Coming soon: More software that’s made in the Philippines

IT professionals and students watch a presentation about many locally-developed innovations that are greatly useful for the country's businesses. Photo by Matikas Santos.

MANILA, Philippines — Your medical records since birth stored in your tablet personal computer and a comprehensive vehicle fleet tracking system accessible via the Internet. If these software programs sound like future technology being developed in advanced countries, then better think again.

These are just some of the computer programs developed here by Filipino software developers and showcased by Microsoft Philippines in its “Who Dunn I.T. 2012” event held last March 21-23.

“The Filipino community definitely has the inherent potential to become world-class innovators. Local developers and IT (Information Technology) professionals have demonstrated their skills in solving challenges and sharing their best IT practices, which other people may learn from and adapt in their own ways,” Tim Vergel de Dios Microsoft Philippines’ Audience Marketing Manager said.

The event invited an estimated 50 local startup companies, developers, and IT students, who have developed their own computer programs aimed at creating innovative solutions.

De Dios said that the event “aims to bring together the best local IT talents and skilled developers who are vital in creating programs, software and solutions that aid businesses alike to have cost-effective productivity operations.”

“Developers have always been vital in the IT community and through this event, we are empowering more Filipinos to realize the values and endless opportunities technology can bring to the community,” De Dios said.

Homegrown innovations

Among the locally developed software programs were ClarusCIS (Clinic Information System) and ClarusPHR (Patient Health Record) by Rhema Software Solutions Inc.

Both programs aim to easily track and monitor patients’ medical records in digital format, saving paper and making them accessible via any computer device.

ClarusCIS can be used by clinics or doctors to record every patient’s information such as laboratory results, medications given, diagnosis, treatments undertaken, vital statistics, billings and payments, all accessible anytime through any computer or mobile handheld device.

ClarusPHR is designed for patients to keep their own record of their medical history such as allergies, medications, previous illnesses, operations, diagnostics history, vital signs, etc. ClarusPHR is also accessible through any computer or mobile handheld device.

Tim Vergel de Dios, Audience Marketing Manager of Microsoft Philippines, demonstrates Microsoft's new innovation software at the WHO DUNN I.T. 2012 event. Photo courtesy of Microsoft Philippines.

The best feature of the two programs is they can transfer information easily so that a patient can consult with any doctor simply by uploading the data from his/her ClarusPHR to the doctor’s ClarusCIS. Any doctor could also add information to the patient’s medical records for future reference.

Adrian Ricky Torres, Managing Director of Rhema Software Solutions Inc., said that they wanted to provide a holistic health care solution to the medical community and at the same time help the environment by reducing the amount of paper being used.

Torres added that they were continuously developing the program because it could potentially be used also in the academic community.

Another showcased software that was developed in Davao city by Accelerate Desk Business Solutions was a vehicle fleet tracking solution that uses Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology.

The software, named “My Geo Desk”, can show any vehicle’s current location, speed, vehicle usage, and route taken via Google Maps on the Internet.

John Bessey, Managing Director of Microsoft Philippines, gives the welcome remarks to the IT community who came to the WHO DUNN I.T. 2012 event. Photo courtesy of Microsoft Philippines.

It also has special features like low-battery warning and an emergency alert in case of unfortunate incidents that may put the vehicle or the driver in danger.

The software is particularly useful for Taxi and logistics companies, as well as others that have a fleet of vehicles that need to be tracked.

Simplicio Jison Jr., the developer of “My Geo Desk”, said in a statement released by Microsoft that the event has helped him to meet other IT professionals with whom he could share ideas and practices.

“Microsoft technologies fit the needs of the IT community and this empowers us to become globally-competitive in the field of IT,” Jison said.

Inspiring others

John Bessey, Microsoft Philippines Country Manager, said in an interview that they wanted to showcase all these locally grown technology solutions to inspire other software developers in the country to create innovative solutions.

This event is a part of Microsoft’s national plan of Citizenship that aims to increase businesses’ productivity capacity by giving them access to innovative and locally-developed software that are best adapted to their specific needs.

“We are showcasing [local developers] to recognize them and to inspire others to innovate as well,” de Dios said.

This event will “feed more innovations later on by inspiring others,” de Dios added.

With all these, it won’t be a surprise then that the next groundbreaking computer technology could be labeled “Made in the Philippines.”