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AMD or Intel: A battle of processors

Laptop is a necessity more than an extravagance for many people these days. It is important for students and professionals alike. With the advent of technology, there are now various options to choose from. But before one can choose the right device to use, there are also many factors to consider before buying. One of those is the central processing unit (CPU).

CPU, or simply processor, is the brain of every computer. It is basically the one responsible for all the tasks a computer carries out. That is why it is of utmost importance that one should select the one that fits one’s needs.

When it comes to processors, Intel, a semiconductor chipmaker based in Silicon Valley, is definitely a top-of-mind brand as most computers are powered by an Intel CPU. But Advanced Micro Devices (Intel), also a semiconductor company, has given Intel a run for its money and has been gaining market share in recent years. While Intel has been producing its own chips through its various factories, it is only with the acquisition of ATI, a manufacturer of graphics processing unit and chipset, by AMD in 2006 that paved the way for the firm to join Intel in delivering integrated graphics chips. Though AMD outsources its manufacturing, it still does research and development in-house.

Consumers are not only after the goodness of the products that they intend to buy. Of course, they will go for the brand with the best value for money. With this in mind, AMD chips are way cheaper compared with the ones by Intel. But AMD has also launched high-end processors called Ryzen. Still, Intel boasts a huge portfolio as compared to AMD, which is why there are still budget-friendly Intel CPUs that perform better than their competitors. In the low end of the market, however, Intel and AMD processors typically retail at about the same price, according to TechRadar, a technology-focused online publication.

With the rise of gaming here in the country, enthusiasts should know better by using a discrete graphics card or GPU (graphics processing unit), rather than an integrated CPU, especially when building a gaming PC. For laptops, however, performance- and graphic-wise, it is still possible to play on a device with integrated graphics.

While Intel produces 3D graphics, it is in integrated graphics that it stands out. Most laptop brands with Intel processor already have a separate integrated graphics on-board. It is highly efficient when it comes to single-core tasks and power-saving performance. AMD, on the other hand, has developed a single chip called Accelerated Processing Unit that combines its processor cores and its Radeon-branded graphic cores, which makes it better when it comes to high-end graphics for gaming. It is also better at carrying out numerous tasks all at once but is prone to excessive heating.

It is explained in an article by Matthew Smith in Digital Trends, a technology Web site, that Intel puts CPU processing power first rather than the graphics, which is why CPU cores are important to Intel, while AMD goes for performance per watt.

When talking about parts and availability, AMD has compatibility issues due to limited stocks of parts. Both processors have different motherboards and sockets, although Intel parts can be sourced everywhere in contrast to AMD’s.

Given all that, choosing a processor really depends on the level of functionality a consumer will require of his or her laptop computer. Be it for gaming, school or work, there is surely a suitable processor for a given purpose on the market.

But Intel and AMD are not resting on their laurels: they still keep on outdoing each another, especially when it comes to their latest innovations — and this is a win for ordinary consumers.

A look at Windows 10, Microsoft’s latest operating system

If you’re over a certain age, it’s likely that you remember playing Solitaire, Minesweeper. Hearts, or FreeCell. As few of the first games available on Windows PCs, at a time when computers were finally being accepted as a mainstream office tool, those games were responsible for wasting countless worker hours all over the world.

They weren’t simply included for entertainment, however. Microsoft packaged the games in the third iteration of Windows as a sneaky way of training users how to use the mouse.

Before this era, many computer users were still used to the command-line input way of doing things. Solitaire taught them how to drag and drop. Minesweeper taught precision, as well as how to use the left click and right click.

Nowadays, it’s nearly impossible to find a person who doesn’t have these skills, much less someone who can run a command line. It’s one example of how Microsoft changed the world with its Windows operating system.

Moving forward, Microsoft is drawing from this history of game-changing innovations to offer the consumer the latest iteration of Windows in Windows 10. Promising new computers improved start-up time (up to 28% faster), built-in security and trusted apps, Windows 10 was announced on Sept. 30, and is the company’s present flagship operating system.

Windows 10 was designed to bring together all Windows platforms across multiple devices, including the Windows phones and tablets. Universal apps can be downloaded from the Windows Store, and can be run on all Windows devices seamlessly.

Security-wise, Microsoft vowed that Windows 10 is the most secure Windows ever built, with comprehensive end-to-end security that covers antivirus, firewall, Internet protections, and more. This means more security features, dashboard displays, and ongoing updates to help safeguard against future threats — all built-in at no extra cost.

Other interesting features of the system include the ability to switch between a keyboard and mouse mode and a tablet mode, in synergy with Microsoft’s other products like the Surface Pro 3 with a detachable keyboard.

The latest update of Windows 10, released at the end of April this year, promises to do a lot more, introducing new features like Timeline, Focus Assist and Windows Mixed Reality.

“We’ve all had the experience of digging through e-mail or file folders for the document you know you wrote, but just can’t find. Or looking for photos and videos that you know you’ve seen and love, but can no longer locate,” Microsoft writes on its Windows 10 blog.

“Timeline can help you get back this wasted time, by helping you easily find what matters to you across your devices. Timeline lets you go back in time to past activities you’ve worked on across your devices, so you can jump back into them like you never left. So, if you’re looking for a specific document, image, or video you worked on yesterday or a week ago, Timeline makes it even easier to find what you’re looking for. You can even pick up what you were doing on your iOS or Android device on your Windows 10 PC when you’re ready to get back to it.”

