PLDT Unveils Desktop-as-a-Service, Strengthens Data Center Business

Close on the heels of its growing list of enterprise-grade cloud solutions, the country’s leading telecoms and multimedia service provider PLDT, through its large enterprise group PLDT ALPHA Enterprise, is set to transform the simple office workstation into virtual desktops which business professionals can access from anywhere through various devices.

Called Desktop as a Service (DaaS), this latest addition to the PLDT Cloud line expands the workplace as it allows users to access it online and work on their desktop set up from any smart device via the internet or a private network.

“This gives end-users the functionalities of their desktops with the convenience of mobility as they work from it on PLDT Cloud,” said FVP and PLDT ALPHA Enterprise Head Jovy Hernandez. “Cloud technology is fast becoming necessary among global enterprises to help them keep up with today’s fast-paced day-to-day operations, especially with the advent of the ‘bring your own device’ practice in advanced economies.”

“With DaaS, we are transforming the way we access and maximize our work space with the latest technology. This will better equip our local businesses and their people to service their customers, giving them the mobility and efficiency in business while lowering costs for IT maintenance and upgrades as it is hosted on the PLDT Cloud,” Hernandez added.

Accessible from any device, DaaS is offered under PLDT Cloud hosted in PLDT’s globally-certified line of VITRO Data Centers assuring customers the security and business continuity of the service. It features the basic applications of Microsoft operating systems in desktops which is upgradable and efficiently maintained in the cloud servers of PLDT.

Offered under the PLDT Cloud line, the cloud-based service is a joint offering of PLDT with leading global virtualization and cloud infrastructure leader VMWare.

“The PLDT-VMware Horizon DaaS Powered Cloud enables Philippines businesses to stay agile and competitive by providing a highly scalable, mobile and always-on solution without having to worry about existing infrastructure and know-how,” said Sanjay Deshmukh, Managing Director, End-User Computing, Asia Pacific and Japan, VMware. “Businesses can now enjoy a great end-user experience with a single client interface that allows access to cloud-hosted virtual desktops and hosted apps from any device, anywhere without compromising enterprise security.”

“Our heavy investments in infrastructure, technology, and our people, and our strategic partnerships with global leaders in various fields of ICT keep us at the forefront of empowering today’s local businesses with relevant and reliable services. This is part of our commitment in creating a robust Digital Infrastructure for the country.” Hernandez said.

PLDT Group cements data center business

PLDT, through its ICT subsidiary ePLDT, has reinforced its undisputed leadership in the local Data Center space as it starts building its fifth facility under its VITRO Data Center line in Clark, Pampanga.

Present during the VITRO Clark groundbreaking event were, from left: PLDT VP Renato Castañeda, ePLDT VP Dave Simon, ePLDT COO Nerisse Ramos, Clark Development Chairman Eliseo Santiago, PLDT EVP Eric Alberto, Clark Development Corp. President Atty. Arthur Tugade, PLDT FVP Cesar Enriquez, and PLDT SME Nation AVP and Marketing Head Amil Azurin.

Including the three data centers operated by ePLDT subsidiary IP Converge Data Services, the PLDT Group now will have eight data centers with rack capacity of over 8,000 - the largest in the country. PLDT's continued expansion in data center facilities is part of its commitment in creating the nation's digital infrastructure.

Located in the heart of the Clark ecozone, VITRO Clark, once fully operational, will cater to the region’s thriving business communities and planned IT hubs in Central Luzon, that could also serve the disaster recovery requirements for other businesses elsewhere.

With a total investment of Php 1.3 billion when completed, the construction of the VITRO Clark facility will boost the growth of ICT-demanding industries in the area like the business process outsourcing, Outsourcing & Offshoring, and retail.

“This new data center will be compliant to global standards with enough rack space to accommodate the production requirements of the enterprises based here in Luzon, as well as the disaster recovery requirements of those based elsewhere. We are confident that the PLDT Group will again make our mark in Philippine ICT history,” said PLDT EVP and ePLDT President and CEO Eric Alberto.

“We are not doing this just for the prestige of becoming the largest data center operator in the country. We are doing this because we want to enable local enterprises to compete in the global arena and help fulfill our country’s destiny to become the next Asian Economic Tiger,” he added.

Adding an additional 1,230 rack capacity to the PLDT Group, the 5-storey building will have 8 level access security control and redundant infrastructures to ensure highest uptime service level. When fully complete, the PLDT Group will have eight operational commercial data centers with a combined rack capacity exceeding 8,000.

“PLDT has added value to Clark, with VITRO coming here, this adds to this landscape that will make businesses want to invest and set up here. We are excited to partner with PLDT for this as we have always known them for quality service, and a provider of employment in the country,” said Clark Development Corporation President Atty. Arthur Tugade during the groundbreaking of the PLDT VITRO Clark facility.