DULDULAO DOT NET This Day & Beyond

Category: Technology

  • EMS Group: Empowering Workforce, Gearing up for FIRe

    EMS Group: Empowering Workforce, Gearing up for FIRe

    Like many other organizations, the EMS Group of Companies has been innovating its business to keep up with the ever-changing world of business. As one of the private Filipino-owned groups in the country’s electronics manufacturing industry, it saw how inevitable these transformations are to remain competitive and stay true to its value of growing with its pool of Filipino talents.

    This mindset has led to EMS surviving the global financial crisis in 2009, which has affected and wiped out at least 90 percent of its production output. At that time, EMS has already grown its workforce from 800 people to at least 1,800.

    But, according to EMS Group Chairman and CEO Ferdinand “Perry” Ferrer, instead of layoffs, they decided to retrain their workers to learn new skills—this is what his father, the late Francis Ferrer, former president of the Ayala-led Integrated Micro-electronics, Inc., told him to go about the problem.

    EMS Group spent the next year and its resources to retrain their workforce through the Alliance Mansols, Inc., an EMS subsidiary established in 2010. In 2011, the gamble paid off as the retraining program yielded a substantial pool of manpower that can run the idle plants affected by the global economic crisis. These talents manned the plants’ production processes, from value engineering to quality control, among others.

    Aside from the parent company, EMS Components Assembly, Inc., established in 2004, as well as the Alliance Mansols, Inc., the EMS Group also put up other companies. This includes the Creotec Philippines Inc.; EMS Resources Technology Inc.; EMS Services Philippines Inc., and EMS Services International, Inc. EMS Services International also opened recently its office in Japan.

    Innovation as a key to ensuring success

    For Perry, the willingness to change and innovate can help any company to succeed. “If we did not change and innovate, our company would have been shut down. So, we constantly innovate while still sticking to our core competency, which is the semiconductor and electronics assembly,” he said.

    As automation and digitalization become a significant part of today’s workplaces, EMS embarks on another big change as it aims to empower further its workforce with modern resource planning (ERP) system as part of the company’s digital transformation strategy. The project aims to bolster EMS Group’s productivity by upgrading its systems with SAP S/4HANA, which will be hosted on the Fujitsu Cloud to enable EMS Group’s cloud integration and Hybrid IT strategy.

    As a fully integrated ERP system, SAP S/4HANA allows organizations to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to transform business processes both in the cloud and on-premise. It will also improve business operations by automating its systems and reducing manual processes.

    With the modern ERP system in place, EMS will now have a credible source of information across companies within the finance, procurement, inventory, operations, engineering, quality, and maintenance processes. The system will also improve financial reporting and analysis by accurately capturing and recording all cost revenue information across several revenue streams.

    Lighting up the FIRe

    EMS also considers this project as one of its ways to activate its Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIRe), or the IR 4.0, digital transformation journey. “It may sound cliché because we have repeatedly talked about it but, the Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) is now right in our doorsteps. Our adoption of the new ERP system, which utilizes AI and Cloud, is one of our ways to prepare for it,” Perry said.

    The FIRe, essentially, refers to the overall shift toward digital platforms. Modern digital technologies and applications will transform nearly every industry and sector, including the semiconductor and electronics industry. “We have been planning to integrate this modern ERP system for five years before we decided to partner with Fujitsu. We want to set an example for Filipino companies, that as we move to IR 4.0, we can empower, maintain, and even grow our more than 17,000 workers with technology as it will attract more business,” Perry said.

    Dealing with change

    Perry pointed out, on the other hand, that the automation of their processes is a major transformation for the organization. “From a semi or mostly manual processes to now having a fully integrated and digital system to tackle them, is a big change for us, even for our operators, which compose 92% of our total workforce,” he said. “Acceptance will be the biggest challenge. SAP S/4HANA is already a tried and tested system but, the way we adapt it internally will dictate our transformation moving forward.”

