Software provider to expand Philippine operations

MANILA, Philippines - Software provider SAP Philippines is looking to expand its operations in the country by increasing its workforce as it expects growth in its business from higher investments by enterprises in solutions, an official said.

Darren Rushworth, managing director of SAP for the Philippines and Emerging Markets said recently that the firm is looking at expanding its workforce in the country to allow it to better serve its customers.

“We are adding 60 percent more people in the Philippines...so that shows you we are very bullish on the growth in the country,” he said.

Jennifer Ligones, country head for software business of SAP Philippines, said in the same event that the company currently has 40 employees in the office, 15 resellers and six major consulting partners.

Rushworth  said that SAP’s software revenues in the Asia Pacific and Japan region reached 123 million euros in the first quarter, 19 percent higher than last year.

Revenues in the Philippines, he said, hit a record-high in the first quarter of the year.

He declined to say how much revenues were generated from the Philippines but noted that revenues from the country are still expected to rise this year as enterprises grow.

The firm, he said, is investing more on its people and expanding its workforce as it anticipates companies to grow their businesses and to want to invest more in solutions to help their businesses.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), he said, are seen as a driver of growth in the country.

“We see those companies growing and helping the economy and also, they (will) become big clients,” he said.

As SMEs grow, he said, they would have other needs which would require more people from the company in order to better respond to their concerns and help them.

He said the firm is looking to increase its account managers to have enough people to help customers.

SAP, he said, is likewise putting people in the partner development area to have more people that can help partners ensure that new solutions are made available to customers.

The firm, he said, would be investing more on consulting expertise as well.

“We are investing in more consulting expertise to make sure SAP as a prime vendor has the right skills available in the Philippines to make sure that the product is successful,” he said.