Globe Business strengthens push for tech solutions for SMEs

MANILA, Philippines - Globe Business has introduced a full suite of communication solutions for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) tailored for the specific requirements of this segment of the business community.

The communication solutions offered by the newly introduced Globe Negostar package for SMEs include a business-grade Internet service with a steady connection of more than 6 Mbps, postpaid plans that are fully customizable to the needs of small enterprises or one that offers unlimited calls to Globe and TM subscribers, Internet and landline connection bundles, business prepaid SIM products and services, and a text broadcast service.

It also offers an inventory ordering system for supply chain management, a digital security system that enables businesses to view their branches through computers and mobile phones, and service that helps businesses create their own websites, and a GPS Tracker that determines the precise location of a person or delivery of stocks.

“Our thrust is to support Filipino entrepreneurs as they manage the day-to-day operations, improve the way they do business and grow their bottom line,” said Emmanuel Aligada, head of Globe Business’ Corporate and SME Segments.

Tess Ngan Tian, president and co-founder of Lots’A Pizza, said in a testimonial during the media briefing that with 160 stores operating in Manila, Cebu and Baguio, the pizza chain has benefited tremendously from the Inventory Ordering System (IOS) provided by Globe.

“Before, we process our orders by phone manually. Our service crew would order by phone and somebody in the office will take the orders also manually. As expected it was prone to errors and lapses,” she said.

“We were then thinking of a Web-based solution that is easy to manage. Considering the smallness of our business at that time, we were glad that Globe accommodated us and helped us developing this solution,” she added.

With the IOS, Lots’A Pizza service crew from the stores now just places orders to the commissary via text message. The orders are processed and sent, and then the office gets the invoice. Accuracy, timeliness and cost-efficiency are achieved, Tian said.

Jennilyn Antonio, owner of EHJE’s Peanut Butter, subscribes to the mobile service of Globe Business that gave her a special number for her business, which is 0917-833EHJE. She also uses WiMax broadband that helps her gather orders and reports.

From producing one kilo of peanut butter operating from a 96-square meter workspace to tons of peanut butter in an 812-square meter plant in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Antonio said her company has grown over the years and technology has played a crucial role.

“As our business was growing, I saw the need for continuous connection with the bakeries we are supplying,” she said, adding that crucial to the peanut butter business is maintaining the freshness of the product in the shelf. “So we need to monitor our products, our sales, the inventory and stocks.”

Antonio used to do it all herself but now that she has 18 employees and supplies all SM Supermarkets, Julie’s Bakeshops, French Baker outlets and other bakeries, it has become more complicated and technology helps.

Other entrepreneurs or “Negostars” using Globe Business solutions include Cebu industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue, restaurateur Margarita Fores, Edgar “Injap” Sia II of Mang Inasal, Paulo Tibig of Vcargo, Ricardo Cuna of Fiorgelato, Michelle Asence-Fontelera of Zen Zest, Richard Sanz of Bibingkinitan, and Carson Tan of Aquabest.

Aligada said Globe Business would aggressively push the Negostar program nationwide to help more SMEs grow their business through technology and business innovations.

Negostar fairs will be held in Metro Manila, North Luzon, Central Luzon, South Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

Business-grade service

All the services in the Negostar package run on Globe’s world-class network and thus, these are business-grade products, so support and back-up systems are in place. Customers are also entitled to upgrades and a dedicated customer support.

Popular among SMEs in the Negostar package include Business Plus, the unlimited Globe and TM calls package; Biz Talk, the unlimited mobile calling to Globe and TM tack-on for landline; Biz Landline, and the Globe Broadband and Biz Laptop Bundle.

Aligada said although Globe’s service is predominantly for the consumer market, business solutions constitute one of the fastest growing segments and a considerable part of that business are from SMEs. There are close to one million registered SMEs in the country.