AFTER years of focusing on the information-technology (IT) requirements of corporations and large enterprises, Japan-based NEC [Nippon Electric Co.] Corp. is keen to extend its products and services to the burgeoning small-office, home-office (Soho) market through its local subsidiary, NEC Philippines Inc.

The company plans to offer to small business establishments its newest line of product offerings from networks that include PBX (private branch exchange) and PABX (private automatic branch exchange); IT platforms like personal computers (PCs), laptops, servers; to security solutions.

“There are many opportunities in SMEs (small and medium enterprise) and Soho because their directions are likely to move up,” Leonardo Santos, NEC Philippines executive vice president, told the BusinessMirror.

The company used to have partnerships with entities that concentrate on the small markets, “but this time we want to avoid the notion that we only service the needs of high-end segments,” Santos added.

NEC will start offering big households and home offices communication solutions in the form of Aspila Topaz Lite and Aspila Topaz—all PABX models designed to employ faster communication within an organization, while reducing the cost of telephone bills. PABX connects all internal telephones known as extensions from the trunk lines deployed by phone companies.

Topaz Lite, which costs P17,900, can add a maximum of eight extensions from three trunk lines. When small businesses scale up, the Topaz is the next option. It can add 72 extensions from 27 trunk lines with prices starting at P25, 000. 

“Clients will not only save on installation charges and national direct dial cost, they can also configure the system according to their needs,” said Kathryn Rose Fernandez, networks product and business support manager at NEC Philippines.

“During a blackout, one line will remain active. The NEC PABX systems have an optional external backup battery box, which is compatible with uninterrupted power supply systems. Mobile phones may also be used as extension so long as the unit is configured with the system,” added Fernandez.

“According to forecasts and estimates, the total PABX market in the country can reach $100 million. Since we are only starting out in this venture, we can cover only a single-digit low of 2 percent to 3 percent—about P2 million to P3 million—to prospects in Metro Manila, Cebu and Davao,” said Santos.

AFTER years of focusing on the information-technology (IT) requirements of corporations and large enterprises, Japan-based NEC [Nippon Electric Co.] Corp. is keen to extend its products and services to the burgeoning small-office, home-office (Soho) market through its local subsidiary, NEC Philippines Inc.

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