, and resources to do so.” related operations to Knowledge Processing India – in the Tholons’ 100 Top Outsourcing company that provides customized web- Furthermore, Mr. Tshidimba believes that Outsourcing (KPOs) organizations to free Destinations in 2015. And this performance enabled business solutions to companies in the company’s customer-centric approach is up more resources for their core business. can still be expected to improve as the the USA, Australia, and Europe. ideal to their target market. He stressed that KPOs offer low-operational services with Philippines generate higher value jobs, certain SME specializations simply cannot be higher quality services dependent on human according to Jones Lang Lasalle India CEO A Fresh Take on KPOs addressed by the one-size-fits-all solutions skilled work, specialized expertise, and value Ramesh Nair. of larger outsourcing companies. “Based on creation. It essentially supplements the core For Eastvantage Managing Director and Eastvantage stands out among other our conversations with company owners, we function of businesses, with niche offerings CEO Fred Tshidimba, the organization’s traditional KPO organizations, proudly offer them tailor-made solutions ideal for including technical expertise, capital and decision to establish a Knowledge Processing cultivating a welcoming and vibrant working their specific business situations.” insurance market services, legal services, Outsourcing (KPO) arm in the Philippines atmosphere composed of a fun and dynamic And as the company continues to biotechnology, software development, was made with both mind and heart. “We team of professionals. expand, they are leaning towards disruptive among others. realized that the Philippines has tremendous They also focus on empowering the technologies for more innovative systems Globally, research and market analysts potential for outsourcing.” He also international small and medium (SME) and solution offerings. Since day one, they Eastvantage Managing Director foresee the combined yearly growth rate and CEO Fred Tshidimba highlighted mentioned other defining reasons, including enterprise segment through high-end have already integrated cloud-based services of global KPO markets to soar by 23% in the importance of building client the country’s large pool of highly educated, services. “We believe SMEs can outsource in their business operations. Eastvantage 2019. Here in the Philippines, KPO is the relationships founded on trust, skillful, English proficient candidates and as well,” mentioned Eastvantage Managing also utilizes social platforms for internal understanding, and flexibility. pivotal subsector to be conquered in the their close cultural affinity with Western Director and CFO Joeri Timp. “There’s and professional network communications, country’s journey to become the preferred markets. really not much of a barrier anymore. Like recruitment, and lead generation. Analytics

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 “OUR SERVICE OFFERINGS ARE ALL ANCHORED ON TECHNOLOGY

“THAT IS WHY WE DEFINITELY WENT WITH THE BIGGEST AND MOST RELIABLE MARKET LEADER AS OUR TECHNOLOGY PARTNER: PLDT ALPHA ENTERPRISE.”

Fred Tshidimba Eastvantage Managing Director and CEO

also effectively tracks website traffic and Highly Secure, Always Connected Mr. Timp added that they were pleasantly network requirements. We look forward to

Seated (L-R): PLDT Head of Corporate guides the structure of their Enterprise surprised that routers and switches are continuously collaborating with them, further Relationship Business Jeff Mendoza Resource Planning (ERP) systems. This partnership equips Eastvantage properly managed, and this attention to providing relevant solutions and expert and Eastvantage Managing Director Currently, the company is developing with a robust and secure foundation for their quality extended to maintenance and 24/7 insights for their growing global clientele,” and CEO Fred Tshidimba; Standing (L-R): PLDT Relationship a platform that would extend their Asian growing network capabilities through PLDT technical support services. “That’s a relief for said PLDT First Vice President and Head of Manager Jimsey Fernando, Eastvantage business footprint. It will cover outsourcing ALPHA Enterprise’s high-performance us because we are still a growing company,” PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Jovy Hernandez. Managing Director and CFO Joeri Timp, solutions as well as innovative development Internet solutions – Dedicated Internet he remarked. “It’s good to know that we have and Eastvantage Sales and Marketing Head Bambi Santos consultancy services. Access Service (iGate), DSL, Managed a technology partner that can support us.” “Our service offerings are all anchored Routers, Cisco Catalyst Switches, and “We are pleased to have a technology on technology access,” said Mr. Tshidimba. Fortigate Firewall. These solutions, in turn, partner like PLDT ALPHA Enterprise,” “That is why we definitely went with the allow the KPO organization to always commended Mr. Tshidimba. “They can cover biggest and most reliable market leader as stay connected, and facilitate seamless and provide an end-to-end solution to all our our technology partner: PLDT ALPHA transactions with overseas clients without business needs.” Enterprise.” serious security risks or issues. “We at PLDT ALPHA Enterprise thank Eastvantage for entrusting us with their

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 ACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH THE UNILEVER CHOOSES SMART ENTERPRISE AND PAYMAYA FOR A DIGITALLY-POWERED, POWEROF DI GITA L HIGHLY-SECURE E-CASH ECOSYSTEM.

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 Suresh Rai “WE BELIEVE Unilever Vice President IN A BRIGHTER for Human Resources FUTURE – A WORLD “THE HIGH RELIANCE WHERE ON CASH FOR RETAIL EVERYONE PAYMENTS DEPRIVES LIVES WELL PLAYERS THE AND LIVES WITHIN THE NATURAL OF REDUCED COST, LIMITS OF GREATER EFFICIENCY, OUR PLANET.” TRANSPARENCY, AND SECURITY THAT COME WITH It’s a powerful statement from visionary Unilever Vice President for ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS.” Human Resources Suresh Rai, one that describes the organization’s primary push: transformational change towards sustainable lifestyles. Unilever has embarked on a renewed Ajay Gandhi journey to sustainable living through its Unilever Philippines historic brands. It is an evolved concept that Chief Financial Officer defines the way they do business today. Back in the 1880s, Lever Bros. Founder William Hesketh Lever already had a clear vision of “making cleanliness commonplace.” It was the impetus in developing Sunlight soap, a pioneering product using pine kernel oil instead of traditional animal fat. This eventually helped promote better and more widespread personal hygiene in Victorian “Brands with a Purpose” the conditions of various sectors and Sheryl San-Diego explained that while England. communities. These include programs the company continues to keep pace In the 21st century, Unilever has “We are putting sustainability at that tackle hunger and malnutrition, with consumer needs in the digital world, successfully retraced this legacy of the heart of our brands,” said Mr. Rai. environment care, as well as personal they also envision doing the same in the sustainability as a major multinational He further explained that the Unilever hygiene and development through workplace. producing a wide-ranging variety of Sustainable Living Program (USLP) is the Knorr Feeding Program, Perfect Just recently, they joined the advocacy consumer goods particularly in personal geared towards improved health and well Community and Livelihood, Dove Self- of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) care, food and beverages, as well as cleaning being conditions of their consumers, as Esteem Campaign, Sachet Collection, to transition from cash-based to digital agents. Over 400 Unilever brands – Dove, well as better livelihood options for millions Sustainable Sourcing and Livelihood, transactions. Knorr, Sunsilk, and Lipton, among its more of people. And they plan to achieve all this Domex Sanitation Program, Teen Week, According to Unilever Philippines CFO famous marks – all actively promote feeling as they reduce the environmental impact of and Pure It Safe Drinking Water. Ajay Gandhi, “the high reliance on cash good, looking good, and getting more out their vast product line. Unilever nurtures a deep culture of for retail payments deprives players the of life. And now, they are ramping up for a In addition, Mr. Rai also mentioned sustainability and accountability throughout benefits of reduced cost, greater efficiency, stronger and updated push for sustainable that in the past two years, the organization its organization. Unilever Senior Assistant transparency, and security that come with PayMaya co-COO Paolo Azzola (4th from right) handed over the PayMaya living. card to Unilever Philippines CFO Ajay Gandhi (4th from left) during the spearheaded programs aimed at uplifting Manager for Reporting, GL and systems electronic payments.” contract signing ceremony, witinessed by other PLDT, Smart, and Unilever executives.

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 To this, he added, “ We see the value The Smarter Way to Do E-Cash cash mishandling. “Smart Enterprise has been our proven remarked PLDT FVP and Head of PLDT of supporting this advocacy as it is aligned Smart VP and Head of Financial Unilever employees are now given partner for mobile communications, ALPHA Enterprise Jovy Hernandez. with our USLP program to create positive “Our vision for E-Cash Unilever is for Services Lawrence Ferrer, PayMaya’ their own all-access PayMaya account empowering employees to live and work “We are definitely looking forward to impact in the society.” all our transactions to be accomplished Head of Sales and Distribution with a corresponding Unilever-branded digital, with agility and data access through future collaborations with Unilever, as Tisha Quinitio, PayMaya co-COO With this advancement towards digital electronically, easing away from handling Paolo Azzola, Unilever Philippines PayMaya VISA Debit Card. They can use smartphones,” mentioned Unilever they continue with providing sustainable and cashless payments, Unilever foresees cash and manual checks,” remarked Ms. San Financial Controller Kats Ong, Unilever these accounts for cashless OJT allowance Philippines Financial Controller Kats Ong. living options for Filipinos, leveraged lower transaction and operational costs for Diego. Philippines VP for Human Resources disbursements, Christmas gift checks, “Given its proven partnership, we want on breakthrough solutions such as the Suresh Rai, Unilever Philippines CFO their payroll, collections, and disbursements This partnership enables Unilever to Ajay Gandhi, PLDT FVP and Head of cafeteria purchases, daycare centers, and Smart Enterprise to be the one-stop, go-to PayMaya service.” as well as guaranteed convenience for their utilize an integrated PayMaya system for PLDT ALPHA Enterprise and Smart shuttle services. In addition, each PayMaya provider for all communication, technology, employees. “It also encourages employees seamless and protected online transactions Enterprise Jovy Hernandez, PLDT VP card has a beep™ RFID chip. This allows and digital needs of Unilever. You are more and Head of Corporate Relationship to think digital and harness it to further within Unilever Philippines. Management Precy Katigbak, Smart them to use that same card for their daily secure if you deal with the market leader, grow our business,” he mentioned. PayMaya is a secure, online payment AVP and Head of Digital Mobility MRT and LRT commute. right?” This is the reason why they launched solution that facilitates transactions without Chet Alviz, PLDT Relationship Manager Unilever is also planning to extend the “We at PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Ann Carandang, and PLDT DBG Digital the “E-Cash Unilever,” in partnership with using cash or physical cards. This essentially Mobility BizDev Manager Kim Zamora use of PayMaya throughout their value not only preach about the virtues of Smart Enterprise, Voyager Innovations, and builds a new cashless environment, chain and business partners. “The end digital, we take real action, particularly in the PLDT Group’s digital financial arm, providing Unilever employees and their goal is to grow the E-Cash ecosystem in innovating our growing portfolio. And this PayMaya Philippines Inc. merchants with greater convenience and Unilever, with PayMaya becoming the one- partnership demonstrates our commitment efficiency through a simplified, universal stop-shop for all our purchases,” said Ms. to Unilever, to equip them with even better transaction system. It also offers added San Diego. solutions for their E-Cash ecosystem,” layers of security against theft, fraud, and

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 MAKE IT

ENTERPRISE HOTLINE

HOW THE PIONEERING PLDT ALPHA ENTERPRISE HASHTAG HOTLINE #MYNUMBER TRANSFORMS BRAND BUILDING AND CUSTOMER REACH.

lmost every service-oriented targeted jingles, flyers, and billboards—churning by 4-8 customizable digits. Instead of a string of customers only need to dial a single need to operate more equipment in its contact brands with an easy-to-use, easy-to-remember business has them: a series out different materials for each number, and each numbers, there is an easy-to-remember #BRAND hashtag hotline. center to maintain several hotlines. It only needs hotline that is catchy and may start trending of hotline numbers for region. Most people, especially millennials, simply hotline, like #PLDT or #ALPHA, for example. #MyNumber increases customer engagement a single #MyNumber system. online. With #MyNumber, PLDT ALPHA customers to call for inquiries, don’t have the patience to search through Brands can target the millennial market with a and ultimately drives up sales because landline Amplifying Enterprise Brands #MyNumber Enterprise certainly unites and simplifies hotlines; A orders, or complaints. But online directories. simple hashtag hotline that can be easily integrated calls to the hotline, which can be made through will vastly improve branding and customer reach it expands customer reach, drives more sales, oftentimes there can be too With PLDT ALPHA Enterprise’s with social media marketing communications. PLDT’s network, are free. In addition, this for large businesses in food delivery, banking, increases brand awareness, and enhances the total many numbers, one assigned #MyNumber service, no one will have to juggle Overall marketing strategies can likewise be offer includes lower call costs for all 75 million logistics, healthcare, travel, or the public sector. customer experience. to each region. A string of numbers is challenging different hotlines ever again. simplified around this easier hotline, and made so Smart, Sun, and TNT subscribers compared This revelatory service has been a long time enough for customers to recall, let alone different much more efficient. #MyNumber is a centralized to conventional mobile costs. The enterprise coming for these organizations looking to provincial hotlines for exactly the same service. Centralized Hashtag Hotline hotline, so businesses only need to send one operating the hotline only needs to cover expand and provide consistent quality service Enterprises have spent considerable sums The first of its kind in the country, PLDT message across the country: they can now be minimal fees. across the Philippines. of money managing these multiple numbers as #MyNumber is a vanity hotline number that starts reached through PLDT’s nationwidest network. The service reduces costs in more ways than As well as making marketing communications well as promoting them to customers through with a hashtag (or number sign) and is followed Whether they are in Manila, Cebu, or Zamboanga, one, as the enterprise organization will no longer more efficient, #MyNumber amplifies enterprise

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 GETTING PROACTIVE IN MOBILE

SECURING MOBILE DEVICES AUTOMATICALLY PROTECTED PROACTIVE PROTECTION PROTECTION Smart Enterprise Gadget Shield Pro is Smart Enterprise Gadget Shield Pro is In the near future, Smart Enterprise SMART ENTERPRISE GADGET SHIELD PRO KEEPS THE MOBILE a proactive protection insurance program unique compared to other mobile device is looking into extending this program to available for Smart Enterprise mobile phone insurance programs. Devices bundled tablets and other devices it releases. This way, ENTERPRISE UP AND RUNNING THROUGH SAFER AND MORE plans. Upon acquiring a new or renewed with the Smart Enterprise mobile plan are enterprises can confidently deploy multiple PROTECTED DEVICES. corporate line, the device will be protected automatically enrolled and protected without devices without fear of accidental drops from accidental damage for the next 24 the hassles of additional registration. It and theft. This is part of Smart Enterprise’s months. also doubles the usual warranty of one proactive campaign to secure devices. Smart Enterprise has partnered with year and covers accidental damage, which Through Smart Enterprise Gadget Shield Chubb Insurance to provide this important manufacturers usually don’t cover. Pro, mobile professionals are guaranteed service at the right time. Any accidentally Amidst a rising crime rate, Smart to stay connected through better-protected damaged phone will be replaced with either Enterprise further helps protect mobile mobile devices. Enterprises are assured a brand new or refurbished unit with the device owners from instances of theft. To uninterrupted engagement with their same or similar specifications. With Smart ensure that professionals in the mobile mobile-first customers. Companies on Smart Enterprise Gadget Shield Pro, professionals enterprise have instant mobile access Enterprise Gadget Shield pro stay connected in the mobile enterprise are guaranteed a amidst unpredictable circumstances, Smart and ahead of competitors in an exacting significant measure of business continuity, Enterprise Gadget Shield Pro can be digital age. saving the enterprise from unnecessary upgraded to a more comprehensive program To avail of this unique program, simply delays. that covers incidents around theft or robbery. subscribe to or renew your Smart Enterprise Smart Protect Benefit, in partnership with Postpaid plan. IN today’s digital-driven enterprise, professionals need to be connected at all times. Mobile devices are Chubb Insurance, not only covers the costs necessary for on-the-go communications with clients and co-workers. Damage and loss of mobile phones of replacing the stolen equipment, but can be disastrous for enterprise organizations, interrupting critical communications. also partially reimburses accident medical According to a study from online address book system Plaxo, around a third of mobile phone users expenses or death resulting from theft or damage or lose their phones. Another U.S. study concluded that Americans spent $23.5 Billion on replacing robberies. and repairing broken smartphones from 2007-2014. It is no surprise, then, that enterprises want to protect their devices from accidental damage. To help safeguard devices, Smart Enterprise is releasing a new solution: Smart Enterprise Gadget Shield Pro.

