Meralco plugs in Microsoft Office 365

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has entered into a $3.3 million deal with Microsoft Philippines for the deployment of Office 365 to allow the firm to enhance productivity and better serve its customers.

Meralco vice president and chief information officer Marthyn Cuan said in a press conference the company’s three-year contract amounting to $3.3 million with Microsoft Philippines would cover the use of Office 365.

The deployment of Office 365 is seen to further advance workplace collaboration and productivity, as well as drive workforce mobility as the company looks for ways to enhance services to customers.

The contract allows employees to access latest versions of Microsoft Office and other tools such as instant messaging and video conferencing, portals and even social media for the workplace.

“We understand the role that technology and innovation play in helping us achieve our goal of delivering cutting-edge solutions and services that add value for our customers; whether it’s secured power supply, a more reliable electric system, or customer solutions that will help them manage their electric bill,” Cuan said.

“By enhancing workplace collaboration, we look forward to generating more energy solutions for our customers. We are committed to our mission of becoming a world-class company that delivers one-of-a-kind services that enrich the quality of lives of Filipinos,” he added.

For her part, Microsoft Philippines country general manager Karrie Ilagan said the firm intends to help Meralco to improve services to customers through the solutions offered.

“We are thrilled to see our solutions play a role in ushering a new wave of services that will significantly empower Filipino customers,” she said.

Ilagan said it is also in the interest of the firm to continue to help other businesses.

Meralco is the largest electric distribution utility in the Philippines, serving over 5.5 million residential, commercial and industrial customers.

Meralco’s franchise area already covers Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal, as well as certain areas in Batangas, Laguna, Pampanga and Quezon.

As of the first semester, its profits went up two percent to P9.6 billion from P9.44 billion in the previous year due to higher electricity volume sold.