PLDT Smart SME Nation rolls out E-Commerce on Wheels for MSMEs

Techmobile is a caravan targeting MSMEs who want to venture out into the online marketplace.

VP and PLDT Smart SME Nation Head Mitch Locsin

Manila, Philippines - Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) who want to digitally expand their businesses can now use a new mobile technology platform powered by PLDT Smart SME Nation.

The business IT leader recently launched Techmobile—a caravan comprised of business solutions and digital tools designed to empower MSMEs. It aims to empower MSMEs to be future-ready by optimizing and digitizing business marketing, operations, and management.

MSMEs who work with PLDT SME Nation benefit from a basic connectivity set-up for their business and consultation on which specific tools can help boost their business. Solutions include mobile connectivity bundles from Smart which are particularly ideal for MSMEs in regional areas where IT infrastructures may not be as fully developed.

Other IT business tools available are TackThis!­—an e-commerce website builder and Paymaya—an e-payment solution for faster and safer transactions. These tools are specifically designed to help MSMEs establish their online footprint.

For the month of March, Techmobiles will be deployed in Iloilo. Next stops for April will be in Negros and Cebu. During these caravans, PLDT Smart SME Nation will also be conducting Social Media for Business seminars featuring Apprentice Asia’s grand winner Jonathan Yabut. The seminar aims to participants with an in-depth workshop on online readiness for business. Yabut will also share insights and best practices on how MSMEs can utilize mobile applications as well digitizing business management and increasing brand awareness and customer base online.

“We are here to help MSMEs harness opportunities in utilizing digital technologies to make their services and operations more efficient, which will give them better chances at grabbing opportunities especially given market developments such as the ASEAN integration,” VP and PLDT Smart SME Nation Head Mitch Locsin said. “Our goal is to get our MSMEs online and encourage them to take advantage of the e-commerce space and other digital tools available like e-payment solution PayMaya. We aim to boost their capabilities as they form the essential backbone of the economy, representing 99 percent of Philippine businesses.”

Changing landscape

The business sector is perhaps the most transformed by the onset of the digital age as the latter has revolutionized the traditional ways of doing business. But unlike big companies that have the resources to acquire these technologies, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have limited means to usher their businesses into the digital landscape.

To help MSMEs succeed in today’s technology driven world, PLDT Smart SME Nation, the enterprise arm of the country’s largest telecommunications company, has made it its mission to provide them the connectivity, support and hardware tailored to meet their needs.

PLDT Smart SME Nation helps level the playing field by making enterprise-level asset, service and inventory management tools accessible to MSMEs as well as empowering them with mobility, connectivity and online presence. By promoting the migration or the adaptation of the digital platform for their business, MSMEs can save on operating costs while maximizing the opportunity to reach their growing online markets.

“Digitally empowering the MSME sector is our way of helping boost the country’s economic and business landscape. We are committed to enabling the success of all Filipino entrepreneurs, wherever they may be, and no matter how small or big their businesses may be,” Locsin added.

To know more about how PLDT Smart SME Nation can help your business, visit smenation.com.

Experience the magical world of Disney with PLDT HOME Telpad

The PLDT HOME Telpad is now pre-loaded with 50 free Disney games, e-books and apps.

PLDT HOME Telpad, the Filipino family’s all-in-one entertainment device and kids’ favorite gadget at home, levels up its content portfolio with fresh and fun Disney activities for kids in time for summer vacation.

“This summer, PLDT HOME Telpad aims to cultivate a rich and entertaining experience for kids at home,” PLDT VP and HOME Marketing Director Gary Dujali said. “Introducing new Disney content is the perfect way to engage kids and families. A timeless entertainment organization, Disney offers a spectacular range of well-loved classics and modern content—more than enough for kids to learn, to discover, to imagine and to be entertained.”