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 nterprise communications have Powered by Smart’s nationwidest for radio infrastructure investment, as well undergone a vast transformation network, this modern walkie-talkie as payment for frequency licensing issues. relative to what it was a decade ago. guarantees extensive signal coverage and This service also sets no limitations or E Today’s digital-driven enterprises range. The service also runs on the Global corresponding fees in terms of group size or are realizing the importance of channels System for Mobile Communication (GSM) coverage. that leverage disruptive technologies – the most widely used cellular technology Above all else, Smart Enterprise Cloud for better collaboration and increased network, dramatically improving its coverage PTT also ensures that the right information productivity. Even though it is generations- and range over time. Smart Enterprise Cloud will reach the right people at the right time. old technology, radio communication is no PTT can run on any existing Smart data Enterprise communication is guaranteed exception. subscription – 2G, 3G, and LTE – as well as secure and confidential with the Advanced The analog two-way radio system, or Encryption Standard (AES) add-on feature. more commonly known as the walkie- This upgrade serves as an additional license. talkie, has been the go-to communication It also secures communication by blocking gadget for various business applications unauthorized interferences or listeners. since the 1930s. It transmits and receives Ultimately, Smart Enterprise’s Cloud communication signals operating on the PTT is engineered for maximizing same radio frequency, and usually functions productivity and collaboration within an on half-duplex mode, allowing the operator organization, as well as improving overall to either talk or listen, but not do both business efficiency. By emulating traditional simultaneously. radio communications over an advanced THE Analog walkie-talkies appealed to mobile network, users can communicate enterprise group communication because simultaneously with multiple participants of its durability, longer battery life over a vastly larger coverage and range. The (around 12 hours after fully charging), and service also provides advanced functionalities straightforward group communication. The that manage and record the activities of devices are also known for their “heavy individuals and teams, particularly those WA L K I E duty” design, with some even built to involved in the transportation and logistics military specifications. industries, utilities and public sector, highway But in the long run, users of these analog operations, and state and local government. systems faced challenges such as costly Smart Enterprise, through its Cloud hardware investment and maintenance, as PTT service, leverages the ever-evolving well as unreliable communication due to capabilities of cloud to give enterprise limited radio antenna coverage. Technology customers a better option for instant, secure, TALKIE providers, since then, have developed digital and cost-efficient communication. Smart radio communication systems with clearer Enterprise takes a simple solution and brings GOES signal transmissions, broader range, and it leagues further, enabling wider enterprise applications that allow for simultaneous communication and transforming businesses. conversation. At the forefront of this breakthrough innovation, Smart Enterprise lets organizations experience the best of both worlds when it comes to enterprise group communication. Through its newest Cloud Push to Talk (PTT) service, businesses CLOUD will experience the flexibility features of a traditional two-way radio, along with the cost-efficiency and security of a cloud-based communication service. SMART ENTERPRISE REDEFINES TWO-WAY VOICE COMMUNICATION FOR THE DIGITAL AGE ENHANCING ENTERPRISE via Wi-Fi. Altogether, these would allow real- COMMUNICATION THROUGH time, simultaneous communication without WITH THE CLOUD PUSH-TO-TALK SERVICE. THE CLOUD delays. Smart Enterprise’s Cloud PTT offers In addition, this service is ideal for businesses a cloud-based channel for enterprises looking for a cost-effective and instantaneous communication to larger efficient communication device for their groups. And all this can be done with just a mobile workforce. Because it fully leverages push of a button. the GSM technology, it eliminates the need

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 ALPHAExtra

SHIFTING PERCEPTIONS ON DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

AVAYA’S SAMI AMMOUS SHARES HIS INSIGHTS ON THE ROLE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES AND SOLUTIONS IN EVOLVING ENTERPRISES.

Many organizations inhabiting the profits, or governmental organizations Company, Avaya spun off from expanding digital enterprise landscape trying to serve the citizens of a county Lucent in 2000, becoming one of understand that to adapt is to thrive. better, or even educational organizations the foremost brands in the enterprise However, uncertainty and technological trying to enhance the student experience, communications segment. The company issues remain to be faced. digital transformation is all about using currently provides voice communications There is an urgent imperative to the current technologies to improve solutions, omnichannel transformation integrate digital technology into work business outcomes,” said Avaya Director and consultancy services, networking and processes, emphasizing agility and for Sales Engineering – APAC Sami other Fabric and SDN-based solutions, optimized customer service. “Whether Ammous. as well as cloud-based services. it’s a private organization trying to Founded more than a century ago increase their top line and increase their as part of the America Bell Telephone

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 the walls of the hotel. Avaya’s own varied portfolio of solutions Mindshaping Towards the Digital Shift can help enable SMACS technologies to drive next-generation engagement and Mr. Ammous said that social, mobility, collaboration for enterprises. Mr. Ammous analytics, cloud, and security or SMACS are highlighted three of their tools that “top of mind” for their enterprise customers stand out as “key” to transforming the navigating the digital shift. He added that digital enterprise: the highly-customizable these organizations have varying degrees of Engagement Development Platform (EDP) urgency for each component in terms of provides integration points that are more whether the technology affects the present HTML-based, web-based, and mobile or the future. application-based; the Fabric Connect “I would argue that based on our Software-Defining Networking (SDN) customers, I think mobile, security, and solution that automatically configures all cloud are probably going to be the more endpoints to enable network access for urgent points, whilst Analytics and Social any device; and Client SDK, which allows are more of a long-term plan,” Mr. customized interfaces for applications that Ammous explained, noting that enterprises can feature Avaya technology running in the would often ask Avaya about the first two background. components. All this can help companies balance speed, flexibility, and security, boosting their Balancing Mobility and Security agility in helping them achieve results. “What we’re doing with Avaya is we’re hiding the The impact of growing mobility is truly Expanding Capacities and Adoption it. Though many companies are already complexity — all the small and low-level felt everywhere by everyone who owns at joining social conversations on platforms details that you don’t need to worry about — least one mobile device. Therefore, mobility The third priority that organizations such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and we’re only exposing the outcomes or the is something that organizations are closely have trained their eyes on is the cloud, which Mr. Ammous mentioned that social networks applications.” monitoring, as it presents itself as both a currently is dominated by the consumption are primarily used as digital marketing tools. challenge and opportunity. It affects how model. For Mr. Ammous, this is about For him, enterprises have yet to develop Confident Growth employees work and interact, as is shown enterprises “moving forward” with cloud ways of monetizing these services, peer in the rising “Bring Your Own Device” technology, plugging in cloud components; reviews to boost sales. Social Media earns Mr. Ammous foresees exciting growth or BYOD trend. In addition, we have for example, using cloud-based analytics revenue mostly from advertising, and this for Avaya in the ASEAN Region, which only scraped the surface of its potential instead of resorting to costlier in-house only benefits the platforms themselves. he thinks fosters a “healthy growth as an effective customer service channel. tools. More and more companies, he added, “Most companies are waiting since they environment.” The company, he added, “Whether it’s government employees trying are employing cloud to extend their capacity are trying to balance the opportunity with is investing in the area’s resources and to help people use mobile phones to register and generate revenue. “Service providers, the potential for abuse,” he added, citing people, based on confidence in technology for government services — whether its large system integrators, Internet providers the possibility of not being able to contain innovations and the way business is done organizations like service providers enriching may want to expand their services to the negative publicity gone viral on social within the bloc. the experience for their customers — so customer, and they use cloud as a platform networks. He stresses that this generates increased it’s very interesting to see the impact of for that.” relevance for their customers, and not simply mobility,” said Mr. Ammous. But while many companies are adopting A Vertical-Focused Approach growth by the numbers. “If we just focus Security is also somewhat of a challenge, cloud, Mr. Ammous shared that enterprises to Digital Solutions Design on numbers, we’ll keep doing what we’ve and priority that Mr. Ammous describes as have yet to fully adopt and pair it to analytics. been doing for ten years. What we want to a “double-edged” sword because in several It flies in the face of all that has been said In helping their customers make see is a change in how customers view the cases it can be both an enabler and a part of about large retailers effectively using cloud sense of the role SMACS has in changing technology.” the problem. “Organizations are trying to technology to enhance customer service enterprises, Mr. Ammous said that Avaya Helping Avaya bring this dramatic balance between creating environments that or increase revenue. Companies may easily focuses less on trends and more on the shift to enterprise customers are longtime are secure and low risk, but at the same time procure analytics tools, he explained, but different needs and real goals of individual partners PLDT, who collaborate to define flexible and open, and this balance is really these must be used with a lot of expertise companies in building solutions from strategies, social markets, and the value of difficult.” In addition, there is a focus on and experience with data structures and SMACS components. He illustrated this with their solutions. “We have the tools to help it best practices such as password security and manipulation. And there still are questions as the hospitality industry, which can achieve build a cloud platform, extend its solutions individual responsibilities for certain aspects to how analytics can be effectively applied to its objectives by leveraging on a mobile security, enable mobile applications, and help of technology. change business. app, providing a secure data network for increase its relevance with its customers. Enterprises – according to Mr. Ammous guests, or using analytics to identify buying And that’s the growth we’d like to see with Sami Ammous emphasizes how Avaya – are somewhat more cautious with social, trends. Digital technologies can even extend PLDT.” grows its digital solutions portfolio by holding a “wait-and-see” approach towards customer engagement and services beyond building on the needs of particular verticals and enterprises.

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 During the mid-twentieth century, six European nations were left reeling from the trauma of World War II – Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany. They signed the Treaty of Paris to create the European Coal and Steel Community, a common market for strategic economic resources. This established the essential groundwork for a greater European Economic Community or EEC, with a growing roster of member countries to eventually include Denmark, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Greece, Portugal, and Spain. Their single common market allowed free movement of capital, goods, services, and people. It nurtured much- needed solidarity among war-weary nations, resulting in a continuous rise in individual and shared GDP. Similarly, this year marks the beginning of the much-anticipated integration of the ASEAN Economic Community. Ten nations within the Southeast Asian Region – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines – will share a common market. ASEAN will follow Europe’s unity model, but with three REBIRTH distinct differences: 1) a political and monetary union is still off the table; 2) SEA market potential is greater than IN THE AGE OF the EU’s—our combined population force of 630 million people is mostly comprised of relatively young members; and 3) Market unification will be greatly aided by the power of ICT and digital, through ACASIA. ACASIA Communications Sdn ASEAN Bhd was incorporated in 1995. It featured the region’s top seven (7) telecommunications providers – CAT from Thailand, Indosat from Indonesia, PLDT from the Philippines, Singtel from Singapore, Telbru from Brunei, TM INTEGRATION from Malaysia, and VNPT from Vietnam – working together to provide data AZMAL YAHYA SHARES THE STORY OF interconnectivity within the region. In ACASIA’S TRANSFORMATION IN THE FACE its twentieth year back in 2015, ACASIA realized that it had to be “reborn” as OF SOUTHEAST ASIA’S COMMON MARKET a full-fledged regional ICT provider in ASPIRATIONS, POWERED BY PLDT. order to help the region achieve key economic integration goals.

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 HOT JOE recently sat down with its WE ARE current CEO, Mr. Azmal Yahya, to talk communications provider. We redefined about his organization’s transformational our mission: to connect the ASEAN journey, hopes for the region, and the businesses and community as one ASEAN. immense value PLDT and ACASIA We made ourselves known within brings to the cause of ASEAN ICT the ASEAN Secretariat. We entrenched integration. ourselves into the core DNA of ASEAN. We got involved in the various ASEAN *** ICT and SME working groups. We wanted BECAUSE WE ARE BACKED BY KEY to be part of them, understanding the goals HOT JOE: In this day and age, why of ASEAN. We latched ourselves to the is it important to have a regional ICT REGIONAL POWERHOUSES, SUCH ASEAN ICT master plan, resulting in the provider such as ACASIA? AS PLDT. OTHER GLOBAL SERVICE five (5) initiatives of ACASIA that literally Azmal Yahya: Literally, everything covers or supports the master plan itself. is going regional. Most of the countries PROVIDERS CANNOT BOAST THAT We embraced ASEAN, making our within ASEAN are doing it, with objectives very similar to what ASEAN Singapore being the first. A regional PARTICULAR FEATURE wants to do through an ICT perspective: game is inevitable. It’s either you go out, integrate ASEAN as a single economic or people come in. block, enhancing the lives of ASEAN To have a regional ICT provider such people and businesses through the usage as ACASIA is really pivotal because we Azmal Yahya of ICT. ACASIA CEO can truly provide an end-to-end solution. HJ: With this rebirth, could you please And that’s the distinct difference. If you share with us how each of the five (5) look at other global service providers, initiatives – ASEAN Regional Connectivity when they come in they’ll have to (aRC), ASEAN Broadcast Hub (aBH), build everything from scratch. From ASEAN Market Place (aMP), ASEAN ACASIA’s standpoint, yes, we build our Internet Exchange (aIX), and ASEAN own network. But at the same time, we are actually supported by PLDT and the was the initial idea – alluding to the Command Center (aCC) – work to are unique because we are backed by key rest of the shareholders. That itself puts Acacia tree where the name “ACASIA” strengthen businesses within the ASEAN regional powerhouses, such as PLDT. us in a different light compared to other came from. The Acacia is a very strong, region? Other global service providers cannot players. sturdy tree that provides protection Azmal: ASEAN Regional Connectivity, boast that particular feature. I’m not saying that we’re a global and reachability. ACASIA provided or aRC as we call it, is our core business, What does that entail? If you need player; we’re truly an ASEAN player. I connectivity within the ASEAN region one might say. It is the foundation of an in-country support, it’s there. And it believe that’s where the concentration and protected the region’s telco and any telco or ICT player. It’s strictly is done on an alliance basis, because all lies: ASEAN. This is our backyard, and ICT landscape from foreign players connectivity. We have the main services the seven partners own an equal share of that is where we want to play. coming in. And it worked, for about 20 that most organizations will use for secured ACASIA. HJ: We’ve learned that the current years, providing a certain amount of international connectivity, so we have aRC Our play is no longer simple iteration of ACASIA is called ACASIA sustainable business. But that’s as far as it IP-VPN, aRC Private Line Service, and connectivity. We’re moving to the 2.0, which was a result of a rebirth could grow. aRC global Ethernet services. ICT side. Just imagine the challenges – symbolized by the phoenix in your So when I was asked to come in to do Any telco usually have these, right? But a budding SME with plans to expand new logo. What were the reasons why some changes to ACASIA back in 2014, we wanted to make a change, and that’s within the region will encounter. You ACASIA started this transformative I felt that that old business model was why, with all the services that we provide know SMEs – most of them are not journey? relevant during those days. But facing through aRC, the Proactive NOC (network tech-savvy. And if they need something Azmal: When ACASIA was created 2015 onwards, I felt that we should also operations center) is offered as a standard to be installed, most of them would want in 1995, it was literally created to ward embark on something new. That is why and not premium. local support. Other global providers off—how shall I say—international we rebranded ACASIA, with the phoenix In a traditional NOC, when a customer say that they can, but they’ll have to players from coming into ASEAN as its symbol. experiences some sort of failure they outsource to a local provider. But for us, by uniting the top regional telco We redefined our vision, and that is will need to contact the NOC via a 1-800 it’s not really an outsourcing game as we powerhouses under one name. That to be the preferred ASEAN integrated number or whatever it is for the issue to

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 be resolved. I decided on a different approach with the new ACASIA and aRC—and that is for us to be proactive and not reactive. So when our network goes down, it is us who informs the customer while we resolve it. And we have started to execute this successfully. Then we also created the ASEAN Broadcast Hub or aBH. It has a higher purpose objective: to make the ASEAN region a content rich hub. What does it mean? We actually partner with content providers or broadcasters who come out with their own content, whether it is livestreaming or paid content. And what we do is market their content into the ASEAN region and beyond. But the partnership entails that if a customer wants that particular content, Azmal Yahya’s broad knowledge on history, they sign up with the content owners technology, economy, and pop culture does make him the perfect person to lead the directly, whom we will help introduce, transformation of ACASIA Communications as while obtain the connectivity solution well as motivate its young, dynamic team. via the aBH service. It’s actually using Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology, infused with video monitoring services. Our NOC monitors the live video feed that traverses the MPLS network. So it provides a more total solution for broadcasters. We provide equipment, probes on either end to ensure that we can actually monitor this. We have aMP, the ASEAN Market Place. It started out as an eDirectory, which was launched on the 26th of May last year when the new ACASIA was re-launched during the ASEAN SME aMP. We’re targeting by middle of this Ultimately the fact is that it enhances in. It is a solution that amalgamates Azmal: PLDT has been one of the perspectives. We’ve been very well Showcase and Conference. But it got a year, to deploy the eCommerce platform the user experience within the ASEAN. big data analytics together with cyber strongest proponents for ACASIA. supported by PLDT. fair bit of traction, hence we are pushing for them to do both B2B and B2C If a Malaysian needs to get content from security. And it starts from the very top with [PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Senior aMP to become a full eCommerce transactions. the Philippines, he or she doesn’t have So in a nutshell, what happens is [PLDT/Smart EVP and ePLDT Business Manager] Jake Bueno is our platform. An initiative called the ASEAN to go all the way to the United States that we actually make a full ecosystem: President and CEO] Eric R. Alberto guy here in the Philippines. When we So what does it entail? Imagine a Internet Exchange—or aIX – isn’t and back. With aIX, it’s directly between from connectivity to analytics to content being our chairman. His leadership and asked for shareholders to second people micro-SME or a smaller SME – we try launched yet. If everything goes well, Malaysia and the Philippines. to ensuring that data maintains within guidance has been very key to all this. in their respective countries, PLDT to help them increase their business we target to do something by the end of And as mentioned, we are moving a particular region, and we will go into He was one of the people in ACASIA was indeed the first shareholder who by going into eCommerce. And as this year. When we talked about whatever on towards ICT so we also came up ecommerce and digital economy as well. who recognized that we need to do the appointed Jake to us. And that decision they grow, sooner or later they’ll have that we have—aRC, aBH, and aMP – with some sort of a solution for big So it actually transcends the fabric of change. And he himself actually puts a is vindicated because in just two months branches. If they have branches overseas, they are all IP-based. What we want to do data analytics, social media analytics, and ICT on a regional level. lot of weight on it to ensure that we all since he joined us, we’ve clocked in they will require dedicated connectivity. is create an ASEAN Internet Exchange cyber security. Again we talked about IP; HJ: Please share with us your indeed change, starting with member some very healthy sales… with more to And that’s where aRC comes in. whereby we ensure that IP traffic in hence we need to secure ourselves via experience working with PLDT as carriers like the PLDT group. come. Already we have about 10,000+ ASEAN remains in ASEAN, rather than cyber security and that’s where the aCC part of the ACASIA family. How The support that we have from HJ: With ASEAN Integration ASEAN SMEs already registered into having to go overseas and back again. or the ASEAN Command Center comes instrumental are they in driving the PLDT has been fantastic. From the kicking off this 2016, how will ACASIA ACASIA mission? leadership, support, and commercial as the region’s foremost ICT provider

