Work-from-home, online learning boost Lenovo sales

Lenovo Philippines on Thursday reported a surge in sales for its products following the implementation of quarantines against the coronavirus pandemic, attributed mainly to work from home and online learning arrangements.

According to Lenovo Philippines president and general manager Michael Ngan, the company has recorded a pickup in demand in the shift to the "new normal."

"The demand actually surged in the last couple of months, even before the announcement of the flexible learning by the Department of Education," he said in a virtual briefing.

"We've actually seen the inquiries and the sales rising and I think the trend will continue," added Ngan.

Ngan did not elaborate on the figures as, he said, official data has yet to come in.

Metro Manila, along with several high-risk areas, was under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from March 17 to May 15, followed by a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until May 31.

A general community quarantine (GCQ) was put in place from June 1 to 15, and has since been extended until June 30.

The Department of Education (DepEd) has also reiterated that there will be no face-to-face classes until a vaccine against the coronavirus disease will be available.

"It (demand) has actually picked up right after ECQ and I think the demand has surged especially also after the Department of Education announced about the flexible learning adaption will be implemented come August 24," said Ngan.

"I think that's part of the new normal. Everybody, whether you're working from home, that's a big shift. All of our activities, at least majority, are being done online," he added.

In the same briefing, Lenovo launched its EdVision program designed to prepare schools in the Philippines for online learning.

It will provide schools free access to online resources, as well as complimentary or subsidized access to educational technologies.

"Technology education is vital to securing the future careers of today’s students, and the future economy of the Philippines," said Ngan.

"Students in school today will enter into careers that have yet to be imagined – meaning that the fundamental structure of education is also changing," he added.—AOL, GMA News