    Perry noted that it is important to maintain the collaboration within the departments and all levels in the organization. It is critical to let all the employees understand the benefits of the new system, including the opportunity of learning new skills needed in utilizing the system. “There will be a lot of resistance, especially that we are going to change their work. Most people do not like change but, we want to make sure that we show them its benefits so, they will accept it,” he said.

    Keeping employees motivated

    Aside from the benefits of changing digitally, Perry said that taking on this transformation all boils down to providing opportunities to upskill Filipino talents and help them grow with the company.

    For more than 24 years, Perry has worked outside the country, working as a high-ranking executive for different companies in Europe, the United States, Canada, and China. He also has no plans of coming back to the Philippines but, when his father asked to help him in managing EMS, he decided to take on the challenge. 

    “I managed several factories abroad and, all I was after then were EPS. When you come in here, you’ll realize that it’s not about the dollars and cents but, it’s the people. When you see them improve their lives while they help your company grow, that changes your perspectives,” Perry said. “Filipinos are excellent workers and for that, I will always fight for them. The only problem we have is sometimes, we stop the growth of our local talents. Until now, our primary objective is to do that. Every decision we make is all towards the idea of ‘will it help the Filipinos?’” 

    Since then, Perry has been passionate about helping hone Filipino talents, especially in the semiconductor and electronics industry. “We have a lot of things that we can be proud of. A lot of the electronic parts out there, such as in cars or the satellite dishes in the United States, are made by Filipinos, but they are inside another product,” Perry said. 

    And so, to keep the employees motivated, Perry said that they ensure that all of them feel welcomed and get equal opportunities to grow. “We do not call them by their ID numbers. We always make it a point to talk to them personally to talk, not about the business and work, but their dreams, aspirations, and even about their family,” he noted.

    A Unique approach to digital transformation

    As EMS Group’s implementing partner for the project, Fujitsu brings its unique approach to driving digital transformation through co-creation. This approach enables the company to deliver value through digital solutions suited to tackle the specific needs of its partners.

    “Now, more than ever, businesses have all the available systems and solutions, which they can integrate into their systems using the Fujitsu Cloud. Our team is more than excited about this project with the EMS Group and, we look forward to supporting its vision for digital transformation through this partnership,” said Raul “Cricket” Santiago, Fujitsu Philippines CEO and President. 

    With 45 years of local presence and expertise, Fujitsu Philippines provides businesses with cutting-edge IT solutions and services nationwide. It also offers cloud technology that provides relevant and cost-efficient IT solutions to all organizations of various sizes and needs. 

    To know more about Fujitsu Philippines, Inc., visit the website at http://www.fujitsu.com/ph. 

    REFERENCE:

    Alvin A. Marayan

    External & Media Relations

    PRC, Inc. 

    Unit 206 State Condominium IV, Ortigas Ave., Greenhills, San Juan M.M.

    CP # 0998-9613729 Telefax#  02-7250237 * 02-4708535

    Email: alvin.marayan@teamprcinc.com.ph 

    alvin.marayanprc@gmail.com 

  • Epson named number one projector brand in the Philippines and worldwide for 19 consecutive years

    Epson named number one projector brand in the Philippines and worldwide for 19 consecutive years

    Epson has been named the number one projector brand in the Philippines and SE Asia, as well as worldwide by Futuresource Consulting, having held the leadership position for 19 consecutive years. The milestone reflects Epson’s continued market leadership and constant innovation in the visual imaging industry.

    Epson’s worldwide market share for projectors have increased consistently over the last 19 years to maintain its continued dominance. The latest findings from Futuresource indicate that Epson continues to dominate the Philippine market as the number one brand, with 62.4% market share for projectors 500 lumens and above for 2019, an increase from 47.6% in 2018.

    Within Southeast Asia, Epson continues to maintain market leadership, with market share increasing to 44.4% in 2019 from 37% in 2018. Globally, Epson has the largest market share worldwide for projectors, at 41.4% for 2019, which is an increase from 37.4% in 2018. Likewise for the home projectors segment, in 2019, Epson has achieved the largest market share worldwide at a remarkable 35%.

