Tech provider keeps growth targets in RP

While other multinational companies are downgrading their targets for next year, a top-notch business software solution provider—SAP is bullish on its growth in the Philippines, especially in the Visayas and Mindanao markets.

"This is the time that companies, especially SMEs rely more on technology [to sustain business]," said SAP Philippines country manager Jennifer Ligones, in her recent visit to Cebu.

SAP known for its quality, and quite costly business solution products, had been able to attract hundreds of homegrown businesses to employ world-class technology in Cebu, which includes Berovan, Norkis, Penshoppe, Julie's Bakeshop, among others.

So far, she said the 2008 performance for SAP had been very encouraging. In 2009, amid the bleak worldwide economic projection, SAP Philippines is holding on to its double-digit growth target, taking advantage of turning the crisis as opportunity, helping SMEs to survive with the help of technology solutions.

"There is a potential diverse and enormous market for SAP in this region. We're hoping to be partners with some of the 200,000 business establishments in the region categorized as small and medium enterprises. With SAP, we know that we can help their business become more successful and competitive," Ligones said in a press briefing.

Globally, she said SAP is re-thinking its strategy to cope with the American-infused crisis, but in the Philippine operation, the company has not yet received an advisory from its headquarters for target downgrade in the Philippines for next year.

"So far SAP is not [yet] grounded," she said adding that the company is still confident to hit its double-digit growth mark next year, while SMEs are now investing on technology more, to sustain its business, and cut cost.

SAP, which is the business solutions software brands of giant corporations, like Procter and Gamble, Caltex, Shell among others, has now offered its products down to the grassroots, including the small entrepreneurs that started from "mom and pop" business.

For this reason, she said SAP has strengthened its financing support to the SMEs, in partnership with Metrobank Group's Orix-Metro to allow installment payment scheme for SMEs, which prefer lighter cash-outlay in software solutions investments.

"Some [companies] are hardly affected by the global crisis, but we also have clients who want to take this as an opportunity, to position themselves, and compete," she stressed.

SAP software, which has more than 38,000 customers in more than 120 countries, helps enterprises of all sizes around the world improve customer relationships, enhance partner collaboration and create efficiencies across supply chains and business operations.— Ehda M. Dagooc