IBM Launches Information on Demand Solutions to Help Clients Create an Information Agenda To Address Economic Uncertainty

IBM Thailand introduced open software tools, industry-specific data models and blueprints, and consulting services to help clients use information as a strategic asset across their businesses and address the economic uncertainty. This includes a complete set of offerings to manage information across an enterprise -- independent of the specific software applications or business processes used to create it.

With the increasing pace of business driven by trends such as globalization and mergers and acquisitions, clients are recognizing that information has become one of their most important assets for sustaining a competitive advantage. Using IBM's new open software tools, industry-specific data models, blueprints and consulting services, they can establish a cross-company strategy for using their information more effectively -- creating an "information agenda" that drives business performance.

By creating and following an Information Agenda for their business, clients can better manage, integrate and draw insight from increasing volumes of business data to improve overall performance. The new IBM offerings help businesses transform their existing information into a trusted asset that can be used across all applications and processes in their company. Taking this first step can create a more unified approach to accessing and using information on demand.

While most businesses today have a strategy to guide their business processes and applications, the information that supports their processes is often not shared across their organization.

Access to information has been restricted because data has been tightly associated with the applications for which it was created, leading to a lack of new insights for better decision making and business performance. In effect, businesses do not have a cohesive, industry-specific strategy to take advantage of their information.

To address this issue, IBM's is offering new software tools, industry-based assets and business consulting services which focus on wide range of industries. Key components include:

• An open set of new IBM Foundation software tools to help clients discover and understand the information they have and govern it over time.

• Industry-specific Information Agenda guides and workshops to help create an information strategy and roadmap for better business performance.

• Industry Accelerators such as data models and assets to improve business performance, reduce risk and deliver results more quickly.

"In order for businesses to improve the efficiency in their data management and excel their competition, they need a cross-company information management strategy," said Ms. Jadesada Kraisingkorn, Country Manager, Software Group, IBM Thailand "IBM understands these challenges which is why we are offering wide range of Information Management solutions to help businesses create an Information Agenda for their specific industry and address the economic uncertainty at the same time. This will definitely allow them to transform data into a strategic asset that can be used across applications and processes to enable better decision making for enhanced competitive advantage."

IBM Open Tools, Models and Blueprints Help Eliminate Information Barriers

IBM has created new open tools that help businesses identify which information is important; how to make information available to the people and applications that need it; the technology required to manage information; and the governance and processes needed to put an information management plan into action. For each industry, IBM is providing a suite of consulting services, software and industry guides to address that sector's critical business challenges.

Managing an Information Agenda

To help clients establish an Information Agenda, IBM has invested in tools, assets and industry-based data models to help them understand and accelerate enterprise access to information; govern it as a strategic business asset; and design information structures to improve business performance. These tools and techniques work with any server, database and infrastructure to make business information easier to manage and use.

IBM has also developed proven methods, workshops and materials tailored for wide range of industries. Drawing on its industry expertise, IBM is providing a structured approach for helping clients engage with IBM experts to develop an information management roadmap that addresses their most important and complex information-based business challenges.

The IBM Information Agenda extends IBM's cross-company Information on Demand initiative, which closely aligns its software and consulting expertise to help clients unlock the value of information and use it in innovative ways across an enterprise.