    A key factor to Epson’s continued dominance is in its continuous innovation. New launches in Southeast Asia include the launch of its new retail, education, corporate and home projectors, including the EB-U50/EB-W50 for digital signage applications, the EB-1485Fi ultrashort throw interactive laser projector and the EB-1070U/1060U series of business projectors respectively. The launch of its home cinema projectors, the EF-100 series, EH-TW7000 and EB-LS500 contributed to its growth in the home projector segment.

    At the heart of Epson’s projectors is its proprietary 3LCD technology, which enables Epson projectors to deliver the most vibrant and true-to-life images with up to 3 times higher colour brightness compared to 1-chip DLP projectors in the market. In contrast to 3-chip 3LCD projectors, 1-chip DLP projectors use a rotating color wheel that spins at a rapid speed, only displaying colors sequentially, which can result in color break-up or the “rainbow effect”.

    Epson’s vertically-integrated business model means the company creates its own core technologies and manufactures and sells its finished products, maintaining control over the whole process and ensuring quality down to the smallest detail in the manufacturing of its projectors.

    Epson continues to innovate in its projector offerings for its range of business, interactive, high brightness and home projectors, catering across segments from corporate to education, rentals, staging and large entertainment venues and home entertainment.

    “We aim to continually deliver new innovation and bring new value to our customers as we focus on driving growth in the B2B segment, and to further engage customers in the education, corporate and rental and staging space,” said Eduardo Bonoan, General Manager for Marketing said.

    Data from Futuresource Quarterly Market Insight Reports. Sell-in volumes, representing at least 95% of the worldwide market, are collected from manufacturers each quarter. Data is cross-checked with inputs from distribution channels and component suppliers. This data collection methodology enables Futuresource to accurately size the Projectors Market and provide detailed brand, specification and application shares in over 66 countries worldwide.

    About Epson Philippines

    Epson’s corporate presence in the Philippines commenced in 1998. It grew rapidly into a billion-peso company in a span of a few years from its establishment due to its client-oriented approach in its business management style by its dedicated and innovative staff members and officers. Epson Philippines has an extensive network of 77 Authorized Service Centers nationwide with more than 200 dealers and more than 800 shops across the Country. For more details, please visit our website (www.epson.com.ph) or our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/EpsonPhilippines).

    For product inquiries and technical support, please contact Epson Customer Care at: Metro Manila: (02) 8441-9030; Toll Free: 1-800-1069-37766 (PLDT), 1-800-3-0037766 (DIGITEL) or visit the Epson Customer Care website: http://epson.com.ph/contact.

    REFERENCE:

    Media Enquiries:

    Media Contacts

    For Epson Philippines:
    Camille S. Intal
    PR Specialist
    Email: camillei@epc.epson.com.ph

    For PRC, Inc.:
    Alvin Marayan
    Media Relations Director
    Email: alvin.marayan@teamprcinc.com.ph

  • Shopee Announces ₱200 million Seller Support Package, aims to help up to 80,000 Filipino SMEs

    Shopee Announces ₱200 million Seller Support Package, aims to help up to 80,000 Filipino SMEs

    The Seller Support Package serves to tide SMEs through the Enhanced Community Quarantine and Covid-19 period by helping them maintain business sustainability and growth

    Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform of Southeast Asia and Taiwan, launches the ₱200 million Seller Support Package to support up to 80,000 Filipino Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs), whose businesses have been adversely affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. The ₱200 million Seller Support Package aims to help Filipino SMEs and sellers navigate the current economic climate, during the time of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and beyond.

    The Shopee Seller Support Package aims to support both local SMEs and sellers with an existing online presence as well as those looking to expand their businesses online, through the provision of education, funding, and subsidies. It serves to soften the economic decline faced by Filipino SMEs and sellers during the Enhanced Community Quarantine period, by empowering them with more sales and growth opportunities, reducing their operational costs and facilitating their long-term business sustainability.