Focus Assist, meanwhile, attempts to help users get more done by blocking notifications, sounds, and alerts to create distraction-free work times. The feature gives users the flexibility to choose when to block interruptions, create a priority list of exceptions, as well as a summary of notifications and alerts that appears on screen after Focus Assist is lifted.

Windows is also moving into virtual reality with the launch of Windows Mixed Reality for SteamVR. In the Microsoft’s latest update, the company has further improved integration with haptic motion controller feedback, and improved the user experience of taking photos of their mixed reality experiences. The feature is a snapshot of what personal computing will look like in the future.

AGS: Taking businesses to greater digital heights

With its unmatched breadth of expertise in the realm of digital transformation, ABM Global Solutions, Inc. (AGS) has become a reliable partner of success-driven enterprises in optimizing their business operations. By having a strong track record in delivering quality consulting services and premier software applications, AGS has established itself as a business solutions provider of choice in the country.

Information technology-enabled consultancy

AGS at its core is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) company with adjacent product offerings in customer relationship management (CRM), human capital management (HCM) and spend management.

According to Patrick David R. de Leon, AGS chief operating officer, the company is positioning itself as a complete provider of all enterprise solutions. “We’d like to take ourselves from being a technical consultant to being a business consultant using IT (information technology) as an enabler,” he said.

Since 1993, AGS has been helping businesses achieve growth and profitability. It has already catered to over 2,000 customers across multiple industries. Its extensive experience working with various clients has allowed the company to understand and tackle the complexities of almost any business.

Top-notch business solutions

The solutions AGS offer are end to end, covering such areas as business management software or solutions (ERP, CRM, spend management, human resource management and hospital management), infrastructure (connectivity, hardware and data center services), user adoption (A.C.T. Program — Adoption, Change Management and Training) and application support (talent outsourcing, license audit, application utilization review, data clean-up and reports).

It also ties up with global technology companies, such as SAP, Microsoft, Procurement Express and Coupa, to bring more top-notch business management solutions to the local market. These solutions are designed to positively impact the key components of a business — its processes, tools, systems and people.

Another thing that sets AGS apart from its competitors, in addition to its end-to-end solutions and collaborations with tech companies, is the belief that there’s no one product that fits all. It is with this idea that the company carries not just one, but a roster of world-class business management software. By sticking to this principle, AGS assures clients that they are given unbiased, practical recommendations.

Besides recommending new technologies, AGS shares its expertise in other areas to fully help companies revolutionize the way they do business. With a team of highly competent certified public accountants, industrial engineers, supply chain management advisors, and software engineers as consultants, AGS provides service delivery that extends beyond business IT requirements.

“We include our ability to understand what the enterprise wants to accomplish,” Mr. de Leon said. “So the first thing is to understand their business, for us to structure a solution properly.”

The company also constantly monitors the progress of their customers, responds to their concerns as soon as possible, and ensures that positive results are achieved, according to Mr. de Leon.

Naturally adaptable to change

When it comes to how the company adapts to the constant changes and developments in the industry, Mr. de Leon said, “By the very nature of people in our business, we don’t think of change as distinct steps. These are just something embedded in our DNA. We’re in tune with all the changes in the industry and we’re able to catch up with them easily. It doesn’t take much effort to adapt to the changes because it’s in our nature.”

“More than history, what’s more important is what we can do now is what we can continue to do in the future,” he said, adding that on top of working with IP Converge Data Services, Inc. (IPC) — an Internet data center, telecommunications and cloud services company that is also managed by him — AGS is under the wings of ePLDT, a premier telecommunications and digital services provider in the country. “So even if you talk to AGS, AGS will be able to bring the expertise of all these companies together.”

In the years to come, Mr. de Leon shared that they would like to maintain the reputation of AGS as the enterprise solution provider of choice for both the large- and the mid-market enterprises in the country.

FTI Consulting Philippines, Inc.: Purveyor of sound financial advice

Amid the increasingly complex economic environment, FTI Consulting Philippines, Inc. has become the guiding light of many local companies and organizations in achieving their biggest goals. With its wide spectrum of financial advisory services, it was able to provide its clients with the right solutions they need, especially in major events that can significantly influence their reputation and valuation.

“We are primarily a transaction advisor that assists our clients with major and complex events and helps them build, grow, defend and repair their businesses,” Butch Gregorio, senior managing director of FTI Consulting Philippines, said.

FTI Consulting Philippines is an independently owned franchisee of FTI Consulting, Inc., a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations manage change, mitigate risk and resolve disputes: financial, legal, operational, political & regulatory, reputational and transactional. With more than 4,600 employees located in 28 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges and make the most of opportunities. Globally, FTI Consulting generated $1.81 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2017.

The local financial consulting firm is accredited by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a Professional Services Organization for the valuation of shares of stock, intangibles and other assets, and by the Philippine Stock Exchange, Inc. (PSE) to issue fairness opinions and valuation reports for listed companies and prospective initial listing applicants of the Exchange.

It provides financial advisory services primarily in the areas of merger and acquisition, project finance advisory, transaction advisory, forensic accounting and litigation services, and corporate restructuring.

