Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Smart Unveils Best Deals for Samsung Galaxy Z7 Series

Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is enabling more Filipinos to unfold their power and live ultra as it makes the Samsung Galaxy Z7 Series – Z Fold7, Z Flip7, and Z Flip7 FE – available for pre-order from July 9 until July 31.

Officially unveiled at the highly anticipated ‘Galaxy Unpacked’ event in Brooklyn, New York, Samsung’s latest flagship devices are pushing the boundaries of mobile technology and innovation to take the productivity, creativity, and style of customers to the next level.

Enjoy a FREE storage upgrade, e-vouchers, and more with Smart

Smart subscribers who successfully pre-order within the designated period will enjoy a FREE storage upgrade, that is, those who order the 256 GB variant will automatically get the 512 GB variant.

On top of the FREE storage upgrade, subscribers who were able to pre-order via Smart Postpaid, Prepaid or Infinity can also enjoy amazing freebies, including up to 50% off on Samsung Care+ subscription, and a 30% discount on Samsung Galaxy Buds via Samsung.com. 

Get the Samsung Galaxy Z7 Series by heading to the nearest Smart Store or via https://smart.com.ph/GalaxyZ7Series, where subscribers can pair their preferred device with Smart Postpaid Plans+, Infinity Plans, or a Smart Prepaid bundle to suit their lifestyle.

Enjoy exclusive Postpaid Perks with Plans+ 1999 and up, which comes with up to 3x data for 6 months when paired with a device. Subscribers who avail of the latest Samsung Galaxy Z7 Series via Postpaid Plans+ can also get a free Smart Tag worth P1,690.

Exclusive pre-order rates lower than the market SRP

Get the Samsung Galaxy Z7 devices with Postpaid Plans+ 1999 to enjoy the following pre-order offers inclusive of free upgrade to 512 GB from 256 GB storage: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 512GB for only P71,200 downpayment plus P1,200 per month; Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 512GB for only P43,000 DP plus P700 per month; and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE 256GB for only P36,400 DP plus P500 per month.

Customers can take advantage of Smart’s flexible payment options, including credit card payments with 0% interest, loans with financing partners, and carrier bill financing on Smart Postpaid.

Live ultra with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 is sleeker than ever, featuring a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and HDR for immersive visuals. Now more powerful, it is the thinnest and lightest Galaxy Z Fold series to date, designed to deliver premium performance with a larger and more immersive display when unfolded.

Photography enthusiasts can also get excited with the new Galaxy Z Fold7, featuring the first 200MP wide-angle camera in the Galaxy Z series, combining advanced hardware with intelligent processing for consistently stunning results. And with the device’s form factor, users can easily unfold the phone to edit photos and videos on the large, stunning screen—like having a creative studio in your hands.

Galaxy Z Fold7 comes in Blue Shadow, Jetblack, and Silver Shadow. Its data storage variants include 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.

Unfold innovations with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7, Flip7 FE

On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 is designed for maximum portability with powerful performance that will fit in the palm of your hand. Engineered to handle the daily grind of its on-the-go users, the Galaxy Z Flip7 is Samsung’s most compact flip phone yet, featuring an Infinite Flex Window and ultra-slim bezels.

Samsung also announced the more accessible Galaxy Z Flip7 FE, designed to be compact when folded and expansive when opened. With a 6.7-inch Main Display and 50MP FlexCam, users can now capture content hands-free without even opening their phone.

Galaxy Z Flip7 comes in Blue Shadow, Jetblack, and Coralred with data storage options of 256GB and 512GB. Galaxy Z Flip7 FE is only available in Black with data storage of 256GB.

Powered by Smart 5G

Customers can make the most of the Samsung Galaxy Z7 Series powered by Smart 5G, which features significantly faster speeds for uploading and downloading, and ultra-low latency – paving the way for amazing mobile experiences.

Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy Z7 Series now at the nearest Smart Store or via the Smart Online Store.

Lenovo Ranks 8th in the Gartner® Supply Chain Top 25 for 2025

Lenovo has once again secured a position in the Gartner Supply Chain Top 25 for 2025, recognizing its excellence in supply chain operations and placing eighth, up two places from last year, among global leaders across various industries, including pharmaceutical, automotive, FMCG, and technology. The Gartner ranking highlights companies that consistently demonstrate leadership in supply chain strategy and execution.

