TECHNOLOGY
Enstack’s pick and choose business tools, single sign up process boost SME digitization
April 4, 2022 8:31 p.m.
For years, Allysa Fabiaña manually listed daily sales and expenses from her ukay-ukay business and had no access to simple digital services. Today, she’s one of the thousands of users who operate their business using only a smartphone with SME superapp Enstack.
“Enstack has allowed us to understand our business and run it better with its accounting and inventory tools and built-in reports. We’ve also been able to cater to more customers through in-app services that allow us to offer cashless payments,” Allysa Fabiaña, owner of Thrift Season.
Enstack allows small and medium businesses to take their first leap towards digitization and manage orders, track inventory, get paid, ship packages, and record daily business transactions on their mobile phones.
The app’s innovative Single Sign-up process solves a major pain point for most small businesses – access to services usually reserved for larger companies. By submitting just an ID, a selfie, and Proof of Billing once during sign up, merchants become verified users and can offer value-added services such as digital payments and same-day delivery at discounted rates. Another user favorite, the Chat Store, also enables merchants to automatically accept orders via their linked Facebook Messenger accounts so they never miss a sale.
“Enstack eases SMEs into digitization by transforming familiar pen-and-paper processes such as recording sales, expenses and inventory, into mini apps that can be used individually or all together. They’re then introduced to digital services such as shipping and cashless payments to expand their reach. We want digitization to feel achievable by letting SMEs decide their pace and which features to start with,” said Macy Castillo, Managing Director of Enstack. Enstack built highly localized features so Filipino SMEs can do the following:
Sell online, in person, over the phone, and even via chat
Whether automatically accepting orders on Messenger or logging phone and in-person orders on the Cashier mini app, all orders are synced into the Enstack superapp and can be shipped out once ready. The Cashier mini app even sends invoices to customers that redirects them to a payment portal, reducing steps to getting paid and simplifying the process of paniningil.
Offer cash and cashless payment options
Popular Cash on Delivery is now more accessible than ever, as verified SMEs can activate this with one tap alongside digital payment options like GCash, PayMaya, and Grab Pay wallets, and bank transfers via BPI and UnionBank direct debit. More payment options allow SMEs to cater to more customers.
Book couriers directly on Enstack
SMEs can arrange deliveries with integrated couriers such as Grab and 2Go directly on the app while enjoying discounted delivery rates — no need to manually call couriers or use multiple apps.
Digitize paper ledgers and inventory
Not only can income and expenses be recorded on the Accounting mini app, but they can also be tagged based on type and generated into reports, helping SMEs identify cost drivers. Meanwhile, Enstack’s Inventory mini app updates stocks in real-time whenever sales are made on the Chat Store or via Cashier so SMEs see stock levels accurately.
Enstack is available in the Philippines and Vietnam and is set to launch in other Southeast Asian countries in the next 18 months. It is free to use and download on the App Store and Google Play.
To learn more about Enstack visit www.enstack.com
TECHNOLOGY
Lenovo taps MEC Networks as new software distributor in PH
5:58 p.m. November 6, 2024
Lenovo Philippines has strengthened its local software distribution network through a new partnership with MEC Networks Corporation, officially appointing MEC as its software distributor in the Philippine market. The partnership was formalized recently in a contract signing, where Lenovo and MEC committed to delivering high-quality software solutions that meet the evolving needs of Filipino businesses.
This collaboration brings together MEC’s extensive distribution experience and Lenovo’s advanced software offerings. Through MEC, Lenovo will also collaborate with Kinjo Tech, a leading provider of unified endpoint management software such as Scalefusion, to offer cutting-edge software solutions for managing and securing business operations across various industries.
From left to right: Charles Springgay, President of Kinjo Tech, Clark Popple, SMB and One Channel Lead of Lenovo Philippines Inc.,Michael Ngan, President and General Manager of Lenovo Philippines Inc., Gunaseelan Ramachandran, Business Development Manager / Solutions Architect of Kinjo Tech, and Merrick Chua, President of MEC Networks Corporation.
TECHNOLOGY
OPPO leads AI innovation with world’s 1st on-device MoE implementation, paves way for AI advancements
5:41 p.m. October 25, 2024
Global leading smart device brand OPPO has achieved a significant breakthrough by becoming the first company to implement the Mixture of Experts (MoE) architecture on-device. This milestone enhances AI processing efficiency, opens new possibilities for more advanced and flexible on-device AI, laying the groundwork for future innovations in AI’s integration with mobile hardware.
As AI technology continues to evolve, more tasks are being performed on-device. However, large AI models require substantial computational power, which can impact performance, especially on devices with limited hardware resources. In response, OPPO has collaborated with leading chipset providers to implement the MoE architecture on-device to overcome these limitations.