In merger and acquisition advisory, FTI Consulting Philippines assists its clients through every step, starting from strategy and planning up to deal execution and post-closing activities. Its acquisition and divestiture experts provide comprehensive and insightful advice to proactively address the concerns of investors or sellers.

Its project finance services, on the other hand, help clients evaluate and raise capital for prospective infrastructure projects. It provides critical support to clients in heavy industries, particularly those in energy and public infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the firm’s transaction advisory services cover various areas, including valuation, financial/commercial due diligence, and financial model preparation and review.

In valuing shares of stock and intangible assets, FTI Consulting Philippines capitalizes on its technical proficiency and extensive knowledge in finance, business, and economics, as well as knowledge developed from servicing clients in different industries.

The firm is trusted by top conglomerates in the country in building and reviewing financial models for major investment decisions. The firm applies financial modeling best practices and actively engages the client in determining appropriate assumptions that should be used in the financial models.

Its expertise in building financial models allows it to conduct an effective review of the models of other parties. It provides critical feedback to clients by assessing the integrity and structure of the model, checking for calculation errors and documenting findings for immediate and future reference.

As one of the leading names in the industry of financial advisory, FTI Consulting Philippines is known for bringing credibility and a proven track record of timely results to help rebuild or extract value from underperforming companies. The firm boasts an extensive experience in providing performance improvement, CRO (chief restructuring officer) or interim management, restructuring advisory, liquidity management and distressed debt advisory.

Performing the firm’s first-rate services are highly qualified professionals: certified financial analyst charterholders, certified public accountants, certified financial consultants, certified real estate brokers and those with an MBA degree.

“We are specialists and are sought after in needs, such as conducting valuations and providing fairness opinions, preparing complex financial models, and are also highly experienced in distressed situations,” Mr. Gregorio said.

On top of all these things, what keeps FTI Consulting Philippines a standout is its capability to adjust to the requirements of its clients, and its capacity to assist them all the way to the end of every transaction, and its deep bench of local and international experts.

Finding comfort and guidance in disruptive times

MORE AND MORE industries are facing disruption as digital technologies continue to evolve. Traditional business models are crumbling, and transformation is prevalent in the global economy.

Even in the business of providing professional consulting services here in the Philippines, it is “disrupt or be disrupted.” As Patrick David R. de Leon, chief operating officer of AGS, an ePLDT company specializing in business management solutions, told BusinessWorld, “There are two worlds: the world as it is now, and the world as it was before.”

“The ball game is changing. And we have to be one step ahead of our customers if we’re able to help.”

Mr. de Leon asserted that business consultants now need to adapt quickly to trending technology, building on their existing repertoire of skills and those that have to do with technologies like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cloud computing and blockchain. Given the potential of these innovations to plug the gap between bigger and smaller enterprises in any industry, business consultants need the expertise to help companies that are in various stages of digital transformation and to guide them through the process.

Changing technology, particularly in information and communications, is challenging previously unassailable institutions, transforming the landscape as it does so. Mildred R. Ramos, managing partner for advisory services at Reyes Tacandong & Co., said in an e-mail interview: “The industry and their clients have to seriously examine their assumptions about their relative competitive positioning.”

“To give a specific example, information and communications technology used to be a formidable barrier to entry. But nowadays, regions and countries that had deficient infrastructure are leapfrogging because they have no legacy investment to worry about in the first place and are acquiring modern products and processes that are far cheaper and more productive.”

Mr. de Leon and Ms. Ramos both noted that the way forward for consulting companies is through acquiring new expertise, particularly in the field of information and technology. But, as in any industry, skilled workers are in short supply.

“The early trailblazers will pretty much have to learn this through trial and error. And once there’s critical mass, that’s when the formal studies begin to happen,” Mr. de Leon said, noting the difficulty of adapting to rapidly changing technologies.

He said that another complication consulting companies will have to face is the ongoing competition with foreign countries like Australia, New Zealand and Singapore regarding attracting skilled workers. The Philippines, he pointed out, continues to lose the information technology experts it needs to higher-paying jobs being offered abroad. Significant efforts need to be undertaken in equipping the younger generation with better, higher-value skills to ensure that they can contribute to whichever industries they enter when they become part of the work force.

This is not to mention the existing challenges prevalent in the industry before disruption. Butch Gregorio, the senior managing director of FTI Consulting Philippines, said in an e-mail interview: “The financial advisory landscape is quite competitive, with practitioners ranging from individual local professionals to large foreign consultants. Some companies also set up their own corporate finance divisions to lessen reliance on external consultants.”

Despite the competition, he further noted that there are still a lot of consulting opportunities on the horizon. He sees opportunities in infrastructure, renewable energy, logistics, tourism, trade and agriculture. At the same time, with rising interest rates and inflation, companies may need assistance in restructuring their operations and finances to ensure continued business viability.

Mr. Gregorio said: “International developments like the ASEAN economic integration and China’s continued growing influence will be a major force in shaping economies and businesses in the region.”

“Assuming the economy continues in its growth trajectory and promised infrastructure improvements will happen, then we expect more inbound capital flows to happen over the next five years. This will also mean that the country will be an attractive market for consulting services,” he added.