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 contribute to achieving the four pillars of the ASEAN Economic Community or AEC (Single Market and Production Base, Competitive Economic Region, Equitable “OUR HUMAN CAPITAL IS RICH. Economic Development, and Integration in Globalized Economy)? Azmal: If you look into the four pillars NOT JUST FROM A USAGE of the AEC – whether it’s going to be single market, competitive region, equitable economic development, and integration PERSPECTIVE BUT FROM A – these all drive business growth for the ASEAN business community. Within this AEC is where the ASEAN ICT master plan resides: recognizing the usage of ICT to RESOURCE PERSPECTIVE.” enable all these four pillars. That’s how we at ACASIA entrenched ourselves through our five initiatives: aRC, aBH, aMP, aIX, and aCC. So all these initiatives will help AEC in more ways than one. When we presented the landscape; we will attack on a B2C from the failures of EU as well. For all our initiatives to the ASEAN Secretariat, perspective in the near future. example, consider the Euro. There they lauded the fact that someone from We ourselves are embracing the was a time when they were saying, oh the private sector is coming to the table to digital economy, moving into that let’s do an ASEAN dollar. That’s not actually do this rather than waiting for a disruptive nature of business. While we going to happen. And my dealings with governmental push. are into connectivity, we’re also moving governmental bodies as well as the HJ: Beyond ASEAN Integration, into this particular landscape. We believe central banks of ASEAN countries also regional enterprise organizations also face that this is the future. And we love it. reinforce that view. the challenge of a highly disruptive digital HJ: Looking forward, what’s in So what’s ASEAN going to be? economy. Airbnb has already made its mark the horizon for ACASIA? How can Number one: we will be the next big in the Philippines and the rest of the region. ACASIA, together with PLDT as one of market to play in. We have the best Uber, and its direct competitors, is slowly its regional expert ICT providers, further demography in terms of population. dominating the mainstream taxi business in achieve its vision as ASEAN’s preferred We’re literally a pyramid, whereby we certain SEA cities. How will ACASIA not Integrated Communications Provider? have a lot of youngsters within our only adapt to this change, but also seize it Azmal: The horizon for ACASIA demography and that’s why a lot of to further fuel the region’s transformation is truly dominated by the Internet of foreign players would like to come to this towards becoming a truly dominant global Things or Internet of Everything. With particular landscape to capitalize on that. economic player? the initiatives that we have, we are literally Why? Our human capital is rich. Not Azmal: To be honest, we facilitate it. creating the foundation of an ASEAN- just from a usage perspective but from a We want that to happen. We cant stop it wide IoE. Imagine smart services, resource perspective. from happening, hence we have to embrace smart city services being deployed and So are we going to be another EU? it – like it or not! Hence, things such as aIX connected ASEAN-wide. And that can I would say: we’ll be another EU, but Internet exchange is going be very key. To be achieved through the five initiatives better. But it’s not going to happen have Uber come on board or anybody else of ACASIA as a foundation, with the instantaneously. It’s going to be a long- to come on board that’s fine, that’s why we support of our shareholders such as fought battle, but I believe we can get created the ASEAN Internet Exchange. We PLDT, of course. there. And yes, the beauty of that is we ensure that when somebody uses the app, HJ: Finally, what’s your vision for can learn from other alliances. Their the experience in using that app is ensured to ASEAN? Is it going to be the next EU? failures, their success story – and make be very good. Is that where you think we’re heading sure we adopt it in our areas so that we And on top of that, we ourselves are with all this? don’t commit the same mistakes and embarking into this disruptive market Azmal: Yes and no. instead enhance ourselves to be better. through aMP. As I mentioned, it started out Yes, the idea is to be truly integrated as an eDirectory to facilitate B2B. Watch just like the EU, but trust me when I say that we are learning or we’ve learnt

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 REDEFINING ENTERPRISE CONNECTIONS MEF FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT NAN CHEN TALKS WITH HOT JOE ABOUT HIS ORGANIZATION, PLDT’S CONTRIBUTIONS, AND THE FUTURE SHAPE OF NETWORKING TECHNOLOGIES.

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 nascent Ethernet technology. These were is hard since everybody builds differently The MEF’s ongoing development the triggers to establish the MEF. and it’s not really generating revenue.” of emerging Third Network services “At the time, no one knew what Lastly, the organization has a clearly-defined will combine the ubiquity and agility Carrier Ethernet was, so I decided to program that ensures optimum member found in the Internet—the best-effort, start an industry forum to basically give performance through the services they consumer-based “First Network”—with the opportunity firstly, for the industry to deliver— “a first in the industry at the the performance and security provided by understand what Carrier Ethernet is, and time,” Mr. Chen notes. Carrier Ethernet or the “Second Network.” secondly to be able to build additional “It’s a new network based on the CE standards.” First and Second 2.0, but we will really expand that,” says Since then, the MEF has driven a Network Optimization Mr. Chen. “Third Network gets the best of growing USD80 billion global market for both worlds, delivering services that are on Carrier Ethernet. In 2012, it surpassed Currently, the MEF is developing demand and guaranteed.” legacy data in terms of bandwidth. Mr. Carrier Ethernet 2.0 (CE 2.0) as the Mr. Chen shares that the Third Chen attributes this success and growth to foundation for service innovation, as well Network is also crucial as enterprises three factors, starting with the fact that the as defining Lifecycle Service Orchestration move their applications to the cloud. MEF comprehensively defines Ethernet (LSO) to speed up adoption. “Service He explains that large firms as well as as a common framework across multiple providers need LSO capabilities and some medium-sized companies access technologies. The second factor, which he supporting Application Program Interfaces the cloud via dedicated private networks. calls the “secret sauce,” is that the MEF to overcome both Operations Support However, smaller businesses with smaller defines services that concretely generate System and Business Support System connectivity budgets will have to access A more connected world is also an revenue for its members. “We are unlike obstacles.” These currently block the full the cloud through the Internet — this can excellence-driven world, running on reliable, many standard organizations that develop benefits of emerging SDN and Network be problematic with regards to utilizing quality delivery systems. Networking a lot of protocols and things like that and Function Virtualization technologies, real-time data services and real-time video. services must operate smoothly—seemingly leave everyone to build something. That according to Mr. Chen. “So today, what enterprise is demanding effortlessly—in supporting an expanding is to have guaranteed service even though global digital economy. And this is why they do not necessarily have built-out, connectivity service providers must develop, large private networks like large enterprises enforce, and adhere to exacting standards. have, but really want on-demand services Creating a common Metro Ethernet guaranteed not through the Internet but standard has been the main focus of MEF through private networks.” since its inception in 2001. But as demand for high-bandwidth, high-reliability network The SLA To Take With You inevitably increased, the imperative has gone beyond Carrier Ethernet technology PLDT HAS BEEN He further illustrates this need with adoption. “It has really grown into not only his own experience as a business traveler standards, but also certification as well as constantly switching Service License the operational processes,” explains MEF Agreements (SLAs) while on the move. Founder and President Nan Chen. “SLAs should be individualized instead of physically bound to a particular User Rapid Growth Towards Network Interface — or simply put, the Third Network location,” he explains. “It shouldn’t be location-based; it really should be The MEF began at a time when individual-based.” He adds that the Third enterprise Ethernet technology was using Network spells convenience for the overall Synchronous Optical Networking (SONET), workforce as its combined ubiquity and Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH), or guaranteed service will allow employees to Frame Relay protocols. Back then, Mr. Chen work from any place and at any time. saw little sense or efficiency in translating IN THE MEF COMMUNITY OVER THE “Wouldn’t it be great,” he proposes, “if different protocols. This drove him to form you had an app on your mobile phone or an the Carrier Ethernet switch manufacturer PAST FIVE YEARS AND CONTRIBUTED icon on your laptop that once clicked, gives Atrica, Inc. you that guaranteed service while you’re It was at Atrica where Mr. Chen DIRECTLY TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF paying for it?” discovered urgent needs for a universal industry format, as well as to promote then- GLOBAL INDUSTRY STANDARDS”

Nan Chen MEF Founder and President

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 “AT THE TIME, NO ONE KNEW WHAT CARRIER ETHERNET WAS, SO I DECIDED TO START AN INDUSTRY FORUM TO BASICALLY GIVE THE

FIRSTLY, FOR THE INDUSTRY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT CARRIER ETHERNET IS, AND SECONDLY TO BE ABLE TO BUILD ADDITIONAL STANDARDS.”

service offerings. This assures PLDT clients type event where people can really be proud PLDT: “The Standout Player” of world-class Ethernet interconnectivity, MEF Founder and President of what they have created in our industry,” deployed across the country’s largest and Nan Chen expounds on PLDT’s Mr. Chen quips. “And PLDT has been doing The MEF now has over 200 member most robust network backbone, supported contributions and achievements really well in these awards.” in the Forum. organizations across 40 countries. These by an MEF-CECP base that Mr. Chen also In fact, PLDT has been the star include technology solutions suppliers, a notes is one of the largest in the world. performer for four years. In 2014, PLDT host of various stakeholders, and service Among the MEF’s current programs won the Retail Service Provider of the providers such as PLDT. is its annual conference, formerly branded Year—Asia Pacific award, and in 2012, it Network & Platform Solutions Marjory Sy,

“In addition to having a huge number as Global Ethernet Networking (GEN). was named Regional Service Provider of meanwhile, was chosen as the MEF Carrier PLDT was awarded Retail Service of MEF-certified professionals, PLDT The event initially served as a platform for the Year—Asia Pacific award. It is also Ethernet Certified Professional (CECP) of Provider of the Year – APAC in 2014 has been actively engaged in the MEF members and those outside the organization a three-time winner of the MEF Carrier the Year out of some 4,000 MEF-certified and 2015. It is also the first service provider in the world to obtain community over the past five years and to exchange ideas on technology, services, Ethernet Award for Best Marketing professionals. CE 2.0 certifications for all eight contributed directly to the development of and delivery platforms. In addition to Campaign, and remains the only Philippine “A standout player in the APAC market,” Ethernet services. global industry standards,” says Mr. Chen. that, the Forum also hosts the MEF telecommunications and digital provider Mr. Chen adds, “PLDT has demonstrated He also cites PLDT as one of the first Ethernet Excellence Awards, as a means of to win any MEF award. This past year, a commitment to remain at the forefront service providers in the world to achieve recognizing and highlighting achievements they were again named as Retail Service of industry innovation by investing in CE 2.0 certification across the full spectrum by providers such as PLDT. “I’ve always Provider of the Year–Asia Pacific. PLDT CE services, technology, and professional of Ethernet connectivity and E-Access wanted to do an ‘Academy Awards,’ dinner- Network Engineer for Product & Services development.”

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 “PLDT HAS DEMONSTRATED A

TO REMAIN AT THE FOREFRONT OF

BY INVESTING IN CE SERVICES, TECHNOLOGY, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.”

Chen predicts. This is set to drive the SLAs in the office.” The Key to Innovation guaranteed services that allow cloud service Standards such as those set by the MEF providers to deliver cloud solutions to serve to drive, rationalize, and encourage United by a tradition of excellence and customers. “That experience can only be innovation. For Mr. Chen, the key to an innovation, the MEF and its members are guaranteed through providers like PLDT enterprise’s competitive edge is its ability focused on developing Third Network because they are actually connecting to collaborate in the development and standards as the foundation for end-to-end, customers to cloud-based services,” he adds. application of quality control standards. dynamic-based services for the digital-driven He also sees a bright future where on- “I think PLDT has always been really global enterprise. “Going forward in 2016- demand Third Network services connect at the forefront in terms of helping and 2018, we expect that service providers will everyone, enabling people to work beyond driving Carrier Ethernet technology increasingly differentiate around a range enterprise boundaries. “So I see, finally, the and service adoption within the overall of dynamic Ethernet capabilities, such as virtualization of the enterprise becoming worldwide service provider community,” he on-demand bandwidth increases and the a reality through the Third Network, shares. “And they are actually making the addition of virtual network services such because consumers are a part of the whole commitment and the investment to work as NFV-enabled virtual firewalls, virtual workforce, and to be able to work at home with the MEF in delivering those services.” security, etc.— all enabled by LSO,” Mr. and very efficiently versus having different

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 WERE YOU THERE WERE YOU THERE We r e ThereYOU

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announced a special promo valid only we're going to reach our customers better," TOP PHILIPPINE 2 ENTERPRISES ARE NOW during the event, giving attendees the said Mr. Hernandez. "Having a single, opportunity to be among the first few easy-to-remember hashtag hotline with a SET TO DRIVE MORE SALES, to reserve hashtag vanity numbers for nationwidest reach will be more effective 1. PLDT FVP and Head of PLDT ALPHA Enterprise BUILD BRANDS, AND their organizations. for a lot of enterprises, especially for Jovy Hernandez gives the opening remarks. ENHANCE THE OVERALL Later on, attendees watched an service-oriented industries.” audio-visual presentation that featured “PLDT #MyNumber can drive sales, 2. PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Product Manager CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE Caloy Octavio assists guests in signing up 6 one of the first companies to sign up for build your brand, and enhance the overall for the service. WITH THE COUNTRY’S #MyNumber, Jollibee Foods Corporation. customer experience. It’s such a simple FIRST #MYNUMBER In the video, Jollibee VP and National solution that is going to revolutionize 3. Seated (L-R): Derick Samaniego, April Adduru, Tet Basa, Jo Rubia, and Enrique Lucero SERVICE Business Channels Head Manjie Yap the way you reach your customers. Standing: Mario Malalis, Jay Lagdameo, emphasized how #MyNumber will It can also potentially change consumer Val Abadesco, and Jhaymie Pili transform and simplify Jollibee’s hotline behavior. When I need to reach a business 4. PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Relationship Manager PLDT ALPHA Enterprise unveiled delivery service nationwide with #8-7000. establishment, I don't need to remember Marie Gan assists one of the guests as he its latest innovation to representatives While guests enjoyed brunch a number anymore. I just need to dial reserves his preferred vanity hashtag number. from top Philippine enterprises at the served by New World Hotel, enterprise their #BRAND.” 5. PLDT Voice and Managed IT Category Head Glasshouse of the New World Makati representatives began signing-up for the Fay Ocampo and PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Hotel. The country’s first #MyNumber #MyNumber solution with the help of Product Manager Caloy Octavio presenting hotline solution centralizes an PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Relationship the new Enterprise PLDT Telpad, one of the event’s raffle prizes. 7 organization’s hotline system with a catchy Managers. A majority of the top Philippine and easy-to-remember number, available enterprises in attendance reserved their 6. Gary Ignacio, Michael Tan, Nathan Chincuanco, across the country’s nationwidest network. customized hashtag hotlines for their LEARN MORE ABOUT and Bel Aragon

PLDT FVP and Head of PLDT respective brands during the launch. #MYNUMBER SOLUTION 7. Bong Uichangco, Roberto Berris, Grace Robles, ALPHA Enterprise Jovy Hernandez As the event came to a close, BY READING SOLVED ON and Rolan Bornilla kicked off the event with an enthusiastic guests were treated to exciting raffle PAGE 52. 8. Jovy Hernandez, Jude Tiongco, introduction and overview of the new prizes, winning new Enterprise PLDT and Precy Katigbak service, stressing the importance of Telpads, sports action cameras, and an businesses reaching out to customers. Apple Watch. 9. Leo Sagun, Lito Azores, Hope Atienza, and Ino Mandapat PLDT Voice and Managed IT “It's a common theme in businesses Category Head Fay Ocampo then today—everybody's thinking about how

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19. Philippine Airlines representatives Roberto Berris, Rachel Lim, Francesca Ong, and Lynn Dominado with PLDT ALPHA Enterprise’s Jovy Hernandez, Fay Ocampo, and Gary Ignacio

20. PLDT ALPHA Enterprise’s Bel Aragon and Jovy Hernandez with RCBC representatives Christopher Corpuz, Michael Tan, Ana Reyes, 21 22 23 24 Nathan Chincuanco, and Arbee Aguila 21. Robinsons Land Corporation 13 14 representative Kristynne Tan

