Developed by UpMobile International Ventures, Inc., TopApp is a digital services hub that taps into various technologies and electronic businesses through smartphones to serve the lifestyle needs of its users, like reloading your airtime credits, paying your bills, making purchases online, and availing exclusive discounts and promos.
Built with the intention of empowering Filipino smartphone users, TopApp can turn any compatible device into a tool for improving one’s workflow and increasing one’s comfort with its three features:
TopApp Credit is an eWallet service that lets users do a number of things like purchasing airtime load purchase, online bills payment, and e-commerce integration. TopApp Credit also rewards users with exclusive discounts and promos, giving it an immediate edge over the nascent competition.
TopApp Zone is an extensive repository of mobile apps, some of which aren’t found in Google Play Store. It's an exclusive mobile app source where TopApp Credit can be used as a payment option.
Finally, TopApp Deals and Promos is where discounts and various offers from Partnered Merchants will be made available for TopApp users.It works seamlessly with TopApp Credit and it will rely on ads and partnerships to best serve the needs of the TopApp userbase.
PLDT SME Nation, leading business solutions provider introduces its newest wireless broadband, Smart Biz LTE for Micro, Small and Medium enterprses (MSMEs). Aim to take businesses to the next level by providing stable and high-speed internet.
Smart Biz LTE includes an industry-grade steel router with Dual LTE Antenna with Mimo Capability covering 30 to 50 meters WiFi reach and up to 45 connected users providing internet speeds up to 42mbps. "Smart BizLTE is your ultimate upgrade from usual pocket WiFi entrepreneurs use for connecting to their business while on the go." said Ms. Nephele Denosta, AVP & Head SME Nation Wireless Marketing. "The new wireless broadband offer answers entrepreneurs' need for stable, high-speeed data perfect for stationary or mobile assets in order to effectively oversee and grow their businesses," adds Denosta.
To compliment the launch, PLDT SME Nation unveiled Bryan Benitez McClelland, founder of socio-ecological enterprise, Bambike Revolution cycles as its newest brand ambassador. Bambike is company produces bicycles made of natural bamboos and abaca. These eco-friendly bicycles are used in tours around Intramuros, creating a unqiue and fun learning experience on our national history and culture.
Bambike also provides livelihood to a number of community workers in Tarlac through Gawad Kalinga, banking on McClelland's vision of fair-trade labor and sustainable business practice. "Bambike is dedicated to social and environmental stewardship through making te greenest bikes in the planet. Our vision as a company is to not only live our passsion for bicycles, local touris, and love for Mother Earth but also, create impacts to the betterment of our community,shares McClelland. Mcclelland shares his excitement and considers PLDT SME nation their most trusted and reliable business partner and with Smart Biz LTE improves their comapny's operational efficiency by creating more collaborative working environment to provide livelihood to an underprivileged community like Victoria, Tarlac.
Smart Biz LTE plans starts at 1,899 for 5GB, 2,349 for 13GB and 4100 for 21GB Data Allocation for 24 months contract. It is said no throttling nor no stopping service. You have an option to avail of SmartCam for 250 Pesos per Month. Required documents includes BCIF, Mayors Permit, ID, Resolution of Partnership (Partnership), Certificate of Administration (Cooperative), Certificate of Budget (Government), Notarized Sec cert and SEC (Corporate).
Available starting September 2016. Business who subscribe from September 16 to October 31, 2016 shall be entitled to one (1) Free SmartCam for every line availed. To know more about PLDT SME Nation’s partnership with Bambike, more of its activities and what it has in store for the nation’s MSMEs, please visit http://smenation.com.ph/ or https://www.facebook.com/SMENation/.
According to IPC (IP Converge Data Services, Inc.), the country’s pioneer DDoS Mitigation service provider, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks increased 43% percent to 34,000 attacks in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, citing a report by its partner Nexusguard, global leader in DDoS mitigation.
The largest increase was seen in Hong Kong, where attacks rose an astonishing 57%. China, which saw a 50% increase in attacks, is the number one target in the region. According to the report, over the course of a month a Chinese website was attacked 41 times. The Philippines on the other hand is one of the countries who experienced the least DDoS attacks, together with Indonesia and Malaysia.
IPC strongly recommends that businesses to be prepared by updating and strengthening their security systems. “The currently low numbers of the Philippines should not be taken as a signal to be complacent. Instead, the huge increase of DDoS attacks in the region and the world should be a wake-up call to businesses as we become more and more digitally active,” said Niño Valmonte, Director for Product Management & Marketing of IPC.
“Almost every company is going digital these days and the more that this trend continues, the more cybercriminals will try to access your network. Once your company becomes digital, it is imperative to implement highly effective data security measures,” added Valmonte.
The report also revealed an alarming increase in public attacks. “We expect the upward trend in the frequency of attacks to continue this year, especially with more attention to the Summer Olympics and political dispute in the APAC region,” said Terrence Gareau, chief scientist at Nexusguard. “And as Pokémon Go gradually launches across the Asian market, Nexusguard analysts expect attack groups will launch more public attacks. This activity increases visibility and positioning as DDoS-for-hire services, the popularity of which we noted from the consistent time durations this quarter.”
