Apr

24

Once telecommunications providers started to provide business solutions to subscribers a few years ago, the business sector in Asia Pacific is expected to lead in deploying and making full use of such services.

These business partnerships would involve stronger cooperation and collaboration with telecommunications companies, other technology vendors to reach out and satisfy more customers, not only in the region but in the whole world.

Banking

Banks in the Philippines such as Unionbank, Bank of the Philippine Islands and Metrobank have already offered online banking services while telecommunications firms Globe Telecom and Smart Communications were among the firsyt telecommunications providers in the Asia Pacific to have introduced mobile banking through “Smart Money” and “Globe G-Cash”.

There would be more convergent Internet and mobile banking services to come out in Asia Pacific, according to IDC subsidiary Financial Insights, as banks continue to partner with telecommunications firms.

… With the progression of mobile technology and financial services, Financial Insights believes that majority of financial institutions in the Asia Pacific region would seek to converge the internet and mobile channels in the hopes of truly making financial services available to customers anywhere and at any time.

Abhishek Kumar, Financial Insights Senior Research Analyst for Asia Pacific Banking Advisory

There are reports of the different approaches by developed and developing countries in the region. Mature markets combine Internet and mobile banking channels as these services have large user bases. On the other hand, developing countries focus on non-users to grow their existing banking customer base.

General Retail

In support of small business enterpreneurs, wireless services provider Smart Communications Inc. serves the broadband connectivity requirements of Microventures Inc. (MVI), the institution behind Hapinoy–the first and only sari-sari store chain of the Philippines.

Hapinoy is a unified group of over 4,000 sari-sari owners nationwide owned and operated by disciplined micro-financing borrowers.

This partnership is a vehicle for opening new sustainable business opportunities for Filipino micro entrepreneurs whowho are given linkages to product and service providers, capacity building and efficiency training, and to the Smart e-loading enterprise.

Export Products

The Confederation of Philippine Exporters in Cebu (PhilExport-Cebu) plans to put up a virtual showroom to help ailing exporters promote their products abroad.

The virtual showroom project, which uses an e-Commerce platform, is a web-based marketing tool where Cebu exporters can show and sell their products online.

The virtual showroom can benefit more than 250 export companies in Cebu to present their products to potential customers abroad, spending far less as compared to attending and participiating in international fairs and exhibits.

This virtual showroom facility is to made available to all PhilExport-Cebu members for a fee however getting as many members to join the virtual showrooms could help spread the cost among exporters, resulting in an affordable price for each export company that subscribes to the facility.

Social Networks

Sevenload.com—a world leader in social media networks for videos, photos and Web TV content—and Friendster Inc. the premier social network in Asia, have announced their new global partnership for the Asia-Pacific and European markets.

In the coming weeks, Friendster will implement sevenload’s state-of-the-art video player technology and video application and provide access to a variety of sevenload’s licensed premium content and user-generated content. Friendsters can view, share and discuss sevenload video content with friends and other members online.

This partnership emphasizes sevenload’s strategic expansion in the social media space through the access to Friendster’s massive user base of 100 million registered users in Asia and Europe.

Outsourcing Solutions, Inc. – your outsourcing partner!

References:

  1. “Social media networks tie up to focus on Asia.” 24 April 2009. Sun Star Cebu. Accessed 24 April 2009. Link Here
  2. “‘Sari-sari’ chain gets Internet connection pact.” 24 April 2009. Sun Star Cebu. Accessed 24 April 2009. Link Here
  3. Dagooc, Ehda. “Virtual showroom to cut promo costs of exporters.” 24 April 2009. The Freeman Cebu. Accessed 24 April 2009. Link Here
  4. Villafania, Alexander. “More convergent services seen in Asia.” 23 April 2009. The Philippine Daily Inquirer. Accessed 24 Apil  2009. Link Here

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