Microsoft Phils. taps local firm’s help

Microsoft Philippines appointed local partners for a  Geo Expansion Program that aims to strengthen their brand, especially in   growth areas that include Cebu.

In a press conference last week,  officials  of  Microsoft Philippines announced that the firm has partnered with MSI-ECS Philippines for the program in Cebu and Tagbilaran City in Bohol.

Microsoft’s investments would focus  on localizing  marketing efforts, which the firm said would be best delivered through a local partner that would know the market more, said John Bessey, Microsoft country general manager.

Microsoft hired five more people to help roll out the programs under the partnership.

“We will do a lot of marketing campaigns, do group learning sessions for  clients to  know more about the technologies and how they can maximize them to transform their business and become globally competitive,” said Jimmy D. Go, MSI-ECS Philippines president and chief executive officer.

Will Knight, Microsoft online sales manager for the Asia Pacific Region, said the firm would closely work with local partners especially in best practices in using technology as a tool for growth among companies.

With local partner now appointed, Bernadette L. Nacario, Microsoft SMS and P director, said the company aims to get 20 percent of the total business in the country.

“At present, we only get 10 percent here despite the robust growth in terms of number of companies here. We’d like to grow that and we are confident that our local partner can help us penetrate the market,” said Nacario.

She said Microsoft officials were optimistic they would achieve this  target  especially with the entry in Cebu  of more high technical value outsourcing companies that would need Microsoft’s technology solutions.

Bessey, for his part, said that for the firm’s Geo Expansion Program, the firm prioritized Cebu, Davao and Iloilo.

He also said that firm would also look at other areas after a year and a half of operations in the three priority areas.

“Areas like 20 kilometers outside of Manila is also an area to tap as well as owners of Internet cafes, which we think is a good venue to educate people about our products,” said Bessey.