IBM POISED TO PURSUE GROWTH IN THAI AND REGIONAL MARKET
IBM Thailand aims to continue its growth momentum in Thailand, which has been identified as a growth market, and aims to be in line with the global target to increase earnings per share to US$20 (Bt600) in 2015, from $13.66 at present.
IBM Thailand country general manager Parnsiree Amatayakul said the company is committed to investing in Thailand by developing human resources in business analytic, creating business by expanding IBM full-branch offices in the provinces and even neighbouring countries, and setting up the IBM Innovation Centre for business analytic.
Business analytic human resource is crucial for the future. It is expected that in the next three years, the market would need about 30,000 business analytic-skilled people. IBM Thailand aims to develop Thailand as a business analytic destination. However, to achieve that Thailand will need to have enough personnel skilled in business analytic. IBM plans to groom the required number of skilled people by collaborating with universities throughout the country. The company aims to groom about 10,000 people skilled in this area by the end of this year.
Apart from developing the human resource, in parallel IBM also plans to set up a business analytic innovation centre in Thailand. It is expected to be a centre for business analytic, providing consultancy and demonstrations as well as offering facilities to allow businesses to test out the concepts in their cases.
“IBM Thailand’s goal this year is to create business, to build human resource, and to develop the city. All our action plans are to serve these three missions. For example, to set up a business analytic innovation centre here in Thailand, we have to achieve all three missions,” said Parnsiree.
She added that business analytic is expected to see huge growth this year. IBM worldwide business analytic business last year grew by 47 per cent. IBM Thailand was also in line with that.
IBM also plans to expand its business footprint upcountry. This year, it aims to set up full branches in four provinces – Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Songkhla, and Chon Buri. The company also plans to expand its business to neighbouring countries like Laos.
“To expand business, we need more staff. At each full branch, we need about five people, four dedicated to IBM’s four main business units – service technology group, software group, services, and financing – and one branch manager. IBM’s branch office is set to be the centre or hub of IBM to cover the whole region. All branches will be invested with technology infrastructure as well as be supported by IBM from Bangkok,” said Parnsiree.
Of IBM’s four business units, service gets the biggest portion of revenue, about 50 per cent. Meanwhile, the growth in revenue from IBM in the provinces is expected to be three times higher than the growth in IBM’s revenue as a whole.
IBM Thailand’s main focus is on banking, telecom, natural resources, government, and general business including retail and manufacturing.
She added that Laos is a target markets for IBM Thailand. The company is now working with local business partners and is expected to start business in Laos in the next quarter. It is possible to set up IBM Laos, which will be operated by IBM Thailand.
“In Laos, there are 15 banks and four telecom operators. The market is still virgin and there are a lot of opportunities,” said Parnsiree.
Thailand and neighbouring countries have been identified among 140 growth markets for IBM. They are expected to contribute about 30 per cent to IBM revenues in the next few years.
IBM global has business presence in 170 countries. About 30 countries are mature markets while 140 countries are growth markets. Last year, the growth markets together contributed 22 per cent to IBM global revenue.
