PLDT outsources IT needs to US-based firm

Telco giant PLDT Inc. announced a major outsourcing deal with United States-based Amdocs, which will upgrade and manage the business technology systems of PLDT and subsidiary Smart Communications.

PLDT said in a stock exchange filing on Wednesday that the $300-million agreement would run for a period of seven years.

PLDT decided last year that it would outsource most of its IT requirements in a bid to cut costs and shore up earnings. It initially wanted to tap US-based IBM but an agreement was never reached.

On Wednesday, PLDT said “certain manpower from our IT units would be offered career opportunities in Amdocs as regular employees.”

“This represents a unique chance for these IT people to further build their careers in one of the leading software and services companies in the world,” PLDT chair and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said.

The company did not say how many employees would be affected. Pangilinan said last year that PLDT had around 1,000 people working in the IT department.

According to PLDT, Amdocs will modernize its IT systems, streamline processes and increase revenue growth.

“With this agreement in place, we can focus on our core mission of serving our customers in the best possible way through powerful, pervasive connectivity, and relevant cutting-edge digital products and services created by ourselves or with partners like Amdocs and others who are leaders in their fields,” Pangilinan said.

PLDT said the deal had wide implications for its internal processes and would cover sales and customer experience units.

Moreover, the agreement also involves the modernization and maintenance across critical IT components such as customer relationship management, billing, subscription and campaign management.

“PLDT is focused on delivering compelling customer experiences for their wide range of telecommunications and digital services across fixed line and cellular networks,” said Gary Miles, chief marketing officer at Amdocs. “Our digital solutions and services will enable them to further enhance customer experiences across their brands for home, wireless and enterprise services; while improving overall efficiencies to quickly innovate and launch new services to grow their data business.”