The influx of international players will also serve to develop the expertise of business consultants in the country, and even prepare them for further disruption in the future.

“A major challenge is how to assist companies, especially the dominant ones, understand that disruption is clear and present, is in our midst. The flip side is identifying who the disruptors are (and there will be more), working with them,  and creating value for them as they grow,” Ms. Ramos said.

“The line between giving advice and actual implementation will continue to blur. When disruption hits an industry, companies will face a confusing set of hard choices that need to be made. These companies will seek not only good advice but a reassuring hand to hold theirs during a traumatic transition process.”

Ms. Ramos further added that disruption does not respect or understand the concept of physical or regulatory borders, forcing companies to seek out consulting firms that are comfortable giving counsel on a complete spectrum of general and technology management challenges.

“Business consulting thrives during times when businesses enjoy abundant market opportunities or when market uncertainties are significant such that in-house corporate capabilities or resources are inadequate,” Mr. Gregorio said.

“Companies hire consultants in the hope that with their specialist knowledge and skills, they will be able to augment the need of these companies to succeed and to stay relevant in their respective industries. The Philippines, in our opinion, is at a critical juncture at the moment where significant opportunities are available for those with capital, but at the same time this bullish sentiment is being tempered by global, regional and domestic headwinds.”

He continued: “At the end of the day, what sells is integrity, understanding of the company’s needs, and the client’s comfort in their advisor’s ability to help them achieve their goals.”

Millennials, a force to reckon with in the workplace

MILLENNIALS have been transforming the workplace in profound ways. Their capacity to absorb fresh ideas and ability to embrace innovations offer new opportunities for businesses to thrive in today’s era. Thus, other than securing the company’s financial stability, businesses must adjust to this generation to attract and retain talent.

According to a KPMG report titled “Meet the Millennials,” published in June of 2017, millennials are characterized as curious, tech-savvy and job-hoppers. They seek diversity in the workplace and work-life balance, and are not afraid to ask questions and challenge the system.

“As the name indicates, millennials grew up during the Millennium period, a time of rapid change. Naturally events that took place during this period have shaped them, giving them a unique set of priorities and expectations that differ from previous generations,” the report said.

At present, millennials account for over a quarter of the global population. Most of them will be out of school and will become part of the work force by 2020. Experts predict that by this year, millennials will make up the largest portion of the global work force at 50%.

Given this number, it is certain that millennials will have a critical role in the future of businesses. PwC said in a study titled “Millennials at Work: Reshaping the Workplace” that millennials will shape the world of work. Their career aspirations, attitudes about work, and knowledge of new technologies will define the culture of the 21st-century workplace.

“But although they will soon outnumber their Generation X predecessors, they remain in short supply, particularly in parts of the world where birth rates have been lower. They will also be more valuable — this generation will work to support a significantly larger older generations as life expectancy increases,” PwC said.

“It’s clear that millennials will be a powerful generation of workers and that those with the right skills will be in high demand. They may be able to command not only creative reward packages by today’s standards, but also influence the way they work and where and how they operate in the workplace. They may also represent one of the biggest challenges that many organizations will face,” the firm added.

Given that millennials are one of the most studied generations, the factors that influence their decision of whether to join a certain team or not are uncovered. Some of these, which were identified in the 2017 KPMG report, include culture, working experience, open and honest communication, and flexibility. It is crucial for the companies to recognize these things and know how to properly address them so they can attract millennials and gain a competitive edge.

As the report said, millennials prioritize the culture of a company; — how the employer portrays the overall experience of working for them is a key differentiator when they decide which positions to apply for.

“Companies need to focus on cultivating the working conditions that foster creativity and morale. Quick wins like introducing a pool table in the office, early finish Fridays or allocating time for them to pursue personal hobbies during the working day would do the trick,” the report said.

When it comes to working experience, companies need to focus their efforts on ensuring that millennials are enjoying every minute of their work.

As the KMPG report explained, millennials are the first generation to use the word “fun” to describe their dream job. They really embody the sentiment that life is too short to be stuck in a dead-end job.

Moreover, millennials are brutally honest with one other, and they expect the same from their employer. The report said that millennials want to feel that their opinion matters, and that their insights are contributing to a bigger picture that allows the company to develop.

In this case, companies need to adopt a transparent communication policy. Hosting a weekly drop-in session with the leadership team, where even the most junior staff can pose questions to the C-suite executives, can be a good idea.

Finally, this generation wants flexibility at work — they have the option to control their own working hours and location. In a survey conducted by KPMG across a broad millennial audience, work-life balance was one of the top rated factors when looking for a job.

Attracting millennials is just the first step. Corporations also need to have them engaged. As the KPMG explained in its report, satisfied employees are more invested in their company’s success and have a higher level of commitment and loyalty. They are also more productive and innovative because of their passion and interest in their jobs.

Make Parkway Corporate Center your corporate headquarters

The Metro South has fast become a major growth center and a strategic business hub, with many multinational companies choosing to settle and locate their offices in this pulsating location. For one, the Metro South offers a lot of room for growth, especially for newly-established businesses. Developments are mitigating Southward due to high demand from the top central business districts (CBDs). Moreover, it also opens new markets for clients — away from saturated areas with already maturing demographics.