Lenovo’s mission to bring Smarter AI to every household and every industry applies equally to the digital transformation of its own business operations, where AI plays a central role in enhancing efficiency and building long-term resilience across global operations and the company’s supply chain.

“At Lenovo, our mission is to create Smarter AI for All,” said Che Min Tu, SVP and Group Operations Officer. “To build the kind of technology our customers expect, we need to lead by example within our own business. By integrating AI across our global supply chain, we’re not only able to support the growing business demand, but also improve the customer experience, and cut order-to-ship times in what is arguably one of the most complex and dynamic global business environments.”

The company’s digital transformation journey over the past eight years has focused on streamlining planning, enhancing procurement and supplier collaboration, and improving logistics visibility. These changes also supported Lenovo’s environmental goals by aligning supply chain improvements with its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments.

AI is now accelerating these gains. Lenovo teams utilize AI-powered tools for faster decision-making and deeper insights, while AI agents provide targeted support to resolve issues efficiently. This work has been undertaken by a team of over 75 Lenovo researchers, including 22 PhDs, who developed a set of AI tools designed to support the objectives of Lenovo’s global supply chain.

Within Lenovo’s global supply chain, AI has significantly enhanced planning accuracy and accountability, leading to more efficient and cost-effective operations. The introduction of intelligent production scheduling has streamlined the scheduling process, allowing for quicker and more responsive production decisions.

“The use of AI in our systems is ultimately benefiting our customers. AI-driven customer sentiment analysis has provided deeper insights into customer needs and recurring issues, resulting in improved customer satisfaction and better warranty-related performance,” said Guan Wei, SVP and Head of Global Supply Chain.

Lenovo’s supply chain spans over 30 manufacturing sites in 11 markets across the Asia Pacific, China, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, North America, and South America regions. In February 2025, Lenovo, in partnership with Alat, broke ground on a new manufacturing base in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Scheduled to come online in 2026, this new facility will manufacture millions of laptops, desktops, and servers for the region. Lenovo’s global manufacturing footprint provides the ultimate flexibility and resilience, enabling the company to respond quickly and navigate any global situation effectively.

Ben Massie, Vice President of Global Supply Chain for Lenovo’s Infrastructure Solutions Group, said:
“As supply chains become more complex, staying resilient is no longer enough. Lenovo is now focused on becoming ‘anti-fragile’—not just withstanding disruption but getting stronger because of it.”

PLDT, Smart Roll Out AI Upskilling Program to Future-Proof IT Leadership

In a bold step toward future-proofing its workforce, PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have rolled out the AI & Innovation Skilling Program, a multi-tiered initiative designed to equip employees—from frontline staff to senior executives—with the skills needed to thrive in an AI-powered future.

In the most recent part of the series, 44 senior IT leaders joined a hands-on workshop led by Microsoft Philippines. The session introduced Agentic AI and guided participants through bot-building exercises and real-world use cases to explore how AI can enhance workflows and automate processes. In April, the session focused on digital transformation with Huawei. Upcoming workshops will continue to explore leadership, cybersecurity, and other advanced technologies.

“This is more than just training, it’s a strategic investment in our people,” said Gilbert Gaw, FVP and Head of IT and Transformation Office at PLDT. “By empowering our leaders with practical AI capabilities, we’re preparing them to lead innovation and drive value creation across the organization.”

The program launch follows PLDT Group’s strong showing at the recent Mobile World Congress Shanghai, where COO Menardo G. Jimenez, Jr. underscored the pivotal role of 5G and AI in driving smarter networks, better customer experiences, and new business models. He also highlighted PLDT’s investment in AI bootcamps and upskilling to prepare its workforce for intelligent connectivity.

“If our people don’t embrace AI, there’s no way we can lead with it,” he said. “We must believe in it ourselves before we can deliver it to our customers.”

PLDT and Smart are committed to building a future-ready workforce through responsible and innovative AI adoption. As leading telco and digital services providers in the Philippines, both companies are embedding AI across operations—from customer experience and network management to enterprise solutions and internal productivity.

Through strategic partnerships and continuous learning programs, PLDT and Smart aim to empower employees to harness AI for meaningful impact, ensuring the organization remains agile, competitive, and human-centered in the digital age.

