Tag Archives: MSC Data Exchange

MSC Origins part XIII: From La Suerte to El Coco

In 2002, MSC main, which was then occupying the 4th floor of the La Suerte building was again outgrown by  its growing number of students.  Even with the old Agrix Supermarket or MSC annex, being used at the same time, an even bigger space was essential.

Fortunately at that time a four storey-building beside MSC Annex was nearing completion and the owner was looking for lessees.  The building which was later named El Coco Building was perfect for MSC!

The whole of the first floor was occupied by MSC Data Exchange (and Service Center), MSC’s sister company dubbed as a one-stop computer shop.  MSC Data Exchange was previously renting a space along Paseo de Escudero, but it fit just right in its new location.

The Mezzanine of El Coco was where the computer laboratory was transferred.  The laboratory was big enough for 40 students, or one complete section.

The second and third floors both had two average-sized classrooms each.  The fourth floor and the penthouse were used for Caregiving classes, which were first offered by MSC in mid 2002.

The move from La Suerte to El Coco consolidated MSC’s network into one location along A. Fule St. in two buildings beside each other.  The schools were there:

  • MSC High School
  • MSC Computer Training Center, and
  • the newly formed MSC Caregiving School;

The affiliate companies were there too:

  • MSC Data Exchange
  • MSC Service Center
  • MSC Communications Technology (or MSC Net) –  MSC’s Internet Service Provider
EL COCO building

EL COCO building

The First One-Stop Computer Shop in San Pablo – MSC Data Exchange

On its  4th anniversary on December 4, 1993, MSC established the MSC Data Exchange Co.  a one-stop-computer-shop.  It was probably the first company in San Pablo City to offer customized computer software.  There were very few programmers in the city during those days but MSC had some of the best.

During those days, too, there was also a growing demand for personal computers.  But there were no stores that sell them, there was no SM San Pablo yet, the nearest SM was in Makati.  If anyone in San Pablo or nearby towns wanted a personal computer, they had to go to Metro Manila to buy one.

MSC Data Exchange Co. was one of the first companies to sell computers (desktop PCs, laptops were rare those days!) in San Pablo.  It sold what were called “Apple compatibles” which were cloned copies of the popular Apple II personal computer.  The compatibles had clever names like “Star Apple.”

The computer sales department of MSC partnered with the computer repair and service center to cater to the growing number of PC users.  People who bought Apple compatibles in Manila had to go there to avail of the warranty.  Buying computers at MSC meant one did not have to leave San Pablo for their units to be repaired or replaced.  MSC technicians were available on call! Computer tutorials, printing, desktop publishing and other services were available under one roof – the MSC Data Exchange Co. Today your fingers (and toes) will not be enough to count the computer shops in San Pablo, but during those days, MSC Data Exchange was the place to go.

 

MSC Data Exchange Co. on its opening Day   data invite data4 data1 data3 data2