    The Shopee Seller Support Package aims to benefit sellers with the following initiatives:

    1. Lowered Commission and Operational Costs:
      1. Sellers who register for the package will receive reduced commission and transaction fees.
      1. Sellers who sign up for the package can enjoy the Coin Cashback and Free Shipping programs free of charge for 1 month. In addition, sellers who are currently part of these programs will also enjoy reduced fees.
      1. To ease SMEs and sellers’ operational costs, Shopee will also provide subsidies up to ₱15,000 per seller.
    • Increased Sales and Marketing Support:
      • SMEs and sellers who register for the package can receive sales and marketing support in the form of 20% off shop vouchers to boost their online visibility and sales.
    • Helping new sellers succeed online: Shopee will continue to offer training and support to help sellers start, succeed, and grow on Shopee. New SMEs and sellers looking to start their online businesses on Shopee can continue to enjoy all existing benefits, including zero registration fees and 0% commission fee for marketplace sellers; as well as educational support via Shopee University online courses.

    In addition, Shopee will continue to monitor the situation closely and to adjust its seller policies where required, in order to help SMEs and sellers better adapt to the evolving situation.

    Martin Yu, Associate Director of Shopee Philippines, said: ​“During these challenging times, it is important for us to find ways to help our sellers and SMEs maintain long-term business sustainability. The launch of the Shopee Seller Support Package is part of our larger commitment to support our local communities through this Covid-19 period. We will continue to work closely with our extended network of partners, sellers, and shoppers to adapt our business and initiatives where required, as we remain united in getting through this together as one big community.”                                      

    About Shopee                                                          

    Shopee is the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. It was launched in 7 markets in 2015 to connect consumers, sellers, and businesses in the region.                        

    Shopee offers an easy, secure, and engaging experience that is enjoyed by millions of people daily. It offers a wide product assortment, supported by integrated payments and logistics, as well as popular entertainment features tailored for each market. Shopee is also a key contributor to the region’s digital economy with a firm commitment to helping brands and entrepreneurs succeed in e-commerce.                                                          

    Shopee is a part of Sea Limited (NYSE:SE), a leading global consumer internet company. In addition to Shopee, Sea’s other core businesses include its digital entertainment arm, Garena, and digital financial services arm, SeaMoney. Sea’s mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology.

    REFERENCE:

    Catherine Llanes

    Media Relations Manager

    T. +63 2-332-10-31 loc. 103

    M.+63 919 005 2173

    M2COMMS | M2SOCIAL | M2LIVE | PROI

  • Samsung to Introduce ‘Eco-Packaging’ for Its Lifestyle TV Lineup

    Samsung to Introduce ‘Eco-Packaging’ for Its Lifestyle TV Lineup

    Samsung makes another significant step toward sustainability,

    with eco-friendly recyclable cardboard packaging

    SEOUL, Korea – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. recently announced that it will introduce a new eco-friendly packaging across its Lifestyle TV product portfolio in efforts to reduce the environmental footprint.

    Samsung’s new ‘eco-packaging’ made from eco-friendly corrugated cardboard will be applied to The Serif, The Frame and The Sero, allowing customers easier recycling as well as upcycling of the cardboard boxes for creative reuse.

    Samsung has applied a dot matrix design on each side of its eco-friendly corrugated cardboard boxes, allowing customers to cut the boxes more easily and assemble them into various other uses, such as small end tables or houses for pets.

    Included within the packaging is a manual to guide customers on how to make household items out of the cardboard boxes, which can be accessed by scanning the QR code on the box.

    Owners of The Serif who tend to put shelves and furniture around the TV can build cat houses, magazine racks and even shelves from the cardboard boxes to store household items and electronic devices, including the remote control.

    Earlier this year, Samsung had already won CES 2020 Innovation Awards for its eco-packaging concept for promoting the efficient use of resources.