The favorite home gadget of kids and kids-at-heart is now pre-loaded with 50 free Disney games, e-books and apps. Kids can now put their critical thinking skills to the test with fun puzzle games like Frozen Free Fall and Where’s My Water? 2, and unleash their creative storytelling abilities with the help of mom using story theatre apps like Disney Princess: Story Theater.

A virtual hub for kids and parents alike, the Telpad lets them enjoy exciting and family-friendly apps that revolve around other Disney treasures like Inside Out,Toy Story, Sofia the First, Star Wars and many more.

“The Telpad serves as a digital entertainment portal which, just like Disney, is designed to be part of a child’s upbringing and create happy moments for families,” Dujali added. “Whether it’s through an adventurous game, an animated e-book or special edutainment activities, the Telpad’s upgraded suite lets kids of all ages experience the magical world of Disney.”

Downloading Disney games on the Telpad comes in a simple three-step process. Users can: 1) go to the Telpad’s knAPPsack which is similar to the Google Play Store of Android devices; 2) click on the Disney icon and 3) select a game and download. Unlike other content stores, the Telpad’s knAPPsack offers these all-inclusive Disney selections for free.

Families can easily upgrade their PLDT HOME DSL plan to a Telpad plan by adding as low as P500 to their monthly subscription. With a Telpad plan, they can enjoy a landline, HOME DSL connection, speed boost and multifunctional tablet. And for an additional P199 per month, they also get a Smart Watch with a SIM slot, camera and Bluetooth which can be connected to the Telpad, truly making it the center of the connected home.

For more great offers for kids, visit pldthome.com, like PLDT HOME’s official Facebook page and follow @pldthome on Twitter and Instagram.

Manila, Philippines – PLDT HOME, the home digital services unit of telecoms leader PLDT, has been recognized for its leadership in digital innovation in Asia for its pioneering data sharing initiative, in partnership with Smart Communications (Smart), in the recent CIO Asia Awards.

PLDT HOME won in the Leadership category and is one of only five outstanding companies in the region included in the Roll of Honour list at the 15th Annual CIO Asia Awards .

“The PLDT HOME DSL data sharing offer is just the beginning of more game-changing converged innovations from PLDT and Smart. This recognition from CIO Asia fuels our inspiration to raise the bar and continuously break new ground in digital and mobile technology,” PLDT VP and Home Marketing Director Gary Dujali said.

The converged data sharing service from PLDT HOME and Smart is a product of collaboration between the Business and IT teams of the country’s digital and mobile leaders. It is the Philippines’ first data plan that enables subscribers of Home DSL service to share their data allocation with their family’s Smart-powered mobile phones.

It is offered under the Speedster Fam Plan 1299 which gives PLDT HOME DSL subscribers speeds of up to 10 Mbps and a monthly data allocation of 50 gigabytes. By upgrading their Speedster Plan with a Smart Mobile Plan 399 or Plan 600, subscribers can share up to 6 gigabytes of their monthly allocation to their mobile phone lines which they can use even outside the home.

In its citation, CIO Asia Awards said that PLDT HOME and Smart’s data sharing service is “particularly relevant in the Philippines where large, closely-linked family units are common.”

Also in the Honour Roll in this year's awards are Singapore's National Library Board for the Innovation category, Philippines' Manila Water for Transformation, US’ Avnet Inc. for Growth, and Malaysia’s Fraser & Neave Holdings Berhad for Performance.

The CIO Asia Awards is a “prestigious annual listing of the top Asian companies that have deployed information and communications technology to derive the highest strategic value and to yield the greatest returns for their key operations and businesses." It was organized by CIO Asia, a leading resource for IT and digital developments in the region.

To know more about the PLDT HOME Speedster Fam Plan 1299, log on topldthome.com

LG 4K Ultra HD Smart TV up for grabs in #LGSmartTVNetflix promo

MANILA – LG Electronics kicks off summer season with a treat for its loyal Smart TV users—a chance to win a brand-new LG 4K Ultra HD Smart TV.

