Microsoft to introduce new product to Cebu schools

CEBU, Philippines - Microsoft Philippines is now negotiating with different universities in Cebu to introduce its powerful cloud-based product, the Office 365, to aid the schools’ bid becoming world-class producers of professionals.

“At Microsoft, we work hard to transform organizations and individuals through our family of devices and services. In line with this, we are officially launching the all new Office 365, a full cloud service to our business and education customers nationwide to provide them ‘the no compromise’ productivity experience built for the modern workplace,” said Karrie Ilagan, Microsoft Philippines managing director.

At present, there are a growing number of universities in Manila adopting the newest technology. Ilagan, however, admitted the company still has to forge closer coordination with the Cebu-based universities to adopt this product.

According to Ilagan, the new Office 365, which was launched in Manila last July of this year, delivers the power of cloud productivity to educational institutions at no cost—without compromising data privacy.

It includes the familiar Microsoft Office desktop applications to provide academe the powerful tools to create anytime, anywhere learning opportunities across multiple devices.

Office 365 delivers the collaborative power of the web and familiar productivity tools that customers prefer across multiple devices. It also allows employees to be more productive and facilitates online and offline access and enables working from anywhere, anytime, across all various devices to get more work done.

With Asia’s growing social footprint, Ilagan said the product integrates platforms such as Yammer, an enterprise social networking tool that gives organizations a platform of Office 365 like Lync, Exchange and SharePoint, online meetings, videoconferencing and digital note-taking.

Ilagan mentioned that some of the country’s top schools are on Office 365. They include Assumption College, Mirriam College, Treston College, and Endeum College, among others.

In Cebu, she said the Microsoft team is still trying to connect with the administrations of the universities and colleges to adopt the new technology.

Ilagan expressed confidence that Cebu colleges and universities will be able to immediately employ this technology, saying “a lot of innovative schools here in Cebu.”

While the new product has already reached the interests of small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) in the country, Ilagan said there is a need to improve awareness of the academe sector on the importance of employing top notch technology infrastructure in their respective schools.

Ilagan was in Cebu recently to present this proposal to the members of the Catholic Educators Association of the Philippines (CEAP) during the organization’s national convention.

Microsoft Philippines is the local subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation, a worldwide leader in software, services, and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

As a committed and trusted partner in nation-building, Microsoft Philippines has made it its mission to fuel growth and healthy communities, as well as transform locally-based businesses and empower them to compete in the global economy.  (FREEMAN)