Better shopping experience with Go Shopping Philippines

 The COVID-19 pandemic totally changed the way Filipinos shop or make purchases. When before it was about taking a trip to the nearest mall or department store, the idea of being struck by an unseen virus drove fear into the hearts of many Filipinos.

Good thing that merchants stepped up and went digital to provide services to customers who can’t go out. By going online, many existing and aspiring small businesses were able to survive and provide for the shopping needs of Filipinos. But shopping purely online has its own share of problems, like fake items, miscommunication on product specifications, late deliveries and worse, getting a product that’s not what was ordered.

The birth of Go Shopping Philippines These scenarios struck a chord on Neil La-as, Chief Executive Officer of Go Shopping Philippines, so he decided to establish a shopping platform that will make every Filipino’s shopping experience truly exceptional and satisfying.

“When I came up with the Go Shopping Philippines concept, it was based from my own experiences. We all share the same sentiment of receiving substandard and fake items, late deliveries, customer service that takes forever to bounce back, and being duped, only to receive items we didn’t expect when we shopped on other platforms. All these frustrations gave me the inspiration to help fix the e-commerce landscape. Seeing the immediate need for contactless purchases most especially from the blunder of 2020, I sought to come up with a solution to serve my fellow Filipinos,” La-as said.

Go Shopping Philippines is a truly homegrown Filipino e-commerce platform that serves Filipinos the way they want to be served, and more. “I envisioned a fully digital mall, a fully virtual shopping platform where one can experience all the perks of a physical mall that is within reach with a few simple clicks to buy that favorite blouse, or swipe and you are brought to the cinema, scroll and you can reserve at your preferred restaurant and hotel, press and you can reach your doctor for an appointment, all without falling in line.

As many as the combinations your hands can make, the possibilities are endless,” La-as added.

La-as explained that Go Shopping Philippines is not just any ordinary e-commerce platform but a completely one-stop-shop for consumers. He said that the merchants are the ones in charge of product development, while Go Shopping Philippines, aside from the selling part, does the marketing, shipment and interaction with clients. “The service and interactions within Go Shopping Philippines are done real-time and personal with our virtual sales representatives. Queries are entertained and they will be assisted just like in a regular mall.

La-as said that just like any physical mall, security and safety is a top concern, and they took every possible step to ensure that transactions inside the Go Shopping Philippines sphere are done and concluded safely and securely. He also emphasized that succeeding in the digital world is about having the proper cybersecurity measures in place to protect consumers, the Go-Shoppers, tenants, employees, and the business itself from constant threats.

This is the reason why, La-as pointed out, that they partnered and collaborated with one of the best in web development, researched on everything to know about consumer behavior, and in identifying what works with regard to cybersecurity while ensuring excellent user experience. In Go Shopping Philippines, he adds, the public can forget about the fakes because they scrutinize the brands and the legitimacy of their products.

Also, La-as said they encourage businesses from the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector to join them.

“The MSMEs are the lifeblood of the Philippine economy in terms of GDP and employment. They are among the hardest hit sectors by the pandemic so we need to help them also for their survival. While we value the presence of large brands, we also welcome MSMEs with open arms. After all, what is an original Filipino e-commerce platform without original local products,” he continued. With Go Shopping Philippines, they will transcend geographical borders so that every Filipino, wherever they may be, can shop with ease, comfort and safety.

“You can shop in Manila, the US, and back to Mindanao without having to leave your home, where you are safe and secure. Imagine those fond malling memories you have had before, only much easier, with no traffic, long lines, for a totally worry-free shopping you can only experience with us.”

For more details about Go Shopping Philippines, visit https://www.facebook.com/PHGoShopping/

Dreamfyre is now GXR Dreamfyre

The Philippines’ rising powerhouse eSports and gaming agency, DreamFyre Group, announces a majority stake acquisition by Galaxy Racer Holdings Limited, the fastest-growing eSports organization in the world.

This move by Galaxy Racer paves the way for DreamFyre to boost its local operations, and fast track expansion into two other South East Asian markets, targeted within the year. The deal will also enable DreamFyre to better service local Filipino Gaming Content Creators and Pro Players with more robust and global career development portfolios.