22. Ford Motors representative Fielmarie Grace Tan

10. Jose Vicente Alde, Jovy Hernandez, 23. Bank of Commerce representative and Emmanuel Tuazon Roderick Martinez

11. Julieta Gonzales and Solaire representative 24. Maxicare representative Fernando Rima Andrew Rodriguez Penas

12. Jovy Hernandez (right) with Apple Watch raffle 25. Max’s Group representatives Ruth Lofranco, winner Francesca Ong of Philippine Airlines. Vera Mangahas, Ryan de Castillo, Rio Jara, Iceal Penalosa, and Bernabe Paquibot with 13. Jollibee VP for National Business Channels PLDT ALPHA Enterprise’s Eena Samonte. Manjie Yap shares the many benefits of PLDT #MyNumber in an audio-visual presentation 26. PLDT ALPHA Enterprise’s Jake Martinez and shown during the event. DHL representative Leo Sagun after reserving 25 26 vanity hashtag hotlines. 14. Fernando Rima (second from left) with PLDT ALPHA Enterprise’s Jovy Hernandez, 15 16 27. Cristy de Guzman from the Department of Fay Ocampo, Julieta Gonzales, and Gary Environment and Natural Resources with Ignacio PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Relationship Manager Myke de Guzman 15. Convergys representatives Amor Gilos, Kat Leoncio, and Pipo Gonzales 28. Standard Insurance representatives Geraldine Baligod and Alf dela Cruz 16. Cebu Pacific representatives Rolan Bornilla, Grace Robles, Chris Dino Belacho, 29. WenPhil Corporation representative and Grace Sacaryas Joel Galit (right) with PLDT ALPHA Enterprise’s Bob de Guzman 17. CDO representatives Gerard Bingco, James Gonzales, and Jonas Binongo

18. McDonald’s Philippines representative Arman Cerbito (second from left) with PLDT ALPHA Enterprise’s Jovy Hernandez, Billy Villar, Fay Ocampo and Vic Tria 17 18 27 28 29

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BPM GROWTH GAINS MOMENTUM 1 6 7 BPM LEADERS TALK INDUSTRY solutions, and expertise,” he said. Japan Jibin Arjunan, Manulife Business Industry leaders spoke at length Processing Services General Manager Gigi 1. PLDT Corporate Relationship Management GROWTH AT THE ASIA BPM Advisor Victor Aliwalas welcomed attendees about information technology’s historic Mantaring, and DTSI Group Head of GIC to the event. SUMMIT CO-PRESENTED BY significance in BPM throughout the Enablement Operations Jeff Williams. PLDT ALPHA ENTERPRISE morning and afternoon sessions. Akamai The Q&A panel that followed was led by 2. Tata Consultancy Services Head of Business Technologies Director of Product Bloomberg TV Philippines News Anchor Process Services – Asia Pacific Suneet Puri Marketing – Asia Pacific and Japan Srinivas Quintin Pastrana, who was joined by 3. Asia CEO Forum Chairman Richard Mills Business leaders of the country’s top Padmanabharao discussed Business multi-sector business leaders. 4. Akamai Technologies Director of Product Business Process Management (BPM) Process Management in a digital era In a special presentation, former Marketing – Asia Pacific and Japan Srinivas firms gathered at the Manila Marriott that demands heightened performance, Commissioner of the Commission Padmanabharao 8 Hotel for the 2016 Asia BPM Summit reliability, security, and scalability of on Information and Communications of the Asia CEO Forum. PLDT ALPHA business applications to meet the needs of Technology (CICT) Dondi Mapa was 5. AIG Philippines CEO Mark Lwin Enterprise co-presented the event with mobility-driven local and global customers. given the Asia CEO Forum’s Lifetime 6. Philippine Software Industry Association the theme “Center of the Universe.” Speakers joining him for the morning Contributor Award for his work in President Jonathan de Luzuriaga

The day’s discussion focused on how the session included Philippine Software leadership excellence. Asia CEO Forum 7. Event speakers from various industries sector must scale up to a growing economy Industry Association President Jonathan de President Rebecca Bustamante then participated in a panel discussion. and the rapid expansion of new operations Luzuriaga, Tata Consultancy Services Head brought the events to a close, inviting the 8. Richard Mills (1st), Victor Aliwalas (2nd), and in the country. of Business Process Services – Asia Pacific attendees to join lively discussions on the Jeff Mendoza (rightmost) presented trophies PLDT Corporate Relationship Suneet Puri, Global Process Manager future of the fast-growing sector. to event speakers. Management Advisor Victor Aliwalas led Inc. President Erik Neilsen, and AIG With these valuable insights from 9. PLDT VP and Head of Corporate Relationship the opening remarks, congratulating the Philippines CEO Mark Lwin. All were later thought leaders and industry experts, the Management Vic Tria and Suneet Puri attendees on being part of the nation’s welcomed back on stage for a Q&A panel business leaders in attendance continue 9 10 triumphant IT-BPM industry. “The key facilitated by Former CEO of IT-Business to look forward to the sustained growth 10. Divine Gomez and Phil Wheatley to the industry’s success, I believe, is that Process Association of the Philippines of the Philippine BPM sector. Clearly 11. Jeff Mendoza and Oscar Sañez it has always been dynamic, constantly Oscar Sañez. it is an industry that responds to global evolving to meet the changing needs of The afternoon session featured mobility and accelerated expansion 12. Jeff Williams, Victor Aliwalas, and enterprises around the world. We at PLDT presentations from ADP Regional Director through end-to-end digital technologies. Jonathan de Luzuriaga ALPHA Enterprise will continue to fully – Southeast Asia Jason Ryan, IBEX Global support the IT-BPM industry through our Country Manager Erik Kaufman, Wipro highest quality infrastructure, innovative BPS Geographic Head – Asia Pacific and

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AN ALPHA SILVER SCREEN EXPERIENCE 6

1. ePLDT Group CIO and Solutions Consulting Philippines gave informative presentations relax and at the same time learn from each Head Brett Medel extended his warm greetings PLDT ALPHA ENTERPRISE on how respective industry representatives other. It has always been our longstanding to guests at the movie night screenings. SHOWCASES ITS CONTACT can leverage on special PLDT solutions. goal to bring our customers up to speed on 4 5 2. Alcatel Pre-Sales Manager Frederick de Castro CENTER AS A SERVICE Prior to the Deadpool block screening, the latest in Unified Communications and welcomed the audience during the event. AND MANAGED UNIFIED Enghouse Interactive CTO Steve Dellutri Cloud Contact Center Solutions, to make presented PLDT Cloud Contact Center as them aware of the benefits for 3. Guests paid attention to the benefits of special COMMUNICATIONS TO PLDT solutions from Panasonic Philippines a Service (CCaaS) to the O&O audience. their respective businesses.” Sales Advisor Shaun Sato. ENTERPRISE CLIENTS He highlighted the solution’s feature-rich, high-capacity communication platform and 4. PLDT Head of Corporate Relationship DURING EXCLUSIVE Business Ben Melasa, Imelda Marasigan, MOVIE SCREENINGS how it is ideal for every O&O’s growing and PLDT Relationship Manager Ela Sales requirements, as it enables them to securely flash the ALPHA sign. migrate a majority of their infrastructure 7 5. PLDT Relationship Manager Anjo Lazaro To celebrate great relationships to the PLDT Cloud. and Rev. Fr. Aelred Nilo with valued enterprise clients, PLDT At the Gods of Egypt movie night, ALPHA Enterprise has always provided Panasonic Philippines Sales Advisor Shaun 6. Mr. & Mrs. Raffy Mendoza with PLDT Relationship Manager Al Contreras unmatched client experiences through Sato gave FMCG attendees a better grasp engaging and insightful events. And of PLDT’s Managed Communications 7. PLDT Relationship Manager Glen Deles they have successfully done so again solution. According to Mr. Sato, this (leftmost), PLDT Head of Corporate Relationship Management Dennis Magbatoc through separate, exclusive screenings of unified platform allows seamless and (2nd from left), and PLDT Relationship blockbuster films Deadpool and Gods simplified enterprise communication and Manager Rei Francia (2nd from right) of Egypt, held at the well-appointed collaboration across multiple retail sites. together with the guests 8 myCinema of Greenbelt 3. “We are pleased with the successful 8. PLDT Head of Corporate Relationship Hosted by PLDT ALPHA Enterprise, turnout of our two ALPHA exclusive Business Joy Hilao (1st from left), the full-house events welcomed clients movie screenings, our first for this year,” PLDT Relationship Manager Marie Gan (2nd from left), PLDT Product Manager from the Offshoring and Outsourcing remarked PLDT AVP and Head of Lara Tubino (2nd from right), and PLDT Head (O&O) and Fast Moving Consumer Goods Corporate Business Group Gary Ignacio. of Corporate Relationship Management (FMCG) industries. As a prelude to the “It is always a pleasure to interact with Dennis Magbatoc (1st from right) posed with some of the event attendees. films, PLDT ALPHA Enterprise’s partners our customers and partners, especially in from Enghouse Interactive and Panasonic an enjoyable venue that allows all of us to 1 9. Guests together with PLDT Relationship Manager Sarah Penaflorida (2nd from right) 9 were served dinner prior to the film screening.

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FAST, SECURE, AND RELIABLE CUSTOMER WEB EXPERIENCES

PLDT ALPHA ENTERPRISE Akamai’s globally-distributed network on-demand. After each presentation was AND AKAMAI TECHNOLOGIES bolstering PLDT’s ability to deliver and a consulting session, where the Akamai manage content delivery from anywhere experts answered questions from the SOLUTIONS ARE SET TO in the world. audience or questions raised through the 1 2 ENHANCE CUSTOMER The Keynote speaker from Akamai PLDT Events mobile application. WEB EXPERIENCES Technologies, Regional Vice President PLDT/Smart Executive Vice Vaughan Woods, gave an overview President and ePLDT President and CEO of Akamai and how its solutions can Eric R. Alberto capped off the morning 1. PLDT/Smart Executive Vice President and Movers and shakers from top help enterprises better serve the with his insights on how local enterprises ePLDT President and CEO Eric R. Alberto speaks to guests on staying secure and Philippine enterprises gathered at the Philippine market. must deliver real quality to compete in a competitive in the ever-changing digital market. Makati Diamond Residences to witness Senior Akamai officials presented their tougher, faster, expanding market, PLDT ALPHA Enterprise and leading product expertise and focused on real-life while ensuring security in the face 2. PLDT First Vice President and Head of PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Jovy Hernandez global content delivery network provider issues addressed by each of the solutions. of more online threats. delivers eye-opening remarks at the start Akamai Technologies, Inc. launch solutions Akamai Technologies’ Senior Director of “In this day and age, having an of the program. designed to create enhanced and more Product Management for Web Experience optimized, omni-channel customer 3. Akamai Technologies’ Senior Director secure web experiences for Philippine Jason Hatch laid out the global and engagement experience is the critical of Product Management for Web Experience enterprise organizations and Philippine mobile landscape, illustrating differentiator for enterprises. It has Jason Hatch engages the audience their customers. how Akamai Web Performance Solutions to be fast, secure, and must be able to with insights on the growth of mobile in the Philippines. PLDT First Vice President and strengthens the consumer web experience consistently deliver high-quality content. Head of PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Jovy across devices. Akamai Technologies’ We at PLDT ALPHA Enterprise are glad 4. Akamai Technologies’ Director of Product Hernandez shared his most recent insights Director of Product Management for to be in this partnership with Akamai. 3 4 5 Management for Web Security Amol Mathur stresses the importance of protecting against concerning the impact of webpage loading Web Security Amol Mathur then detailed We are excited to provide web optimization a host of cyber attacks. times on sales, the need for security against how Akamai Web Security Solutions protects solutions to help Philippine enterprises a growing number of cyber attacks, and data on their wide network from be better enabled for this ever-expanding 5. Akamai Technologies’ Regional Vice President Vaughan Woods gives a lively and informative the steady rise of video content. a variety of cyber attacks. digital economy,” said Mr. Hernandez. keynote address. High-performing, protected, and revenue- In a live demonstration, Akamai “It is our objective in PLDT to be maximizing customer web experiences are Technologies’ Technical Account Manager the preferred solutions provider that 6. Akamai Technologies’ Head of Media and Delivery Rishi Varma discusses the rise of critical to all enterprises, and according Phua Sze Shen showed a side-by-side maximizes enterprise revenue potential video and other content delivery trends. to Mr. Hernandez, these quality web comparison of the advantages of Akamai and ensures cost efficiency amidst a experiences are now possible for PLDT for an eCommerce website, versus the growing number of business challenges. 7. A guest engages with the speakers after one of the product presentations. ALPHA Enterprise customers, through same website running without Akamai Web I congratulate both PLDT ALPHA the partnership with Akamai. Performance Solutions. Akamai Technologies’ Enterprise and Akamai Technologies 8. PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Head of Corporate As the local channel partner of Head of Media and Delivery Rishi Varma for successfully bringing a suite of web Business Solutions Gary Ignacio invites attendees to network and learn more about Akamai, PLDT ALPHA Enterprise now wrapped up the product presentations with optimization solutions designed to reveal Akamai Solutions. offers Akamai Solutions to complement his insights on content delivery trends, unique opportunities and create vast its enterprise broadband Internet service noting how Akamai Media Delivery Solutions value for Philippine enterprises and offerings. PLDT’s extensive network supports growing customer preferences its customers,” said Mr. Alberto. further enhances these solutions, with for high-definition video via livestream or 6 7 8

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16. Leaders and representatives from top Philippine enterprises filled the ballroom of the Makati Diamond Residences for the event. 11 12 13 17. Gary Ignacio, Vaughan Woods, Gerald Penaflor, and Eric Alberto

18. PLDT VP and Head of Corporate Relationship Management Precy Katigbak with Esther Go

9. Vaughan Woods (4th from left), with PLDT 19. Col. Isauro Palmaria and Capt. Product Manager Anna Kahayon, Akamai’s Jaime Serna, Jr. flashing the ALPHA sign Shivani Priyadarǝshini, PLDT Corporate 17 Communications Head Mikey Smyth, PLDT 20. Eric Alberto, Joel Barcena, Mari Javier, Category Head of IP and Data Center Kate and Jojo Gendrano Tampinco, Akamai’s Nurul Ali Gan, and PLDT VP and Head of Corporate Relationship 21. Vic Tria with Verizon’s Country Management Vic Tria Head Quiel Delgado

10. Jeffrey Tantiado and PLDT Head of Corporate Relationship Business Ino Mandapat flash the ALPHA sign.

11. Jojo Paz, PLDT Head of Corporate Relationship Management Dick Perez, 14 and PLDT Head of Corporate Relationship Business Onald David.

12. Jenny Asuncion, winner of an Apple Watch during the raffle. 18 19

13. Pinky Codog, the second lucky guest to win an Apple Watch.

14. Jovy Hernandez, Shivani Priyadarǝshini, Gerald Penaflor, Gary Ignacio, Jason Hatch, and Rishi Varma

15. Guests gather to see Akamai Solutions in action at the live demonstration, led by Akamai Technologies’ Technical Account Manager Pua Sze Shen.

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THE EFFECTIVE ENTERPRISE REDEFINED 1 2 can easily scale to growth through is pay per use per application. Likewise, PLDT ALPHA ENTERPRISE PLDT’s ISDN and SIP Trunk solutions. ePLDT colleagues boast on Cosmocom’s SHOWS BICOL AND LAGUNA Mr. Carlos Octavio followed with his cloud contact center solution that bolsters CUSTOMERS HOW VOICE AND presentation which focused on how its full range of contact center functionality MANAGED IT SOLUTIONS Enterprises could benefit from a simple and flexibility in catering from mid to large toll free solution which could lead to contact center specific requirements. TRANSFORM BUSINESSES greater customer experience. On top of the insightful presentations, Ms. Laramarie Tubino then guests were given comprehensive product To spread the word on the significance demonstrated how PLDT Cloud Unified demonstrations in several booths at of Voice and Managed IT for improved Communications as a Service (UCaaS) the venue. Through the hands-on business communications and operations, allows users to communicate seamlessly demonstrations, guests learned about PLDT ALPHA Enterprise held two events through – IP Telephony, Mobility, how they can make the most out of to showcase the latest leading solutions to Instant Messaging (IM), Unified Messaging their investment while remaining in 3 4 representatives from various industries. and Collaboration. In addition, she constant control of their requirements, The “Redefining Voice and Managed showcased PLDT’s Managed Unified instantly scaling up and down based IT” Roadshows were held at the Hotel Communications solution, in partnership on varying customer demands. To cap St. Ellis in Legazpi, Albay, and Seda Nuvali with the best in class UC solutions the event, ICT experts were invited for 1. PLDT Relationship Manager Alex Quizon in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. These roadshows bundled with maintenance and security a panel discussion to address some of 2. PLDT Head of Corporate Relationship are instrumental to enable enterprise management for voice systems. the customer’s technology inquiries and Business Ino Mandapat customers from South Luzon to easily gain Mr. Luigi Miguel Santiago shared business challenges. As the events drew to valuable insights with regards to PLDT how organizations can experience a close, they were treated to try their luck 3. Huawei Solutions Manager, Enterprise Business Group Renel Loreja conversed ALPHA Enterprise’s solutions. Guest got next-generation Enterprise collaboration at winning exciting raffle prizes, including with enterprise representatives. to experience PLDT ALPHA Enterprise’s between colleagues, partners and power banks, Harmann speakers, JBL latest Voice and Managed IT solutions customers through a wide range of speakers, and a sports action camera. 4. ePLDT Sr. Solution Consultant and their ability to redefine business PLDT’s Conferencing Suite from audio, PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Jerson Brecenio efficiency and productivity — critical in web, video, and telepresence via the Business Head Ino Mandapat gave the 5. PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Product Manager a shifting digital and mobile landscape. cloud or managed services. closing remarks, thanking attendees 5 Mikee Sy discussed Managed IT services “As enterprises face a fast-changing digital Towards the end of the presentation, and encouraging them to equip their with enterprise representatives. environment, they must equip themselves Ms. Michelle Sy described how PLDT enterprises with technologies for seamless 6. Attendees registered as they entered with end-to-end ICT solutions that ensure ALPHA Enterprise’s Managed IT services communications and well-managed the event venue. their operational efficiency,” said PLDT can address business needs with a full ICT infrastructure. Voice and Managed IT Category Head range of portfolio and complete end- With PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Fay Ocampo. to-end solutions comprised of software, Voice and Managed IT solutions, Following the opening remarks, PLDT hardware, and ICT. She was followed by enterprise representatives from across ALPHA Enterprise product managers gave Mr. Rommel Sia, who discussed the latest southern Luzon can now look forward to in-depth presentations on each solution. contact center solutions. PLDT Cloud new potentials and transformed businesses, Ms. Eileen Vidallon described how Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) can They were clearly determined to become integrated voice, data, and video access is a help business operations to quickly scale even more effective and productive more effective means of communications operations based on seasonal demand at organizations amidst a rapidly changing in the digital age. Business communications the most effective pricing options which enterprise landscape. 6

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7. PLDT Relationship Manager Egay Samson 12. Guests at the Laguna roadshow sport (3rd from right), PLDT Head of Corporate the ALPHA sign. Relationship Business Ino Mandapat (4th from right), and DOST - CITO Division Head Redel 13. Renel Loreja, Alfredo Lallana, Antonio Luistro, Aquino (5th from right), with members of the Elmer Louie Uy, and Joseph De Guzman DOST-CITO team.

