Panasonic’s future-proof data archiving solution drives business advantage

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First-of-its-kind blu-ray data archiver offers reliable data storage and cost-efficiency

In the Age of Big Data, the growing demands for storing and archiving data can be an expensive challenge as companies’ and public agencies’ information assets increase globally each year. As a response to the pressing needs on data archiving and management, Panasonic is introducing its blu-ray data archiver—a first-of-its-kind optical disc-based solution using proven technologies to dramatically extend the lifespan of stored data, improve compliance, and lower operating expenditure.

The need for more reliable and efficient storage systems is becoming more pressing as analysts predict that up to 45 zettabytes (ZB) of digital data will be generated over the next four years. In the Philippines, different industries, government agencies, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are relying more heavily on Big Data to understand competition, discern patterns, make better decisions, and enhance productivity.

The country’s business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, which relies on centralized data, has leaned on the cloud to accelerate growth and gain competitive advantage. BPO is the fastest growing industry in the Philippines, seeing a growth rate of 17 percent so far this year. SMEs, which make up about 99.6 percent of Philippine enterprises, can likewise benefit from cloud computing, allowing them to have greater reach, speed, and flexibility in acquiring or serving customers.

“The growing demands for active, and long-term, archival storage present a number of challenges that can strain existing archival systems. Panasonic’s blu-ray data archiver is uniquely positioned to address these challenges—from reliability, data integrity, cost, and environmental footprint—as compared to existing solutions,” said Hideo Yonenaga, General Manager, Storage Business Division, Panasonic System Solutions Asia Pacific.

Data archives are currently stored on either hard disk drives (HDDs) or tape-based solutions—technologies that tend to have relatively short lifespans and high energy requirements, leading to increased operating costs. Panasonic’s blu-ray data archiver delivers reliable data storage that lasts five to ten times longer than either tape or HDD archives. This longer lifespan reduces electronic waste, and when combined with lower cooling needs and energy requirements, makes blu-ray archival more environmentally friendly than alternative storage solutions.

The Panasonic blu-ray data archiver’s large storage capacity caters to organizations that deal with high data volumes. Blu-ray archival storage is also a WORM (Write Once Read Many) medium, which makes it tamper proof and ideal for compliance.

More energy efficient – Blu-ray archival systems require less power and run cooler.

Lower per bit cost – Cheaper high-capacity storage that lasts longer, removing the need for costly data migration.

Greater reliability – No physical wear on the storage medium means fewer failures, while still supporting best-in-class practices such as RAID 5, 6, and WORM.

Longevity with a lifespan of more than 50 years – Eliminates wastage and landfill required to get rid of alternative storage mediums. 

Plan B, a New Zealand-based provider of hosted infrastructure and business continuity services, has built the world’s first cloud-based archive-as-a-service technology on Panasonic’s blu-ray data archiver.

Said Ian Forrester, Managing Director, Plan B Ltd, “Our new service makes blu-ray archival technology accessible to businesses of all sizes and allows them to securely access and manage their archive data in the cloud. Our as-a-service model eliminates capital expenditure while providing easy access, lower costs, scalability and reliable data storage now and into the future. This service model will not just be available in New Zealand but in Asia and Australia as well.”

Plan B’s Cloud Data Archive service, hosted on Panasonic’s blu-ray archival technology, is available directly from Plan B. For more information, please visit clouddataarchive.sg.

Levi’s stores get a new look for an exciting new campaign

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 Levi’s Philippines’ outlet get a new look that boasts its rich heritage.

If you believe in the saying that what you see is what you get, then with Levi’s stores’ new look, you get the compelling story of a brand that has served generations yet remains young, relevant, and trendy.

You get a sense of the global brand’s rich heritage and how the displays tell its stories.

The stores’ new look is part of Levi’s global campaign dubbed “We Are Original,” which celebrates the brand’s rich heritage. 

Be intrigued at how these unfold at each outlet.

Up front, clever window dressing that feature light boxes make an impactful statement about Levi’s 501 Jean CT—the brand’s number 1 product. 

Levi’s stores across the country get a new look that features the brand’s rich heritage.

A table showcases the iconic 501 Jeans in all its available washes. The Trucker Jackets are displayed in one place and the Western Shirts in another.

“The point is to have different spots for all the items and how these elements come together,” Kaths Laudit, marketing head of Levi’s Philippines, explained.