In line with its ongoing partnership with Netflix, LG is conducting a promo for digital-savvy customers from March 14, 2016 until April 10, 2016. Joining comes in three easy steps:

1.   Open the Netflix app on your LG Smart TV

2.   Take a selfie or groupie (group photo) with your LG Smart TV with Netflix as the background

3.   Upload it on Instagram, Facebook and/or Twitter, completing this caption: “My fave #LGSmartTVNetflix show is...”

One of the lucky participants will get to bring home a top-notch LG 4K Ultra HD Smart TV (model 43UF640) and enjoy Netflix’s extensive library of in-demand movies and TV series, partnered with LG’s superior picture quality and performance for the ultimate home entertainment experience.

For more details, visit lg.com/ph; like “LG TV Philippines” on Facebook and follow @LGPhilippines on Twitter and Instagram. See the full list of LG Smart TVs with the Netflix App here: bit.ly/LGTVNetflix.

Brother PH employees join cancer patients, support groups in overnight vigil

Employees and partners led by Brother Philippines President Glenn Hocson (third from left)

MANILA – Probably the biggest and most enthusiastic group at the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS)’s Relay for Life event recently held at the Quezon City Memorial Circle, the 250 plus-strong contingent from Brother International Philippines, Corp. (Brother PH), along with their partners, family and friends, took turns going around the oval track in this year’s cancer awareness overnight vigil.

This is the fifth consecutive year that Brother PH joined PCS’s Relay for Life, which annually raises funds for cancer awareness and patients’ services.

Brother Philippines President Glenn P. Hocson said that their continued support for the event allows the company to contribute funds for cancer patients and support groups, give moral support to all patients battling the disease, and cheer on the cancer survivors who already won the fight against the Big C.

Hocson said that it is also the company’s way of providing its employees, as well as the company’s partners, opportunities to give back to those in need of compassion and support and to make them aware of the health risks that may lead to cancer.

The company’s support for the program is in line with the Brother Group’s “Golden Ring Project”, where different offices of Brother worldwide participate in Relay for Life events in their respective countries. A symbolic sash embroidered with the flag of each of the participating countries is being routed yearly so that they can add their latest year of participation in the embroidery work.

“We echo Relay for Life’s battle cry:  celebrate life, remember those who died of cancer, fight back and—If I may add—prevent cancer by living a healthy lifestyle,” said Hocson.

In line with Brother’s Golden Ring Project, the global Brother group initiated a symbolic sash which is being routed yearly so that each participating country can add their latest year of contribution in the embroidery work.

LG invites you to enjoy more function, more style with new K Series

One-month promo offers K10 LTE buyers the innovative Quick Cover case for FREE

MANILA - Global technology leader LG Electronics adds to its ever-growing portfolio the K Series, a new smartphone line which gives users the experience found in premium devices, combined with the desired affordability.

The LG K4 LTE is an entry-level device with best-in-class practicality, featuring a 4.5-inch display, 8GB memory and LTE connectivity. The smartphone incorporates a sleek design that flows naturally into the bezel for a comfortable and secure grip. The K4 LTE offers LG’s popular camera features such as Gesture Shot and Flash for Selfie inherited from its G Series, making it a standout among competitors.

The K10 LTE, on the other hand, sports a 5.3-inch HD In-Cell Touch display and is one of the first to run on Android 6.0Marshmallow OS. It is also the first to offer LG’s glossy pebble design—a curved, modern finish complemented by the new 2.5D Arc Glass which seamlessly extends to the device’s button-free sides. Taking a cue from the G Series’ signature design, the K10 LTE comes equipped with the iconic rear control deck below the main camera. With this sleek and contemporary exterior, the K10 LTE offers a high-end look and feel for a friendly budget.

