The Philippine IT-BPM industry is projected to reach US$38.9 billion in revenue and employ 1.8 million employees in five years. Dubbed “Roadmap 2022,” this industry blueprint is led by the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP).
As the largest industry association behind one of the most dynamic sectors of the economy and key contributor to the country’s GDP growth, IBPAP has the responsibility of organizing and coordinating with more than 330 organization members and affiliates – aiding in the promotion of industry standards and policies, advising on industry-related legislation, and disseminating crucial information to all association stakeholders for compliance and consensus-gathering. It is particularly in this advisory role that the IBPAP is aware of the challenges it faces in expediently getting information to and inputs from its members in order to achieve meaningful and relevant outcomes.
“One of the challenges we have is to have a platform where we can effectively communicate with our members,” shares Rey Untal, IBPAP’s President and CEO. “Up until now, the method has been largely through emails. And you know how emails can be very unwieldy and not necessarily the best form of getting messages across.”
With members located in different parts of the country, IBPAP saw the opportunity of utilizing a mobile platform to boost organization engagement and communication. “When we learned about the capabilities that Squares can offer us, we got really excited,” says Untal.
Developed by Xurpas subsidiary STORM Technologies, Squares is a mobile app that seeks to improve the engagement and communication of an increasingly digital workforce. Squares allows companies to communicate with its employees in real time, thereby boosting the latter’s sense of belongingness and involvement within the organization.
In IBPAP’s case, Squares will be a platform to keep its members posted on industry updates and events and to mobilize support for programs like the Roadmap 2022. Technical Working Groups were formed to provide direction in developing and implementing various High-Impact Programs to help realize the goals set forth by the organization.
“Through this app, we can engage our members and they can have an overview of the progress of these programs,” says Catherine Ileto, IBPAP’s Vice Chairman of the Board. “With [Squares], we have a new capability to effectively get our messages across,” adds Untal. “We have a good channel to connect with our member community.”
A subsidiary of Xurpas Inc., STORM provides HR solutions as part of the solutions portfolio of Xurpas Enterprise, the country’s leading provider of digital innovation platforms for businesses in the areas of employee engagement and retention, digital advertising, IT and managed services, and data sciences. It consists of seven subsidiaries with operations throughout Asia, servicing top local and Fortune 500 companies.
(from left to right) Peter Cauton, CEO of STORM Technologies; Catherine Ileto, Vice Chairman of IBPAP; Rey Untal, President & CEO of IBPAP; Andy Garcia, CTO of Xurpas Inc.; Marcy Venezuela, President & CEO of Xurpas Enterprise Inc.
INQUIRER.net/JMM