IT services provider sees potential market in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - The dynamic economy in Cebu which pushes the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) has prompted cloud computing

and IT services provider DataOne to make its strong presence here.

The globalized environment for business today brings a compulsory requirement for businesses, from micro to large enterprises to professionally enter the cloud computing trend, otherwise profitability and opportunity for global expansion will be limited.

In an interview with DataOne Asia (Philippines) Inc. marketing manager Jesse V. Divinagracia, Cebu which is exposed to international trade should be given a professional cloud computing tool, and DataOne is serious in its bid to improve awareness among Cebuano SMEs on the important of adopting professional cloud computing services.

Unlike in the old days, a company’s face, or representation will no longer be based on physical impression, but largely on the online impression, such as the impact of a simple email address, or other online presence.

“Now, we can’t always meet face to face with our clients. Their [companies] now is their address—the first impression of their credibility, worthiness to global market,” said Divinagracia.

Professional sounding email address is now becoming very important, and professional email address for companies is considered as a must, he said.

Among other professional cloud computing services, DataOne is providing secure and dedicated email address for companies that will professionally represent their [companies] in the global market.

In an interview with DataONe Asia president and chief executive officer (CEO) Cyril Rocke, he said that although most Cebuano SMEs are still largely using unsecured cloud services, such as free email portals, and other communication channels in the cloud that offers free-of-charge services, business owners are now starting to realize that efficiency, productivity and competitiveness should be managed in the most secured way.

The partnership between the DataOne and Microsoft Philippines to offer hosted productivity packages for SMBs (Small and Medium Businesses) has cemented this interest of business owners, making their businesses world-class especially in the technology adoption.

Rocke said despite the entry of several secured cloud computing services in the Philippines, SMBs still has to understand its benefits and factors that will contribute to the businesses’ profitability, security and efficiency.

He said most, if not all businesses are now in the cloud, what needs to be explained is that businesses should not “throw” their communication, important information over the “un-secured” cloud portals.

DataONe Asia and Microsoft Philippines officially brought to Cebu the CloudSecure technology.

Specifically tailored for Filipino small and medium businesses, DataOne Asia offers Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Lync and Microsoft SharePoint through their latest Cloud product, CloudSecureâ„¢. CloudSecureâ„¢ provides reliable and secure packages that SMBs can easily subscribe to through a very simple ordering process.

DataOne Asia, is one of the leading independent providers of IT services in the Philippines. The company aims at providing cloud-based options for businesses who want to use technology to professionalize how they communicate and improve collaboration. This particular technology designed for Filipino SMBs allows them to access the latest innovations without capital expenditure.

According to Rocke, SMB owners usually faced problems when it comes to using free email hosting for their operations.

Despite being free and easily acquired, these personal email addresses do not exude a professional business image.

“For one, using a personal email account reduces the credibility of a business. Since people nowadays are wary of scammers and fly-by-night operations, many customers hesitate to transact with someone using a personal email,” he explained.

“When they sign up for Microsoft Exchange through CloudSecure™, business owners and their employees are provided with a professional email domain of their choice, which adds up to the credibility and professionalism of any business,” he added. /JOB (FREEMAN)