DBM taps tech firm to improve operations

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has announced the modernization of its back office systems with the adoption of cloud-based or Internet-hosted e-mail and other productivity programs from tech giant Google.

Locally listed Internet company IP Converge Data Center Inc., Google’s corporate services partner in the Philippines, announced its partnership with the DBM, which is expected to improve the operations of this key government agency.

“We are glad to be able to help DBM further enhance its efficiency and empower its employees through Google’s reliable, cloud-based office productivity tools,” IP Converge president Rene Huergas said in a statement.

The use of Google Apps for Business is expected to deliver immediate savings for the DBM, Huergas said.

Because these programs are hosted over the Internet, Google Apps require no hardware or software installation and needs only minimal administration, creating tremendous time and cost savings for business and public entities.

DBM personnel will be able to use e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, calendaring and scheduling, groups and video sharing applications in one “cost-effective” package.

Each user will be given 25 gigabytes worth of storage space on Google’s “cloud” for e-mail, about 50 times more storage than the industry average.

The DBM said its adoption of Google Apps was in line with the Aquino administration’s efforts to cut on spending, while improving services to the general public.

“Through our partnership with IP-Converge, we wish to join several businesses and government agencies in taking advantage of the Cloud Age to improve key areas in our operations, most especially document collaboration,” DBM Undersecretary and Chief Information Officer Bon Moya said.

“The resulting efficiencies will translate to direct, immediate and sustainable benefits for the Filipino public through well-delivered services,” he added.

“We urge other government agencies like DBM to take advantage of Cloud Computing and the benefits they stand to gain from taking their operations to the Cloud,” Huergas said.