What began as a simple innovation idea has grown into a company-wide program driving digital transformation across Aboitiz Foods. TechMate—short for “technology mate—was developed by the ingenuity of the IT Solutions and Services Delivery team as a collaborative effort to harness the power of automation, equipping team members with tools to streamline workflows and solve day-to-day operational challenges.
Launched in 2023, TechMate is rooted in knowledge-sharing and teamwork. It empowers A-people to design tech-driven solutions, even those without programming experience. Carefully designed by the very teams who use them, these tech-driven solutions have not only saved many labor hours but have also unlocked creativity and critical thinking across the organization.
In its third successful run, this year’s TechMate gathered 31 Aboitiz Foods team members from across Asia – bringing together teams from BITS (Business IT Solutions), FACTLR (Financial, Accounting, Credit Management, Tax, Legal, and Risk Management), and Pilmico Flour. The activity was held both virtually and onsite at NAC Tower in Taguig City, where they were taught to utilize Google Apps Script to design their own custom web apps capable of handling basic CRUD (Create, Read, Update, and Delete) operations. These apps are now in the process of being integrated and applied in respective teams, featuring functionalities that support file uploads and intuitive data organization, visualization, and manipulation.
From the workshop, eight projects were developed, helping boost productivity among teams. One notable project, led by a group of five from the BITS teams, aims to streamline the approval and access process for analytics dashboard reports. This solution not only reduces manual work and shortens turnaround time, but it also enhances user experience for data-driven departments.
Another project involves a web app designed to track licenses and contracts for the Infrastructure, Security, Network, and Non-ERP teams. It includes features like alerts and proper documentation. Additionally, the finance group created an app to monitor amortization and send alerts for delayed reimbursements.
With these improvements in place, teams are able to make data-driven decisions and deliver results more efficiently.
From Malaysia, Azrul Anuar Abdul Munir, from the BITS team, shared his work on the IT Onboarding Web App project: “This initiative involves several countries within Gold Coin and aims to streamline and automate the onboarding process, making it more systematic and improving overall efficiency. The goal is to reduce manual tasks in the IT onboarding workflow, from the initial form submission and approvals to Service Desk ticket creation. We are currently in the User Acceptance Testing (UAT) phase, and we are hoping for a swift implementation. This project is expected to significantly help our local IT teams by reducing the current manual workload, as well as minimizing the reliance on emails and scanning the form during the onboarding process.“
Another team member, Butch Trajano, a Warehouse Specialist in the Philippines, shares how TechMate helped him and his team drive efficiency at Tarlac MeatMasters:
“I gained valuable skills in data analysis, process automation, and the use of digital tools like Power Automate. One key takeaway was learning how to create automated workflows to reduce manual tasks, such as tracking reports or sending routine updates. I’ve been applying these tools daily, especially to streamline processes, minimize errors, and save time. These skills have not only improved my efficiency but also helped our team become more agile and data-driven in our decision-making.”
As a trainer and organizer, Lead IT Solutions Engineer, Jonan Toquia, expressed his delight in seeing the impact of Techmate this year: “We noticed an obvious increase in their confidence when using Google Apps Script — what was previously daunting became something that they could now investigate and use by themselves. They started automating time-consuming tasks, creating basic tools, and even starting to suggest new ideas to enhance team processes. Aside from the technical development, there was also a change of heart. The sessions generated curiosity, promoted problem-solving, and created a greater sense of ownership about their job.”
TechMate continues to demonstrate the power of homegrown innovation—driven by the creativity of our people and the possibilities of technology. It’s a testament to how we at Aboitiz Foods nurture a culture of continuous improvement, where the best solutions are built when great minds come together—by our people, for our people.
FAQs:
- What is TechMate?
TechMate, short for “technology mate,” is a homegrown innovation program by Aboitiz Foods that empowers team members to automate workflows and solve operational challenges through collaborative learning and digital tools. Launched in 2023, it fosters a culture of co-creation, enabling employees—regardless of technical background—to design and implement practical tech solutions with the help of mentors.
- How does TechMate benefit a company?
TechMate drives digital transformation by reducing manual tasks, improving operational efficiency, and encouraging innovation across teams. It unlocks employees’ creativity, strengthens collaboration, and promotes a data-driven mindset—resulting in smarter workflows, better productivity, and faster decision-making.
- Who can join the TechMate program?
Any Aboitiz team member, regardless of technical background, can participate in the TechMate program.
- What kinds of projects have been developed through TechMate?
Projects include apps for IT onboarding, license and contract tracking, dashboard access requests, amortization tracking, and automated report updates.
Other projects from past TechMate workshops include automating reports, approvals, and notifications to building custom web apps for inventory, logistics, quality assurance, and workflow optimization across various departments.
- How is TechMate different from traditional IT solutions?
TechMate encourages bottom-up innovation by enabling employees themselves to co-create solutions tailored to their unique departmental needs.
