By John Mark V. Tuazon
Computerworld Philippines
December 7, 2009

Global IT solutions provider IBM on Thursday formally opened its first Innovation Center in the Philippines, citing its inauguration as a “logical next step” towards local IT empowerment, company officials said.

The IBM Innovation Center (IIC) located at the UP-Ayala Technohub in Diliman, Quezon City, the 40th center funded by an annual US$2.5 billion fund for IICs, will house IBM facilities, tools and expertise available for use by business partners for application development, trainings, and research, among other purposes.

The Technohub facility currently includes two engagement rooms for small group meetings, and a large training room that can fit 56 people at a time intended for trainings and seminars. IBM servers, software and hardware are available at the business partner’s disposal.

“Any group can sign up to use any of the IIC facilities,” said Iris Chiu, country leader for ISV and developer relations IBM. “We hope to provide resources for concerned groups who are looking for tools to test their applications, or collaborate to come up with the next great idea for IT.”

But aside for application development and innovation, Chiu said topics “different from the typical IT endeavors” can also be pursued in the IIC. “If the cure for dengue can be hatched here, why not?” she noted.

The founding of IIC is part of IBM’s local initiative to engage with developers, meant to elevate the skills of the local IT workforce. “The establishment of the Innovation Center is a natural next step to improving IBM’s relationship with its local business partners,” explained James M. Corgel, general manager, ISV and developer relations, software group, IBM.

Corgel said IBM chose to establish its next IIC in the Philippines due to the booming BPO industry in the country. “The success of BPO in the Philippines is a huge sign why we brought the IIC here now,” he said. “The Philippines is off to a tremendous start in building its global BPO image, consistently backing it up with good performance.”

Currently, Corgel shared, there are approximately 400 BPO companies in the Philippines, 100 of which were added only in the last 12 months. The Philippines ranks 2nd to India in global BPO rankings at present, he added.

Additionally, according to Corgel, business partners—which form 1/3 of IBM’s global revenue, or around $33 billion—can leverage the skills and resources of the other 39 innovation centers around the world in collaborating to pursue their initiatives.

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