Digitalization has been deemed necessary for many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). But until today, some may still struggle to fully transform and adapt to digital practices. According to a new study by the World Economic Forum (WEF), many SMEs admitted to having little to no digitalization plans.
Only 23% of SMEs reported that the pandemic accelerated their digitalization goals, showing that considerable barriers still prevent the widespread use of digital technologies. The barriers include limited availability and access to financial resources, lack of a skilled workforce, and infrastructure barriers to support digitization.
Additionally, a recent survey commissioned by Epson reveals that 55% of SME respondents in the Philippines are at the “very early stages of digital transformation.”
Aiming to address this barrier among SMEs, premier telecommunications company Eastern Communications amplifies its initiative to assist emerging businesses in their digital transformation journey through an ongoing series of roadshows across the country.
Dubbed “Access Eastern,” the series is part of the telco’s efforts to ramp up the adoption of digital technology among various industries and startups. These roadshows address important topics such as top business tech trends and introduce key business technologies that have been made available for the Philippine market.
Kicking off in the Bicol Region, specifically in Legazpi and Sorsogon, the exclusive digital learning sessions allow local business owners to take advantage of the expertise of Eastern Communications’ professionals and get the latest updates on technological developments.
“According to data from previous years, businesses that pushed for digital transformation and invested in ICT services were able to increase their investor potential in the region. We launched Access Eastern with the goal of providing equitable access to ICT knowledge and services in order to serve more areas and benefit various businesses across the country,” said Eastern Communications’ Product Manager Richelaine Bayocot.
“We not only encourage the adoption of digital technologies, but also emphasize the importance of knowing the right digital tools for your business. Eastern strives to serve customers with personalized services catered to their needs, along with our signature high-touch service,” said Eastern Communications Product Architect Jovee Gecha.
The ICT solutions company likewise empowers SMEs towards digital transformation by further improving its reach through its various connectivity offerings. Its Eastern Fiber 1 internet plan is recommended for startups and emerging businesses that need fast and reliable connectivity ranging from 10 Mbps up to 100 MBps.
Eastern IDS or Internet Direct Service, on the other hand, is ideal for more established businesses, having dedicated high-speed Internet service of up to 10 GBps, where they can expect low latency, zero downtime, and enjoy a more secure connectivity with absence of third-party users.
Access Eastern’s next run will be in Cebu and is also expected to launch in Tuguegarao, Iloilo, Bacolod, Baguio, Cagayan De Oro, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, and select cities in Metro Manila soon.