Gender sensibilities figure in a big way in the styling stories. Women’s clothes are hang because they like to view the full garment and visualize wearing it while men like their jeans and tops folded.

“When men shop, they usually know what their sizes are. It’s easier for them to sort through folded clothes,” Laudit pointed out.

The stores’ new look is part of Levi’s global campaign dubbed “We Are Original,” which celebrates the brand’s rich heritage by connecting with millions of Levi’s lovers on social media.

Levi’s Philippines gets a new look that boasts its rich heritage.

On the other hand, “We Are Original” is part of Levi’s multifaceted global brand campaign, Live in Levi’s. The Live in Levi’s Project is a digital platform that was launched in 2014 and continues to engage the large global community of Levi’s fans through their shared experiences.

To celebrate how the world “Lives in Levi’s,” fans generate original content to tell their own stories and share these through social media channels.

You can share your 501 story on social media using the hashtags #WeAreOriginal and #LiveInLevisPH.

As part of the campaign, Levi’s Philippines offers an in-store promo, which allows shoppers to win instant prizes like tickets to exciting events and Levi’s merchandise.

For a minimum single purchase of any Levi’s Icons and Essentials item (501, 511, CT, Trucker and core tops) worth P3,500 in all original Levi’s store and selected department store nationwide, you get a stub from a box to determine your prize. 

Qualified shoppers can win prizes such as flash drives (USB), Levi’s e-plus card (1 pass), tumblers, and a ticket to Paradise International Music Festival (until April 8 only). 

The new stores feature the iconic 501 Jeans in all its available washes.

Levi’s Philippines is encouraging you to share your 501 story on social media using the hashtags #WeAreOriginal and #LiveInLevisPH.

Levi’s stores across the country get a new look that features the brand’s rich heritage.

 Levi’s outlets feature the iconic 501 Jeans in all its available washes.

Levi’s Philippines’ outlets shows its new look that highlights its heritage through the years.

As part of the campaign, Levi’s offers an in-store promo, which allows shoppers to win instant prizes like tickets to exciting events and Levi’s merchandise.

The promo runs until May 1, 2016. 

The Live in Levi’s Project can be viewed and experienced at levis.com/LiveInLevis. You can also be updated with the latest happenings at @levis_ph on Instagram or Levi’s PH on Facebook. 

ABOUT THE LEVI’S BRAND

The Levi’s® brand epitomizes classic American style and effortless cool. Since their invention by Levi Strauss & Co. in 1873, Levi’s® jeans have become the most recognizable and imitated clothing in the world – capturing the imagination and loyalty of people for generations. Today, the Levi’s® brand portfolio continues to evolve through a relentless pioneering and innovative spirit that is unparalleled in the apparel industry. Our range of leading jeanswear and accessories are available in more than 110 countries, allowing individuals around the world to express their personal style. For more information about the Levi’s® brand, its products and stores, please visit levi.com.

Ramon F. Garcia & Company CPAs celebrates 35th year in the industry

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Mr. Ramon F. Garcia, sharing the history and aspirations of RFG & Co. to his valued clients

“Great vision, world class excellence, bridging generations”

Ramon F. Garcia & Company CPAs, a member of distinguished global accounting network, Crowe Horwath International, recently celebrated its 35th year in an event that gathered together clients and employees. 

Audiences were entertained throughout the night by notable performances from ACTS Manila Ballet dancers, singer and song writer Ms. Lara Maigue and the LeBran dancers. A moving speech from Mr. Ramon Garcia himself inspired everyone present when he shared about his humble beginnings and passion that drove him to success. 

The company also launched its new slogan, “Great vision, world class excellence, bridging generations.” When asked to expound, he emphasized the need to stir unity among everyone for the success of one goal. 

“I am from the baby boomers. The Middle Managers are Gen X and the Junior Managers are Gen Y. The new staffs are the millennials. They all have different cultural backgrounds. So it is important that you understand them to communicate with them. Imagine if you are running and the other one is running the opposite way. You’ll never go anywhere so you’ll have to run with a purpose.” 

SEC Commissioner Antonietta F. Ibe

Mr. Ramon F. Garcia's business partners and clients from Pillars 5, Inc.
From Left: Karla De Jesus De Pala, Arnulfo Villafuerte De Pala, Jaime Garcia Fabregas, Andrew Trogen, Consuelo Centenera Bichara, Carlos Eduardo Caballero Fabregas, Pamela Paz Llana (wife of Mr. Carlos)

Notable guests during the event were Brother Eddie Villanueva, SEC Commissioner Antonieta Ibe, PRC Board of Accountancy Chairman Joel Tan-Torres, Deputy Director General of TESDA Teodoro Pascua and Deputy Customs Commissioner for Intelligence, Ariel Nepomuceno. 

