IBM maintains focus on hardware, software and services

In the expectation of revenue gains and continuous growth in 2009 - despite the gloomy economic and political outlooks - IBM Thailand plans to focus its business next year on three core areas of hardware, software and services.

Country general manager Thanwa Laohasiriwong said that in its hardware business, the company would provide server consolidation, storage virtualization and blade technology, all of them among the most obvious hardware and technology trends in the market.

"I think that hardware and technology trends will move into sever consolidation, storage vitalization and refreshment of technology, which will enhance the efficiency of business management and offer total cost of ownership to businesses and customers," Thanwa said.

Meanwhile, IBM's software focus will fall on service-oriented architecture, offering business customers the ability to improve productivity and achieve cost savings and flexibility.

The company will also concentrate on outsourcing, managed business process and business consulting services, offering business enterprises the ability to trim operating costs. IBM currently provides managed business process-related procurement services for PTT Chemical.

"We provide products, solutions and services to help businesses reduce their costs and increase productivity, so they are able to focus on their core business," Thanwa said.

As well as its main areas of focus in 2009, IBM Thailand plans to introduce new products and services and will campaign for new customers, particularly in provincial areas where it says the market is growing continuously.

"IBM will offer its products and services upcountry because there is still purchasing demand among customers and businesses there. We will distribute our products, solutions and services through business partners, especially to general business and banking," Thanwa said.