Attacks on the Network Time Protocol (NTP) dominated 90% of the attack types in the region, a stark contrast from the global distribution which experienced only 46% of this type of attack. The NTP is a protocol used for clock synchronization that is used by machines connected to the Internet to set their clocks accurately. Once attacked, hackers can gain access to hundreds of computers, depending on how many the NTP has interacted with. The quarter also saw the increased weaponization of ransomware within DDoS tools as a new “fad” for propagating home infections.
The solution to counter these attacks is a sound DDoS mitigation strategy. IPC is the first and only DDoS Mitigation service provider in the Philippines with round the clock DDoS attack monitoring and in-country attack mitigation for local enterprises and institutions. Branded as “inCAST” or In-Country Attack Scrubbing Tactics, the facility uses state-of-the-art equipment, manned by DDoS mitigation specialists so customers are assured of protection from looming attacks.
Learn more about IPC’s in-country DDoS mitigation services at ipc.ph/incast.
Acer is already a reliable and trusted IT company worldwide in manufacturing quality devices from computers, laptops to smartphones and projectors. Today, it is going the extra mile when it comes to providing great service.
Acer is introducing free door-to-door customer service program touted as the only one of its kind in the Philippines. According to Dio Vasquez, Operations Director, Acer Philippines, Inc., the program allows customers to simply call the Acer Customer Service Hotline if and when they experience problems with their Acer device. “Once you call, a contact center agent will answer and diagnose initially over the phone any problem you may have with your device.”
“These are all qualified technical support agents, all trained to handle technical problems over the phone. In time, we will increase the number of agents depending on the number of repair requests we receive,” he explained.
Vasquez said that if the problem cannot be solved over the phone, a ticket number will be created and issued by the Tech Support Team to the client, and that’s where the door-to-door service begins.
Once the ticket is created, Acer’s courier partner will be alerted and the device will be scheduled for pickup. “The customer has the option to have the device picked up at home or place of work on the date and time he prefers. After the courier representative determines that all items in his checklist in picking up the device are cleared, the device will then be brought to the Acer Service Center in Paco, Manila.”
When repairs are done, client will be informed that for delivery of the device. If client will be unavailable to receive the unit on the date and time advised, an authorization letter must be presented by his authorized representative.
Clients can check the status of their device for repair via https://mobilesupport.acer.com.ph. As for turnaround time for repairs, Vasquez said it depends on the problem of the device or availability of spare parts but fittingly, the problem should be resolved within five (5) days and client advised whether the device can still be fixed or not.
The service is FREE, says Vasquez, as long as the device is still under warranty. However, since the program is still new, only notebooks with Intel Core i3 to Core i7 configurations can avail of the service. “We’ll check later if we can also provide it to entry-level laptops since they’re too many. We will prioritize first those who paid premium to avail of this service,” he added.
For those outside of Metro Manila or out of coverage area, they are directed to look for the nearest service provider partner of Acer. “As a backup, Acer has its network of service providers who can cater to walk-in clients. They can find out if their area is covered by calling (02) 555-2300 and 1800-1888-7037 (toll-free) for those residing outside Metro Manila”
Vasquez bared that Acer will not stop here. He hinted that most likely next year, they may include Acer devices that are out of warranty and diagnosis can be done via a downloadable app. “Customer, through an app, can already identify and report potential problems and send this to the contact center, who will then call them.
As more people are getting mobile and life is getting fast paced, people have no more time to go to a service center to have their device repaired. This is why Acer wants to cater to the needs of their customers. “Acer invested heavily on this proprietary contact center support system because excellent service is what customers want and truly deserve, nothing less,” concludes Vasquez.
Asia’s most promising ‘cashback’ mobile app finally comes to the Philippines! Get more bang for the buck and more fun in shopping with Snapcart by getting cash for buying the grocery brands they love, just by taking a photo of their receipt.
Simply snap your grocery receipts from any retail establishments (e.g. SM, Robinsons, 7-11, Puregold, etc.) using the Snapcart app and get a cash back of as much as 10 – 20% on items bought under offer. At launch, the app is promoting more than 200 items.
Prior to the Philippines, Snapcart was first launched in Indonesia where it was received with overwhelming enthusiasm from shoppers with 500,000 app downloads in less than 10 months and now has over 75 brands providing cashbacks to their shoppers.
Snapcart is expected to be as warmly welcomed by Filipinos who enjoys shopping as well as get much from their hard earn money.
For enterprises, Snapcart provides real-time market intelligence and analytics on customer behavoir. Snapcart engages the audience, measures brand KPIs, and predicts return on investment in a way that existing solutions and market research providers cannot do as effectively.
"Not only is Snapcart a fun way for consumers to get value from something one would otherwise throw away—a receipt— it is also a great way for brands to understand their shoppers in real time and engage with them in a targeted manner, by leveraging our proprietary technology and analytics. What we are offering is unprecedented market intelligence." said Mayeth Condicion, Country Manager of the Philippines and Co-Founder of Snapcart, who has racked up more than 18 years of experience in analytics and consumer insights leadership roles across Asia.
Snapcart is blazing new trails in the Asian market. In less than a year, it has already been ranked as the 22nd most disruptive company in the world by Disrupt 100, as judged by top global venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. It was also recognized by other respected firms like Accenture and Omnicom Media as one of the best startups in Asia and the world.
Instant rebates and rewards will definitely be a lot more easier with Snapcart, which promises to take shopping a notch higher in the Philippines.
The app is now available at the Google Play Store here and would be available for iOS users by August.