PhilDev’s IDEA Global Entrepreneurship Symposium: Building an entrepreneurial mindset and culture

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Students, teachers, entrepreneurs identify challenges and opportunities in promoting technopreneurship

UNLEASHING IDEAS : Participants of PhilDev’s third IDEA Symposium exchange ideas in one of the ‘unconference’ sessions hosted by Google and the Filipino Googlers Network. Unlike a typical conference where the agenda and speakers are pre-determined, unconferences let participants decide on the agenda and flow of the discussions.

Can technopreneurship become an integral part of Filipino communities? The question was at the core of the discussion among the students, teachers, startups, and government leaders gathered inone of the“unconference” sessions facilitated by Google and the Filipino Googlers Network (FGN) at the third IDEA Global Entrepreneurship Symposium held recently at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

Google Philippines country manager Ken Lingan

As the name implies, unconferences go against the typical conference format, which often start with a pre-determined agenda and set of speakers.Instead, the meeting begins with participants answering a single question. Each answer then serves as a topic for discussion in separate breakout sessions, where participants can join and contribute their ideas. At the end of the sessions, representatives from each breakout group share the highlights of their respective discussions to the rest of the unconference participants.

“Ideas are the soul of every innovation that has made an impact on people’s lives. By providing people with an avenue that encourages the healthy exchange of ideas, we help engender positive change in society. Unconferences have the power to nurture creative solutions to pressing social problems. That’s why we partnered with Google and the FGN in the recent Symposium to help us create that kind of space to bring out the best from our country’s brightest minds.” --- Dado Banatao, chair of the Philippine Development Foundation (PhilDev).

Since 2014, PhilDev and the United States Agency for International Aid (USAID) have been organizing the IDEA Symposium to encourage young scientists and engineers to become entrepreneurs. At the Symposium, members of the academe, industry leaders, startup entrepreneurs, policy makers, and aspiring scientists and engineers discuss how innovation, quality education, and science-based entrepreneurship can lead to inclusive growth.

Teaching students to become entrepreneurs

The unconference session on technopreneurship highlighted the importance of quality education and the role of the academe in pushing students to start their own innovative businesses. During the discussion, students and professors alike emphasized the need to include more technopreneurship units in the curricula of different academic programs, such as business administration and engineering. Some participants also suggested that more schools should offer technopreneurship as a track in their academic programs.

It was also noted that schools should be the first institutions to foster innovation by adopting technology, which students can use to develop new solutions to existing problems. But beyond having adequate facilities and equipment, teachers must be able to act as mentors to provide aspiring technopreneurs with quality education, the participants pointed out. Unconference participants further agreed that studying abroad will enable young technopreneurs to tap into their skills and talents.

Special focus was given to social media and its ability to enhance learning and build communities through crowd sourcing and information sharing, while also encouraging the development of apps that address various problems.

Much-needed government support

Government was also identified as having a key role in supporting aspiring technopreneurs through better budget allocation for schools, the provision of entrepreneurship capital, and the establishment of systems that attract investors for startups. Local Government Units were also called upon to build workspaces where students, entrepreneurs, potential clients, and government leaders can identify, discuss,and solve urgent problems in the community.

“Collaboration between all sectors is key in institutionalizing support for technopreneurship. If technopreneurs can receive the right amount of support, they can reach their full potential, and deliver the kind of impact that leads to inclusive growth,” Banatao said.

Epson S-series, Precise Signage Printing With Virtually Odorless Ink

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The Epson SureColor S80600, with Danny Lee, General Manager (Sales & Marketing), Epson Malaysia (1st from right), Shimizu Tomoya, Country Manager, Epson Malaysia (2nd from right) Shaun See, Regional General Manager, Epson Professional Printing Division (1st from left) Yap Beng Tiek, Regional Product Manager, Epson Professional Printing Division (2nd from right). 

Epson’s advanced imaging technologies combine unparalleled image quality & excellent productivity

The new generation Epson SureColor S-series with the all-new Ultrachrome GS3 Solvent sets to create a new paradigm in signage printing. 

SC-S60670 

High Quality at High Speed for an extensive variety of professional quality indoor and outdoor commercial applications, all in the shortest possible time. 