With the myriad of office building projects existing and on the rise, the state-of-the-art Parkway Corporate Center — the corporate jewel in the Metro South — offers several good reasons to make it your corporate head office.

Parkway Corporate Center, another well-planned and designed Filinvest project, stands at 32 stories high. It is positioned as one of the smartest, most future-ready office towers in the Metro South. Among its modern building facilities are six high speed elevators, 24-hour security with closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in strategic areas, 100 percent back-up power and advanced fiber optic backbone.

Exceptional amenities include an elegant main lobby, a retail plaza on the ground floor, a fully-equipped business center on the 7th level, which consists of four rooms that are ideal for meetings, seminars and other small business functions, a podium deck garden and pocket gardens at every five levels, and eight levels of secured parking. In keeping with the goal of achieving its own Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, Parkway Corporate Center puts in place a glass curtain wall, double-glazed with a low e-coating, which lessens heat and ultra-heat radiation, and thus increases energy efficiency and sustainability while reducing cost.

Parkway Corporate Center is also strategically located at the heart of Filinvest City in Alabang in the dynamic Metro South. It is truly at the gateway of a major growth corridor, the CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) region, where top universities offer a large competent and educated human resource pool.

As a growing, progressive CBD, Filinvest City boasts of three outstanding characteristics: green, eco-friendly orientation, world-class infrastructure and amenities, and easy, convenient access.

Similarly, Filinvest City seeks to receive the LEED certification version 4 for Neighborhood Development. It has adopted urban planning practices for a more sustainable and innovative environment, particularly the introduction of lush, landscaped parks, bike lanes and other eco-centric features that make it a truly green community with a less stressful work setting.

A world-class infrastructure is progressively being rolled-out for improved information technology connectivity and communications within Filinvest City and uninterrupted water and electricity supplies. A professional sanitation and solid waste management has been set up and an efficient urban mobility and public transportation are made available. A comprehensive network of CCTV cameras in strategic areas ensure the safety and security of locators, tenants, and residents.

Filinvest City has also become more accessible via major roads going to the south and the other parts of Metro Manila such as the Skyway, South Luzon Expressway with three entry and exit points, Daang Hari Road and Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway exit.

Proof that Filinvest City has become a truly progressive CBD in Metro South is the impressive rise in land values of up to 200 percent in the last five years.

All things considered, Parkway Corporate Center truly stands out as a highly effective business strategy and a wise investment at the corner of Corporate and Parkway Avenues. It offers investors and entrepreneurs the opportunity to acquire, rather than lease, or simply invest in an office space.

For more details on this state-of-the-art, future-ready office tower, please call (02) 809-6517 or visit www.parkwaycorporate.com.

New beacons of opportunity for PHL’s IT-BPM industry

The Philippines continues to attract the attention of investors all over the world. Particularly for the global information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) industry, the country is a beacon of opportunity and progress, owing to its largely young and educated work force and their strong English fluency, and its rapid macroeconomic growth.

With so much demand for real estate in Metro Manila, investors are starting to branch out into other areas.

The Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), in partnership with the government’s Department of Science and Technology-Information and Communications Technology Office and Leechiu Property Consultants, released a list of “Next Wave Cities” that may serve as new hosts for growth of the IT-BPM industry.

The cities, according to IBPAP, could be seen as new hubs of economic activity that could best enable and support the continued growth of the IT-BPM industry. These cities are, in alphabetical order: Baguio City, Cagayan De Oro City, Dagupan City, Dasmariñas City, Dumaguete City, Lipa City, Malolos City, Naga City, City of Sta. Rosa and Taytay (technically, this is a municipality).

The locations were identified for their suitability in hosting local and international IT-BPM players based on an assessment guided by the government. The Next Wave Cities scorecard includes the following criteria: talent, infrastructure, cost and business environment. All these are factored in to evaluate a city’s ability to enable and support the entry and growth of IT-BPM companies in its area.

In addition to the 10 identified areas, IBPAP also named Davao City and Iloilo City as new centers of excellence, elevating their status to that of Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, Metro Clark and Bacolod City as premier IT-BPM hosts and high-density locations.

Since its inception in 2009, the Next Wave Cities program has spurred development not only of the IT-BPM sector but also of cities outside established IT-BPM hubs, such as Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, Metro Clark and Bacolod City.

‘Next Wave Cities’

As the center of business, commerce and education in northern Luzon, Baguio City also serves as the regional center of the Cordillera Administrative Region. Due to its reputation as a university town, with eight major institutions of higher education within its premises, and its population of over 345,000 who are mostly skilled and educated, the city is a bright spot for companies looking for a competent work force.

Serving as the capital of the province of Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City is seen as the regional center and business hub of Northern Mindanao, and part of the growing Metropolitan Cagayan de Oro area. Ample supply of human capital supported by available health, research, educational and modern telecommunications facilities make it a flourishing hub for business process operators. Concentrix Corp., Rider Livett Bucknall, Teleperformance, Azpired, Envizion, Arriba Telecontact, Accolade Resources, Support Zebra and Versatel all have operating centers in the city.

In the northwestern part of Luzon, fronting onto the Lingayen Gulf, the City of Dagupan is a major commercial and financial center. Largely known for its fishing economy, the city has also been seeing an economic boom in recent years, with the Department of Trade and Industry naming it the most competitive city in the region in 2017.

