By Jomark Angelo M. Corpuz, Special Features and Content Writer
In all industries, a large part of the work depends on input sources, data processing and creating outputs on computers. After all, invoices can be accounted for on a laptop, social media is a great place for marketing, and even orders can be placed online.
This, to some extent, highlights the impact of digitalization on society, and also highlights the need for a reliable and affordable personal computer or laptop for every business that aims to scale up and be successful.
This sentiment is echoed in the Department of Trade and Industry's MSME Growth Plan 2023-2028, which aims to integrate digital tools, artificial intelligence (AI) and financial technology to boost competitiveness in e-commerce and supply chain efficiency.
Realizing this vision of digital empowerment depends on giving Filipino entrepreneurs reliable, secure, and AI-ready tools that can keep pace with today's MSMEs.
“We have seen a sea change in the operations of Filipino MSMEs. Business owners work from anywhere – from stores, warehouses, cafes, airports, or while meeting clients on the go. Work is no longer a place you go to; it is something you do, often handling your fieldwork and remote coordination,” explained Francis Avila, business development manager and commercial business head of ASUS Business Philippines. businessworld In an email.
He said this mixed reality demands business laptops to become the backbone of productivity not only for communications, but also for security, data management and intelligent decision making.
“This is what keeps businesses and customers connected, keeps your data secure, and accelerates your decisions through AI-powered insights,” Mr. Avila said.
In today's day and age, digitalization is a fundamental necessity for the daily operations and sustainability of Filipino MSMEs. Mr Avila revealed that MSMEs see this trend as a means to remain operational, viewing the business's tools as its most important assets, whether they are managing inventory or securing digital payments.
“A slow, overheating laptop or device can literally delay operations or transactions and cause losses for business,” he shared.
Mr. Avila then noted how this problem point has been included in ASUS's latest devices.
“For example, we developed the ASUS ExpertCool thermal solution, which uses advanced cooling technology to keep the system running at its peak. This ensures that even under heavy workloads, your laptop can remain cool and responsive,” he explained.
Mr. Avila also talked about ASUS's initiative to put its products through the most rigorous military-grade testing and integrate advanced AI features to ensure it is more than just a laptop. That said, reliability for businesses is not a luxury and is in fact a necessity.
As MSMEs grow and capture larger markets, the role of business laptops also expands, becoming the central hub for communication, collaboration and customer delivery.
He said, “When your business starts expanding, business laptops become the primary workhorse for communication, collaboration, data access and client delivery. And now, business laptops keep getting upgraded and become more reliable for MSMEs.”
“That's why we also integrate tools into ASUS ExpertBook business laptops like ASUS ExpertMeet, our AI-enhanced meeting assistant that improves remote collaboration with automated notes, transcripts, and intelligent meeting summaries, helping businesses work smarter and faster in hybrid setups,” he said.
However, Mr. Avila cautioned that reliability must come with support when choosing the appropriate equipment. He said reliable technology, coupled with reliable support, allows MSMEs to move forward with confidence, empower hybrid teams and keep their business worry-free.
ASUS Business provides after-sales support that includes next business day local on-site service, remote support and diagnostics, and customizable warranties on business laptops and desktops for up to five years depending on business needs, the executive shared.
“This minimizes downtime and ensures that any issues, hardware or software, are resolved quickly, so operations remain uninterrupted,” Mr. Avila said.
For many small businesses, cost is the biggest barrier to obtaining a reliable, business-grade laptop. In this regard, Mr. Avila shared that government programs, private sector initiatives and flexible financing options play an important role in helping MSMEs access better technology.
ASUS, on its part, has made its business laptops affordable, whether MSMEs buy them on select tech stories or e-commerce sizes, and they can avail them with 0% interest installment on major credit cards.
“This makes business-grade tools more accessible to sari-sari stores, startups, creative agencies and growing e-commerce brands,” Mr. Avila said.
shift to new standards
Looking ahead, Mr Avila suggested that the use of AI, cloud platforms and automation indicates that business laptops will play an even bigger role in strengthening operational resilience and enabling MSMEs to meet the growing demands of a digital-first economy.
“In 2026, as digital platforms evolve, business laptops are no longer just an ‘expense’. It is the engine of your business’s operational resilience. As AI, cloud platforms and automation become the new standards in everyday operations, more MSMEs will be even more dependent on devices that can handle growing workloads. The new standards are not just being connected to the internet; it is about edge AI – the way your laptop can think.” Capacity,” he said.
According to Mr Avila, this change means three key things for MSMEs. First, AI-powered operations will require faster and more secure devices. Furthermore, mobility will become a non-negotiable consideration for any entrepreneur, and hence laptops are expected to support remote and hybrid work without any interruption. Finally, security and uptime will have a direct impact on revenue, as a single data breach can jeopardize a growing business.
As technology advances, businesses equipped with laptops that match the demands of the digital economy will be able to work smarter and grow faster into more competitive enterprises.