A special add-on feature to the K10 LTE is the Quick Cover flip case which gives users a view of the entire strip along the right side of the display, instead of a small window found in previous QuickWindow cases. The visible strip is protected by a transparent extension from the main case and displays relevant information like time, date and events. Users can even answer calls without the need to flip the cover open.

For consumers with active lifestyles, the K10 LTE  is designed with multimedia creating and consumption in mind with its roomy display and advanced camera functions for this category—13MP rear and  5 MP  front. Its front camera highlights the same Gesture Shot and Flash for Selfie also found in the K4 LTE.

To celebrate the arrival of the LG K Series in the country, LG Philippines will be offering the coveted Quick Cover case, valued at P1,500, for free to K10 LTE buyers until March 27, 2016. “We look forward to seeing how the LG K Series fares in the local market, as advanced mobile technology and premium design are applied to a mid-range device,” LG Mobile Philippines VP Jay Won said. “Having earned global acclaim with our high-end G Series, we are working to provide that same top-notch experience for our other smartphone categories.”

The SRP of LG K10 LTE is P8,990 while the LG K4 LTE retails for P5,490. View the official K10 video here:http://bit.ly/1L6SoXj . For more information, visit lg.com/ph, like LG Mobile Philippines’ Facebook page or follow @LGPhilippines on Twitter and Instagram.

Key Specifications
LG K10 LTE	LG K4 LTE
·         Display: 5.3-inch HD In-cell Touch ·         Chipset: LTE: 1.14GHz Octa-Core ·         Camera: LTE: Rear 13MP / Front 5MP ·         Memory: RAM: 2GB ROM: 16GB ·         Battery: 2,300 mAh ·         Operating System: Android 6.0 Marshmallow ·         Size: 146.6 x 74.8 x 8.8mm ·         Network: LTE / 3G / 2G ·         Colors: White / Indigo / Gold ·         Others: 2.5D Arc Glass / Gesture Shot / Tap and Shot	·         Display: 4.5-inch FWVGA Chipset: 1.0GHz Quad-Core Camera: Rear 5MP / Front 2MP Memory: 1GB RAM / 8GB ROM Battery: 1,940mAh Operating System: Android 5.1 Lollipop Size: 131.9 x 66.7 x 8.9mm Network: LTE 3G / 2G Colors: White / Indigo Others: Gesture Shot / Flash for Selfie

To learn more about LG’s K-series smartphones, visit www.lg.com/ph; like LG Philippines’ Facebook page; or follow @LGPhilippines on Twitter and Instagram.

LG Philippines ushers in a cool, worry-free summer with energy rebate promo

LG and Meralco Bright Ideas team up to reduce summer heat and energy bills

MANILA – Global innovation leader LG Electronics has always been at the forefront of technology to enhance experiences within living spaces. Its Standard Split Type Inverter V air conditioners are powered by the LG Inverter V technology, which allows for quick and powerful cooling while significantly bringing down energy consumption. These LG AC models are perfect for Filipino homes this summer; consumers can be cool and comfortable without worrying about racking high energy bills.

To further underscore its commitment to Filipino consumers, LG Electronics Philippines partnered with Meralco, the country’s largest utility provider, for a summer-ready energy rebate promo. Every purchase of selected LG Standard Split Type Inverter AC units entitles the consumer to a P1,000.00 Meralco rebate that they can apply to their energy bills.

“LG’s Inverter V AC units have proven to reduce energy consumption up to 69 percent,” said Steve Kim, LG Philippines Vice President for Air Conditioning and Energy Solutions. “Through this partnership with Meralco, our consumers will enjoy further reductions from their energy bills, as well as a cool, comfortable home free from the stifling heat of summer.”

The energy rebate promo will run from March 15 to May 15, 2016. All Meralco subscribers residing within the provider’s franchise area can purchase the following LG Standard Split Type Inverter ACs from participating dealer stores to qualify for the energy rebate:

-          HS-24ISM (2.5 HP)

-          HS-18ISM (2.0 HP)

-          HS-12ISM (1.5 HP)

-          HS-09ISM (1.0 HP)

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For more information, call the LG Customer Information Center at (02) 902-5544, visit lg.com/ph, like LG Philippines’ official Facebook page, or follow @LGPhilippines on Twitter and Instagram.