14. PLDT Head of Corporate Relationship 8. Guests gathered at Seda Nuvali in Laguna. Business Ino Mandapat, PLDT Head of Corporate Relationship Management 9. Lara Tubino and Carol Bongabal 14 9 10 Dick Perez, NEP Logistics Purchasing Head, Inc. Nhel Maronilla, and PLDT Relationship 10. PLDT Relationship Manager Neil Marcelo and Manager Egay Samson Dominador Balde Jr. do the ALPHA sign.

15. ePLDT Group CIO and Solutions Consulting 11. PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Product Manager Head Brett Medel (center) awards the raffle Mikee Sy, PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Voice winner a prize sponsored by Sophos. Product Assistant David Doringo, and PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Product Manager Luigi Santiago

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2016 INTERNATIONAL ICT AWARDS WINNERS

• BEST EMERGING IT-BPM • BEST SOFTWARE COMPANY • BEST ICT CEO OF THE YEAR COMPANY FOR HEALTHCARE OF THE YEAR • Rajiv Dhand, TELUS • HCCA International • Advanced World Solutions, Inc (AWS) • BEST EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR • BEST EMERGING IT-BPM • Sutherland Global COMPANY FOR CREATIVES • MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANY Services Philippines OF THE YEAR • AffinityX

• Lexmark Cebu

• BEST EMERGING IT-BPM • BEST COMPANY OF THE YEAR COMPANY FOR ACCOUNTING • BEST FILIPINO-OWNED & HALL OF FAME COMPANY OF THE YEAR • Northern Trust operating • Convergys Philippines & HALL OF FAME as NOSAI • Pointwest Technologies • INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTOR Corporation • BEST VOICE EXCELLENCE OF THE YEAR COMPANY OF THE YEAR • Roma Villarama, Concentrix • BEST COMPANY OF THE YEAR • Cognizant Technology Solutions OUTSIDE NCR Philippines, Inc. • Lexmark Cebu

• BEST GLOBAL IN-HOUSE CENTER OF THE YEAR • PARTICIPANTS’ CHOICE AWARD: THE TRUE MARK OF IT-BPM EXCELLENCE MOST POPULAR TEAM LEADER • ANZ Global Services & Operations (GSO) Manila, Inc. • Alyssa Fae Camungol, Cognizant Technology Solutions of Commerce (Cancham) and the and participants on behalf of the PLDT PLDT ALPHA ENTERPRISE Philippines, Inc. CELEBRATES IT-BPM INDUSTRY Information Technology and Business Group, awarded the Best Company Process Association of the Philippines of the Year to now Hall of Famer, GREATNESS WITH CANCHAM (IBPAP) partnered with leading technology Convergys Philippines. AND IBPAP AT THE 10TH service providers such as NetSuite and “PLDT ALPHA Enterprise remains INTERNATIONAL ICT AWARDS PLDT, through the Smart Messaging a fervent supporter of the International Suite, in launching one of this year’s ICT Awards, sharing its passion for newest awards: the Participants’ Choice celebrating excellence and inspiring Year on year, the International ICT Award for the Most Popular Team Leader. more organizations and people to bring Awards have consistently upheld cherished The winner was Alyssa Fae Camungol innovation to the forefront of the traditions of enterprise excellence in the from Cognizant Technology Solutions industry,” remarked PLDT First Vice Information Technology and Business Philippines, Inc., selected through President and Head of PLDT ALPHA Process Management (IT-BPM) industry. preliminary online polls as well as Enterprise Jovy Hernandez in his message As a rule, it is usually grander and more onsite live voting. for this year’s ICT Awards. “More hopeful than previous iterations. For its part, title sponsor PLDT importantly, we believe that an event such Now celebrating a decade-long run, ALPHA Enterprise awarded two of the as this shines positive light on the ICT the 2016 International ICT Awards once night’s top honors. PLDT Vice President industry as a whole, and helps underscore again brought together industry mainstays and Head of Corporate Relationship its importance as a driver of business for an exclusive and highly anticipated Management Vic Tria presented the special growth and competitiveness.” 1 awarding ceremony at the Grand Ballroom prizes to the Most Popular Team Leader of the Marriott Hotel. finalists. PLDT Corporate Relationship True to its theme “10 Years and Management Advisor Victor Aliwalas, Growing,” organizers Canadian Chamber who graciously congratulated the winners

1. PLDT Corporate Relationship Management Advisor Victor Aliwalas (leftmost) presented plaques to the Best Company of the Year finalists.

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2. PLDT Corporate Relationship Management Advisor Victor Aliwalas represented the PLDT Group in announcing the Best Company of the Year award. 8 9

3. CanCham President and CEO Julian Payne delivered the opening remarks for this year’s ceremony. 7. Individual Contributor of the Year Roma 4. BusinessMirror Vice President for Corporate Villarama (center) of Concentrix together with Affair Ricky Alegre graced the event once Concentrix Global CEO Chris Caldwell again as the Master of Ceremonies. (4th from left) and the entire team. 5. PLDT VP and Head of Corporate Relationship 8. Anshum Sinha and Roderick Suliguin Management Vic Tria (rightmost) awarded special prizes to the six finalists of the 9. Stephen Douglas and PLDT Head of Participants’ Choice Award for the Most Corporate Relationship Business Popular Team Leader (L-R): Rina Mae Jeff Mendoza Ballesteros of HSBC Electronic Processing Philippines, Inc., Alyssa Fae Camungol of 10. Hall of Famer Pointwest Technologies Cognizant Technology Solutions Philippines, Corporation, represented by Bel Coronel Inc., Don Henry Abe of Personiv, Jaclyn Lee (second from left) along with PLDT VP and of Thomson Reuters Manila, Roland Angelo Head of Corporate Relationship Management Peralejo of Cognizant Technology Solutions Jay Lagdameo (leftmost), PLDT VP and Head Philippines, Inc., and Jaime Sapilan, Jr. of Corporate Relationship Management Vic Tria of TaskUs Inc. (second from right), and IBPAP President and CEO Jomari Mercado (rightmost). 6. Victor Aliwalas and Ms. Earth 2015 Angelia Ong presented the Hall of Fame award for Best Company of the Year to Ivic Mueco from Convergys Philippines. 6 10

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11. Suresh Moorthi, Victor Aliwalas, Rahul Dewan, and Dennis Magbatoc

12. Jay Lagdameo, Ebb Hinchliffe, and Jomari Mercado

13. Arcie Arroyo Cruz, CanCham Executive Director Cora dela Cruz, and CanCham President and CEO Julian Payne

14. Executives from different IT-BPM organizations attended the awarding ceremony.

15. PLDT executives with Ms. Earth 2015 Angelia Ong (3rd from left) and Ms. Earth – Air 2015 12 Dayana Grageda (2nd from right) 15 16. Warren Tait, Rajiv Dhad, and Cris Resenthal

17. Dennis Magbatoc, Ian Zafra, and Eric Kaufman

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22 OCTMAY 2 0201614 MAYOCT 2016 2014 23 the ASEAN ICT Master plan: ASEAN achieve that; we not only provide SEA PLDT AND OTHER Regional Connectivity (aRC), ASEAN enterprises more cost-effective solutions LEADING SOUTHEAST Broadcast Hub (aBH), ASEAN as compared to global ICT providers, Market Place (aMP), ASEAN we are uniquely positioned to guarantee for enhanced voice communications The Marco Polo Davao is part ASIAN TELCOS EMPOWER Internet Exchange (aIX), and quality local support that will be delivered PLDT ALPHA with its video or desktop conferencing of the growing Marco Polo Hotels chain, ASEAN INTEGRATION ASEAN Command Center (aCC). through our shareholder companies ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS capabilities, as well as high-speed one of the leading hotel brands in the During the 73rd ACASIA in each of their home countries,” said data transfers. region. With a network of fourteen WITH ACASIA Coordinating Council Meeting, attendees ACASIA Communications Sdn Bhd ENHANCE CUSTOMER “As a five-star hotel, we want to properties located in key cities across COMMUNICATIONS tackled a number of significant matters Chairman Eric. R. Alberto, who is EXPERIENCE AT partner with a telecommunications Hong Kong, China, and the Philippines; related to ACASIA’s operations and also PLDT/Smart EVP, and ePLDT ser es provider that can provide you Marco Polo Hotels combine Asian technology strategy for the year ahead. President and CEO. MARCO POLO DAVAO with the same high level of service – warmth with Western comforts Leading telecommunications Among the topics discussed were “I personally congratulate ACASIA excellent, innovative and modern – that and is renowned for providing guests and multimedia services company ACASIA’s network Service Availability CEO Azmal Yahya and the rest of the our clientele have always expected from with elegant surroundings PLDT spearheaded discussions on key (SA) objective and backbone readiness, team for a successful Coordinating PLDT ALPHA Enterprise and us,” shared Marco Polo Davao General and impeccable service. strategies for ASEAN Integration with the go-to-market approach across Council Meeting – the first one for this Marco Polo Davao recently sealed a Manager Dottie Würgler-Cronin. The formal contract signing was representatives from Southeast Asia’s identified strategic areas, and the year. I am very optimistic on ACASIA’s partnership agreement focused on “PLDT really demonstrates all those held at the Marco Polo Hotel Davao (SEA) top telecommunications providers execution plan specific to the overall business outlook in 2016, as they creating an enhanced hotel experience three qualities, that is why we believe last March 4, 2016. of ACASIA Communications Sdn Bhd. solutions roadmap. execute based on a very clear strategy for its customers. PLDT is the right partner for us.” Incorporated in 1995, ACASIA The agenda was set to ensure that and business plan. PLDT is committed PLDT ALPHA Enterprise, the “We know how fast and constant Communications Sdn Bhd features ACASIA and its telco shareholders to contribute its share and will support corporate business group of leading connectivity is important to corporate the top 7 regional telecommunications achieve the goal of becoming SEA’s ACASIA in every way possible, telecom PLDT, bolsters Marco Polo customers, as it enables them to access providers as principal shareholders: preferred regional ICT provider. to help achieve the goals that we Davao’s communications infrastructure or provide vital data needed to make CAT from Thailand, Indosat from “The ASEAN Economic Integration have collectively set with the other with enterprise data and voice solutions informed business decisions,” said PLDT Indonesia, PLDT from the Philippines, and its common market will make it shareholders,” he added. that ensure reliable connectivity – a must First Vice President and Head of PLDT Singtel from Singapore, Telbru from easier for Southeast Asia’s enterprise for the guests of the popular business ALPHA Enterprise Jovy Hernandez. Brunei, TM from Malaysia and VNPT organizations to expand within the hotel. PLDT’s iGate, for instance, “Our solutions will certainly enable (L-R) PLDT Head of Corporate Relationship Business VisMin Jimmy Chua, PLDT Head of from Vietnam. The company aims to be region. They will require world-class enables hotel guests to use bandwidth- Marco Polo Davao’s guests to keep tabs Corporate Relationship Management Dick Perez, Southeast Asia’s preferred Information ICT solutions from a provider who intensive applications and immediately on their operations and, at the same Marco Polo Davao General Manager and Communications Technology (ICT) understands their needs and supports ACASIA CEO Azmal Yahya (front row, attend to mission-critical tasks without time, stay in touch with people back Dottie Würgler-Cronin, Halifax Davao Hotel, 3rd from left) with PLDT and ACASIA and Inc. (HDHI) Senior Vice President provider. In 2015, ACASIA unveiled them every step of the way. ACASIA officials displaying the ALPHA sign. interruption, while its Integrated home, without the need to worry about Francis Ledesma and Marco Polo Davao five (5) new initiatives in alignment with is the ideal go-to ICT provider to Services Digital Network (ISDN) allows unreliable and unstable connections.” Comptroller Armenio Lorenzo

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 and selected public areas, barangay halls, its ICT initiatives.” PLDT ALPHA ENTERPRISE public schools and universities The launch of the Wireless Access residents and guests now enjoy high- properties in the medium and long POWERS CAVITE have also been connected to the Program was held at the National College PLDT ALPHA performance connectivity through PLDT term,” said PLDT/Smart Executive provincial network. of Science and Technology (NCST) and ENTERPRISE DRIVES ALPHA Enterprise’s Integrated Services Vice President and ePLDT President WIRELESS ACCESS The project aims to enhance the led by Governor Jonvic Remulla, Jr. who Digital Network (ISDN) and Dedicated and CEO Eric R. Alberto. PROGRAM FOR local government of Cavite in their was joined by NTSC President Emerson ROBUST CONNECTIVITY Internet Access (iGate) solutions. This The partnership was formalized efforts to improve the delivery of public Atanacio, and Dondi Mapa, National FOR CDC MILLENNIUM is the latest example of PLDT ALPHA through a contract signing ceremony FREE WI-FI services. "It also supports the launch Technology Officer of Microsoft Enterprise end-to-end solutions serving held at the site of the soon-to-rise of their web and mobile applications Philippines, which donated the ORTIGAS as a critical foundation for voice, data, property, with top PLDT and CDC LINKod Kabitenyo, which will provide TV White Space technology. and video services for commercial officials in attendance. The local government of Cavite has its constituents, students, investors, PLDT Corporate Relationship establishments and residences. tapped leading telecoms and multimedia tourists, and visitors with access to Management Head Benedicto Perez CDC Land Premiere has selected “It’s one of the requirements of services company PLDT, through its e-services and information such as shared the telecom’s honor as a PLDT ALPHA Enterprise, the corporate guests — to have a strong Internet corporate business group PLDT ALPHA provincial announcements, traffic partner to the milestone project. business group of leading telecoms and backbone. For business travelers, Enterprise, in rolling out the province’s updates, emergency hotlines, local “This noble endeavor will arm multimedia services company PLDT, fast and constant connectivity is of extensive wireless access program on price watch, job vacancies, and guide the citizens of Cavite with the wealth to enable the soon-to-launch mixed-use utmost importance. PLDT ALPHA governance that provides Internet access for tourism. of knowledge found on the Internet, property, Citadines Millennium Ortigas, Enterprise has given us the most cost- to its residents for free. “With a consistently growing knowledge they can use to harness through its connectivity solutions. effective solution for our connectivity Utilizing both fiber optic network number of Filipinos actively using the their potentials,” said Perez. CDC Land Premiere is a subsidiary requirements,” said CDC Holdings and TV White Space technology to Internet, local government units can of CDC Holdings, Inc. It is one of the Vice President of Sales and Marketing expand the province’s Wi-Fi access to maximize this platform not only to first property management companies Charlene Chua–Sy. broadband Internet connectivity, Cavite’s provide essential information to their to introduce serviced apartments or “We at PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Wireless Access Program was rolled constituents, but more importantly condotels in the Philippines. Its latest are committed to backing innovative (L-R): PLDT VP and Head of Corporate Relationship Management Vic Tria, PLDT FVP out in pilot areas including the cities of deliver public services,” said PLDT project, currently in construction, is developments like those of CDC. We and Head of PLDT ALPHA Enterprise and Microsoft Phils., Inc. National Technology (L-R) Smart Enterprise Jovy Hernandez, PLDT/Smart Bacoor, Dasmarinas, and Imus, and the First Vice President and Head of PLDT Officer Dondi Mapa, Governor Jonvic Remulla, the Citadines Millennium Ortigas, a have worked relentlessly in assuring Executive Vice President and ePLDT President municipalities of Silang, General Trias, ALPHA Enterprise Jovy Hernandez, PLDT Relationship Manager Arlyn del Prado, residential, commercial, and hospitality their reliable connectivity for residents and CEO Eric Alberto, CDC Holdings President PLDT Corporate Relationship Management Rosario, and Tanza. Free Wi-Fi access “We are proud to be part of this property located in the heart of the and guests. We also look forward to and CEO Melesa Chua, CDC Holdings COO and Head Dick Perez, PLDT Corporate Relationship SVP for Sales and Marketing Charlene Chua-Sy, was also made available in the provincial vital undertaking, and look forward to Business Head Ino Mandapat, FilAsia System Ortigas Business District. guaranteeing seamless connections for and CDC Holdings Residence Manager of capitol compound in Trece Martires City, supporting the province of Cavite in Technologies, Inc. Director Garry Yau Citadines Millennium Ortigas future developments and real estate Ascott Ltd. Glenn Magalang