The MoE architecture dynamically activates specialized sub-models (“experts”) to handle specific tasks, thereby significantly improving processing efficiency and cutting down computing and data transfer consumption. Lab tests reveal that on-device MoE architecture accelerates AI task speeds by approximately 40%, reducing resource demands and improving energy efficiency. This means faster AI responses, longer battery life and enhanced privacy as more tasks are handled locally on the device.
Illustration of MoE Architecture
OPPO’s implementation of the MoE architecture on-device is a breakthrough that highlights its advancement in AI innovation. By lowering AI’s computational costs, MoE allows more devices-ranging from flagship to affordable devices-to perform complex AI tasks, accelerating AI’s adoption across the industry. As a result, The MoE architecture on-device opens new opportunities for the industry to make advanced AI capabilities more accessible to a wider audience.
Looking ahead, OPPO remains committed to advancing AI technology and making it available to more users. With over 5,860 patent applications in the AI field, OPPO continues to invest heavily in AI R&D. The establishment of OPPO’s AI Center in 2024 serves as a key step in consolidating its AI research efforts, furthering the company’s mission to provide high-quality AI experiences to users worldwide. Through continued research like MoE and the global rollout of AI-powered features across its smartphone lineup, OPPO aims to extend high-quality AI experiences to a broader audience, ensuring that AI technology becomes more accessible to users across its device categories.
TECHNOLOGY
TCL White Lines: Future of home living
1:48 p.m. September 18, 2024
TCL, a global leader in consumer and one of the world’s top two TV brands, is reinforcing its commitment to innovation and improving daily life through advanced technology.
While maintaining its strong position in the TV market, TCL is now actively pursuing leadership in the complete smart home solutions space, encompassing air conditioners, washing machines, refrigerators, and audio equipment.
Under the guidance of newly appointed CEO Peter Chen, TCL is setting a new standard in home living. “My vision is to solidify TCL’s presence in these categories, ensuring that we not only continue to innovate but also enrich the lives of consumers worldwide. As we expand globally, my goal is to ensure that TCL remains one of the top innovators in consumer appliances, continuing to meet and exceed the evolving needs of our customers.”
With nearly a decade of experience at TCL, Mr. Chen has witnessed the company’s evolution from a rising star to a dominant force in the TV market. His contributions have been instrumental in building market share and establishing TCL as a recognized leader. But Mr. Chen’s goals for the company go far beyond its current successes.
This year, TCL is prioritizing global expansion and continued product innovation. The company’s advanced technology is revolutionizing home appliances, offering superior comfort, convenience, and efficiency, as exemplified by the TCL White Lines category. TCL has already achieved remarkable success in this area
As of May, TCL has achieved the top position in terms of volume sold within the air conditioner market. Furthermore, they have secured the No. 1 spot in the split-type category for both ytd 2023 and 2024 in retail stores, according to market research conducted by TRS Research.
In the refrigerator category, TCL have tailored their offerings to cater to various market niches, with the top-mounted models capturing significant market share. This targeted approach has allowed TCL to meet diverse consumer needs effectively.
While in the washing machine segment, TCL has made a significant impact by offering a diverse and high-quality product lineup. Their focus on high-end top-load models, coupled with competitive pricing, has been a key factor in their success. Likewise, they’ve also provided a broad range of options, including both top-load and twin-tub models, catering to various customer needs and preferences.
TCL’s focus on delivering superior technology that fits seamlessly into everyday life with consumers. As a result, TCL earned the No. 1 share in front-load washing machine sales in retail stores in the Philippines based on cumulative market share data from the beginning of 2023 through June 2024 based on TRS Research data. This accomplishment reflects TCL’s commitment to delivering superior products that meet the needs of their customers while maintaining affordability and quality.
“These targeted strategies have been instrumental in fueling our market share growth, reflecting TCL’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction across all Whitelines categories,” Mr. Chen enthuses.
As part of the strategy, TCL is not only committed to global growth but is also leading the charge in sustainability and environmental stewardship. Just this year, they are integrating advanced energy-saving technologies into their appliances to help consumers reduce their energy consumption and lower their utility bills. The goal is to not only enhance the efficiency of their products but also to support their customers in making eco-conscious choices.
“Our dedication to sustainability drives us to continuously push for eco-friendly designs and practices that minimize our environmental impact. We believe in leveraging innovative technology to improve people’s lives, solve everyday problems, and bring joy to families. By focusing on these principles, we aim to inspire and empower individuals to pursue greatness while creating a safer and healthier world for everyone,” Mr. Chen continues.
Elevate your everyday home with TCL White Lines Appliances to experience comfort, efficiency, and a cooler significant way of living.