Brother Philippines team up with WWF for a brighter, more sustainable future

Brother Philippines employees wearing WWF hoodies in support of the

organization’s pledge to achieve a sustainable society

MANILA, March 11, 2016 –Brother International Philippines Corporation, a global leader in innovative home and business technology, recently sealed a partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines as part of the company’s efforts to realize a sustainable society.

To contribute to WWF Philippines’ mission of halting the accelerating degradation of the country’s natural resources, Brother Philippines made a donation to finance the organization’s various conservation activities. Brother also distributed WWF hoodies among business and media partners during the company’s 15th year anniversary celebration.

‘Environmentally responsible corporate citizen’

Brother Philippines is part of the Brother Group, which operates in over 40 countries all over the world. The Brother Group Global Charter mandates that company activities be instrumental in achieving sustainability, through the development of eco-conscious products, energy-saving features and technologies, and operation guidelines that minimize environmental impact.

Brother is the first printer manufacturer to achieve the TCO (TjänstemännensCentralorganisation) standard, known as the toughest environmental standard in the world. One impressive innovation Brother introduced is the Coatless Surface Technology, which eliminates the need for using volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and high energy consumption to produce sleek, premium cases for its printers.

Brother Philippines, being ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems) certified, is committed to supporting environmental projects. Brother Philippines encourages consumers to trade-in old machines to get discounts for eco-friendly Brother printers. The company then facilitates the proper disposal of these old traded-in machines through HMR Envirocycle Philippines in order to minimize e-waste. Moreover, Brother also invites its corporate customers to participate in the Green Project, which promotes the environmentally-conscious disposal of printer consumables.

“We take pride in being an environmentally responsible corporate citizen,” said Brother Philippines President, Glenn Hocson. “At Brother, we believe in going the extra environmentally conscious mile in every step of our processes and operations. This partnership with WWF Philippines allows us to do more for the local environment. Like WWF, we envision a future where Filipinos live in harmony with nature and technology.”

To find out more about Brother Philippines and the Brother Earth project, visit brother.com.ph.

LG reveals AC innovations for a cool and healthy summer

Energy-efficient and mosquito-repelling technologies protect families

from mosquito-borne diseases during the summer season

MANILA – The summer season is almost here! This year, however, the season may usher in heat waves, droughts and dry spells, which, when coupled with the country’s tropical weather, can result in intolerably warm temperatures and a spike in local cases of mosquito-borne diseases like the Zika virus. With global technology leader LG Electronics’ innovations in the field of air conditioning, Filipino consumers can definitely be at ease and keep wives and children protected inside energy-efficient, mosquito-free spaces.

Cost-efficient cooling solutions with energy-saving LG Inverter V

Cool comfort doesn’t have to come with an astronomical power bill thanks to LG’s deluxe Inverter V air conditioners. Powered by the Inverter V compressor, these AC models allow for quick and powerful cooling while bringing down consumption up to 69 percent. Users can enjoy cool comfort without worrying about steep electricity bills even during the height of summer.

Inverter V ACs are perfect for indoor use, with its ultra-silent BLDC fan motor and Torque Control that allow precise reduction of noise, vibration, and compression loss. The advanced smart Inverter system automatically adjusts the compressor to maintain the user’s desired temperature with minimal fluctuation. Electrical consumption can also be controlled through a built-in 4-step Watt option. All these features contribute to the energy-efficiency and cost-efficiency of Inverter V ACs.

Furthermore, LG Inverter V models come in sleek, Red Dot Award-winning designs that will make them great additions to any modern space.

