Microsoft Launches New Products in PH

 

Microsoft introduced new products in the Philippines recently namely Surface Pro 7+ for Business, Surface Laptop Go for Business and Surface Go 2 for Business for commercial and education customers to support business productivity and continuity in remote and hybrid working environments. Surface Laptop Go and Surface Go 2 will start shipping today and Surface Pro 7+ for Business will start shipping from 8^th February 2021 via Surface Commercial Authorized Resellers Nexus Technologies Inc., Accent Micro Technologies Inc., Advance Solutions Inc., and ePLDT Inc.  

 

“Surface is more than a device — it is a strategic enabler for businesses. We are committed to designing technology that fosters productivity, creativity, and connection to empower people to be successful. We have spoken at length with many of our customers in the last year, listening to their journeys into remote everything. These discussions combined with extensive commissioned research and the work done by our Applied Sciences group, have helped us understand their rapidly evolving needs,” said Andres Ortola, Microsoft Philippines Country General Manager. “This was a critical part of our development process for Surface – ensuring commercial customer voices are not only heard but brought directly into our product development.”

 

Microsoft found four key learnings during customer conversations and from research:

1.      The future of working and learning is hybrid and requires more flexibility: Views on remote work have changed, 82% of managers say they will have more flexible work from home policies post pandemic, and 71% of employees want to continue work from home at least part time. People are sharing spaces throughout their home and are moving locations more throughout their days to stay productive and accommodate others.

2.      Connectivity is critical to uninterrupted business operations: With multiple people in a household now connecting from home, it is putting a strain on bandwidth - where people are using their cell phones more often as hot spots for online meetings due to poor internet connectivity.

3.      Camera to camera is the new face to face: Microsoft has learnt through research that people are feeling more empathetic to one another now, and through the lens of a video call they have a better view of life at home and even feel more valued and included as a remote contributor in meetings with everyone being in the same virtual room. 

4.      End to end security from chip to cloud is more critical than ever before: Organizations need their data and workflows to be secure to enable remote and hybrid work. Devices need end to end security features to enable the productivity needed to maintain business continuity.

 

Surface Pro 7+ for Business

 

Surface Pro is by far the most widely adopted Surface device across enterprise and education customers and Microsoft continues to be inspired by its customers and their use of Surface.

 

Surface Pro 7+ also comes with the latest 11^th Gen Intel Core Processors, 2.1 times faster performance, and longer battery life of up to 15 hours. The device offers the versatility people need to work wherever, whenever they want. In addition, with both USB-A and USB-C ports, Surface Pro 7+ offers the adaptability to dock into external displays and leverage the needed peripherals for a full workstation set up. Microsoft has also integrated front and rear facing cameras into Pro 7+ with 1080p full HD video along with Dolby Atmos speakers and dual far-field Studio Mics so people can be seen and heard.

 

Surface Pro 7+ will come with a lightweight, sustainable commercial packaging that is 23% lighter than the previous generation and made from 99% natural fiber-based material, of which 64% is post-consumer recycled content. These updates are also reflective of Microsoft’s continued commitment to sustainability.

 

The Surface Pro 7+ for Business is priced at PHP 72,490.00.00.

 

Security, Deployment, and Manageability by design with Surface Pro 7+

For the first time, Surface Pro 7+ will ship with Windows Enhanced Hardware Security features enabled out of the box. The devices can be managed and updated through the cloud from the first moment the device is turned on and throughout the device lifecycle without IT having to physically touch the device. Customers can have peace of mind in knowing they get great security without compromising employee or student experiences. Microsoft has accomplished this through tight integration between the UEFI (modern BIOS), firmware, and the Windows operating system stack and have shared their implementation of the Microsoft UEFI as open source on GitHub as Project Mu.

 

Surface will also use the latest Microsoft deployment capabilities like Windows Autopilot to enable devices to ship directly from the factory to people’s homes and be ready to go with security policies, applications, and settings applied. Windows Autopilot gets people online, connected, and productive as quickly as possible, and eliminates time consuming re-imaging and manual device set up for IT departments.

