IBM Philippines, together with the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) and ICT Davao, Inc. announce last week the launch of the SME Technology Center in Davao City.

The center, housed at DCCCII Building in Bajada is a collaborative effort between DCCCII, ICT Davao Inc. and IBM Philippines. 

It will deliver IBM solutions to SMEs in the Mindanao region, expose local SMEs to the use of IT as a strategic business enabler and provide IBM partners and developers with facilities to increase homegrown software development. The establishment of this center also signals IBM's dedication to helping SMEs grow, especially in key areas outside Metro Manila.

"The lack of access to best practice and business management tools is a significant barrier to the growth and sustainability of small and medium enterprises," Simeon Marfori II, DCCCII president, told Sun.Star Davao.

"IBM's technological contribution to the Davao SME Technology Center and the introduction of the SME Toolkit will enable us to bring information and communication technologies faster and more widely available to the  small-medium businesses throughout the Mindanao region," he said.

IBM considers mid-sized and small businesses as the engines fueling a smarter planet, creating roughly 65% of the worlwide gross domestic product.

The company has the right tools for SMEs to thrive in today's global economy.

Across the globe, IBM is currently working with thousands of mid-sized firms to help them compete in a smarter world - utilizing its Express Advantage comprehensive protfolio of hardware, software and services offerings specifically designed and priced for the SMB's unique business needs.

The Express Advantage set offerings brings together IBM's extensive business, industry, technology, knoweldge and experience, through a network of local competent Business Partners.

The local perspective gives these partners the ability, backed by IBM, to work hand-in-hand to provide total solutions with enhanced value.

"The SME Technology Center will help broaden and increase the uptake of ICTs by Dabawenyos, a move that will spur the city's ICT readiness and attractiveness as an outsourcing destination," Wit Holganza, ICT Davao Inc. President, said during the launch.

During the launch of the Davao SME Technology Center, businesses were also introduced to the SME Toolkit, a major initiative undertaken by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank, and supported by IBM.

The SME Toolkit allows the design and building of new business management platforms which delivers interactive tools, online collaboration and educational content for small businesses in developing and emerging markets.

The SME Toolkit is a free online program which provides information and communication technologies to help small businesses in emerging markets learn and implement sustainable business management practices.

The Toolkit provides businesses with highly developed information, tools, and training services usually inly available to Fortune 100 companies.

Originally launched by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in 2002, it is available in 22 emerging markets such as the Philippines, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. It offers free business management information and training for small businesses/small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on accounting and finance, business planning, human resources (HR), marketing and sales, operations, and information technology (IT).

"The SME Technology Center in Davao is part of IBM's ongoing commitment to support SMEs around the world. The strategic use of technology can help give local SMEs - a competitive edge in this era of globalization. By providing Davao businesses with access to world-class technology, we also hope to help the city become better equipped to seize greater opportunities to play an integral part in the Philippines' economic growth," James Velasquez, IBM Philippines Country General Manager, said.