Apple-IBM collaboration eyes expansion in Thailand
Apple and IBM are gearing up to increase their presence in the Thai mobile enterprise device and app markets after the two technology giants announced their global collaboration in mid-2014.
The collaboration combines IBM’s extensive enterprise knowledge and technology solutions with Apple’s user experience prowess to deliver contextual mobile enterprise apps.
Global market research firm Markets and Markets forecasts that the global enterprise mobility devices and software market will reach US$7.67 billion by next year.
Another global research firm, IDC, predicts global spending on mobility-related technologies will reach $30 billion by next year.
Meanwhile, Gartner Inc expects 40% of the global workforce will be a mobile workforce by 2016.
“Thailand’s mobile enterprise app market is one of Asean’s fastest growing for IBM. Revenue from the enterprise mobility business here is expected to see a big leap in growth this year,” said Kittipong Asawapichayon, IBM Thailand’s head of mobility solutions for Asean.
He said IBM Thailand was ready to boost its presence in the enterprise mobility app and device market.
The operating unit will focus on the retail, banking and insurance, telecommunications and energy sectors.
“The global exclusive partnership between Apple and IBM will pave the way to expanding new potential markets,” said Will Duckworth, IBM Asia-Pacific’s consulting services leader for the partnership.
The venture is expected to help both companies build better mobile apps.
The partnership offers services ranging from procuring and managing devices to actual app development.
After announcing the global partnership last July, IBM and Apple are introducing the first wave of mobile enterprise apps developed by IBM and using hardware and user interface designs by Apple.
Mr Kittipong said IBM plans to introduce up to 150 mobile apps for enterprises this year, serving 16-20 industries.
IBM’s enterprise mobility apps will integrate big data analytics and security capabilities to differentiate them from those offered by rivals.
Mr Kittipong said he expects high demand for advice apps from the banking sector and for wealth management apps from the telecommunications industry.