 

Finally, Microsoft recognizes the importance for customers to be in control of their data. Surface Pro 7+ will also feature a removable SSD for data retention, to support the security and privacy needs of commercial and education organizations. This feature, combined with Microsoft BitLocker protection, makes it easy for customers to retain sensitive data if something happens to their device.

 

Surface Laptop Go for Business

Surface Laptop Go has a beautiful 12.4” PixelSense touchscreen display[1], large precision trackpad and a full-size keyboard with 1.3mm key travel for an accurate and comfortable typing experience. The sleek, streamlined design comes in three durable and lightweight metal finishes in Platinum.

 

Surface Laptop Go is powered by Intel’s 10th generation i5 Quad-Core processor with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage[2] and is optimized for performance and battery life.  For a quick and secure sign-in, the Surface Laptop Go 10th Gen Intel® Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD has a Fingerprint Power Button with One Touch sign-in through Windows Hello. One Touch sign-in also provides fast, secured access to OneDrive for Business Vault files and more, so users can jump in quickly and be productive.

 

Surface Laptop Go feels snappy and fast taking full advantage of cloud connected experiences like Microsoft 365 and online storage. With up to 13 hours of battery life[3] plus Fast Charging, it will keep up with enterprise and education organisations’ users all day.

 

Whether learning or working, people are using their camera, speakers, and mics more now than ever before. Surface Laptop Go has a built-in 720p HD camera and Studio Mics, enabling classmates and colleagues to see and hear each other clearly. Omnisonic Speakers and Dolby® Audio surround users with amazing sound – whether on a video call, watching a movie, listening to music and more. To help users connect, there are both USB A and USB C ports, an audio jack, and the Surface connector.

 

The Surface Laptop Go for Business is priced at PHP 44,990.00.00.

 

Surface Go 2 for Business

 

Surface Go 2 has a thin, lightweight design with a 10.5-inch PixelSense display, improved battery life and a model with up to 64% faster performance than the original with 8^th Generation Intel® Core™ M options for the first time. It has added Studio Mics, dual microphone solution, to increase voice clarity and reduce background noise for Microsoft Teams meetings or video chats, and a 5MP front-facing camera delivers sharp video even in low light. Additionally, the new Camera app for the rear-facing camera makes it easy to scan documents and whiteboards – whether users are sharing notes from a meeting or turning in homework. Paired with Surface Pen, Surface Go 2 allows distance learners and remote workers to stay digital, while unlocking the power of natural ink for things like drawing diagrams, marking up documents or working through math equations. The Surface Go can be paired with a Platinum Type Cover.

Surface Go 2 for Business is priced at PHP 38,990.00.00.

 

Surface for Business Accessories

Complete the experience on Surface Pro 7+ for Business with the new and improved Signature Type Cover (Black color), Arc Mouse (Platinum color) and Pen (Black color) that complement for enterprise customers. For Surface Go 2 for Business, pair with the Type Cover (Platinum color). The Surface Dock 2 transforms the Surface device into a desktop PC with a 199W power supply to charge Surface devices, plus USB-C® ports that support dual 4K monitors at 60Hz.

 

Surface for Business

Surface for Business devices provides specific experiences and features built especially for commercial customers including enterprise-grade security, and leading modern management with Autopilot, Surface Enterprise Management Mode (SEMM) and Microsoft Intune. Windows 10 Pro comes standard on Surface for Business devices, offering additional built-in security and management features that lets our customers focus on running their business. In addition to the standard hardware warranty, Surface for Business customers get free Advanced Exchange - a warranty service with expedited device replacement, at no additional cost.

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The latest Surface for Business devices will be available in the following configurations in the Philippines:

 

Model	Suggested Retail Price (in PHP)
Surface Pro 7+ for Business 11th Gen Intel® Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD (Available in Platinum)	PHP 72,490.00.00
Surface Laptop Go 10th Gen Intel® Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD (Available in Platinum)	PHP 44,990.00.00
Surface Go 2 8th Gen Intel® Core m3 Processor, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD (Available in Platinum)	PHP 38,990.00.00
·        Surface Type Cover for Surface Pro (Available in Black) ·        Surface Type Cover for Surface Go (Available in Platinum) ·        Surface Arc Mouse (Available in Platinum) ·        Surface Pen (Available in Black) ·        Surface Dock 2	PHP 7,290.00 PHP 5,790.00 PHP 5,150.00 PHP 5,075.00 PHP 14,999.00

 

 

[1] Surface Laptop Go display has rounded corners within a standard rectangle.  When measured as a standard rectangular shape the screen is 12.45” diagonally (actual viewable area is less).