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 subsidiary of the Singapore-based stem important for us and we appreciate it,” CORDLIFE MEDICAL cell service provider Cordlife Group. The said Cordlife Medical Philippines, Inc. PHILIPPINES, INC. company secures a family’s future health General Manager and Director Michael MAKES THE SMARTER through biomedical services, such as cord Arnonobal. PLDT ALPHA From its first issue in 2006, Hot their businesses as well.” blood and cord lining banking as well as “We are grateful to Cordlife Medical ENTERPRISE BAGS Joe has evolved into one of the most The annual Anvil Awards is SWITCH TO PLDT ALPHA groundbreaking diagnostics services. Philippines, Inc. for choosing us as their sought-after publications within the organized by the Public Relations Society ENTERPRISE AND The partnership fortifies Cordlife’s network connectivity enabler. We at NEW ANVIL AWARD business community and has consistently of the Philippines (PRSP) and celebrates connectivity setup through PLDT PLDT ALPHA Enterprise and Smart FOR HOT JOE MAGAZINE increased its circulation due to popular excellence in public relations. The Anvil SMART ENTERPRISE FOR ALPHA Enterprise’s Dedicated Internet Enterprise are one with Cordlife Medical demand among its readers. Hot Joe has recognizes outstanding public relations Access Service (iGate) service and Philippines, Inc. as they continue to also consistently received citations and programs and tools, as well as the STRONG, END-TO-END Smart Enterprise’s mobile and wireless redefine the healthcare industry through PLDT ALPHA Enterprise, the honors from various award-giving bodies agencies and companies that have created CONNECTIVITY solutions. With these solutions, the innovative technologies, providing the corporate business group of leading that recognize corporate communications these commendable programs. company is able to put in place a reliable most advanced and secure biomedical telecom services provider PLDT, recently efforts. and cost-effective communication services to Filipino families,” said First received a Silver Anvil award for its “We are very proud to once again be Cordlife Medical Philippines, Inc. infrastructure that assures the efficient Vice President and Head of PLDT glossy magazine Hot Joe at the recognized by the Philippine Relations recently made the Smarter switch by delivery of time-sensitive medical ALPHA Enterprise and Smart Enterprise 51st Anvil Awards. Society of the Philippines (PRSP) and partnering with PLDT and Smart, information to its clients. Cordlife is also Jovy Hernandez. A business lifestyle publication receive this important award,” shared through their respective corporate exploring enterprise mobility solutions produced entirely by PLDT ALPHA Jovy Hernandez, Hot Joe Editor-in-Chief business groups PLDT ALPHA to further power their marketing Enterprise, Hot Joe features its latest and PLDT First Vice President and Head Enterprise and Smart Enterprise, automation initiatives. partnerships and products, insights of PLDT ALPHA Enterprise. “Hot Joe for high-performance, end-to-end “If the first few weeks of from top business and industry leaders, has always been our way of connecting fixed and mobile connectivity solutions. engagement are any indication of how and celebrated events in the magazine’s with our customers and providing the

This partnership was sealed through our partnership with PLDT and Smart 130+ pages. Initially distributed to select Enterprise community with a medium to Receiving the trophy from PRSP officers and a contract signing ceremony attended will progress, I’d say it’s excellent. So far, PLDT ALPHA Enterprise clients, Hot know more about the industry’s recent organizers during the 51st Anvil awarding night by top PLDT and Cordlife they have provided remarkable service, (L-R): PLDT Head of Corporate Relationship Joe is now a regular sight in several airline innovations and upcoming milestones, were PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Advertising Medical executives. delivery and aftersales support. Right Business Onald David, PLDT Head of Corporate lounges, industry association offices, and as we believe we are not just their service Specialist Jill Gonzales and Corporate Customer Relationship Management Dick Perez, Engagement Head Mikey Smyth, 3rd and 4th Founded in 2010, Cordlife Medical from the start, the relationship manager Cordlife General Manager Michael Arnonobal other establishments. provider, but their partner in growing from left, respectively. Philippines, Inc. is a wholly-owned already treated us like VIPs. It’s very and Cordlife HR Manager Russel Pineda

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 THE NEXT CHAPTER

ePLDT GROUP CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER AND SOLUTIONS CONSULTING HEAD BRETT MEDEL DISCUSSES HIS ROADMAP FOR THE INNOVATION-DRIVEN ORGANIZATION, AS WELL AS CRUCIAL STRATEGIES FOR THE EXPANDING VITRO NETWORK OF DATA CENTERS.

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 IN

In our last issue of HOT JOE, we The Seasoned IT Professional interviewed then-Philex Mining Vice President and Chief Information Officer Mr. Medel has around fifteen (15) years Raymund Brett C. Medel, describing of experience in the field of Information his vision of a 360-degree digital Technology under his belt, spending most transformation within the organization. of his career with multinational companies It was no small feat, to say the least, as in the financial industry. Being steeped we found out more about the process he in the perspectives and language of a enacted in a company that operates in the client—versus that of a vendor or service country’s more remote — and even hostile provider—has proven to be his edge. — locations. “Just by having an informal discussion Mr. Medel has moved on from Philex with the CIO, I can relate to his challenges Mining to become the new ePLDT Group in delivering the value of IT to his/ Chief Information Officer and Solutions her organization. We can talk for hours Consulting Head. “As Group CIO I discussing short and long range plans of am tasked to look after the internal IT the business and I can immediately identify before you go to a heart specialist, you go

requirements of the ePLDT Group and as solutions for their business,” he said. Donning Two Hats first to a general practitioner. I have vertical An architecural rendering of the Solutions Consulting head, I look after the It is a unique viewpoint he brings to leads who act as general practitioners, who VITRO Makati site that is set to Solutions Architect team that go and see ePLDT from Philex Mining, a firm that is This new challenge concerns know a lot about end-to-end IT operations open this year. clients to design solutions anchored on the still close to his heart. “I believe that I have establishing procedures and developing because of their past experiences as IT core business solutions of ePLDT such as done my role by preparing and providing innovative solutions. It is slightly more managers. If the client wants to deep dive Data Center, Cloud, Big Data, Managed them with what they need in terms of complex, because Mr. Medel juggles two on the solution, then we tap our Center Security, and Managed ICT Services to technology.” somewhat interrelated roles in the Group. of Excellence. That’s how it will work,” he name a few.” We caught up with him once “Now, all that they have to do is As Solutions Consulting Head, he oversees illustrated. again to learn the latest chapter of his to practice and maintain what I have a team of Solutions Architects, ensuring His secondary role as Group Chief twenty-seven-year career, this time leading a established,” he added, saying that the they craft solutions and execute their go-to- Information Officer, meanwhile, entails digital transformation for the better part of time was right for him to share his talent market strategies. handling the internal IT process for the Philippine enterprise landscape. and experiences with ePLDT, a task he “For better appreciation, allow me to ePLDT. This includes streamlining considers his “next challenge.” give an analogy to a health care setting, operations, looking after IT governance and

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 “WE SHALL CONTINUE ENGAGING WITH OUR CLIENTS AND

FOR THEM.

DIGITAL IS HERE TO STAY, AND WE, IN ePLDT, WILL BE HERE TO USHER OUR CLIENTS IN THEIR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION JOURNEY.”

Brett Medel ePLDT Chief Information Officer and Solutions Consulting Head

policies, and seeking additional technical being fully redundant and world-class. backed by 24/7 support. “This equates to would love that because you are not paying This is all part of a higher challenge that certifications that are relevant to the needs “Most of the other data centers lower OPEX compared to maintaining in- one time, big time. You’re scheduling it in ePLDT faces. Not only must its members of their enterprise clients. available in the market now are residing in house data centers. Colocation also allows an OPEX manner.” deliver excellent customer service as the Mr. Medel has a vision for ePLDT to pre-built structures that are really not meant clients to scale up if need be, as we have preferred strategic partner for clients, it be prominent on global digital platforms. for data centers. These use the commercial space readily available for expansion in case Ushering Digital Transformation must also champion the ongoing wave of “I believe that we are getting there as we building’s existing facilities, including the clients need more servers.” transformation. To fully achieve this, Mr. sustain our strategy in building our key UPS and Genset.” He added that the The mission of educating clients on ePLDT is also intent on transforming Medel sees the need to empower the entire digital pillars: infrastructure, expertise, and upcoming VITRO sites in Makati and the benefits of outsourcing data center enterprises through solutions based on team to go further and think outside the partnerships with the best-in-class global Clark are intentionally built as Tier-3 Data requirements continues. Clients need Social, Mobility, Analytics, Cloud, and box. “We shall continue engaging with our digital brand partners.” Centers, each sporting a “more modern” to know how to refocus on their core Security or SMACS as a whole. “We are clients and innovating for them. Digital aesthetic. business functions, as well as the numerous aligned to where the digital era is bringing is here to stay, and we, in ePLDT, will be Offloading to The New VITRO Mr. Medel expounded on how many certifications and awards of the VITRO us. We will build up our expertise by here to usher our clients in their digital enterprise organizations have yet to network of Data Centers that make investing in ongoing technical and executive transformation journey.” Mr. Medel is particularly proud of how realize the value of colocation, of having offloading a confident decision to make. skills that would require continuous the VITRO Network of Data Centers are their servers hosted in a highly secure, “Of course, it’s changing the model from updating due to the rapid changes in the designed and purpose-built, in addition to redundant, and dedicated data center facility CAPEX to OPEX. And a lot of companies competitive environment.”

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 Real-Time Analysis instantaneously, reducing the Healthcare’s Cure in the Mr. Lagdameo points out for Real-Time Action average Bostonian’s commute Digital Age: Collate and that a children’s hospital in the In this section, HOT JOE gives you a visual digest time. Correlate United States is combining of recently-posted online articles, written by our Reducing stress brought Across the pond in Dublin, social media posts, Internet thought leaders at PLDT ALPHA Enterprise upon by the traffic-filled daily Ireland, they are combining In recent times, searches, and electronic commute is one area where real-time data with traffic optimized data has drastically health records to predict and in Big Data is making huge information extracted from revolutionized the healthcare map out influenza trends. strides, according to Mr. road sensors, video cameras, industry as a whole. It is Information extracted from Lagdameo. The city of Boston, and GPS to know the exact now being used to predict wearable devices such as Fitbit famous for its traffic woes, location of city buses at any epidemics, cure diseases, and Jawbone are also being is currently experimenting given time. This has allowed improve the quality of life, and used to help doctors diagnose BIG by using data compiled from them to identify and resolve avoid preventable deaths. ailments. location-based apps such as both existing and potential Waze and Uber to decongest problem areas, ensuring that main thoroughfares in the city. constituents go where they DATA Real-time information and need to go in the quickest MCKINSEY IN A SURVEY insights allow the city to react possible time. REPORTS THAT REPORT FROM BIG DATA-DRIVEN BIG FORRESTER HEALTHCARE INITIATIVES IN THE CONSULTING, DEAL US HAVE REDUCED RESPONDENTS INDUSTRY SPENDING BY: JAY LAGDAMEO THAT USE BY 12 TO 17 PERCENT. PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS ARE ALMOST In this article, PLDT maintenance as the leading Vice President and Head cause of delayed flights – long of Corporate Relationship hours spent checking and Management Jay Lagdameo repairing airplanes to ensure ACCORDING TO IBM, REDUCING noted that while society airworthiness. Incorporating TIMES has become adept in data sensors and predictive TRAFFIC CONGESTION BY Big Data can also impact Data-driven healthcare is collection, it still has miles algorithms within aircraft overall patient care in creating a great impact to go in distilling it all into fleets can improve operational hospitals. Singapore’s in molding the doctors something valuable and efficiency and allows technical MORE LIKELY Changi General Hospital of tomorrow. The NYU actionable. However, he added personnel to focus on TO GENERATE sifted through three years’ School of Medicine is now that we are on the right path, critical repairs, reducing total worth of data to discover offering a “healthcare citing numerous examples of maintenance time. REVENUE ways to reduce waiting by the numbers” course, how Big Data analytics are On the terminal side, Mr. times at the Emergency introducing med students GROWTH AT Department. They to the basics of Big Data positively impacting different Lagdameo cites developments 25 % were able to reallocate in healthcare. industries. at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith RATES WELL EQUATES TO manpower based on International Airport, ABOVE THE insights gleaned from Preemptive Force where Big Data analytics usage patterns. After predict traveler flows around INDUSTRY analyzing usage patterns, Mr. Lagdameo’s first airport choke points such as the team realized that a example shows how predictive customs and security barriers. AVERAGE. prompt redistribution of Visit the URL to read more analytics has begun to reduce Knowledge gained from Big manpower was necessary and follow Mr. Lagdameo delays in airports all around Data has transformed certain to match patient arrival on LinkedIn: patterns and reduce the world. areas of the airport, ensuring https://www.linkedin.com/ $185 waiting times down by pulse/big-data-deal-javier- He took note of a smooth customer experiences BILLION 24% from 33 to 25 minutes. lagdameo?trk=prof-post recently-published Forbes for everyone. article that identified airline IN SAVINGS IN THE or UNITED STATES. http://bit.ly/202Rlug

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 HOW M2M Stronger Pharma, performance of each med rep. M2M TECHNOLOGY Smarter Schools With the digital age Visit the URL to read more GOES and follow Ms. Katigbak radically changing the habits on LinkedIn: Ms. Katigbak also identified and behaviors of the youth, MAINSTREAM MAKES https://www.linkedin. how the pharmaceutical educational institutions are com/pulse/how-m2m- industry – with medical adopting M2M technologies technology-makes- GARTNER BOLDLY enterprises-more-human- ENTERPRISES representatives as foot soldiers for effective learning. katigbak?trk=prof-post PREDICTS THAT – can build better relationships Centralized learning in a digital THERE WILL BE MORE HUMAN with doctors through M2M. environment helps students or 6.4 BILLION A tablet-based solution learn and experience rich http://bit.ly/1N65xvh CONNECTED BY: PRECY KATIGBAK can centralize everything a multimedia content – from THINGS IN 2016, medical representative needs ebooks, videos, interactive A 30% INCREASE to know and operate – daily tests, and so much more. FROM LAST YEAR. calls and schedules, doctors’ Digitizing student performance HERE’S HOW IT information, and product information can also help BREAKS DOWN: availability. It could represent the school create a more a quantum jump in efficiency. personalized approach With all the information to teaching and character stored in the cloud, sales team formation. CONSUMER In her article, PLDT that tell mom it's time to buy leaders can also better track the Vice President and Head milk, enterprise organizations of Corporate Relationship are beginning to realize Management Precy Katigbak the value of machine-to- 4.024 described a rising trend of machine (M2M) technologies “smart” and “connected” to promote efficiency and BILLION devices, especially during the increase revenue generation. (UP BY 33% recent Consumer Electronics Various industries now offload SINCE 2015) Show (CES) 2016. While certain processes to these consumers are now getting machines, freeing attention and used to pans that alert them to focus on end-customers. medium rare steaks, and fridges ENTERPRISE (CROSS-INDUSTRY): 1.092 Better FMCG Products, Moving on to the retail BILLION Faster Retail Innovation side, M2M is revolutionizing how stores manage their (UP BY 33% Product development and inventory. Real-time SINCE 2015) supply chain management monitoring eliminates the are critical areas within the hassle of finding a certain Fast Moving Consumer SKU across multiple branches. Goods (FMCG) industry. Information generated can be ENTERPRISE M2M-enabled smart forms used to identify trends, giving (VERTICAL SPECIFIC): generate valuable consumer management the ability to insights taken from the react to sales fluctuations, if field. Provisioning M2M needed. Moving existing loyalty technologies all around the programs on an M2M-centered 1.276 supply chain will likewise platform gives retailers facilitate better business the ability to better engage BILLION decisions such as which customers post-sale, receiving (UP BY 20% products to push in certain deeper insights on their buying SINCE 2015) markets, and at what prices. behavior.

