PLDT rolls out cloud solution for start up BPOs

MANILA, Philippines – A unit of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.’s information and communications technology arm ePLDT Inc. has rolled out a cloud-based call center solution to enable local business process outsourcing (BPO) firms to start or expand operations at minimal costs.

In a statement, IPC (IP Converge Data Services Inc.) said it has developed with Australian company BlueCloud Technology an on-demand cloud-based call center solution called IPC VOICES or IPC Voice Over Internet Call Exchange Suite to allow contact centers to run campaigns with minimal capital investments and faster deployment.

IPC partnered with BlueCloud which is involved in building cloud technology around core telephony and productivity solutions, to support the continued growth of the BPO sector.

“This solution requires no upfront investment from the client and will allow them to set up the system instantly. It actually boosts the business of the contact center. If you look at IPC VOICES from a business development standpoint, it actually serves as a catalyst to attract more business. Instead of being seen as a cost component to a campaign, the technology becomes part of the selling proposition,” Niño Valmonte, IPC director for product management and marketing, said.

The subscription-based cloud service application is paid on a monthly basis. 

It is ideal for BPOs looking to immediately expand or just starting operations for it does not require the equipment seen in typical contact center facilities such as servers, telephony equipment, handsets and personal computers.

To use the service, an agent just needs a computer with a headset and stable internet connection. 

The cloud service is likewise suitable for disaster recovery and business continuity contingency as contact center agents can work from anywhere as long as they are connected to the internet. 

System changes needed can also be done by administrators anytime by using their mobile devices. 

“We consider this an important feature for high-risk countries such as the Philippines. This product provides contact centers a contingency plan in the event of a calamity or a breach in their physical offices,” BlueCloud co-founder and CEO Antoine Nookadu said.

With contact centers contributing to the country’s economic growth and job creation, IPC is urging companies engaged in that sector to start using the new cloud-based system. 

“This will revolutionize the business of contact centers, accelerating growth and helping gain traction in an economy that has already gone digital,” Valmonte said. 

IPC, an internet data center, telecommunications and cloud services company, is engaged in providing managed data services and business solutions to local and regional enterprises.