[2] System software and updates use significant storage space. Available storage is subject to change based on system software updates and app usage.  1 GB = 1 billion bytes. See Surface.com/Storage for more details.

[3] Up to 13 hours of battery life based on typical Surface device usage. Testing conducted by Microsoft in September 2020 using preproduction software and preproduction Surface Laptop Go Intel® Core™ i5, 128GB, 8 GB RAM Microsoft Surface® Edition devices. Testing consisted of full battery. discharge with a mixture of active use and modern standby. The active use portion consists of (1) a web browsing test accessing 8 popular websites over multiple open tabs, (2) a productivity test utilizing Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook, and (3) a portion of time with the device in use with idle applications. All settings were default except screen brightness was set to 150nits with Auto-Brightness disabled. Wi-Fi was connected to a network. Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage and other factors.

 

Microsoft PH is among HR Asia’s ‘Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2020’

 

Photo taken from HR Asia Media

Microsoft Philippines was recently named one of the ‘Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2020’ by HR Asia. The organization was recognized for its performance in workplace excellence, human capital development, and outstanding employee engagement.

 "This award means everything to us as an organization both globally, and here in the Philippines. We exist to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more—a mission that only comes to life through our people," said Jan Philippe Tanchi, Human Resources Director of Microsoft Philippines. “We’re proud to receive this great distinction and are committed to continue providing our people with an inclusive workplace and community that lives up to our values, and empowers them to be their best, most authentic selves every day.”

 HR Asia is one of the most recognizable and authoritative HR publications in the world. Their ‘Best Companies to Work for in Asia’ awards is the largest program of its kind in Asia and is held annually across 11 markets throughout the region, including Cambodia, China, Hong-Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

 This year, the awarding ceremonies were conducted virtually for the first time on December 31, 2020 due to the pandemic. The event highlighted the extraordinary efforts of organizations that exemplified dedication to their employees, especially in what has been a year of uncertainty and unprecedented challenges.

 "We must never forget the sacrifices by our own employees to keep the economy going. Since 2013 we have recognized companies that placed their employees front and center in everything they do. This year is no different. The recipients of this year's awards have shown not only are you the best companies to work for in Asia but more importantly, you are able to show empathy and care for your employees during the darkest moments of fear and uncertainty," said Datuk William Ng, Group Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Business Media International, the publisher of HR Asia.

The awards were judged by the affirmative answers of employees based on HR Asia's proprietary Total Engagement Assessment Model (TEAM), which surveys 1.5 million employees across Asia. TEAM uses a 5-point scoring scale from employee feedback based on the three areas of employee engagement:

 

• Collective Organization for Real Engagement (CORE) – culture and ethics, leadership and organization, and active initiative
• Self: Heart, Mind and Soul – emotional engagement (heart), intention & motivation (mind), and behavior & advocacy (soul)
• Group: Think, Feel and Do – collective consciousness (think), workplace sentiment (mind), and team dynamics (do)

Microsoft Philippines quickly shifted to a remote workforce in light of COVID-19, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of its employees early on. Throughout the pandemic, employees and their families were given free access to health & wellness resources to care for their mental well-being. In addition, they’ve continuously introduced engagement and enrichment programs and initiatives to maintain employee morale.

Microsoft was recognized alongside 20 other companies in the Philippines. See full list of winners here.

Give yourself with a powerful yet lightest laptop in the world

 It's 2021 and there should be a mini celebration that you were able to survive 2020.  If you are still looking for something to make your life a little more convenient, less stressful and more manageable. It’s time to shift to the lightest ultraportable laptop in the market today -- Dynabook Portégé X30L-G.