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 Mobile TECHNOLOGY The by-product of becoming mobile-first, IMPERATIVES: according to Mr. Gendrano, is Cloud instant gratification. Everybody For Mr. Gendrano, leveraging MAXIMIZING TECH wants to get the content that the cloud is the key to sustaining they want at exactly when they Customer Experience Innovation INVESTMENTS want it. Missing out on this will in this constantly-changing digital cost enterprise organizations Analytics openings to ensure audience era. Moving contact center, mobile, FOR ENHANCED their revenue. What was once a seemingly- receptiveness to messages. and analytics platforms to the cloud The backbones of the foreign concept years ago, the From there on, enterprises allows enterprise organizations to scale CUSTOMER Internet, Content Delivery role of Big Data analytics has can take it a step further with at an instant with minimal upfront Networks (CDNs), are already increased dramatically with the predictive analytics, anticipating investment. An added bonus is that EXPERIENCES addressing this increasing, amount of data our customers demands and needs before they it is a proven setup when it comes to mobile-driven demand. Their leave behind on the web, on even arise. reliability and ease of access. BY: JOJO GENDRANO constantly-updating back- social, on mobile, and countless It is Big Time for Big Data. end technologies for web other channels. acceleration, web security According to Mr. US$ and media delivery to enable Gendrano, using analytics consumers to receive content to create a 360-degree view across multiple screens. In of their customers is a good A survey conducted by Tech addition, zero-rated solutions starting point in gaining Pro research stated that 49% such as Free Facebook (via competitive advantage, ably of respondents from enterprise organizations with a size of internet.org) and Smart’s receiving valuable insights 1000 or more employees are SafeZone are allowing on specifically what kind of implementing Big Data within consumers to access the world content and products will their operations. 127B wide web without the need for resonate, as well as identifying is the projected amount of public a mobile data plan. the best time and place IT cloud spending in 2018, according to a report by Microsoft.

Security In his article, PLDT Social that efficiently resolve their But deploying all these innovations Vice President and Head Mr. Gendrano quickly issues at the shortest amount become moot for Mr. Genrdano if the of Corporate Relationship noted that Social is probably of time. enterprise doesn’t gain the customer’s trust. Management Jojo Gendrano the easiest customer-related Retail is also going towards Securing these technologies should be at the highlighted the noticeable concept to grasp, but the omnichannel, ensuring that forefront of their new Customer Experience abundance of tech trends hardest to leverage and align they are always with their strategy. Plans must be in place to avoid circulating this 2016 technology to, with today’s consumers at all times. expensive security breaches such as DDoS compared to previous years. customers having more attacks and information leaks. But two imperatives for touchpoints to enterprises than enterprises remained the ever before. same regardless of their This is where the technological readiness: Digital omnichannel come in to play, Transformation and Customer according to Mr. Gendrano. Visit the URL to read more and follow Mr. Gendrano on LinkedIn: Experience Innovation. Mr. Enterprise organizations of Gendrano delved deep on today must utilize a gamut https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ Leading eCommerce company, technology-imperatives-maximizing-tech- the latter, identifying how of solutions, including social Amazon, has released its new service investments-jojo-gendrano?trk=prof-post the latest in Social, Mobility, listener/miner tools, and called “Amazon Dash.” These little or Analytics, Cloud, and Security others, to create a personalized one-button devices allow consumers One of the world’s leading Content to instantly buy a certain product Delivery Networks recently reported http://bit.ly/1RQH2Yt (or SMACS) are contributing customer relations experience whenever they want to. that mobile app usage growth has to the enterprise organizations’ had a year-on-year increase of 76%. Customer Experience strategy. Lifestyle and Shopping apps was the A recent report from Arbor Networks state that Distributed Denial of Service Attacks (DDoS) are clear front-runner, with its own yearly increasing in scale, with 200 reported attacks last year receiving a bombardment of useless pings increase of 174% amounting to over 100 gigabits.

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 In this section, HOT JOE puts on its Tech Forecaster hat and COMING COMING takes a look at the future

FITNESS INTERNABLES

Fitness enthusiasts have been using options or be used as an aid to quit wearable technologies such as the Fitbit, smoking. Doctors will soon use internal the Samsung Galaxy Gear Active, and diabetes insulin pumps to automatically the Nike Fuelband over recent years. release insulin into the body as glucose These gizmos monitor heart rates and levels rise. Several scientists recommend download apps that track nutritional connecting these to smartphone data. They provide people with real- monitors that alert the patient or doctor time information on their exercise and on the user’s glucose levels and collect eating habits on an unprecedented scale. long-term data. With improving technology, fitness may But these devices will do more than soon reach this century’s zenith with just monitor health. Ericsson’s Consumer Internables. research found that most smartphone These innovative tools will replace owners would like to augment sensory current external monitoring devices perceptions and cognitive abilities, with higher tech that is truly connected including hearing and memory. And to the body, collecting all-hours vital with the existing technology, these information. They may just allow for physical improvements can possibly even more comprehensive data that can be include Internet information, effectively used to monitor and improve overall improving communication in healthcare. health. Internables can do this with Because healthcare providers can be DRONE TECH higher accuracy compared to normal given access to this information, early People were abuzz in 2015 Even action-camera maker GoPro wearables (e.g. nutrition, blood pressure intervention and monitoring can soon when more drones took flight into is joining the drone game. It is slated to levels). These little machines can monitor be possible. the mainstream consumer market. release its camera-fitted Karma drone sleep and interact with the user by Devotees and laymen had their pick this year. suggesting changes such as better diet from Yuneec’s Typhoon Q500 4K The hardware and software for that has an Android tablet meshed with drones are also getting creative and its remote, to DJI’s Phantom 3 line specialized. British firm Intelligent that captures stunning, high-quality Energy is currently developing a aerial shots. hydrogen fuel cell that keeps drones The playing field turns even more airborne for hours instead of the usual colorful and varied this 2016 as key mere minutes. And in keeping drones Based on a 2015 consumer trends survey The cost-efficiency and players, competitors, and niche markets out of trouble, DJI itself has designed by Ericsson ConsumerLab, 8 out of 10 convenience of drones come respondents foresee further sensory in handy for businesses. In the enter the scene with more models. geofencing-based software that alerts advancements from these internables. United States, the photography The Uvify from South Korea uses 3-D users when their drones are about to Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) are currently being used to create lighter, but The top three choices for sensory industry (29%) is the largest recognition technology to fly indoors, approach restricted airspace. enhancements were vision, memory, user of the FAA-authorized DJI stronger, parts for bicycles, marine and hearing. quadcopters, followed by real while the Israeli-made PowerUp FPV vessels, and sports equipment, among estate (18%) companies. Tied transforms paper airplanes into remote- others. But in the future, they can also be the material of choice for CPUs. at third (11%) are construction, controlled craft capable of streaming utilities and infrastructure, and agricultural firms. visuals to a virtual reality headset.

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 COMING COMING

SUPERMAN SHAPE-SHIFTING, CRYSTAL FLOATING SPORTS In 2013, British architectural firm Weston Williamson won an athletics venue design VENUES competition in Brasilia, Brazil. The company In the original Superman movie one can purchase right now has a 64 unveiled its innovative 70,000-seater, shape- featuring the great Christopher gigabyte capacity). shifting circular sports venue with advanced The middle part of the 20th Philippine Arena, recently unveiled Reeve, the man of steel was seen at And it’s not just about the size tech features, such as its ever-changing century gave rise, particularly in a concept for a true shape-shifting, geometry as well as its flower-shaped the Fortress of Solitude, interacting (or lack thereof); it is how long we the United States, to multi-purpose floating stadium. opening structure. with the memories of his father Jor- can use these data crystals that will mega stadiums. Once derided as This concept design presents El (played by Marlon Brando), via revolutionize data storage. While “cookie cutter stadiums,” these a tricky symphony of advanced powerful memory crystals that stored conventional optical, solid-state, and massive arenas such as Shea engineering and green technology infinite amounts of information. This magnetic media have a shelf life of up Stadium in New York, RFK to make a veritable Transformer- is yet another bit of science fiction that to twenty-five years (assuming these Stadium in Washington DC, and like sports arena. It uses modular will soon be part of science reality. are stored in optimal conditions), the Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh playing surfaces and seating added bonus, it features sustainable Top researchers from the University Superman crystal developers claim were designed to accommodate sections, combined with millions power technology in the form of of Southampton in the United that it can last “virtually forever,” even both of America’s top sports – of moving parts that shape-shift underwater turbines, which reduces Kingdom have begun development at temperatures reaching 190 degrees baseball and gridiron football. everything from a baseball diamond its overall carbon footprint. of what fanboys and tech blogs have Celsius. However, this seemingly ingenious into a football gridiron into a Soon we might see this venue reverentially dubbed as “Superman They’ll be simply unrivalled in concept came at a price because basketball court into a Wimbledon- host the Super Bowl in Boston crystals.” It uses a combination of storing precious historical and cultural of awful sightlines that kept fans worthy tennis arena without Harbor, the Olympic Games in lasers and nanotechnology to create a documents as well as photos and from fully appreciating the action. sacrificing sightlines. Everybody Seattle’s Puget Sound, and the physical storage medium roughly the videos from that once-in-a-lifetime That is why, by the turn of the 21st gets a spectacular view. World Cup final in Manila Bay in size of a five-peso coin, but with the Mediterranean cruise — all for the century, more were demolished to This revolutionary sports venue the same year. astounding capacity of 360 terabytes appreciation of future generations. give rise once again to baseball- is essentially a giant floating barge, (by comparison, the largest SD card specific and football-specific which can be moved from one city venues. to another. It can also alleviate the However, Greg Sherlock who tremendous cost a city has to shell works for Populous, the world’s out to create one-time venues for LIVE leading sports architecture firm and one-time sporting events like the TRANSLATION designer of the INC’s gargantuan Olympics or the World Cup. As an APPS It’s tough to explore a foreign city tapping your device to indicate the when you don’t speak their language language of each person. and no one speaks yours. Thanks to Travelling without Wi-Fi or data live translation mobile apps, travelers won’t be a problem; Word Lens can now break down language barriers language packs can be downloaded without sifting through dog-eared onto your device so you can access phrasebooks or travel guides. them even without an Internet Using the Word Lens feature of connection. These visual translations the Google Translate App, you can just are now available in 27 languages point your phone camera at a street and counting, while the conversation sign, a menu, or a list of directions a translation feature now has over 90 stranger scribbled down in a foreign languages. language and it instantly translates on your screen. It’s also easier to converse with a food vendor with the app’s Live Translation feature — simply input the two languages being spoken and it detects both simultaneously as you converse, so you won’t have to keep

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 GOING What things are on the way out GOING

FOOD HOVERBOARDS WASTE While they do not levitate like their One man’s trash is another man’s York pop-up restaurant that bases its science fiction analogues, Hoverboards vegetable salad. As the world’s food entire menu on typically discarded appeared to be the next wave in personal waste began to amount to a third of the food. He invites world-renowned chefs transportation. By some accounts, these food it produced, people started to take to get creative with the ingredients, self-balancing, two-wheeled platforms notice, and took inevitable action. It’s coming up with meals called “Melba were developed in 2014 by a Chinese not inedible food that’s being thrown Toast of Yesterday’s Oatmeal,” and firm named Chic Robotics. Battery- away. Discarded products usually “Dumpster Dive Vegetable Salad.” powered and very much like a handle-less include vegetable pulp, pickle butts, More than being edible, the meals are Segway, these devices make riders seem skate cartilage, “ugly” sweet potatoes, delicious, and are praised by diners and to float across floors and turn effortlessly. lobster legs, and misshapen pastas. food critics. But this trend is not just Celebrities on social media fueled public Because of this, France had recently for fancy New York pop-up restaurants. obsession over these futuristic devices, banned restaurants and supermarkets Chef Barber hopes that this menu will making them into one of the hottest toys from throwing away food, making influence everyday food culture, and last Christmas. food charity an imperative. The city of in many ways, it already has. No-waste But the hype has been marred by Seattle has taken to shaming by having food kitchens are making their way stories of units catching fire and exploding, its sanitation workers stick bright red into households and movements like causing injuries and even death. Defective tags on offending households. the @UglyFruitAndVeg Campaign are batteries and faulty chargers, as well as the Co-owner and Executive Chef becoming a hit, binning the culture of regular abuse inflicted on Hoverboards, of Blue Hill Dan Barber had an even wasting food altogether. have been tagged in these mishaps. better idea: he created wastED, a New These accidents have fanned the flames of controversy, prompting scores of retailers to pull stocks from their shelves. The British arm of online retailer Amazon even encouraged its customers to properly dispose of their units in exchange for refunds. Airlines in the Philippines and overseas now prohibit the gadgets from PASSWORDS carry-on and check-in luggage, while the Philippine government has jumped on the The days of memorizing once: simplify and secure. Key just sends a notification to your hot issue, forming an investigative panel. complicated passwords across various MasterCard has been developing smartphone, which you verify with a online platforms are almost over. Users what has been coined “the selfie quick tap on a “YES” button. These go through great lengths to secure their payment option.” With its Identity come along with further development accounts, but even robust passwords Check app, online shoppers only need of finger verification technologies on with 10 alphanumeric characters can to hold their phone up in front of devices, making mobile transactions be cracked. And with the vast amounts their face, as if taking a selfie. Facial password-free. With these new The hoverboard certainly had of sensitive data online, information recognition technology verifies the developments, access to private its fair share of fame online. In 2015, an estimated 100,000 can be exploited to gain access to these user’s identity before confirming the accounts will no longer rely on a Instagram posts contained passwords. Several companies are online purchase. vulnerable string of characters, but #hoverboard. There was also rolling out different options to replace Yahoo logins will also forgo instead use quick and easy identity a reported 5,000 units sold on eBay. Also, according to them altogether, achieving two of the passwords. When logging in to your verification. online marketplaces, they were most sought-after user experiences at email on a device, the Yahoo Account able to drive sales every 12 seconds.

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 GOING GOING

STETHOSCOPES Slung around their necks in every The stethoscope is predicted to be children’s book and TV show, the replaced by more accurate hand-held stethoscope is the timeless symbol of ultrasound devices. Some medical schools doctors and medicine itself. But the like Mount Sinai have already started using seemingly indispensible tool may soon go these devices in 2012. These pocket- OPEC the way of medieval implements. sized devices resemble smartphones and Studies found that doctors using flip phones, and can produce real-time Since its founding in 1960, the the 200-year-old tool stop improving images of the heart. Because they’re Organization of the Petroleum Exporting their ability to detect diseases by as early quick and precise, they’re expected to Countries or OPEC has wielded the enviable as the third year of medical school. reduce complications and aid doctors power of dictating how much oil costs. Researchers reported that medical trainees during emergency procedures. These Established to ensure stable oil prices and and students have “disturbingly low devices are only part of a slew of new supplies while balancing the interests of all identification rates for 12 important or medical technologies that make diagnoses stakeholders, the eleven-member bloc — commonly encountered cardiac events” more exact, allow real-time detailed which produces a third of the world’s oil when using a stethoscope. Auscultation, medical communication with specialists, — is often criticized for strangling output to or the skill of listening to the body with and integrate vast medical data. And as artificially induce higher costs. a stethoscope, declines even further after tools that aid doctors in helping their But OPEC’s influence and cohesion years in medical practice, when identifying patients, they’re already being called the in recent years has been seen as waning. diseases is more critical. stethoscope of the 21st century. The bloc is weathering drops in demand caused by a massive glut. This comes as the United States — long dependent on OPEC oil — uses new fracking methods to tap oil shale located within its borders for its own stockpile. In addition, hybrid and electric cars are becoming more popular, further weaning the world from its petro-addiction. Political infighting among OPEC nations may also signal the cartel’s demise. Saudi Arabia is currently in a heated diplomatic and theological feud with fellow OPEC founder and longtime rival Iran. The kingdom, a top global crude oil exporter, recently agreed with four other OPEC nations to a production freeze — provided that other large players follow suit. This concerted attempt to hike prices is the first in years, but crude still fell to alarming lows.

