PLDT, Smart offer packaged IT solutions for entrepreneurs

CEBU, Philippines - Entrepreneurs these days invest more on technology to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of their business operations especially in times of a global economic crisis.

With this, PLDT SME Nation and Smart Corporate Business group came up with packaged ICT solutions to provide entrepreneurs more mobility and keep them competitive while increasing their revenues at a minimal cost.

Among its latest offering is the latest BlackBerry Storm unit that comes for free under the Smart Plan 3500.

 The BlackBerry Storm was first launched in Cebu, prior than the Manila launch, considering the entrepreneurial mindset of the Cebuanos, said PLDT SME head Katrina Luna- Abelarde.

Abelarde said that being constantly mobile is important for entrepreneurs at these times because it can enhance their productivity even if they are out of their offices.

PLDT SME marketing head Jerameel A. Azurin said despite the economic crisis, SMEs continue to persevere and are determined and optimistic to see growth.

“More SMEs begin to invest in technology to support their expansion plans. They turn technology into profit and by this way they can reduce their costs and increase market reach and efficiency,” he said.

He said that SMEs are the backbone of the country’s economy as the sector employs 70 percent of the labor force and it contributes 32 percent to our gross domestic product (GDP).

Smart Corporate Business Group (CBG) head for Wireless Marketing Chet S. Alviz said that because the BlackBerry brand is known to have pioneered the push email technology, the new model will likely help its users get connected anytime and anywhere, which is fit for the needs of entrepreneurs.

He said that the BlackBerry Storm is the first clickable touch screen device utilizing the so-called surepress technology and with its wide screen, editing files and emails has become more convenient.

The device is also built with a global positioning system (GPS) plus it has multimedia functionality that will enable the user to watch videos and play music.

“SMEs use their phone often for calls and SMS and they also open their laptops for emails. With the BlackBerry, they can do all that in one device while increasing their productivity plus it’s so much efficient and cost-effective because it’s offered free under a Smart plan,” said Alviz.

The BlackBerry Storm will be released to the market by the end of May or early June.

This year, PLDT SME and Smart CBG will give more specific focus on providing mobile wireless solutions to their target market to enhance their mobility.

“We look at offering a number of mobile solutions, fixed and wireless combined because our main objective is to help SMEs expand their businesses through the help of technology. With the crisis, it has been more compelling that entrepreneurs embrace technology to improve their bottom-line,” Abelarde said.