    As part of the rollout of the new eco-packaging, Samsung and Dezeen, a British lifestyle magazine, will hold a global design competition starting April 6th, where the two companies will award the most unique and practical designs and will apply the designs into its eco-packaging manual.

    “Consumers are more likely to purchase from a brand that shares similar fundamentals and values as they do, and with our eco-packaging, we believe that we can provide our customers with a new experience that considers the environment as an important way to express themselves,” said Kangwook Chun, Executive Vice President and Head of Product Strategy Team of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics.

    For more information on the design competition, please visit Dezeen’s website at www.dezeen.com and Samsung TV Instagram (@samsungtv).

    About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com.

    CONTACT:

    Marlene Cinco-Caballes

    Samsung Philippines

    Tel:+63-7214-7777

    m.cinco@samsung.com

    REFERENCE:

    JEAN RICELLE A. AQUINO

    Sr. Media Relations Officer

    StratWorks, Inc.

    0927 027 8975

  • 6 mobile apps that the whole family can enjoy

    6 mobile apps that the whole family can enjoy

    Running out of fun activities for the family during the extended enhanced community quarantine? Fret not. Here are six apps that you can enjoy with loved ones to help rid of the boredom:

    Spaceteam (Free)

    This game involves teamwork, quick reading and listening skills, and lots of shouting. Spaceteam is a multiplayer game where 2-8 players operate a spaceship by following on-screen instructions to successfully traverse space-avoiding asteroids and wormholes in the process. The catch? While each player has a unique set of controls, time-sensitive instructions to your controls will only be directed to any of your teammate’s screens—hence the shouting.

    Heads Up (Free, with in-app purchases)

    “The Ellen Show” fans will undoubtedly be familiar with this guessing game she plays with celebrity guests. With several categories to choose from, players take turns holding their smartphones on their foreheads as the app flashes words that the beholder must guess. The player opposite the screen helps the other player guess the word by shouting clues, doing accents, or acting the word out.

    Out of the Loop (Free, with in-app purchases)

    Being left out has never been this fun! Out of the Loop is a 5-9 player game that presents a secret word to all but one participant—the one dubbed “out of the loop” by the app. All players then proceed to answer questions about the word, with a vigilant ear to try and guess who they think is out of the loop. The challenge is for the person left out to try their best not to be obvious and pretend to be in the know.

    Monopoly (P199)

    More of the board game type? Good news! Monopoly is available for mobile devices for only P199. The mobile version of the popular board game allows a maximum of 4 players to sharpen their business minds in an attempt to bankrupt each other.

    Exploding Kittens (P99)

    For just P99, the nerve-wracking, hostility-inducing card game is available for mobile devices as well. Gather around and enjoy a highly-strategic, kitty-powered version of Russian Roulette with the entire family as the game allows for a maximum of 5 players.

    TikTok (Free)

    Those who want to shed off some quarantine-induced weight, showcase their talents, and simply have fun with the family can try TikTok, the latest and top destination for short-form creative videos. Family members can use the app to show off their dance moves, acting skills, humor and creativity. They can also follow @vivo_philippines to check out exciting videos from the smartphone brand.

    So, what are you waiting for? Strategize, laugh, dance, and bond with the family by downloading these apps through the vivo app store which is pre-installed in all vivo smartphone models.

    About vivo

    vivo is a leading global technology company that is product-driven with core businesses including smart terminals and intelligent services. vivo is committed to connecting users to the digital world by designing exciting and trendsetting smart mobile products and services which integrate technology and fashion in unique and creative ways. Adhering to its core values, which include “Benfen”, “innovation” and “consumer orientation”, vivo has implemented a sustainable development strategy to achieve its vision of becoming a leading, long-lasting, world-class enterprise.

    vivo’s headquarters is located in Dongguan, China, with 9 R&D centers in Shenzhen, Dongguan, Nanjing, Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Taipei, Tokyo and San Diego. These centers focus on the development of cutting-edge consumer technologies including 5G, artificial intelligence, photography, design and other emerging fields. vivo has also set up five production hubs across China, South Asia and Southeast Asia, which manufacture over 200 million smartphones every year. As of 2019, vivo has developed its sales network across more than 30 countries and regions, attracting more than 300 million active users worldwide.

