Coexistence to Transform PH Banks

In this new digital era, cutthroat competition is out and co-existence is in.

Philippine banks, specifically, should learn to co-exist to deploy future-ready infrastructure, Aman Sud, Chief Growth Officer, ASEAN, Publicis Sapient maintained.

“Embracing cutting-edge technology is a clear imperative for banks seeking to thrive in the digital era. The adoption of a modern core banking system and a comprehensive infrastructure overhaul necessitates the strategic concept of coexistence, which proves to be a highly effective path to success,” he explained.

“Nevertheless, meticulous planning for coexistence becomes increasingly critical as the scale of the bank expands.”

Also, each bank will have its own unique and complex data landscapes, so there is no one-size-fits-all model when it comes to coexistence.

But if local banks embrace co-existence, first, they should set up the right team of experts to ensure comprehensive planning and decision-making during their transition state.

Secondly they should use technology to support co-existence.

Third, unvesting tactically in legacy can help if they remember to plan for legacy decommissioning.

Changes to the source system or data are needed to enable a successful transformation.

For example, additional flags or tags may be required on legacy accounts to indicate which have been migrated.

Banks should plan these changes early with the teams supporting the legacy core to ensure that things go smoothly.

Equally important is that there are concrete steps in place within the migration plan to decommission the legacy estate, to ensure stakeholder buy-in on the journey, and to recognize the full benefits of the core modernization program.

On their way to a new digital core, banks can position themselves to embrace the concept of coexistence by adopting the right tools, adopting a well-planned approach, and adopting a strategic attitude.

In the future, the banks that are successful in this modernization path will become the leaders, according to Aman Sud.

Already, accelerated digitalization is transforming the Philippines’ financial sector.

This year, the Central Bank targets to shift 50% of retail payments digitally and onboard 70% of adult Filipinos into the formal financial system.

GCash Global Pay now in Japan, South Korea, Singapore & Europe

Mobile wallet GCash now offers Global Pay, allowing users cashless access to a
broader network of international merchants.


Building on the successful Pay via QR launch in Japan in 2021 in collaboration with Alipay+, GCash’s Global Pay service became available in South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom early this year


“We make the travel experiences for Filipinos more enjoyable and stress-free, with the holidays approaching,” remarked Paul Albano, VP General Manager for GCash International.


Furthermore, “We’ll expand the capabilities of GCash to more destinations in Asia and beyond.”


GCash Global Pay offers secure payment across various merchants through Scan to Pay.


It also eliminates the inconveniences of high exchange rates, carrying around too much cash in an unfamiliar currency, or withdrawing at ATMs with additional charges.


While some travelers bring their credit cards with them on international trips, there’s always a looming concern over surprise fees or bill shock when they get back.

With GCash Global Pay, budget-conscious travelers gain better control over their finances and avail of low forex and zero service fees.


To Scan to Pay with GCash abroad, simply look for the Alipay+ and GCash logo at the checkout counter.


Open your GCash app, tap Pay Abroad with Alipay+ and let the merchant scan your unique QR or you can scan the merchant’s QR code.


Verify the amount and click “Pay” to receive your receipt.

Cisco & NVIDIA deliver AI-powered Hybrid Workspaces

Cisco today unveiled the next milestone of its ongoing work with NVIDIA to deliver AI-powered meetings for hybrid workers.

To entice people to come to the office, companies must reimagine and reconfigure workspaces, stressed Jeetu Patel, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Cisco Security and Collaboration. 

Hence, the company launched Room Kit EQX and expanded its Cinematic Meetings capabilities — both powered by NVIDIA’s AI engine — to enhance audio and video intelligence in hybrid meetings.

“Our collaboration with NVIDIA expands our portfolio of AI-powered solutions that unlock the potential of hybrid workers,” he reiterated.

The integration of video devices supporting AI and machine learning is critical to ensuring the longevity of investments made to deliver hybrid work experiences. 

Cisco’s hardware, conference room operating system, RoomOS, and NVIDIA’s AI capabilities now enables 20 times the AI capabilities of previous generations.

“Edge AI is playing a vital role in bringing autonomy and improving productivity across many industries,” according to Deepu Talla, Vice President of Embedded and Edge Computing, NVIDIA. 

“Cisco and NVIDIA have been pioneering the use of AI to enhance collaboration in the workplace, and the new line of products will bring transformative technology to this space.”

The highest priority for many customers is refreshing medium to large spaces, which are often flagship rooms for high-stakes meetings.

Until now, video-enabling these spaces has been complex, requiring integrators to stitch together multiple audio, video and furniture components, and requiring a specialist on-site to deploy.  

The Room Kit EQX is a new, integrated collaboration solution that allows customers to deploy future-of-meeting rooms simply and consistently across sites. 

The advanced camera, audio and speech intelligence also reduces the feeling of distance between in-person and remote participants.

Meeting attendees feel like they’re in the room, even if they aren’t, a concept Cisco is calling Distance Zero. 

The campfire-like boardroom experience features four quad cameras and screens at eye-level, all configured in a circular arrangement to provide an immersive view of the content and remote participants. 

The setup creates the feeling of face-to-face collaboration for remote and in-person attendees alike. 

For their part, customers experience cinematic meetings in auditorium and training style rooms. 

Cisco devices seamlessly switch cameras and views to provide remote participants with the best view of speakers, their content and close-up audience reactions. 

And in a new hybrid presenter mode, a remote and an in-room speaker can easily take the stage together for virtually in-person hybrid presentations.

Cisco and NVIDIA have worked together since 2015— years ahead of today’s AI boom— to create industry-leading devices addressing the biggest challenges of workplace collaboration, including meeting equity and video fatigue.