IBM puts focus on four business areas

IBM (Thailand) this year will focus on four business areas and look for a partner to expand to Myanmar.

"I think that today business is entering a new era of computing that utilises platforms to enter new markets," general manager Parnsiree Amatayakul said yesterday.

The company will work on developing an innovation centre and providing its system. It will also market middleware and aligned solutions focusing on four areas - smarter cities, smarter analytics, smarter commerce and social business solutions.

The firm last year reached its revenue target by cashing in on the growth market upcountry and adding customers from government agencies, the telecom industry and manufacturing.

IBM will offer new systems and solutions such as Watson, an artificial-intelligence computer system capable of answering questions posed in natural languages. It will also provide big data, cyber-security and future systems such as Pure System.

Social platform convergence, information technology moving from back to front office and cognitive computing are also drivers of revenue.

"IBM last year gained revenue from new buyers and new markets. The upcountry market acts as a key market, since manufacturing, individuals as well as small and medium businesses have spent and invested money to employ information technology to support their business," she said.

Another new market is Myanmar. It is waiting for an opportunity to enter the new market via business partners. It is already operating in Laos via such partnerships.

IBM worldwide last year achieved revenue of US$104.5 billion (Bt3.12 trillion). Its cloud computing business was up 80 per cent, its "smarter planet" initiative 25 per cent, business analytics 13 per cent and growth markets 7 per cent.

source: The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/IBM-puts-focus-on-four-business-areas-30199981.html