“The vision of DreamFyre has always been to become a global eSports and gaming agency, to bring Filipino talent onto the global arena; and with this infusion  of funds, support, network, and resources by Galaxy Racer, we’re sure to be able to bring that vision into reality in a much shorter time frame. DreamFyre is incredibly pleased to join the Galaxy Racer family.” Says DreamFyre CEO Mitch Esguerra.

With this acquisition, GXR DreamFyre, with a rapidly growing exclusive reach of more than 70 million across social media platforms, will now be able to connect Filipino Content Creators and Pro Players into a global advertiser base. This takes the local eSports industry to a whole new level, as the joint operations of both companies now span across 22 countries.

“DreamFyre’s portfolio will now continually grow as we boost local operations and expand to new game titles and markets, especially that we’re enabled by Galaxy Racer to create better offers to the Content Creators and Pro Players that have trusted us from the start.” Esguerra added.

GXR DreamFyre’s eSports teams, including 2019 Top 13 Finalist for PUBG ECL Korea, 2019 ECL PUBG Finalists, and 2020 National Interschool Cyberleague (NICL) Valorant Tournament Top 4, the UE Esports Warriors, now known as DreamFyre Team, will surely be a group to watch out for in the next global eSports tournaments.

“This acquisition in DreamFyre further reinforces our plans for building a complete ecosystem around eSports, entertainment, lifestyle, and content. GXR DreamFyre will benefit from Galaxy Racer’s international experience and resources and we are committed to this acquisition to fund the growth and support the vision the founders have set for GXR DreamFyre.” - Paul Roy, CEO Galaxy Racer.

Does bigger solar modules have more value?

 With the advent of the grid parity era, technological advanced PV plants equipped with high-efficiency solar modules are gradually coming under the spotlight of global users.

 

Some people hold that larger modules bring more value. Is this really the case?

 

As is known to all, solar modules, which are the core component of a PV power plant system, have a crucial impact on the stability, durability and efficient operation of the plant.

 

Comprehensively considering reliability and safety, the proper increase in module size can improve the product power and decrease the LCOE (levelized cost of energy).

 

On the other hand, we shall clarify misunderstandings. That is, bigger is not always better. What the market needs is always a product with optimal quality and value.

 

Just the Size

If we only focus on the size of a module can potentially cause a series of problems and risks to power plants and even do harm to revenue.

*When the revenue growth approaches zero, increase in module size will contribute to more risks.

  

Which size

is the best choice for a quality station?

 

Let’s start from the entire life cycle.

 

Transportation

 

PV modules are shipped to all parts of the world mainly by container.

The current most widely accepted method for loading modules into a container is to place them on a pallet vertically in landscape orientation.

The standard module size is designed based on international container sizes and is calculated against various parameters, taking into consideration the risk of cracks and other damage during transportation.

“BIG ≠ SUITABLE”

 

(1) Risk of microcracks or breakage during transportation increases if the module size is too large.

(2) Risk of falling increases if the modules are laid upright.

 

Installation

 

In combining ergonomics and design, the optimal module width is derived from the natural expansion width of human arms.

“BIG ≠ BEST”

(1) The size of the module should be designed for easy handling by two persons, ensuring both safety and reliability.

(2) Too large a module size will cause problems in handling and installation.

Install on Rooftops

 

Digging deeper into maximizing revenues from limited installation area, higher module efficiency is the key.

(1)   Higher efficiency represents more system capacity in limited areas.

(2)   Reducing weight burden on structures opens a lot of opportunities.

(3)   Use 550Wp module as benchmark, a simple comparison of 27,2kg (10.6kg/sqm) and 32.6kg (12.5kg/sqm), which one is more acceptable from owner’s perspective?

 

Application

 

Various factors need to be taken into consideration when defining module size.

An excessively large size may, for example, result in risk of hot spots and may also bring challenges and risks to load capacity.

At the same time, the resistance of the module will also decrease. The larger module is, the more likely the glass is to break under external forces such as sand and gravel.

“BIG ≠ RELIABLE”

 

It takes time to verify long-term reliability under extreme weather conditions.

 

Conclusion

 

Unlimited expansion of module sizes should not be the first choice to reduce the LCOE.

Bigger modules may result in inconvenience during product installation and maintenance.

A continual increase in size will also hinder the standardization of module products and impact the healthy and sustainable development of the industry.

 

It is essential to comprehensively consider reliability and safety during the entire life cycle of a power station when designing PV modules.

 

Which size PV module is the best choice for high-quality power stations in the grid parity era?