Connect with us

NEWS

Embracing sustainability: A paperless drive for Vikings

3:06 p.m. February 24, 2025

In an era where sustainability is at the forefront of business innovation, companies are recognizing the need to evolve.

Vikings Philippines, the country’s leading luxury buffet restaurant chain, is taking a proactive step toward environmental responsibility through its Paperless Drive, an initiative that is not just about reducing paper usage — it is also about streamlining operations, enhancing efficiency, and contributing to a greener future.

Recognizing that true sustainability goes beyond reducing waste, Vikings has embraced digital transformation as a key enabler of both environmental responsibility and operational excellence. By leveraging Lark’s enterprise collaboration solutions, Vikings is transforming its business processes, making them more sustainable, digital-first, and highly efficient.

A Digital Transformation

Operating 18 brands and 68 branches with over 3,000 employees, Vikings Philippines faces the challenge of maintaining a seamless, organized, and sustainable operational workflow. Through its Paperless Drive, the company is integrating technology into key areas of its business to eliminate paper waste while increasing productivity.

A key aspect of this initiative is Digital Documentation, where Vikings has transitioned from physical paperwork to digital documents, creating a more organized and accessible filing system. With Lark’s integrated cloud storage, employees can easily access, edit, and share files in real-time, reducing reliance on physical records and improving efficiency across locations.

Another significant shift is the adoption of Digitalized Approvals, which streamline approval processes and eliminate the need for printed contracts and forms. By utilizing Lark’s Approval feature, Vikings has accelerated decision-making and document processing, cutting down on administrative delays while contributing to a more sustainable workflow.

To enhance team collaboration, Vikings has leveraged Collaborative Platforms through Lark’s digital tools, enabling seamless communication and file sharing between corporate and frontline teams. This shift has empowered employees to coordinate effortlessly across different locations, enhancing productivity while reducing unnecessary printing and paper usage.

Additionally, Vikings has embraced Online Transactions, moving towards digital invoices and receipts to minimize excessive paper waste. By integrating e-payment and digital record-keeping, the company has modernized its financial processes while reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and efficiency.

Lark as a Game-Changer

Lark has played a pivotal role in enabling Vikings’ sustainability efforts by providing an all-in-one digital collaboration platform. Through real-time communication, cloud-based file storage, and workflow automation, Vikings has successfully transitioned many of its processes to a digital-first, paper-free model.

“At Lark, we believe that sustainability and efficiency go hand in hand. By reducing paper reliance and embracing digital workflows, businesses like Vikings Philippines can enhance both their environmental impact and operational excellence,” said Mark Dembitz, General Manager, APAC at Lark.

With Lark’s mobile-friendly and cloud-based capabilities, Vikings’ workforce — including both corporate and frontline employees — can access documents, share updates, and collaborate in real-time, reducing the need for printed reports, memos, and physical approvals. This shift not only enhances operational efficiency but also aligns with global sustainability practices.

“Going paperless is more than just an environmental commitment—it’s about making our operations smarter and more agile. Through Lark’s digital solutions, we’ve not only reduced our reliance on physical documents but also empowered our teams to work more efficiently and collaboratively,” said Jackson Go, Managing Director of Vikings Philippines.

Sustainability and Operational Excellence

Vikings’ transition to a paperless system aligns with the growing push for digitalization in the F&B industry, where businesses are adopting smart workplace solutions to improve productivity, enhance customer service, and reduce environmental impact.

As Vikings Philippines continues to innovate, its Paperless Drive serves as a model for other businesses looking to enhance their environmental and operational practices. With Lark as its digital transformation partner, Vikings is paving the way for a more connected, efficient, and sustainable workplace.

NEWS

DITO delivers superior network performance, turning digital aspirations into possibilities

8:11 p.m. August 28, 2025

DITO Telecommunity showcased how superior connectivity transforms Filipino digital aspirations into achievable realities during the successful media launch of the telco’s latest campaign, Kaya DITO, held at Manila House, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. 

Built on True 5G standalone technology and as validated by a global leader in mobile analytics and insights, Opensignal, as the Philippines’ Fastest Mobile Network, DITO’s ecosystem proves that the Filipino telecommunity’s demand for seamless network connectivity, value-driven services and unified digital experience aren’t distant possibilities, but today’s basic expectations—this challenges what the telco industry has long normalized.

“For too long, outages, dropped calls, and overpriced data have been treated as normal. Let us say it bluntly: It is not normal. Every Filipino has limitless potential when equipped with the right tools, and the game is now changing since DITO has joined the fray and taken up the cause to disrupt the status quo—to deliver inclusive, next-gen technology to the  Filipino people. “Kaya DITO!” is our battle cry to symbolically break that cycle, because we truly believe that Filipinos deserve better,” shared by DITO Telecommunity President Eric Alberto in the event.

The Telco that Truly Takes Care of its Users 

DITO’s prepaid solutions eliminate the frustration of wasted data through Level-Up Packs with ViLTE technology, making DITO the primary telco offering unlimited DITO-to-DITO HD video calls and unli mobile calls. Combined with Viber and Prime Video inclusions and flexible data packages with longer validity periods, users can now maximize their every peso without worrying about abruptly expiring data allocations.

