SME TechMobile: Innovative technology solutions on wheels

MANILA, Philippines - Good news for all small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) as PLDT, through its business enterprise arm PLDT SME Nation, introduces its first mobile business-powered tech hub that could be parking at a commercial district near you.

The roving business tech hub or SME TechMobile was built to be the mobile business lab for PLDT’s business solutions and products.

The transparent hub operates with a mobile Internet connection from PLDT’s Internet Anywhere, a bundle from the Negosyo Boost line, which gets Internet access using PLDT’s nationwide mobile broadband network.

Through Internet Anywhere’s reliable Wi-Fi connectivity, the business solutions equipped in the mobile hub’s display area can then be accessed and demonstrated to SMEs.

Business hubs

Launched in one of the first seats of commerce in the Philippines, the SME TechMobile was introduced to the business owners in Binondo, Manila for them to get a feel of the innovative solutions showcased inside.

Binondo has been a hub of Filipino-Chinese merchants since the 16th century where business transactions have become a way of life and where businesses are passed down from generation to generation.

“Binondo holds a very special place in history in the development of entrepreneurship in the country. It is fitting that we launch our TechMobile in Binondo as it should start its journey here and then reach other destinations in the country for SMEs,” said PLDT VP and head for PLDT SME Nation Kat Luna-Abelarde.

Being the country’s current seat of commerce, the central business district of Makati was its next stop right at the PLDT office. It then traveled to Ortigas, the emerging business district where a lot of SMEs are also situated

“The route of the SME TechMobile symbolizes the progress of business and entrepreneurship in the country and this growth would not have been possible without the use of technology,” said Luna-Abelarde.

Sound solutions

Several call and Internet business products and services are accessible inside the SME TechMobile which entrepreneurs can try out. These innovative solutions include the different PLDT Negosyo Boost landline and Internet connectivity bundles for SMEs.

PLDT CheckOut features an online point-of-sale (POS) system for SMEs. It keeps track of business sales, inventories, purchase orders, work orders and other necessary tools SMEs can use in real time. This cloud-based solution also secures stored data and has an easy-to-use interface.

Another cloud-based solution accessible at the SME TechMobile is Digivault — failsafe, fire-proof and secures important files from hardware malfunctions. SMEs can have access from 10GB up to 50GB of online storage, depending on the needs of their business.

PLDT FASTrack is a fast and easy solution to track business assets. Taxi and transport companies, courier and logistics companies, or any business that has a fleet of field and delivery vehicles and needs to keep a close watch 24/7 can benefit from the F.A.S.Track technology. F.A.S.Track is real-time tracking for business.

PLDT’s Audio Conference is an ideal solution for SMEs who conduct constant meetings or announcements with recipients in multiple locations. It can carry up to 20 people in a single phone conversation wherever they may be, making meetings anywhere virtually possible.

The mobile tech lab is set to travel to various points in the country within the year where there are SME communities like Baguio, Cebu, Palawan, and Davao.

“The displays inside the SME TechMobile are the latest business solutions and products from PLDT SME Nation which SMEs can use to help expand their business,” said Luna-Abelarde.