Uniquely design for portability, Dynabook Portégé X30L-G, which only weighs 870grams is packed with features to enhance performance, connectivity, security and user experience.

This new device is said to have met and exceeded Microsoft’s Modern Device standard, the benchmark for modern computing devices.

Considered as "the world's lightest 13.3-inch fully-featured business laptop with Intel 10th generation processors. It’s beaten the last ultraportable laptop from another US brand a starting weight of 1.2kg, rising to 1.27kg.

This new Dynabook is a statement of power, durability productivity packed in a compact gadget. Its superior logic circuitry and operating system, Toshiba’s Portégé X30L-G  comes with a lot of salient features that would easily win the heart of a meticulous, techie, and educated shopper.

The slender design measures just 308.8mm wide by 211.6mm deep by 17.9mm thick, which makes it very handy and can fit into your small bags. Those who love their laptops in colors, shoppers can choose from its decorous colors such as Onyx Blue, black, and silver, with the Dynabook logo in one corner of the lid and silver hinges catching the eye when the laptop is closed.

Looks can be deceiving or should we say, don’t be deceived by its weight because this compact laptop has undergone the MIL-STD 810G testing and Toshiba can bet its name on its durability. It is tougher than you think. It has a fair amount of flex in the lid and a durable covering that protects it from drops, temperature, humidity, and scratches.

It also boasts of its 10th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processors with up to 24GB of RAM. The display is a non-reflective FHD IGZO panel from Sharp. The 13.3-inch display is a Sharp-made FHD (1,920 x 1,080) panel with Dynabook's characteristic non-reflective finish. Maximum brightness is 470 nits, which should handle most lighting regimes in the office and at home.

The utilitarian design continues inside. While the short edge screen bezels are quite narrow, there are no claims for super-high screen-to-body ratios or headline features for the screen itself. It also consumes less power than a standard LCD because of the Sharp IGZO technology, which might be a contributory factor in the Portégé X30L-G's impressive battery life can last up to almost 10 hours. So If you are working and forgot your charger, you can still do your tasks since its battery life can last a dull day’s work or a full day online class.

For those who love to watch and listen on their laptops, this model’s speakers deliver audio through grilles on the underside of the front. The clear and reasonably loud volume gives the users an assurance that they will always enjoy using the speakers of this laptop. Headphones or external speakers are recommended if high-quality audio is required.

Dynabook Portégé X30L-G is highly recommended for kids and adults nowadays, especially that school and work are done remotely from home.

UnionBank of the Philippines develops virtual platforms to continue serving for customers safely during the pandemic

 

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), ocontinues to redefine banking by introducing automation to its Treasury & Investments Channel Management (TICM) workflows and experience. Built on Microsoft technology, UnionBank is creating solutions that optimize operations and allow them to better serve their customers and stakeholders in a remote everything world and  live up to consumer's expectations as one of the largest and profitable banks in the country.

 

The TICM unit of UnionBank handles large volumes of outward remittances daily that rely on face-to-face transactions. With the Philippine Government's imposition of Community Quarantine, these transactions had to be conducted remotely by both the customers and the bank's staff. Looking to create an easy-to-use, virtual platform for everyone involved, Dapple del Mundo, Distribution Operations Team Lead of TICM at UnionBank, looked into the bank's partnership with Microsoft and expand the bank's utilization of their solutions through Microsoft Power Platform.

 

"One thing we like about using Microsoft apps is that it's already here, it's not an added cost, unlike asking an external or third-party developer to develop something for us. In terms of editing or updating, it's easier now since we can do it ourselves", del Mundo said.

 

Covid-19 Pandemic Drives Innovation 

 

The Microsoft Power Platform is Microsoft’s low-code platform that allows everyone to build web and mobile apps, improve workflows, and gain insights from data while ensuring security. It enables people with little to no coding knowledge or experience to become developers and build intelligent solutions that integrate seamlessly with the rest of Microsoft’s world-class products and platforms. It serves as an end-to-end business solution, maximizing productivity, efficiency and collaboration in a remote everything world.

