Antonio Javier, Microsoft Phils. managing director has attributed this growth to the declining cost of PCs, the proliferation of Internet cafés and telcos’ offering of bundled Windows software with PCs.

"It was an exception performance for Microsoft Phils.," says Javier as he disclosed the restructuring of its organizational structure with new management teams.

Rosan Sison has joined Microsoft Phils. as the OEM director with focus on three market segments - enterprise, small and medium business, and services.

Mark Yambot is the corporate affairs director who will take charge of the policy-making institutions.

As part of its expansion strategy to reach out to more customers, Microsoft Phils. has opened an office in Cebu with 12 staff headed by Magtanggol Bawal who will handle the Mindanao and Visayas markets.

"The Visayas and Mindanao markets are very important to our business, definitely contributing to the phenomenal growth that we have had in the current year alone," says Javier.

"With the competitive Cebu business climate and the many products that Microsoft has and will be releasing in the near future, we thought it best to have a presence to support our customers and partners," Javier added.

Microsoft has about 2,000 partners from all over the country and some of its Microsoft Gold Certified partners are Cebu-based.

"With the upcoming release of Windows Vista and our other products, the good mix of people backing them up and our growing and strengthening partnerships, we’re very, very optimistic about our business," says Javier.

Partnerships are the cornerstone of the way Microsoft does its business. Being an industry leader, Microsoft has made a comprehensive commitment to helping individuals, communities, and nations gain access to the technology tools, skills and innovation.

Microsoft has committed R300 million so far as contribution to the country’s development through programs which it implements in partnership with various government and civil organizations.

One of its most-established initiatives — in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) — is Partners in Learning, which empowers teachers and students by providing greater access to the latest computer technologies, comprehensive ICT skills development and locally-tailored training for teachers on ICT integration into curriculum and learning.

Microsoft’s other flagship program is Unlimited Potential, a global community-based citizenship initiative which aims to improve lifelong learning for underserved communities by providing cash and software grants that will facilitate technology skills training through community technology and learning centers (CTLCs).

Unlimited Potential programs in the Philippines include Pag-Asa: An Unlimited Potential Program for Amerasians, Kapit-Bisig Para sa Kabuhayan: An Unlimited Potential Program for NGOs, and Tulay: An Unlimited Potential Program for Overseas Filipino Workers.

Microsoft opened the newest CTLC to serve the OFWs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. "We are so proud to have a part in enabling our countrymen to find better career opportunities and give them a way to communicate with their families back here," shared Javier.

Aside from Partners in Learning and the Unlimited Potential Program projects, Microsoft is also involved in the development of "FLY HIGH: Philippine Software 2010," aimed at strengthening the nation’s software industry. As part of the initiative, Microsoft recently presented "Software Innovations Philippines 2006," the single largest effort to showcase and promote best of breed Philippine-made industry business solutions and IT skills in the global market.

"Microsoft Philippines is all about enabling people to reach their full potential - and that goes to our customers, partners, employees, industry, community and the nation," says Javier.

Microsoft Phils.’ headcount has grown by 80 percent to 100 people, making Microsoft Philippines as the biggest subsidiary in Southeast Asia.

To support the expanding Internet cafés in the country, Microsoft has partnered with Banco de Oro that would extend loans to the operators of Internet cafés.

Another program is the "Konek ka Diyan," a PC purchase program for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to address the primary communications problems of the families and relatives of OFWs.