Lying close to Metro Manila is Dasmariñas, a bustling city of more than 650,000 people. Due to its relative proximity to the capital, the City of Dasmariñas has seen rapid development and an influx of business, allowing it to grow beyond its agricultural-based economy, and evolve into a highly urbanized, commercialized and industrialized area. It now boasts three industrial estates: First Cavite Industrial Estate in Barangay Langkaan, Dasmariñas Technopark in Barangay Paliparan I and NHA Industrial Park in Bagong Bayan.

Nicknamed “The City of Gentle People,” Dumaguete City is the capital and most populous city of the province of Negros Oriental. Similar to Baguio, the city holds a wealth of educated workers due to the presence of four universities and a number of other colleges. This has allowed Dumaguete’s outsourcing industry to flourish, with its workers staffing call centers, publishing, medical transcription, animation, editing and architectural outsourcing across over 20 IT and BPO (business process outsourcing) locators.

In Batangas, Lipa City is fast emerging as a key city, showing its potential as a major institutional/administrative center, medical center, commercial center, financial center, agro-industrial center and residential center in the region. With Metro Manila being only an hour and a half away, Lipa has grown from its agricultural roots and seen a surge of economic activity in recent years. It is now home to many BPO firms and call centers.

The historic city of Malolos was also named a Next Wave City for IT-BPO locators. Nestléd between the capital and the booming area of Clark, Pampanga, Malolos is brimming with economic activity from a variety of industries, from BPO to health care to foodservice.

Naga, as “The Heart of Bicol,” is the site of most of the region’s commerce and industry. The city was named one of the most business-friendly cities in Asia and is considered to be one of the Philippines’ most competitive cities. The city currently has three IT parks for IT-BPO firms: the Naga City IT Park, the Camarines Sur Industrial and Technological Park and Naga City Technology Center.

In South Luzon, Santa Rosa City is shaping up to be another emerging hub for BPO companies. The city is home to a number of special economic zones and industrial parks, including the Laguna Technopark, Inc., Greenfield Automotive Park, Toyota Special Economic Zone, Lakeside Evozone Nuvali, Daystar Santa Rosa Industrial Park, Santa Rosa Commercial Complex, and the Meridian Industrial Complex. BPO firms such as Convergys, KGB, Teletech, IBM and Concentrix have centers there.

The Municipality of Taytay stands as the only municipality on the list yet is as good an environment for business as any of the others. Taytay ranked first in the 1st and 2nd Class municipalities category under the resiliency pillar and overall Competitiveness in the 2018 Regional Competitiveness Summit. Though traditionally known for its garments and woodwork, Taytay is now home to several multinational companies.

Emerging trends in the global BPO industry

Driven by innovation, new technologies and competition, the global business process outsourcing (BPO) industry has evolved rapidly from where it started more than 20 years ago. It was regarded as one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, supporting most businesses across the globe in one way or another.

A report titled “Business process outsourcing (BPO) worldwide” by a market research company Statista said that the global market size of outsourced services in 2017 was valued at $88.9 billion, $12 billion higher from the previous year. In addition, it said that the revenue of the global BPO industry in the same year was $24.6 billion.

“The largest share of global outsourcing revenue was generated in Europe, the Middle East and Africa in 2017 at $55.6 billion,” the report said. “India was among the leading countries for offshore business services in 2017 in terms of its financial attractiveness, the skills and availability of its people and the appropriateness of its business environment for business process outsourcing.”

The BPO industry is not slowing down anytime soon. In fact, according to “Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) — Global Strategic Business Report,” released last January, the global market for BPO is projected to reach $262.2 billion by 2022, driven by the cost benefits achieved by outsourcing back-office administration and the development and availability of new generation technologies, such as process automation, big data analytics, cloud services, such as BPaaS, and embedded analytics-based BPO.

“Growing competitiveness of global markets and the ensuing pressure on businesses to run efficiently and cost-effectively is providing opportunities for accelerated growth in BPO services. Banking BPO services are poised to witness the strongest gains in the coming years as a result of stringent regulatory requirements, unprecedented cost pressures and the need for banks to focus in core innovation-driven differentiation,” the report said.

Along with the promising growth of the global BPO industry is the anticipated rise of new trends, set to shape and change the industry for the better.

The most recognizable is the emergence of new technologies. According to Sandip Singh, SEO analyst at BlackMint Infocon Pvt. Ltd., growing trends in technology, such as cloud computing, Web site analytics, and social media networks, will have a big role to play in making outsourcing operations smooth and efficient.

For instance, cloud makes the process of storage increasingly organized, while allowing data retrieval and sharing to be quick and easy. In addition, by moving data to cloud, businesses can eliminate the need for unnecessary space and storage, and at the same time, reduce huge consumption of energy.

“Cloud will be the biggest facilitator to Next Gen BPO service providers in building industry-specific capabilities and solutions, doubling the outsourcing benefits,” Mr. Singh said.

Robotic process automation has emerged as a new trend in BPO, particularly in the management sector, offering high-value creation with notable cost savings and fast time-to-value.

“The outsourcing service providers can dedicate their whole time in enhancing their service quality while automated systems will take the charge of the operations,” Mr. Singh said.