A Storyteller’s Reward: How a Teacher Found His Creative Boost with the Vivo V50

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – At the heart of BJ Pascual’s exclusive photography masterclass at One Ayala, creativity filled the air. Among the crowd of aspiring photographers and curious creatives, one name stood out — Johann Rabino. A teacher, school paper adviser, and photography enthusiast, Johann didn’t just walk away with new skills. He left with a fresh vision, a powerful device, and an exclusive 50% discount on the new Vivo V50.

Johann, a proud Vivo user for nearly five years, has always embraced the brand for its reliability and performance. “Yung battery life, yung app na hindi nagla-lag, consistent talaga. As a teacher, kailangan ko ng phone na hindi ako bibiguin. Kaya dito ako nag-stay,” he said. His long-time loyalty and creative energy on Vivo’s Facebook community earned him the top spot for the exclusive discount — a reward he described as destiny.

More than a hobbyist, Johann is known in his school as the go-to person for photography. He actively contributes to their school publication, blending powerful visuals with storytelling to make an impact. “Sabi nga nila, ako lagi ang tinatawag pag may pictorial. I combine photography and writing para mas impactful. Kaya sobrang meaningful ng experience na ‘to,” he shared.

Attending BJ Pascual’s workshop didn’t just reignite his passion — it expanded his technical perspective. Discovering the multiple bokeh options on the Vivo V50 opened his eyes to mobile photography’s endless possibilities. “Akala ko dati isang type lang ng bokeh. Pero ngayon ko lang nalaman na ang dami palang variations. Nakaka-inspire.”

Johann was most impressed by how Vivo has integrated high-end camera tech, like ZEISS lenses, into a smartphone. “Yung ZEISS lenses, mahal talaga 'yun. Yung B-Speed, nasa Php 200,000 pataas. Pero andito na lahat sa Vivo V50. Wala ka nang kailangan dalhin na mabigat. Kaya sobrang amazed talaga ako.”

Now, Johann is excited to pass on what he’s learned. He plans to bring mobile photography into the classroom, using his students as subjects for creative mini-lessons on storytelling through images.

The Vivo V50 is the ultimate companion for storytellers—blending professional-grade photography with sleek performance. Available now with Php 2,000 off at Vivo stores nationwide and online through the Vivo website, Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.

Stay creative, stay inspired — with Vivo.

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Schneider Electric Named the World’s Most Sustainable Company by TIME Magazine and Statista

PARISSchneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has been named the “World’s Most Sustainable Company 2025” by TIME Magazine and Statista. This is Schneider Electric’s second consecutive year atop the list, which ranks 500 of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies.

This recognition reflects Schneider Electric’s consistent progress toward its own sustainability goals, as well as its commitment to helping its customers become more energy efficient and reduce their emissions. The company continues to show transparent progress against its ambitious sustainability goals, which include a 25% absolute carbon reduction across its entire value chain by 2030 and Net- Zero CO2 emissions across the entire value chain by 2050. The company’s SBTi-validated Schneider Sustainability Impact 2021-2025 (SSI) program acts as its roadmap, enabling sustainable progress, not just for Schneider Electric and its partners, but also for its customers and local communities.

“We’re incredibly honored to be recognized as the world’s most sustainable company for the second year in a row,” said Olivier Blum, CEO of Schneider Electric. “As a technology company, our goal is to be the trusted partner of our customers to deliver efficiency and sustainability. At Schneider, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We strive to be an Impact Company—where performance is the foundation. Our purpose drives us to engage our entire ecosystem, our mission positions us as part of the solution, and our culture sets us apart. This holistic approach ensures that every aspect of our operations and value chain contributes to a more sustainable world.”

The ranking evaluates a pool of 5,700 companies across 20 key performance indicators, ultimately naming 500 of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies. It assesses factors such as Scope 1 and 2 emissions and energy consumption relative to company size, emissions reductions, and the proportion of renewable energy used in operations. It also considers external factors, including sustainability ratings and commitments, corporate reporting practices, and environmental and social performance indicators.

Schneider Electric has also been named the World’s Most Sustainable Corporation 2025 by Corporate Knights and is the only company to rank first in its Global 100 twice. The French company has also been named Most Sustainable Corporation in Europe and in France by Corporate Knights.