The Telco that Offers Value-Packed Postpaid Plans

DITOFlexPlan 888 redefines what postpaid should offer—comprehensive inclusions and generous data at prices that make sense for Filipino budgets. Whether you choose SIM-only or device bundles, these plans prove that premium network performance doesn’t have to break the bank, empowering users to pursue their goals without connectivity compromises.

The Telco that Brings True 5G Home Internet Convenience 

DITO WoWFi Pro 365 makes home connectivity effortless with a year-long unlimited connection that works when you need it. Families enjoy the convenience of reliable internet for work, study, and entertainment without the inconvenience of data top-ups and complicated installations; just network performance that simplifies your digital life at home.  Just ask any of your relatives and friends who have already ditched ordinary WiFi and jumped onto WoWFi— they will tell you what you’ve been missing out on.

The Telco that Built Everything You Need in One App

The DITO App represents one of the industry’s most comprehensive digital platforms, built from the ground up to handle the entire customer journey. From SIM and load purchase to account management and a wide range of OTT apps, users enjoy complete digital control with custom special offers, DITO Rewards points, and 24/7 customer support—managing everything while earning exclusive benefits.

Continue Reading

NEWS

Pay with GCash and turn daily payments into big wins

11:39 a.m. August 27, 2025

GCash, the country’s leading finance super app, is making everyday payments more rewarding with “Pay It, Win It”, where every ₱50 spent on GCash builds your chances to win over ₱20 million worth of exciting rewards.

With “Pay It, Win It”, everyday payments turn into extraordinary wins with prizes designed to match the passion and lifestyle of all GCash users. Every two weeks, new and bigger rewards drop, bringing you closer to the life upgrade you’ve been dreaming of.
GCash takes it further by listening to what its users truly value and showing up where they are. Whether it’s in the daily grind, their fandoms, or their passions, rewards don’t just excite, but they resonate in everyday life.

Upgrade Your Everyday
Every peso spent gives users a chance to win must-have prizes that can upgrade their everyday lives– from driving home a brand-new BYD Seal 5 DM-i Dynamic or zipping through the city on a Yamaha NMAX, to bringing homea Samsung Smart TV.

A Trip to the K-Land 
For all dedicated and passionate K-pop fans, you can turn your bills and shopping receipts into plane tickets, taking you a step closer to your bias.  Win a trip for two to Seoul or Busan and make your ultimate K-dream a reality.

Level Up Your Play
For PC and console gamers, leveling up has never been this thrilling. Win the latest gaming console (PlayStation™ 5), a high-performance gaming laptop (ASUS ROG Strix G16), and the ultimate gaming phone (ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro), because every gamer knows that better gear leads to better performance.

Joining is simple; just head over to the “Pay It, Win It” page by clicking the “Tap for Promos” banner on your GCash app and choosing a prize to register. Every ₱50 spent instantly counts as a raffle entry.

Pay any way you like, whether it’s scanning or generating a QR code, paying with your GCash Card, paying online, buying load or paying bills inside the GCash app, paying with GCash Tap to Pay, or generating a QR with your Huawei Watch. No extra forms, no fuss, just keep using GCash everyday.

Winners are drawn weekly and announced every Friday through the official social media channels of GCash and in-app promo page. All winners will be notified via email, and in-app alerts.

With “Pay It, Win It,” GCash proves that every payment isn’t just a flow of funds from users’ wallets; it’s a step toward progress, a connection to your passion, and a chance to unlock rewards that truly matter.  For more information about GCash, visit www.new.gcash.com.

Continue Reading

NEWS

‘Gender dimension’ will make urban spaces more inclusive, useful — expert

11:12 a.m. August 26, 2025

Urban planners must consider the “gender dimension” to make public spaces more inclusive and allow better use of infrastructures designed to make users move comfortably, according to a US-based expert supporting movements for greater public mobility.

Benjie de la Peña, CEO of the Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) and chair of the Global Network for Popular Transportation, said buildings, walkways or sidewalks, and transport terminals should not be mere infrastructures as they must be public spaces where people should be able to move comfortably.

Engineers tend to think of efficiency and movement alone and they don’t think about the waiting part, right? … It’s always about the moving and not about the waiting. But in a good system, you think about how it is to wait and dwell,” De la Peña told participants of the Philippine Mobility Series 2025’s “Mobility Chat” recently.

For instance, De la Peña said, women and caregivers have different trip patterns from men and regular office workers, hence, the significance to create mobility hubs for women, as well as caregivers.

In their analysis, De la Peña noted that in most cities, available public transport services go to the employment areas and serves particular times, but that’s not how women and caregivers move. 

“They sometimes have to stop over at school to drop off the kids, or on the way home, stop over and pick up a grocery, or if they’re caring for someone older, they have to take them to the doctor or to the pharmacy. And so, none of the public transportation systems are particularly friendly to that,” said the Filipino urban transport expert.

“This is precisely why Grab in the Philippines is supporting the Philippine Mobility Series 2025. We need to hear more civilian voices. We need a platform to allow exchanges of ideas to flow in order to improve mobility in the country,” according to Booey Bonifacio of Grab.

After interviewing 100 women aged 11 to 95 on their transportation needs and challenges, De la Peña noted how the framework they designed had radically changed when gender dimension was added.

If we design for the people with the most challenges, it works better for everyone else,” De la Peña told the “Mobility Chat” organized by AltMobility PH and co-presented by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and in partnership with Grab and the Move As One Coalition.

Continue Reading