    REFERENCE:

    John Paulo Ondra Caparros

    Public Relations Department

    Strategic works, Inc.

    +638937472 | +639173068591

    john.caparros@stratworks.ph

    2nd Floor Zaragoza Building, 102 Gamboa Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City PH

  • Vivo provides free smartphone warranty extension

    Vivo provides free smartphone warranty extension

    Vivo is providing a free warranty extension for smartphones purchased in official stores nationwide. This will automatically be applied to handsets with warranties expiring from March 16 to 30, 2020.

    With utmost customer safety as its priority, especially in light of the enhanced community quarantine, the company encourages its customers to stay at home to protect themselves and their families.

    Visit vivoglobal.ph, www.facebook.com/vivophil, www.instagram.com/vivo_philippines/, and twitter.com/vivo_phil for updates, including announcements on the warranty extension.

    #StayHomeStaySafe #vivoCares

    About vivo

    vivo is a leading global technology company committed to creating trendsetting smart mobile innovations and services. vivo is devoted to forming a vibrant mobile internet ecosystem, and currently owns and operates an extensive network of research operations, with R&D centers focusing on the development of cutting-edge consumer technologies including 5G, AI, mobile photography and next-generation smartphone design.

    In recent years, vivo has taken frequent efforts in the sports field and is committed to promoting the mutual penetration of the brand’s diverse fields and diversifying its brand image. vivo Philippines announced its partnership with the NBA by the end of 2018.

    Currently, vivo has over two hundred million users enjoying its mobile products and services around the world. vivo is present in 18 markets globally and features offline retail stores in over 1,000 cities worldwide. In the Philippines, Vivo is the top3 smartphone brand in terms of market share with 1.5 million users nationwide.

    For inquiries about vivo, visit the vivo website at vivoglobal.ph or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/vivophil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivo_philippines/), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts.

    REFERENCE:

    Erika Garcia

    Senior Media Relations Officer

    STRATEGIC WORKS, INC.

    2F Zaragoza Bldg., 102 Gamboa St.

    Legaspi Village, Makati City 1229 Philippines

    T +63 2 839 7472-73 loc. 106

    M 0956 523 1018

    www.stratworks.ph

  • Microsoft Azure virtual hackathon to create innovative solutions using artificial intelligence

    Microsoft Azure virtual hackathon to create innovative solutions using artificial intelligence

    While avoiding crowded places like schools and workplaces and staying-at-home to avoid coronavirus infection, making innovative projects and solutions can be a unique opportunity at the comfort of your own home.

    Technology allows people to connect with each other despite physical distancing and can make lives more comfortable and productive by exactly knowing when the next ride arrives or minimize crop losses in urban farms. Artificial intelligence mimics human behavior and thinking, while cloud computing allows access to system resources and data storage without owning and managing expensive servers. Combining AI with the cloud enables developers and engineers to use and access cutting-edge technologies and resources to solve complex problems affecting people and society.

    Microsoft, ride-hailing app Grab, and the United Nations Development Programme partner with AngelHack to bring together talented developers, engineers, designers, technologists, and entrepreneurs to solve real-world business challenges from the Asia-Pacific region. This free “virtual” hackathon enables teams to collaborate online and use Azure technologies like computer vision and natural language processing to create innovative and transformative solutions.

    “We are teaming up with Microsoft to organize this virtual hackathon to engage our talented developers community across APAC to code for a meaningful cause. We are excited about what our community will innovate,” according to Asia-Pacific regional manager Jasmine Nguyen of AngelHack.

    Surface tablets, job opportunities, visit to Singapore, and $ 3,000 are waiting for those who will create best applications and solutions.

