Thursday, May 01, 2008 PLDT creates new unit for small enterprises
REALIZING the challenges that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country face, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) has formed a new unit to develop product packages and help the sector with its information technology needs.
To be more competitive and efficient nowadays, businesses need IT (information technology) solutions, said PLDT small and medium enterprises group head Katrina Luna-Abelarde.
But while SMEs have huge potential for growth, few have full-fledged IT units and only two percent have websites, she said in a press conference Friday in Cebu City.
She also noted that many SMEs don’t even have domain names and use free web-based e-mail addresses.
Credibility
While there is nothing wrong with using e-mail addresses of Yahoo! and Gmail, Abelarde said even small businesses acquire stronger credibility when using their own domain names.
She said all these, as well as more basic business concerns like security and pilferage, will be addressed by the three-month old SME Nation brand.
While PLDT does not have new products specifically for SMEs, it has re-packaged existing solutions to suit small and medium businesses under the SME Nation brand.
Abelarde said the IT solutions—-all based on broadband connectivity—-will be offered to SMEs at “competitive rates.”
Among these solutions are PLDT’s mobile tracking system that allows a company to monitor inventory movement in different branches, and a security solution called “Guardian,” which enables management to determine if workers do productive work on their computers.
PLDT will also offer hosting services and develop a “do-it-yourself” (DIY) website management.
Abelarde said PLDT will develop various website templates where SMEs can easily update content.
She said PLDT is also looking at developing a pool of IT consultants who will be able to answer and assist SME-clients within this year.
Market study
At present, though, the PLDT small and medium enterprises group handling SME Nation is still studying the market.
Abelarde said the group has officers in various places in the country who will determine specific concerns of SMEs in their localities.
Nilo Bantilan, PLDT small and medium enterprises group head for Visayas and Mindanao, said the initial response among SMEs in Cebu is “strong.”
“In terms of the initial sign-up, (the response) is very positive,” he said.
“Before the end of the year, we want to know the market completely,” she said.
Abelarde stressed, though, that SME Nation “is not just about pricing… but also giving SMEs the attention they need, (the assurance) that they have somebody who listens to them.” (LAP)