Disease-free interiors with LG Mosquito Away technology

Another revolutionary innovation from LG is the Mosquito Away ultrasonic repellent technology built into its residential air conditioning models. After careful testing, UP Los Baños Crop Protection Cluster Research Professor Dr. Pio A. Javier proved that this line of LG air conditioners repel, with 82.71 percent success rate, the dengue- and Zika virus-spreading mosquito Aedes aegypti.

Aside from keeping spaces disease-free, LG Mosquito Away ACs also come with a low-voltage starter for increased energy efficiency in lower temperatures and a jet cooling feature that can quickly cool a room within a couple of minutes.

“More than energy efficiency and powerful cooling capacity, our air conditioning line-up offers a clean and healthy environment putting families at ease especially for the upcoming summer season,” LG Philippines Air Conditioning and Energy Solutions VP Steve Kim said. “Our Inverter V and Mosquito Away models serve as yet another testament to how we make life better for our Filipino consumers.”

For more information on LG’s Inverter V and Mosquito Away air conditioners, visitlg.com/ph, like LG Philippines’ official Facebook page or follow @LGPhilippines on Twitter and Instagram.

Trade in old machines, get exclusive discounts with Brother Trade-In Madness Promo

MANILA, March 3, 2016 – From March 4 to April 3, 2016, customers from all over the Philippines can upgrade their current printing, communication and digital imaging systems at more affordable prices with Brother’s Trade-In Madness Promo. Simply bringing in working or non-working printers, fax, copiers and scanners of any brand at select venues entitles a customer to up to 50 percent off on brand-new Brother printers and Multi-Function Centres.

Innovative printing technology made more affordable

By trading in up to three of their old machines, customers can enjoy 50 percent off on the HL-3170CDW Color LED Printer (P7,995.00 from 15,990.00 SRP),  MFC-L2740DW Monochrome Laser Multi-Function Centre (P9,475.00 from P18,950.00 SRP) and MFC-9330CDW Color LED Multifunction Centre (P14,975.00 from P29,950 SRP).

These high-performing LED and laser printing powerhouses redefine office efficiency with Brother’s patented digital imaging technology. Printing is quick, precise and cost-efficient, and users can enjoy a host of convenient features that allow for optimal productivity at the workplace or at home.

Amazing ink efficiency, brilliant prints

For the entire promo duration, customers can take 30 percent off on the MFC-J3520 InkBenefit (P13,965.00 from P19,950.00 SRP) andMFC-J3720 Ink Benefit (P17,465.00 from P24,950.00 SRP) A3 Color Inkjet Multifunction Centres. These multifunction machines allow users to enjoy high-quality direct photo printing with impressive ink efficiency, crisp black-and-white and color printing, scanning, copying, fax and PC fax. With Brother’s patented InkBenefit technology, users can print up to 2,400 pages on every cartridge batch.

Best value

Customers in need of a reliable laser printer will love the Brother HL-L2365 Monochrome Laser Printer, now P5,592.00 from P6,990.00 SRP with the Trade-In Madness Promo. This model boasts of 30ppm print speeds, automatic two-sided printing and a host of Brother apps for increased user convenience. 

The Brother Trade-in Madness Promo is valid only at the following venues:

March 4 and 5	Electronics and Gadgets Trade Show Octagon Booth, Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall
March 9 to 15	SM Davao GF Annex, near the event center
March 10 to 16	Office Warehouse St. Francis Square GF, St. Francis Square SM Megamall UGF Building B, in front of Goldilocks SM Iloilo In front of Chowking
March 12 to 18	NE Pacific Cabanatuan GF, Main Atrium
March 28 to April 3	KCC Mall Marbel GF, between Jollibee and Baker’s Square LKKS CDO Rotunda SM Seaside Cebu GF, in front of Penshoppe Pacific Mall Legazpi Atrium

For the complete promo details and mechanics, visit brother.com.ph or call (02) 581-9888.