That’sIT •Edison D. Ong
It is already November and it still rains. Something must be wrong with our climate.
We are glad to know that the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) would like to have a much-improved IT infrastructure in the near future.
At present, the agency relies on its own satellite-received data — from the government frame relay links to Singapore and Tokyo, and data from the Internet.
It uses various operating systems and solutions such as the Solaris 6 for synergy system utilizing data through the Singapore data exchange; and WAFS/Metlab from the US through VSAT, running on Linux 7.1 and Fedora Core.
It is also implementing PICWIN, an interactive weather information system though cellular phone, laptop and localized Web servers for the provinces. Part of this is a cluster of computers running on Linux for developing different models. This will be in full operation next year.
Elsewhere, specially overseas, mapping and geographic information systems help weather stations track the best possible forecasts.
Early this year, I recall attending an Autodesk Solutions presentation. Andre Pravaz, Autodesk VP for South Asia Pacific, commented, "GIS technology can be used in many applications — from engineering, zoning, mapping, image processing, mosaicking, delineating boundaries of high water marks, to assisting or directing relief operations. It can be utilized by many within an organization because it is easy to integrate into the wider enterprise-information system."
Autodesk has two product solutions which I think can help our local weather bureau. Autodesk MapGuide, which is a Web publishing tool for geospatial information, and Autodesk Map 3D which extends the value of maps, designs and data by integrating multiple data sources or servers. — Edison D. Ong
SME biz matching on the ’Net
I’d like to sound optimistic that the development programs for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) will succeed.
For one, their recommendation to extend assistance to MSMEs through
Business Match-Ups Thru Internet (under Project BUMUTI) seems to be a very promising proposition.
Other recommendations which the PCCI submitted to President Arroyo to push for support programs for MSMEs include the creation of the SME Surety Fund, the release of PAGCOR of
R270 million for the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (SMED) for the Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBE) Development Fund, and an enhanced technology and better packaging in cooperation with the Department of Science and Technology (DoST).
The PCC’stimetable is to implement the development programs within 12 months.
However, in my own experience running a start-up business, itis rare that financial assistance can be extended to you unless and until you have clearly established your profitability. Although I clearly recognize this is a safety net against fraud, I find this rule quite ironic. For how would a start-up churn out profits when it does not have the extra capital to succeed or sustain his business in the first place?
But having said that, I do hope that the MSMEs in this country can have all the financial and technological help it can get from the government and from organizations such as PCCI. That way, the nation’s wealth can be distributed equitably and not just confided to the largest corporations. — Melvin G. Calimag
Cyberpress lost in Malate
Last November 12, several members and officers of the Information Technology Journalist Association of the Philippines a.k.a. Cyberpress met at Tropicana Apartment beside St. Paul College in Pedro Gil, Manila. They gathered for a SWOT and Planning workshop.
The call time was 8 in the morning. On this occasion, Filipino time was not blamed for the late commencement of the meeting.
One got lost because her family driver mistook Harrison Plaza for Robinsons Place-Malate, another ended up in Roxas Boulevard and had to flag down a pedicab to bring him to Tropicana, and another one went to the street on the other side of St. Paul.
Former 5-star hotel PR boss Ed Galvez, the fastest rising information technology public relations consultant, facilitated the Cybepress booking at Tropicana Apartment which acted as the institutional host. — Edison D. Ong
Manila is safe
The Philippines is not just Ayala Financial and Commercial District in Makati City and Ortigas Central Business District in Pasig City. Although most of the business community activities take place in these two places.
Foreign IT executives feel safe in Ayala, for instance, because of the abundant security personnel, including police dogs.
In Manila, it seems otherwise.
At the recent 7th SEIPI (Semiconductor and Electronics Industry of the Philippines Inc.) CEO Forum lunch press conference, Lilia de Lima, director general of Philippine Economic Zone Authority, narrated how he urged American company executives meeting in an Ermita hotel to walk the streets of Ermita and Malate districts.
"Reality (on how safe Manila is) is far from perception," she told the SEIPI representatives and media.
The conference attendees literally locked themselves for three nights in the hotel, afraid to roam the streets. They did not want to go out of the building.
After De Lima’s assurance that it is safe, she recalled, "On the second night to the closing (of the conference), they went out and returned at 4 o’clock the next morning!" — Edison D. Ong