    This virtual hackathon is open for residents in Singapore, Korea, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, or Brunei. Age should be 18 years or older and part of a team up to five participants.

    The first phase starts on April 17 until May 17 where ideas has to be formed and, solution design and architecture has to be submitted. Prototypes must be submitted on the second phase on May 25 to June 14 addressing the challenges presented.
    Register for free at https://www.msazurevirtualhack.com/ to join the virtual hackathon.

    Deadline of registration is on May 17.
    This competition is powered by AngelHack. Visit the website at https://angelhack.com/

    About AngelHack

    AngelHack is an organization founded with the desire to connect the tech-loving community to make new ideas come true. Within 7 years, AngelHack has been a pioneer in innovative promotion programs, co-organized and helped organize hackathons, digital-based competitions, accelerators, meetups, and ideas developed in more than 20 cities worldwide.

    With a diverse community of more than 160,000 programmers, designers and entrepreneurs, AngelHack is a trusted bridge for individuals and groups who want to find innovative solutions. Arriving in Vietnam from January 2019, AngelHack Vietnam has successfully organized two Hackathons in Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City and opened many new and effective ideas and solutions for sponsors and businesses. The goal of 2019-2020 is to focus on building the community, improving the quality of human resources, and working with other businesses to find new solutions.

    Website https://angelhack.com/

    E-mail info@angelhack.com

    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AngelHackHQ

    Twitter https://twitter.com/angelhack

    LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/angelhack/

    REFERENCE:

    Michael Lance M. Domagas

  • Pinoy dengue case predictor mapping system wins the 2019 NASA global hackathon

    Pinoy dengue case predictor mapping system wins the 2019 NASA global hackathon

    A dengue case forecasting system using space data made by Pinoy developers won the 2019 National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s International Space Apps Challenge. Over 29,000 participating globally in 71 countries, this Pinoy solution made it as one of the six winners in the best use of data, the solution that best makes space data accessible, or leverages it to a unique application.

    Dengue fever is a viral, infectious tropical disease spread primarily by Aedes aegypti female mosquitoes. With 271,480 cases resulting in 1,107 deaths reported from January 1 to August 31, 2019 by the World Health Organization, Dominic Vincent D. Ligot, Mark Toledo, Frances Claire Tayco, and Jansen Dumaliang Lopez from CirroLytix developed a forecasting model of dengue cases using climate and digital data, and pinpointing possible hotspots from satellite data.

    Upper row Associate American Corner librarian Donna Lyn G. Labangon, Space Apps global leader Dr. Paula S. Bontempi, former DICT Usec. Monchito B. Ibrahim, Animo Labs executive director Mr. Federico C. Gonzalez, DOST-PCIEERD deputy executive director Engr. Raul C. Sabularse, PLDT Enterprise Core Business Solutions vice president and head Joseph Ian G. Gendrano, lead organizer Michael Lance M. Domagas, and Animo Labs program manager Junnell E. Guia. Lower row Dominic Vincent D. Ligot, Frances Claire Tayco, Mark Toledo, and Jansen Dumaliang Lopez of Aedes project.

    Sentinel-2 Copernicus and Landsat 8 satellite data used to reveal potential dengue hotspots

    Correlating information from Sentinel-2 Copernicus and Landsat 8 satellites, climate data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PAGASA) and trends from Google search engines, potential dengue hotspots will be shown in a web interface.

    Using satellite spectral bands like green, red, and near-infrared (NIR), indices like Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FAPAR) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) are calculated in identifying areas with green vegetation while Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) identifies areas with water. Combining these indices reveal potential areas of stagnant water capable of being breeding grounds for mosquitoes, extracted as coordinates through a free and open-source cross-platform desktop geographic information system QGIS.

    Check out the website here: http://aedesproject.org/

    Winners visit the Philippine Earth Data Resource and Observation (PEDRO) Center at the DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute in Diliman, Quezon City with Dr. Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr.