 

To manage efficient transactions remotely, the TICM harnessed Microsoft Power Automate. This application within Microsoft Power Platform allows users to easily create automated, multistage workflows across a variety of services and applications. One of its primary functions is to boost users' productivity by saving workflows into everything from individual tasks to large-scale systems with seamless integration using hundreds of prebuilt connectors.

 

"What surprised us were the learnings that we got from this flow—this one single approval flow that had multiple conditions and a tricky setup—we managed to adapt and mirror it with other bank processes like bond issuances," explains del Mundo.

 

The Treasury and Investments Channel Management (TICM) unit saw an immediate improvement on its productivity and efficiency; resulting in improved client transactions and faster service despite the entire experience being conducted online. According to del Mundo, the bank was able to simplify the whole process of remitting. It also significantly improved the coordination and communication between Treasury and Remittance through Microsoft teams. This allows them to have visibility to internal processes in real-time to track the approval procedures and give timely feedback.

 

Digital Banking Benefits Employees and Customers

 

UnionBank Trust & Investment customers can now receive copies of their statements, proof of investments, and remittances with e-signatures that can be easily accessed remotely—anytime, anywhere.

 

Through UnionBank’s continuing innovation, customers benefit constantly through improvements in their experience that are not only more convenient but ensure their safety and peace of mind during this unprecedented period. Moving forward, they maintain their focus on driving innovation within their organization to provide the best service and experience possible, transform banking in the Philippines and aid in the nation’s economic recovery.

 

"It is imperative we extend the capability of automation not only to our IT team, but across all employees of the bank," says Paulo Martin Santos, Enterprise Communication and Collaboration Head at UnionBank. "Thanks to our partnership with Microsoft, now our whole team can truly be digital to the core. This is just one clear example from our treasury group, but we have several groups building their own automation without coding".

 

New Surface for Business devices from Microsoft now available in PH

 

Microsoft made a big announcement today for people looking to invest on devices for leasure and work.  The Surface Pro 7 for Business and Surface Laptop 3 for Business are now available in the Philippines for enterprise and education institution customers via Surface Authorized Commercial Resellers Phil-Data Business Systems, Inc., Nexus Technologies Inc., Accent Micro Technologies Inc., Advance Solutions Inc. and ePLDT Inc. at a starting price of PHP 72,990.00 (VAT ex).

 

Microsoft Surface for Business products are especially designed to fit into the modern workplace. From light and agile devices that presents users the ability to work independently almost anywhere, to devices that can help the most of virtual meetings, Surface has a solution designed for every worker’s needs.  Designed with mobile productivity at its core, the latest Surface for Business line-up will feature products that are more versatile, more adaptable, and more personal.

 

“Created for the modern worker in mind, the new line-up of Surface devices offers unparalleled versatility, greater performance and multi-tasking capabilities that empower you to work from anywhere, anytime. We are pleased to share that the new Surface for Business devices are available in the Philippines especially for our enterprise and education customers,” said Microsoft Philippines Country General Manager, Andres Ortola.

Surface Laptop 3 for Business: Perfect Balance of Power and Elegance

The all-new Surface Laptop 3 for Business retains its iconic slim, sleek and lightweight design but is now twice as fast as previous generations, with faster multitasking and improved graphics.

Available in 13.5 inch Matte Black, the Surface Laptop 3 for Business features the latest 10^th Generation Intel® Core™ Processor for improved speed and performance. It is slim and lightweight -- weighs just 1,288G and comes with a durable rich, warm Alcantara® material keyboard.

With industry-leading typing comfort and all-day battery life1, Surface Laptop 3 is an ideal laptop that will keep your day running smoothly. With Fast Charging, it can be charged up to 80% in about one hour2. It is meticulously crafted with a 20% larger trackpad to make navigation easier and seamless.

Created for the modern worker, Surface Laptop 3 features Instant On, USB-C™ and USB-A ports and dual far-field Studio Mics for great Microsoft Teams calls and dictation in Microsoft Office. You can exercise more control over your sensitive information with a removable hard drive for data retention3.

