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Gawad Kalinga Deploys Microsoft Office SharePoint to Enhance Daily Operations and Maximize the Use of Technology Across the Organization
Microsoft Philippines continuously aims to bring innovation and make its technology available to Filipinos in its mission to fuel growth in various communities. To further provide assistance to these communities, Microsoft offers various grants and software donations to a number of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs).
Gawad Kalinga (GK), one of Microsoft’s grantees, is a community development foundation, driven by the vision of building a nation empowered by people with faith and patriotism, dedicated to eradicate poverty and restore human dignity. Since 1995, GK has been serving over 2,000 communities in the Philippines and in other countries where poverty exists such as Indonesia, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea.
“We instinctively knew that we needed to improve our information technology and financial systems to maintain the integrity of the organization, the trust of our partners and our communities, as well as build strong tracking systems to be able to monitor our work and assess which among our key actions and strategies drive our desired outcomes,” said Issa Cuevas-Santos, IT Department Leader, Gawad Kalinga.
GK was looking for a solution that is not limited to what it is capable of performing, but must have the ease of access and convenience to develop other solutions for the daily operations of the organization. With this in mind, the organization decided to apply for a Microsoft grant to help meet its daily challenges in connectivity, transparency and efficiency.
After going through the process of assessment and approvals, GK received a total of $144,616.00 worth of software as its first Microsoft Grant classified as a Strategic Partnership Software Donation in 2009, which supported and helped the organization to maximize its use of IT. Some of the software granted to GK then were Windows XP Pro, Office Pro Plus 2007, Windows Server Enterprise 2008 R2, Visio Pro 2007, and Exchange Server Enterprise CAL Device, among others.
“We see the potential of growing communities and organizations but we also see the need to help them nurture their ideals and missions by providing them the right and best technology that enable them to build their business operations and workforce productivity,” said Dondi Mapa, National Technology Officer, Microsoft Philippines.
With this Microsoft grant, GK deployed Microsoft Office SharePoint 2007 to its IT infrastructure in the aim to update the online collaboration of all data from its local communities. Microsoft Windows Server 2008 helped the organization efficiently collaborate with all GK member communities, manage documents and files, and easily locate information.
GK had extensive discussions on which technology it should use and decided to go with Microsoft, which has been proven to be a reliable and excellent provider of technical support. They wanted a platform that was stable and had support because they were going to use it throughout their global operations.
GK implemented Microsoft SharePoint 2007 into its system to be able to further utilize technology in its daily operations. “With SharePoint, we are able to better keep track of important files and documents, manage schedules better and connect with one another in a more efficient way. Since GK does not have a lot of physical offices, SharePoint has become our mobile office and has allowed ease of communications for our internal backbone operations,” emphasized Cuevas-Santos.
The various systems GK uses allow them to build for the future, helping make sure that GK continues to be a world-class organization with integrity and transparency, and an efficient medium to ensure that programs and services are provided for the poor communities that need them the most.
The passion and integrity of GK’s caretaker teams, coupled with a robust IT infrastructure and systems and processes that facilitate the work and ensure accountability, are the key factors that make them confident that GK will continue to enjoy the trust not just from their funding partners, but the communities they serve.
“We value our ecosystem of partners and place their growth as a top priority. Gawad Kalinga is truly a promising organization whose mission is something we support through the technology grants we provide them with. Through strategic partnerships like this, we at Microsoft are making more people realize their full potentials,” ended Mapa.
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About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Microsoft Philippines, a local subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation, has been constantly bringing innovation and making its technology available to Filipino businesses and individuals since 1995. As a committed and trusted partner in nation-building, Microsoft Philippines has made it its mission to fuel growth and healthy communities, as well as transform locally-based businesses and empower them to compete in the global economy.
Angat Pinoy, Angat Negosyo. Angat Pilipinas.
For more information, press only:
Renzo Belardo (renzo.belardo@microsoft.com, +632 8608952)
Joy Mirasol (joy.mirasol@perceptions-inc.com, +632 8913485)
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