Meanwhile, Outsource2india, an outsourcing company based in India, believes that data security will also be prioritized in the future of outsourcing. The recent Facebook data breach that affected 87 million users only proves that data security will continue to be a major concern.

“With Internet of Things (IoT) and telematics becoming highly prevalent, security risks are poised to increase. Therefore, threat intelligence, advanced security automation, security analytics, etc. will continue to dominate, as companies choose to stay safe and protect their businesses from external threats,” Outsource2india says on its Web site.

The firm also expects that companies in the coming years will look for service providers who add value to their business, rather than those who just provide services at lower costs. As a result, outsourcing companies will partner with service providers who offer innovative services, equipped with best infrastructure and thorough industry knowledge.

On the other hand, as the use of self-service tools and automated chat-bots become highly prevalent among many companies, the demand for call centers is expected to decrease drastically.

Outsource2india explains that as virtual agents can work on numerous clients at the same time, these automated contact centers will be able to handle higher volumes with less number of agents. Therefore, various tech-enabled contact centers replacing the traditional call centers will likely start taking place a few years down the line.

“Outsourcing trends are constantly changing and this change is expected to continue in the coming years as well. With new technological developments progressing regularly, the outsourcing industry is only going to get bigger and more efficient in the years to come. Companies will mainly focus on providing top-quality services and great customer experience, rather than merely focusing on reducing the cost of the services they offer,” Outsource2india says.

BSP beefs up cybersecurity safeguards

THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) will soon require banks to promptly report cybersecurity breaches, as the regulator tightens its watch on digital platforms.
BSP Deputy Governor Chuchi G. Fonacier said the new rule, which will require financial institutions to report information technology (IT)-related attacks or glitches, will be issued “next month.” “It is undergoing legal review before MB (Monetary Board) approval,” Ms. Fonacier told reporters when asked for updates on the measure.
The BSP official previously revealed plans to prescribe a two-day window to report cyber attacks and similar incidents, at a time of growing cases of cybersecurity breaches. Such reports, she explained, should also disclose costs incurred from theft, fraud and other incidents.
Ms. Fonacier said central bank officials are yet to finalize whether the reporting window will be 24 or 48 hours upon discover of the incident.
Ahead of the approval of the new standard, the BSP official said the Bankers Association of the Philippines, composed of universal and commercial banks, has already set up its own monitoring and reporting platform. This industry portal will also be designed to enable banks to share notes and alert peers about hacking attempts or any IT-related risk which they encounter.
The central bank is encouraging increased use of electronic channels for payments and fund transfers to bring down transaction costs while promoting wider use of formal financial services.
In November last year, the BSP issued Circular 982 which requires all financial businesses to monitor and counter a wide array of digital attacks, including skimming, phishing and malware.
Existing rules also require financial firms to adopt “advanced” controls versus digital crimes and glitches, and mandates the establishment of a 24/7 security operations center to “proactively monitor emerging and highly sophisticated cyber-threats and attacks.”
While the BSP has been developing an “enabling” environment for financial technology, Ms. Fonacier has said that banks themselves should take steps to better guard against digital fraud and hacking. — Melissa Luz T. Lopez

Concerns about shift in gov’t form unresolved

THE MEETING last Wednesday of state economic managers and members of the Consultative Committee to review the 1987 Constitution failed to dispel worries about the fiscal impact of the draft federal charter, whose fate now lies with Congress.
Arthur N. Aguilar, who led the consultative body’s subcommittee on economic reforms, said in a telephone interview on Thursday that his group told state economic managers that there are “more than ample provisions in the constitutional design that ensure fiscal prudence.”
But Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said more clarity is still needed on the fiscal impact of the proposed changes to the current Constitution.
Mr. Aguilar said much of their discussions last Wednesday revolved around the proposed revenue and expenditure sharing between the federal government and the federated regions.
“The 50-50 share is only in four taxes,” he said in a telephone interview yesterday, referring to income, excise, value-added tax and customs duty, meaning that the federal government will still get bulk of overall revenues.
Federated regions will have exclusive power to collect 12 taxes and fees while the federal government will collect all other levies.
“So the revenues, it’s about two-thirds federal and one-third federated regions,” said Mr. Aguilar.
“Expenditure finance follows functions. There are 21 exclusive powers of the federal government, 15 exclusive powers for the federated regions. Each exclusive power carries a budgetary implication.”
All other spending will be shared between the two governments.
“We’re just shifting marbles from one to another. We’re not creating a bigger pie,” Mr. Aguilar explained.
He also assured that “federated regions cannot incur indebtedness outside the guidelines of the federal government.”
Economic managers earlier warned that the proposed changes could cause the fiscal deficit to balloon beyond the prescribed three percent-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio.
Moody’s Investors Service last month flagged the planned shift to a federal form of government as a risk to the Philippines’ credit rating, which now stands a notch above minimum investment grade with a “stable” outlook.
The National Economic and Development Authority’s (NEDA) had cautioned that the proposed changes to the constitution could add 1.0-1.6 percentage points to the three percent-of-GDP fiscal deficit ceiling.
“In terms of the split, they said it’s a 50-50 split in terms of the revenues. But when we looked at the share in spending, it can actually go up to 80-20 if you consider debt payments,” NEDA Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Rosemarie G. Edillon told reporters late Wednesday after the meeting.
She noted that the draft federal charter was “not clear” on whether spending responsibilities will be shared in terms of subsidies, tax expenditures, financial expenses and capital outlays.
Ms. Edillon said that the government faces P156.6-243.50 billion in additional expenses — including personnel services and maintenance and operating expenses — in the first year of implementation of the new charter. She said that this does not include the cost of “around P10 billion to establish the new offices” in federated regions.
At least in the first few years of operation, therefore, the new government form “will impede the delivery of goods and services” and lead to “inevitable disruptions to the economy’s growth momentum and progress in infrastructure improvement efforts.”
The NEDA official said that there will also be “unquantifiable economic costs; repercussions and externalities [that] include impact on foreign direct investments and international trade, reaction of credit rating agencies to fiscal deficit and debt effects.”
After the meeting last Wednesday, Mr. Dominguez told reporters still that “We need more clarity, that’s all.”
“The document that was produced lacks clarity on these specific issues. We are not against federalism. It’s just that these things need to be clarified.”
The consultative committee submitted its draft to both chambers of Congress in July.
“Actually it’s already in Congress,” Mr. Dominguez said. “So it’s up to Congress already.”
Budget Secretary Benjamin E Diokno told reporters on Thursday that “the real decision makers here will be Congress,” adding that economic managers’ main concern was to “control the deficit.”
“That’s the major constraint: the size of the deficit.” — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

