Inspiro Enables Remote Workforce of 3,000 Agents with Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD)

Wazzup Pilipinas!


With Microsoft Technology, Inspiro quickly transformed to empower employees and continue providing the highest standard of service


Inspiro, the outsourcing specialist, recently joined hands with Microsoft to integrate cloud-based desktop services and servers into its operations, providing their remote workforce with innovative tools to continue delivering excellent customer service throughout the pandemic.

With COVID-19, the company was faced with the urgent need of enabling their existing employees to work remotely. In addition, they also needed to expand their workforce by an additional 2,000 to 3,000 agents to meet growing customer needs. But at the time, their IT infrastructure lacked the capacity to support the necessary changes, with most of their machines and devices running on physical servers and lacking a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI).

To quickly ensure business continuity, Inspiro looked to other options, such as desktop-as-a-service (DaaS), which would enable their agents to use company-issued devices or personal devices for work.

After evaluating viable scenarios and providers in the market, Inspiro opted to engage Microsoft and their Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) solution, a Microsoft Azure-based remote desktop to enhance operational capacity. In addition, they also chose Microsoft Teams for employee communication, collaboration, and engagement.

Inspiro chose Microsoft after a three-month evaluation of available cloud providers due to the ease of provisioning, operation, and DaaS maintenance.

"We chose Microsoft Azure because it is more cost-effective, offers our company more flexibility and scalability, and provides our agents with more productivity while using WVD," said Mark Mistal, Chief Information Officer, Inspiro.

"We used Microsoft Teams as the primary communications channel during the deployment and implementation phases of the engagement. Microsoft also provided Teams training and support to Inspiro employees to strengthen remote collaboration", added Mistal.

"Training was an insightful discussion as it led to a deep dive on how Teams can help in the day-to-day tasks, organizing meetings, and conducting training, among many others," said Rom Saldivar, Senior Manager for IT Operations.

Since adopting these solutions, Inspiro has enjoyed a successful deployment with approximately 1,900 Windows Virtual Desktop machines provisioned for its agents in the Philippines and the United States. The solution deployed further boosted client confidence as the company met its ramp target. It also resulted in 99.99 percent uptime in reliability.

Microsoft's solutions are now part of the company's daily business operations. WVD is utilized to support clients worldwide, with Microsoft Teams as the primary communications platform for collaboration and more.

Inspiro has decided to make their work-from-home arrangement permanent with the company's successful transformation, even after the pandemic passes. In addition to DaaS and Microsoft Teams, the company is currently looking at other opportunities to streamline operations using Microsoft's different toolsets.

“Far but not apart”, PHLPost releases Valentine’s Day stamps

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Today, February 10, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) will start issuing Valentine’s Day postage stamps as part of its effort to make the season of the hearts more memorable inspite the Covid-19 pandemic.

Themed “Far but not apart”, this year’s stamp feature’s digital art of male and female person with facemasks overcoming physical distance by constant communication in whatever means to send messages of love and affection under a big heart shape ribbon.

The words “Pilipinas” and “Valentine’s Day” were also printed in the stamp. The price of P12 on each stamp is located at the upper corner. Young graphic artist Ryman Dominic Albuladora design and layout the stamps.

PHLPost has printed 25,000 pieces of limited Valentine’s Day stamps.

The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in limited face to face activities and gatherings.

“The celebration of Valentine’s Day might be a little different this year, but there are a lot of ways to show love and affection to our dear ones”, PHLPost said in a statement.

One way is to send flowers and letters of gratitude to someone special in our life.

Via its #ExpressPadaLove2021, post offices in Manila, Quezon City and some other areas will accept orders via door to door through its Domestic Express Mail Service (DEMS) of flowers, chocolates, stuffed toys and other gift items.

The public can also call for orders, through telephone numbers (02) 8527-0135/ 0927-245-0835/ 0906-8976930. Payments can made via Electronic Postal Money Order (EPMO) or G-Cash at Mobile No. 0935-3674207.Stamps and official first day cover of “Valentine’s Day Stamps” are now available at the Philatelic Counter, Manila Central Post Office, all Mega Manila Post Offices, Postal Area 2, San Fernando, La Union, Postal Area 4, San Pablo, Postal Area 5, Mandaue, Postal Area 6, Iloilo, Postal Area 7, Davao, and Postal Area 8, Cagayan De Oro. For inquiries, please call 8527-01-08 or 8527-01-32 or follow/like the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/PilipinasPhilately/ for updates

5 Marketing Strategies and Tips For Start-ups

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Running a startup is both satisfying and stressful. There are many ways to reduce your stress when it comes to running a startup. The best way is to ensure that the startup is cash positive and profitable as soon as possible. Focusing on marketing will help you to achieve this goal.

Let’s check the best strategies to improve your marketing and make your startup successful.

1. Sell better by knowing your customer

As your start-up in new on the market, you have the opportunity to get to know your consumers better than the other old companies. You could sell your product at a cheaper rate compared to others as it is easier for you to price it appropriately while at the same time keeping the quality in check. You could show off your skills and talents through the way you sell your product. With comparison, the only thing you could achieve is the showing the customer the difference in the features of your product. Whereas, what you should actually do is exhibit your product in such a manner that the customer could see the benefit for himself/herself and would want to choose your brand over any other.



2. Keep proper track of your budget

Make sure to plan your budget well in advance. You should be well aware of what and how much your start-up could afford. Always see to it that the in-flow of the money is higher than compared to out-flow. This part could get little tricky for a few people as it isn’t easy to know the amount of money required to finish get the desired results. Therefore, it is essential to have a, well experienced person who could manage the accounts for your start-up.



3. Follow the audience

In this era of social networking and fast mode, it is very important to keep in touch with the latest trends and ideas roaming in the social media platform. You should follow your audience and keep a note of all the new demands. The social media platforms are a great way in which you could get to know your customers and build a, connect with them. This is not only pretty cost-efficient, but also an effective way of increasing your product name. You should also make sure that your website looks good, is modern and responsive and most importantly fast. You can opt for a hosting company that targets your geographic location even if you don’t live there. Many web hosting companies offer this type of trial, and you should take advantage of it.

For example, if you are in the Philippines and your market is in the UK, you can go for the best UK web hosting companies to host your site.



4. Advertise as much as you can

A good advertisement can be a huge big asset to your start-up. Advertisements can be a little expensive at time, but it could be very helpful. Use as many platforms and social networking sites you can to advertise your product. This a market strategy, if people time and again hear about your product, see your product, find out from others about it, etc it somehow manages to stay somewhere in the back of their mind. Then may actually have no need of the product your selling, but due to the power of advertisements, they eventually end up buying it. This strategy makes sure that you and your product somehow manage to seep into the minds if the customer and make a place for yourself there.



5. Make the difference.

As your start-up is a new business, setting foot in the market, you have the power to stand out and attract more and more customers. Around 10 years back, market was way different than what it is now. You have all the facilities and the ability to do something new. Read about the companies that are your completion, try and plan things to make your start-up better, make use of the internet and use learn new marketing ways, etc. To sum it up, think outside the box and give the start-up your best shot.