SC-S40670 

High Quality at Affordable Cost of Ownership - for all types of indoor and outdoor commercial printing applications including posters, signs, banners, backlit panels, interior decorations, exhibition panels and more. 

Epson is poised to elevate professional printing with a new benchmark in high-performance solvent printing, as the digital imaging leader introduced its newest line-up of Epson S-Series signage printers. 

The new Epson SureColor S-Series printers are Epson’s most advanced signage printers to date. The first signage printer to be powered by Epson’s advanced PrecisionCoreTM Thin Film Piezo (TFP) printhead, the new SureColor S-series brings enhanced performance, reliability, and image quality. All three printers are designed to meet the most demanding jobs while minimizing operation costs.

The S-series is designed for high-speed production printing on a wide range of coated and uncoated surfaces with an all-new precision media feeding system for significantly faster speeds compared to predecessors.

The new S-series 64-inch S40670, S60670, and S80670 printers incorporate the all-new fourth-generation Epson Ultrachrome GS3 solvent ink which enable reduced ink consumption, and are 10% to 15% more efficient in printing compared to previous generations. The new Ultrachrome GS3 inks have improved vibrancy and wider color gamut, as well as improved drying times and extended outdoor durability, reducing total cost of ownership. 

Epson’s Ultrachrome GS3 inks require no special ventilation when operating indoors, as the eco-solvent ink is virtually odorless. It features a safe pigment formulation that is 100% free of nickel and fluorine compounds, while maintaining a high degree of outdoor durability. It is also Greenguard Gold certified and meets the French-VOC A+ Class criteria for low chemical emissions.

Continuing to set the SureColor S-Series family of solvent printers apart from the competition, the UltraChrome GS3 inks utilized in the SC-80600, SC-S60600, and SC-S40600 now allow for same-day lamination — only six hours after completing a print job. When compared with previous generation solvent inks that typically require 24-48 hours of drying time, the SureColor S-Series provides significantly increased revenue opportunities by enabling sign shop owners to complete same-day project delivery.

“The new generation Epson S-Series printers deliver on what the market demands in a high-quality, eco-solvent, and production-grade printing machine. Innovations in imaging technology, coupled with the latest Epson UltraChrome GS3 ink system, provide the ultimate combination of performance and photographic quality to enable print shops of any size to get the job done, on time and beyond expectations,” explained Pamela Albar, head of Epson Philippines Corporation’s Commercial & Industrial Printers. 

The new SureColor S-Series includes the flagship SC-S80600, which is geared toward applications in signage, vehicle graphics, and fine art reproduction markets. It features a Dual-Array PrecisionCore TFP print head and enhanced precision media feeding system to produce high-quality, sellable output at impressive production speeds. The SC-S80600 leverages Epson UltraChrome GS3 solvent inks, including an all new GS3 Red ink, and optional White or Metallic Silver ink, to produce vivid output with an expansive color gamut, high gloss levels, and best-in-class photographic output quality.

Barely a month after the unveiling, customers who have upgraded to the new standard of signage printing has raved on the benefits of using the S Series printers.

“We use the Epson SureColor SC-80600 to tackle a variety of applications, ranging from artist canvas and textile reproductions to wallpaper and an assortment of wall art, all at up to 75 % better production. We couldn’t be more thrilled with this machine. Not only does it require less maintenance than predecessor solutions, it offers the best color gamut available in any solvent printer out there, along with incredible ease-of-use, better output quality, and faster print speeds.” - John McPherson, technical director, Marco Fine Arts 

“Epson has outdone itself again! With the Epson SureColor SC-80600 solvent printer, we continue to provide unparalleled excellence in high quality and accurate print products on a variety of substrates — canvas, poster board, metal, plastic, and more. And now it’s even faster. The ability to adjust print speeds based on required detail affords us the ability to offer different levels of service. Even at its slowest speed, it’s faster than its predecessor.”  - Monica Denosta, president and COO, Picture it on Canvas 

“Developed over a 4-year period, the new SureColor S-Series brings unparalleled levels of productivity and improved reliability to the signage markets. Epson has listened to the customer and is now bringing new technology and features to our printers to meet the high-volume printing needs of the signage market, while also offering enhanced inks to lower the total cost of ownership. We are committed to growing the professional printing market within Southeast Asia and we will continue to invest in research and development to continue bringing innovation to our customers,” said Shaun See, Regional General Manager, Epson Professional Printing Division.