    “AEDES aims to improve public health response against dengue fever in the Philippines by pinpointing possible hotspots using Earth observations,” Dr. Argyro Kavvada of NASA Earth Science and Booz Allen Hamilton explained.

    The DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) deputy executive director Engr. Raul C. Sabularse said that the winning solution “benefits the community especially those countries suffering from malaria and dengue, just like the Philippines. I think it has a global impact. This is the new science to know the potential areas where dengue might occur. It is a good app.”

    “It is very relevant to the Philippines and other countries which usually having problems with dengue. The team was able to show that it’s not really difficult to have all the data you need and integrate all of them and make them accessible to everyone for them to be able to use it. It’s a working model,” according to Monchito B. Ibrahim, industry development committee chairman of the Analytics Association of the Philippines and former undersecretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

    Biological oceanographer Dr. Paula S. Bontempi, acting deputy director of the Earth Science Mission, NASA’s Science Mission Directorate and the current leader of the Space Apps global organizing team

    The leader of the Space Apps global organizing team Dr. Paula S. Bontempi, acting deputy director of the Earth Science Mission, NASA’s Science Mission Directorate remembers the pitch of the winning team when she led the hackathon in Manila. “They were terrific. Well deserved!” she said.

    “I am very happy we landed in the winning circle. This would be a big help particularly in addressing our health-related problems. One of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is on Good Health and Well Being and the problem they are trying to address is analysis related to dengue,” said Science and Technology secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña. Rex Lor from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines explained that the winning solution showcases the “pivotal role of cutting-edge digital technologies in the creation of strategies for sustainable development in the face of evolving development issues.”

    Pinoy developers gather together to address real-world problems on Earth and space using NASA’s free and open source data.

    U.S Public Affairs counselor Philip W. Roskamp and PLDT Enterprise Core Business Solutions vice president and head Joseph Ian G. Gendrano congratulates the next group of Pinoy winners.

    Sec. de la Peña is also very happy on this second time victory for the Philippines on the global competition of NASA. The first winning solution ISDApp uses “data analysis, particularly NASA data, to be able to help our fishermen make decisions on when is the best time to catch fish.” It is currently being incubated by Animo Labs, the technology business incubator and Fab Lab of De La Salle University in partnership with DOST-PCIEERD. Project AEDES will be incubated by Animo Labs too.

    University president Br. Raymundo B. Suplido FSC hopes that NASA Space Apps would “encourage our young Filipino researchers and scientists to create ideas and startups based on space science and technology, and pave the way for the promotion and awareness of the programs of our own Philippine space agency.”

    Vice President Leni Robredo recognized Space Apps as a platform “where some of our country’s brightest minds can collaborate in finding and creating solutions to our most pressing problems, not just in space, but more importantly here on Earth.”

    “Space Apps is a community of scientists and engineers, artists and hackers coming together to address key issues here on Earth. At the heart of Space Apps are data that come to us from spacecraft flying around Earth and are looking at our world,” explained by Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA associate administrator for science.

    “Personally, I’m more interested in supporting the startups that are coming out of the Space Apps Challenge,” according to DOST-PCIEERD executive director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit.

    Winners visit the Philippine Earth Data Resource and Observation (PEDRO) Center at the DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute in Diliman, Quezon City with Dr. Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr.

    In the Philippines, Space Apps is a NASA-led initiative organized in collaboration with De La Salle University, Animo Labs, DOST-PCIEERD, PLDT InnoLab, American Corner Manila, U.S. Embassy, software developer Michael Lance M. Domagas, and celebrates the Design Week Philippines with the Design Center of the Philippines of the Department of Trade and Industry. It is globally organized by Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub, and SecondMuse.

    Space Apps is a NASA incubator innovation program. The next hackathon will be on October 2-4, 2020.

    #SpaceApps #SpaceAppsPH

    REFERENCE:

    Michael Lance M. Domagas

    Lead Organizer

    2019 NASA International Space Apps Challenge