CEBU CITY – Technology giant IBM has intensified its presence in Cebu when it formally inaugurated Friday its second Global Delivery Center site for application services located at the TGU Tower of Asiatown IT Park here.

“In our strategy to create a ‘smarter planet’, we at IBM see a huge opportunity to develop key assets, solutions and talent. When we invest in talent, we look at eight strategic countries to centralize our global delivery services and the Philippines is one of them,” said Richard Patterson, IBM Vice President for Globally Integrated Delivery.

IBM is expanding its application services operations in the Philippines, offering key competencies such as Java and web technologies, Lotus Notes, and testing and software maintenance.

“As an integral part of IBM’s strategic network of delivery centers, the team in the Philippines provides a full range of end-to-end consulting, systems integration, and application development and maintenance solution to many valued customers around the world,” said Lula Mohanty, Director for Philippines Global Delivery, IBM Global Business Services.

The southern region plays an important role in IBM’s strategy for geographical expansion in the Philippines, and Cebu is at the center of this. The company has been operating here for over 40 years and it vowed to continually grow its presence here.

When IBM considered Cebu for the expansion of its global delivery center for application services, Patterson cited factors that include: Government support; strong academic system that include huge talent pool and capabilities; infrastructure development in terms of broadband technology; and a stable political environment, among others.

IBM Philippines Country General Manager James Velasquez said the company recognizes Cebu as the gateway both for its domestic clients in the Visayas and Mindanao, as well as overseas clients, which is why opening the second global delivery services here “is an opportune time for the IBM.”
“Global integration is about tapping into the best skills and capabilities from across the globe and delivering them where we needed. Cebu was chosen as a location because it offers a conducive infrastructure and a wealth of talent,” Velasquez noted.

He added the company is also bent on actively engaging on an enhanced long-term relationship with government and educational institutions as well as expanding its business partner eco-system in the region.

During the inauguration, Cebu Provincial Governor Gwendolyn Garcia lauded IBM’s move to further grow its presence in the local information and technology (IT) industry saying, “The launch of the new IBM Global Delivery Center site in Cebu signals the strong confidence global businesses have in Cebu and its people.”

“The Government of Cebu will follow through on its commitment to help businesses in all industries thrive, strategically partnering with these organizations to ensure that together, we continue to accelerate Cebu’s global competitiveness,” the governor added.

IBM has been in the Philippines for over 72 years and has consistently partnered with the government, academe, communities and major industries to bring IT-enabled innovations for the country.

In the last five years, the company has grown its workforce here to about 7,000 employees to date, providing services to both domestic and export markets.