Emerging-market wobbles to test if Asia really is safer

HONG KONG/SINGAPORE — While Asia proved to be relatively stable through the Turkey-led emerging market sell-off this month, the region has its own vulnerabilities with the junk-bond market shaping up as a key area to watch.
The amount of such debt coming due in dollars from Asian issuers, excluding financial firms, will rise over the next three years to a record $24.2 billion in 2021. With global investors eyeing higher US interest rates as the Federal Reserve raises borrowing costs, Asia’s riskier firms will face pressure to offer juicier yields to lock in fresh funding.
Risks across the region vary from heavy debt piles in China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore to current account deficits in Indonesia, India and the Philippines.
Junk bonds are just one of a number of vulnerabilities investors will need to watch out for as the prospect of further interest-rate increases in the United States and the end of quantitative easing in Europe draw curtains on an era of easy money.
Here are some others:
UNDER WATER
Jitters have spread beyond junk securities to high-grade Asian corporate notes. The average price for investment-grade dollar notes in the region has stayed below 100 cents on the dollar since early April, an ICE BofAML index shows — that’s a longer period below par than stretches that preceded debt-market pain during financial crises in 1997 and 2008 and the 2013 “taper tantrum”.
CREDIT STRESS
Another worry stems from the sheer volume of debt in Asia’s developing economies.
“We believe the bigger vulnerability for Asia in coming months stems from domestic credit stress and evaporating market liquidity — not balance of payments or currency pressures — and the economies most exposed are China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia,” Robert Subbaraman, Singapore-based head of emerging markets economics at Nomura Holdings Inc., said in a note earlier this month.
HOUSEHOLD DEBT
Consumers are also racking up the bills, with South Korea most at risk of seeing budget-busting households fall underwater.
SOVEREIGN DEBT
Governments have run up their tabs, too.
Much of developing Asia is attempting to tackle ambitious infrastructure plans — billions of dollars’ worth of road and rail to connect rural areas with thriving urban centers.
While credit ratings firms have generally been supportive, balance sheet strains are starting to show.
In Southeast Asia, the Philippines remains in the cross hairs with President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” program applying pressure on the peso, which is down more than six percent this year against the dollar.
Indonesia has just pledged a record spending year for 2019 while claiming that higher revenue will shrink the swollen budget deficit.
TRADE TENSIONS
Bigger bills aren’t the only concern.
Simmering trade tensions between the US and China are also a threat for smaller export-oriented economies including South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Malaysia, along with financial hubs Singapore and Hong Kong.
A protracted trade war between the U.S. and China would reverberate. Fluctuations in China’s economy or financial markets now have up to three times the impact around Asia than they did before the global financial crisis, according to Goldman Sachs. Singapore and Hong Kong also play key trade hub roles that leave them exposed to the trade-war jitters.
CURRENT ACCOUNTS
Asia’s current-account positions are broadly in strong shape, but there are weak links.
India, Indonesia and the Philippines are the three deficit nations feeling the most strain from the emerging-market sell-off. While their domestic conditions vary and their deficits remain relatively narrow, they face more Fed interest-rate hikes, a brewing trade war and enduring emerging-market anxieties.
FOREIGN EXPOSURE
Indonesia has a particular need to calm investors, given that the proportion of its stocks and bonds held by foreign investors is higher than peers in the region. As a rule of thumb, the more foreign ownership, the more vulnerability to a reversal in market sentiment.
Even if Asia boasts better growth prospects and beefier buffers, its hefty weighting in many emerging-market benchmarks leaves it exposed to a broader sell-off. “Since Asia takes up 75% of the MSCI emerging market index, if people sell EM, they are going to naturally sell some Asia along with that — whether or not they actually feel negative about Asia per se,” Timothy Moe, chief Asia-Pacific equity strategist at Goldman Sachs in Hong Kong, told Bloomberg Television recently. — Bloomberg

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