A review of the Eastwood City Cyber Park as a possible location for the SSS Main Data Center, ID Card Production Center and Information Technology Management Offices / Antonio G. Maralit

Year : 2003

Number of Pages : 19 leaves

Executive Summary

A change in the composition of the Social Security Commission, the top management policy-decision maker of the Social Security System (SSS) has required for a renewed explanation on the advantages of relocating the SSS' Main Data Center, ID Card Production Center and Information Technology Management Group (ITMG) offices to an Information Technology (IT) park, specifically the Eastwood City Cyber Park. The present Main Data Center of SSS in East Avenue was constructed in the 1960's to originally host large and standalone Mainframes whose glass-house technologies have been overtaken by the development of midrange and PC-based distributed networked systems. Also, the office spaces occupied by its ITMG were not specifically designed for IT-based worker. Thus, the exposure of data and power cables on the floors were endangering the operations, and even, lives of the ITMG personnel. To further complicate the current situation, the Main Data Center is directly below the SSS Canteen. Using the Descriptive Method of Research, this study has provided a reality check on the actual IT infrastructure and services available in Eastwood City Cyber Park. It also has reviewed the IT park's Environmental and Social Performance Annual Monitoring Report in compliance to the requirements of International Finance Corporation. Finally, the study has compiled information on incentives available to current and potential locators. The Eastwood City Cyber Park, being the Philippines' premier IT park, is transforming and harnessing the image of the country in the IT global community. The Cyber Park initiative increases access to digital opportunities and improve the quality and availability of IT services and IT-enabled services the country is able to offer. The distinctively state-of-the-art building management systems, security systems, fiber-optic and wireless communication systems, uninterruptible power systems, the accessibility of highly trained human resources, Research and Development (R&D) laboratories, technology marketing, administrative assistance, and the presence of government support in terms of export/import tax incentives are just some of the IT park's positive features. The Philippines as an emerging player in the global IT services and IT-enabled services must encourage the development of collaboration among the government, private sector and the universities, particularly in research and development to obtain national competitiveness. The Cyber Park offers the venue for such linkages to materialize. The IT infrastructure and services, the incentive packages available in the Cyber Park and the strict monitoring of environmental and social factors to maintain a Cyber Park are strong enabling indicators that have been consistently met by Eastwood Cyber One Corporation, the IT park's operator, and these are similarly favorable indicators to SSS and other IT firm-locators in the Cyber Park.