Surface Pro 7 for Business: Same Versatility, Greater Performance

 Redesigned from the inside out, Surface Pro 7 for Business is more powerful than ever with the latest quad-core, 10^th Generation Intel® Core™ processor, making it 2.3 times faster than previous generations. With its greater performance, users can work and play their way virtually anywhere. Surface Pro 7 for Business comes in Platinum color.  With Fast Charging, all-day battery life4 and Instant On, Surface Pro 7 for Business offers high power, laptop-to-tablet versatility and brilliant high-resolution 12.3” PixelSense™ Display while remaining ultra-slim and light at just 775g. 

 

Surface Pro 7 for Business offers more options for connecting to displays, docking stations or charging accessories with an updated port selection of USB-A, USB-C™ and Surface Connect.

 

Transforming from laptop to tablet with the innovative, built-in kickstand and removable Surface Signature Type Cover5, users can jot down ideas in a more natural way and take their ideas to the next level.

 

Surface Pro 7 for Business is the perfect companion for everyday work life. Take a break from work and chill out with an HD movie or your favourite music on Spotify6, while experiencing the crisp, clear audio with Dolby® Audio™ Premium sound.

Surface for Business Accessories

 Complete your experience on Surface Pro 7 for Business with the new and improved Signature Type Cover (Black color), Arc Mouse (Platinum color) and Pen (Black color) that complement your style. The Surface Dock 2 transforms your Surface device into a desktop PC with a 199W power supply to charge Surface devices, plus USB-C® ports that support dual 4K monitors at 60Hz.

 Surface for Business

Surface for Business devices provides specific experiences and features built especially for commercial customers including enterprise-grade security, and leading modern management with Autopilot, Surface Enterprise Management Mode (SEMM) and Microsoft Intune. Windows 10 Pro comes standard on Surface for Business devices, offering additional built-in security and management features that lets our customers focus on running their business. In addition to the standard hardware warranty,

 Surface for Business customers get free Advanced Exchange - a warranty service with expedited device replacement, at no additional cost.

Availability and Pricing

Surface Pro 7 for Business and Surface Laptop 3 for Business are generally available from [1^st November 2020] via Surface Authorized Commercial Resellers Phil-Data Business Systems, Inc. Nexus Technologies Inc., Accent Micro Technologies Inc., Advance Solutions Inc. and ﷟ ePLDT, Inc. .

 

Surface Laptop 3 for Business, Surface Pro 7 for Business and Surface Accessories for Business will be available in the following configurations in the Philippines:

Model	SRP
·        Surface Pro 7 for Business i5/8GB/256 – International English (Available in Platinum)	PHP 72,990.00
·        Surface Laptop 3 for Business 13.5” i5/8GB/256 – International English (Available in Matte Black)	PHP 77,990.00
·        Surface Type Cover (Available in Black) ·        Surface Arc Mouse (Available in Platinum) ·        Surface Pen (Available in Black) ·        Surface Dock 2	PHP 7,290.00 PHP 5,150.00 PHP 5,075.00 PHP 14,999.00

*prices exclusive of VAT
*prices are exclusive of VAT.

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4 Up to 10.5 hours of battery life based on typical Surface device usage. Testing conducted by Microsoft in September 2019 using preproduction software and preproduction Intel® Core™ i5, 256GB, 8 GB RAM device. Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage and other factors. See surface.com.

5 Sold separately

6 Spotify account required 

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1 Up to 11.5 hours of battery life based on typical Surface device usage. Testing conducted by Microsoft in September 2019 using preproduction software and preproduction 13.5” Intel® Core™ i5, 256GB, 8 GB RAM with Radeon™ Vega 9 Graphics Microsoft Surface® Edition devices. Battery life varies significantly with settings, usage and other factors. See surface.com.

2 Testing conducted at Microsoft in September 2019 using pre-production devices and Software. Tested with the inbox Surflink 60W PSU under controlled conditions. Device was powered on to desktop screen with default display brightness settings. Actual charge time will vary based on operating conditions. Measured at typical office ambient temperature of 23C.

3 Hard drive is not user removable. Hard drive is only removable a by skilled technician following Microsoft instructions.