IT giant to open four branches next year following success of its Chiang Mai branch

Aiming to tap the huge potential in the information and communications technology market upcountry, IBM will open a new branch office in Chon Buri next year following the opening of its new branch in Chiang Mai early this year.

IBM expects to open three other branches by the end of 2012. It is also eyeing the social, cloud computing, mobility and business analytics areas next year, which it believes will be the major tech trends.

IBM Thailand managing director Parnsiree Amatayakul said the company's strategy for next year is to open a branch in Chon Buri in the first quarter, followed by three other branches, in Ayutthaya, Nakhon Ratchasima and Khon Kaen, during 2012.

"I think upcountry is still a market with high potential for growth. The Chiang Mai branch office, which we set up early this year, has been very successful and it is a sustainable growth market," Parnsiree said.

She said that setting up business upcountry is not only about running the business affairs but also helping the community and driving the community to become a smart city and centre of business. This would not only grow the business but also enhance the quality of life as in Chiang Mai province. IBM will utilise its technology to help and support agriculture so that it will increase the quality of the products and productivity of the farming community as a whole.

This would help farmers add value to their fruit or agriculture products. However, as a first step, the firm has created a prototype as well as a roadmap to provide technology and consultancy to farmers who plant the longan fruit. Farmers can use technology to support their production, get weather information and supply chain situation of the product from end-to-end.

It can also drive the country to become a hub for medical services and improve the food-supply chain in Thailand's northern region.

The company this year has also opened Thailand's doors to IBM global by promoting Thai products in the global market.

"Thailand is one of IBM's 20 big-growth markets and we have direct support from IBM global. We have been very successful in Chiang Mai and the North in the ICT market as they are still markets with a lot of growth potential. Moreover, people upcountry are increasing their use of IT for their business and lifestyle," Parnsiree said.

She added that IBM's revenue this year is according to its goal.

She said the technology trends for business and lifestyle in 2012 are mobility, cloud computing, social business and business analytics which is the practice of iterative, methodical exploration of an organisation's data with emphasis on statistical analysis. Business analytics is used by companies committed to data-driven decision-making.