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 1011011 1011000111010 101011101010101 110101010 describe Big Data as a positive catalyst for industry innovation. Currently, banking- related Big Data projects are customer- related, such as sales and retention and 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 service improvement. Further down the 1 0 road, the use of data science in Big Data is set to vastly improve – if not reinvent – 1011011 certain banking aspects. For example, data 1011000111010 10101110101010 1 science can help clarify risk management, 110101010 particularly in the areas of card fraud 1 detection, financial crime compliance, 0 and cyber analytics. For Philippine enterprises, these and every organizational aspect. This service more are all possible. The time is right to takes into consideration three customer harness enriched data-driven insights for dimensions: Social Network Analytics, strategic decision-making with ePLDT’s Location Pattern Analytics, and Mobile Mobile Usage Analytics automatically Big Data Insights Solutions. Usage Analytics. tracks each device-related activity of a The Social Network Analytics scours particular subscriber. It matches data to through subscribers’ calling patterns on device specifications such as make and the network, analyzing these to identify model, hardware and software installed, personal preferences. Its subscriber level functions supported, and network-related feature identifies the people called as well information. On the device level, the location as logged details of calls. Profile budding of devices with selected capabilities is determines a subscriber’s preferred determined. For the device base level, the FINDING establishments, such as banks, restaurants, popularity of the device used within airlines, hotels, etc. This information can subscriber networks is noted, while on eventually be improved with identified the subscriber level, the device capabilities patterns or enriched value. For example, an are presented. Companies planning to airline company can perform targeted improve their mobile marketing strategy GREATER VALUE IN offers to subscribers who frequently call can utilize insights to improve their mobile long distance. This all dramatically improves site. It could also help them develop a ANALYZING THE the recognition of top social interactions, mobile app as well as optimize conversion BUSINESS OF BIG DATA usage comparison of services and devices, and engagement for new and existing as well as the generation of triggers and customers. With this service, enterprise The ePLDT Big Data Insights run campaigns based on a combination of organizations will be equipped to develop Solutions fortifies existing data for available attributes. smarter campaigns for new services with enterprise organizations with the Location Analytics examines mobility the right market that will qualify investment PLDT Group’s rich Big Data assets for patterns, singling out repeated behaviors decisions, analyze rate of churn, segment empowered, data-driven, strategic business and predicting target destinations. At the and enrich subscriber profiles based on decision-making. It has four specialized subscriber level, lifestyle and mobility behavior device usage, and evaluate an addressable offerings, which are tailor-fit to specific profiles are created. The popularity of a market. enterprise needs. certain location over its competitors can Enterprises can have a fuller grasp PHILIPPINE ENTERPRISES CAN NOW LEVERAGE patterns of babies can be constantly Companies can turn to Location-Based also be traced through the Point of Interest of their established framework — from monitored, developing algorithms that can Insights to use information on customer feature. In addition, the service’s Pairing analytics discovery to implementation — ON PLDT’S BIG DATA ASSETS FOR ENRICHED, predict disorders even before any physical whereabouts, leading to accurate, specific, feature identifies groups – subscribers who in as fast as 4 weeks. symptoms emerge. It can also forecast and time-sensitive insights. Highly effective hang out together at a certain location. PLDT ALPHA Enterprise, through DATA-DRIVEN DECISION-MAKING THROUGH developments of disease outbreaks and and targeted customer engagement For instance, a restaurant chain may use the ePLDT Big Data Insights Solutions, ePLDT BIG DATA INSIGHTS SOLUTIONS. monitor them in real-time. campaigns are now possible with Big Data location analytics to identify strategic provides enterprises with top-notch For retail organizations, Big Data Campaigns as a Service, which capitalizes on and targeted locations for new branches. technologies and rich Big Data assets that The power of data will continue to It is probably because they have helps drive the most successful marketing event and location-triggered assets as well Existing establishments may use insights can finally realize greater business value, revolutionize today’s world; in business, it will witnessed the power of Big Data analytics in initiatives. Real-time analytics is used to tailor as data-backed insights. in sending offers to patrons. Ultimately, wise decision-making, and groundbreaking support wiser and more profitable decisions. transforming numerous enterprise verticals. more personalized experiences to different Location Analytics provides unprecedented business transformation. Now is the time In fact, a survey conducted by MIT Sloan True to the saying “prevention is better than customers across all channels. Social media TURNING BIG DATA ability to segment and enrich subscriber for enterprises to arm themselves with and SAS Institute revealed that 87% or nine cure,” the healthcare industry can now track can also reveal retail trends and consumer INTO BIG INSIGHTS profiles, turn data into premium advertising action-oriented, analytics-driven insights in ten respondents want their respective and analyze data to prevent the propagation preferences. inventory, and run contextual campaigns for better and brighter business results. organizations to expand their use of data of certain illnesses and life-threatening In the banking and finance industry, Optimized decision-making can be based on location insights. analytics. conditions. Also, the heartbeat and breathing a survey disclosed that 72% of Finance realized through Insights Solutions for

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 TRANSFORMING THE CUSTOMER WEB EXP ERIENCE

Internet. A conventional website is typically interconnected web servers scattered across Comprehensive and Proactive PLDT ALPHA ENTERPRISE PRESENTS hosted on a single server, and accessing different countries. A website can “mirror” Content Delivery Solutions it might prove difficult regardless of or cache its static data in a CDN, giving AN OPTIMIZED AND SECURE INTERNET user Internet connection speed. Latency, an end-user access to the site from the With its globally distributed network, affected by the geographic distance closest possible server instead of passing Akamai is one of the largest CDN EXPERIENCE THROUGH AKAMAI SOLUTIONS. between the user and the server, along with longer routes to the original server. This providers in the world, carrying up to 30% web traffic, are among several factors that allows users to download the information of global web traffic. Organizations such delay data and content transmission. Time at a lower latency rate. In addition, website as Airbnb, Adobe, MTV, and the NBA, is money, especially when most customers traffic is redistributed throughout the along with most social media sites, various The Internet is certainly the lifeblood also noted that in the Philippines, where leave pages that take longer than five CDN, securing uptime as the original server retailers, and all branches of the United of our modern digital economy, enabling 46% of the population is online, 74% of seconds to load. is not slowed by traffic from all parts of States military have already partnered individuals and businesses throughout Filipinos own a mobile phone, and 35% of In addition, cybercriminals can block the world. with Akamai. the world. This exponential growth in people use their mobile devices to access access to websites by barraging bogus And now, this enhanced and secure The Akamai Intelligent Platform™, capability and availability in recent years the Internet. And as the Internet becomes traffic in the form of a Distributed Denial web experience is possible for Philippine which leverages the Akamai distributed comes as mobile broadband becomes more the primary touch point for this market, it is of Service (DDoS) attack — one of the enterprises and their customers as network of servers and intelligent software, widespread and established as the absolutely essential for enterprises to reach many threats plaguing the web. PLDT ALPHA Enterprise offers a supports this integrated solutions suite as it new normal. their end customers on any channel, device, Enterprises can address these issues suite of web performance, web security, ensures a consistent consumer experience We Are Social noted in its Digital in and platform. by offloading their website requirements and media delivery solutions from and simplified workflows. 2016 report that 3.4 billion people — nearly Giving customers a great web to a Content Delivery Network or CDN. Akamai Technologies, Inc. As the growing online market demands half the world — are Internet users. It experience goes beyond fast and reliable These networks are essentially arrays of instant access to content, Akamai Web

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 HOW CDNS END-USER Template Injection. Akamai Media Delivery Solutions AKAMAI SOLUTIONS WORK meanwhile automatically resizes and distributes content to fit individual end-user devices and networks, allowing enterprise COMPONENTS Content Delivery Networks A user accessing that website organizations to upload only one version of or CDNs, such as Akamai, is then automatically redirected to the a file instead of several different formats. are arrays of interconnected servers nearest CDN server instead of the origin Its Adaptive Media Delivery solution uses scattered in different countries, EDGE SERVER server. This lets the end-user download Adaptive Bitrate (ABR) streaming to give caching their clients’ static web assets. data and content at a lower latency rate. consumers high-quality video and rich media on various network types, connection speeds, and devices. In addition, the Download Delivery solution handles files larger than 100 MB and provides clear, comprehensive WEB PERFORMANCE metrics and optional tools to help manage

CONTENT the download process. • Ion • Dynamic Site END-USER END-USER Expanding the Optimized Web Experience Accelerator EDGE SERVER EDGE SERVER In November 2015, CDNs already served nearly half of the content consumed globally

CONTENT CACHED on the Internet, and this coverage could CONTENT very well reach 60% by 2021.But as CDNs ORIGIN SERVER become more ular, cybercriminals are racing to launch more attacks on vital enterprise Having website CONTENT web data and assets. The Communications- traffic redistributed Electronics Security Group (CESG), a key throughout the CDN also information assurance agency of the British WEB SECURITY guarantees uptime, as the government, notes that using a CDN in origin server is not overloaded tandem with larger bandwidth is capable of • Kona Web and bogged down by traffic from mitigating these threats. Application Firewall other parts of the world. It is exactly for this reason that PLDT EDGE SERVER ALPHA Enterprise offers a suite of • Kona Site Defender transformative web solutions from Akamai, • Kona DDoS Defender which can be bundled with PLDT’s own

CACHED CONTENT Dedicated Internet Access (iGate) service. Performance Solutions accelerate scanning for potential threats and With this powerful combination, enterprises enterprise web assets according to the eliminating them before they reach the across industries—particularly eCommerce, individual situation of each user. This origin server, reducing the risk of banking and finance, retail, tourism and powers seamless operations on any downtime and data theft. hospitality, media and broadcasting, as well device and any network connection This proactive system fuses automated as gaming—can now enable their customers type, engaging the maximum amount of END-USER Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) to securely transact online and quickly customers to drive revenue growth. Its attack mitigation with the highly-scalable receive high-quality content. MEDIA DELIVERY Ion situational-based web performance Kona Web Application Firewall (WAF) This differentiated Internet experience, solution combines scale, performance, that stops threats at the network edge long which must satisfy consumer demand for • Adaptive Media and intelligence technologies to optimize sites of online fashion retailer Lazada, before these reach the data center. It also more rich media in less time, is crucial to end-user web experiences in real time. In translating to additional annual revenues uses the Kona Site Defender deployed helping enterprises realize their potential Delivery addition, the Dynamic Site Accelerator for the company. across the network and the cloud-based and reap the benefits of this new, • Download Delivery hastens loading times, secures highly Enterprise transactions, online Kona DDoS Defender to deflect DDoS, digital-driven world. interactive websites, and immediately scales identities, data quality, and network integrity web application, and direct-to-origin content to meet sudden needs like drastic are shielded from external attacks with attacks. In early 2016, the company spikes in site traffic. Akamai Web Security Solutions. Akamai enhanced the Kona Site Defender solution The solution reduced the page loading courses network and application traffic to combat a host of emerging threats times for the Philippine and Indonesian through its seven scrubbing centers, such as IPv6 attacks and Server Side

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 2 016 OCIAL SOCIAL GOVERNING CRM SOCIAL SHOPPING TAKES OFF The powerful role social network The interplay between social platforms can play in Customer networks and enterprises will also Relationship Management or CRM extend beyond CRM and into actual strategies cannot be ignored. It retail. In terms of eCommerce, social enables businesses to interact with networks will change from merely customers, address their complaints, redirecting traffic towards online Social platforms are ubiquitous, and manage brand reputation in real stores to being new points of sale. increasingly enriching the relationship time. Within the year, companies will Users can purchase clothes, gadgets, between enterprises and their focus more on the whole customer and pretty much anything else customers. Their importance as experience, as the market spends without ever leaving the platform. customer engagement and retail more time on social media and Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and channels is also increasing, helping mobile devices. And in two years, Pinterest already got the ball rolling enterprises maximize their revenue Social CRM is set to flourish as a 9 the past year, unveiling or upgrading SOCIAL, MOBILITY, ANALYTICS, CLOUD, AND SECURITY OR SMACS potential. billion-dollar industry. their in-line buy buttons. Social tracking or mobile IS EXPONENTIALLY TRANSFORMING ENTERPRISES IN THE 21ST CENTURY, capabilities will become more than WITH EACH COMPONENT FACING REMARKABLE SHIFTS mere add-ons. They must be built into core CRM packages as a native WE SHOULD ALL TAKE NOTICE OF. feature so enterprises can better track customers and prospects.

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 that was centered on meeting IT needs from a network/computer infrastructure perspective. Providers are also looking at how to offer services for next-generation apps that need time-based analytics and omnichannel support.

A MORE AGILE CLOUD FOR A MORE AGILE WORLD

Demand for cloud services is running OBILITY hotter for its known power to increase efficiency, lower costs, enable employee mobility and availability, and foster product innovation. As a next step, providers are increasingly considering hyper-converged platforms to accelerate scalability and cut Mobility has penetrated many ENTERPRISE MOBILITY PUSHING while still continuing with the familiarity and maintenance costs. aspects of life, and businesses THE UNIFIED WORKING PLATFORM productivity employees already have with LOUD Barriers to cloud are also vanishing as must realize this beyond retail or their personal smartphones and tablets. governments adjust; this comes as 97% of sales perspectives. Fully leveraging The popularity of mobile devices at By 2017, companies will have moved enterprises in the United States and seven mobile will allow for an enterprise work, fueled in recent years by bring- from simply managing all of their employees’ C other countries across Europe and Asia have No longer a mere adjunct to CLOUD-NATIVE without boundaries, one that your-own-device (BYOD) policies, has personal devices, to effectively uniting these business processes, cloud computing APPS AS THE NORM eagerly adopted the technology. And soon, facilitates seamless interaction among led companies to implement Enterprise on a single platform. This translates to more handles an ever-increasing share of the focus will be on managing the existing employees. This increases the agility Mobility Management (EMM) systems. seamless work experiences across different enterprise operations, enabling all Forrester Research notes that cloud environment rather than regulatory of companies and enables further These programs are all-encompassing, devices, platforms, and connectivity types. other processes from applications we are on the verge of a second adjustments. Cost allocations will also innovation and growth. protecting corporate networks and data to analytics. This comes as more wave for cloud computing. This shift from acquisitions and operations to enterprises adopt cloud technology as newer, application-focused phase assessment and design. a flexible, integral part of businesses. stands apart from the first wave

NALYTICS

WELCOME THE CHIEF DATA OFFICER ECURITY MACHINE LEARNING As data establishes itself as the newest BECOMES MAINSTREAM valuable enterprise resource, a new C-Level Guaranteeing security for other digital must be secured more than ever. This is In addition, new companies and solutions position has emerged to drive overall data- “Machine learning” advances a more technologies is absolutely vital for businesses. to prevent incidents such as hacked health specializing in IoT security have risen to the This has prompted enterprises to develop monitors and hijacked automated vehicles. call. One of these is Phantom, a startup that When it comes to analytics, more driven enterprise strategy: the Chief Digital accurate analytics environment, where methods of defending valuable data from a In the wake of this reality, a new body both mitigates attacks and addresses system businesses are investing in both people and Officer or CDO. You could call them Data algorithms allow devices to “learn from growing number of threats. dedicated to standards and security practices resource scarcity. machines. This is because smarter tools Kings. Today, organizations with CDOs experience” in real time. Machines can for the Internet of Things has emerged: that know and learn, combined with expert include Time, Inc., Wunderman Advertising, autonomously learn how to perceive the SECURING THE the IoT Security Foundation. Founded in personnel dedicated to analytics operations, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and even the Seattle world on their own, to ably analyze tons of INTERNET OF THINGS 2015, the body’s current members include supports a more solid data-driven strategy. Children’s Hospital. By 2019, Gartner data, and to accurately create predictions. All accounting firm KPMG, City University predicts, the number of large companies this spells a true competitive advantage for with CDOs will have grown to 90%. enterprise organizations. As more devices are interconnected to London, and a handful of international relay essential data, these smarter objects telco providers.

MAY 2016 MAY 2016 LastSay

HAPPENS

of “death by doing nothing wrong”. The such as integrated CRM are here at our lesson is clear: if we disregard the voice disposal. So why not use it and respond? of a changing market for new and better Some corporate “institutions” are sadly experiences, we perish. falling behind the wave of tech changes and However, there are also numerous are slow to digitally pivot. They have not Eric r. Alberto success stories of understanding and leveraged on innovative tools for a new way PLDT/Smart winning in the modern — and vocal — of doing business, to establish a stronger, Executive Vice President marketplace. Nordstrom, Taco Bell, Tom’s more intimate, and stickier bond with ever- and ePLDT President and CEO shoes, Bernie Sanders, Hilary Clinton, changing — and more empowered — and The Donald, just to name a few, have digital customer. millions of new followers. Notably, millenials The marketplace can be quite noisy, have moved beyond Facebook and into especially when it’s furious. When we do other Social Media sites like Vine, Instagram, the customer wrong, we pay for it in spades, and Snapchat, expanding platforms of as our two intial case study subjects will engagement and activism. The winning perhaps be doing for the next decade (if companies and brands of tomorrow will they last that long). And whether we want to follow them there. admit it or not, anger has real power. It can Through empathy and insight, winners be harnessed correctly if we act proactively, get the clicks or go viral. This is not the responding with grace and competence; or it case for some large companies landlocked can be disastrous if we simply ignore it and by weighty history, size, and “tradition”. If pretend it will just go away. there’s one great danger in becoming too Shifts must happen when a business gets ONE HOTLINE ACROSS THE COUNTRY big, it’s arrogance. It makes for deaf ears too big for its britches, when it is stuffed and numbed inner circles. In these privileged with self-importance, when it just plain loses sanctums, it is only too easy to lose the touch with the customers it has to serve. The public pulse. eternal task for successful organizations is to Drive sales, build your brand, and enhance customer experience In a more transparent digital We know today that it pays to recognize return again and again to that fundamental through your own unique hashtag number that is marketplace, we’ve seen a few corporate reality and change for what they are: urgent sense of service. Because in the end, it won’t accessible nationwide. giants make serious fumbles. A major wake-up calls. And who will better expose just be agile thinking that wins the day in a automaker is caught with its pants down reality or change to us but our customers on blazing digital marketplace, but also quiet PLDT ALPHA Enterprise’s #MyNumber centralizes enterprise hotlines into one unique number. cheating. Netizens have promptly dubbed vocal public platforms? and realistic humility. Your organization can rely on one convenient nationwide vanity number that starts with it “dieselgate”. A cell phone manufacturer, Aside from social media, Big Data a hashtag sign. Now, customers can reach you by simply dialing # followed by your brand. once a giant in the field and a household analytics also holds the power to reveal With this, you optimize your customer engagement across the nation, improving your market name, has become the latest poster child insights and trends. This and other tools reach in a highly competitive market landscape.

www.pldtalpha.com Enabling the Digital Enterprise

MAY 2016

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