IBM Thailand, the local unit of the US tech giant, is highlighting its cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies as a way to help drive business transformation to ensure organisations thrive following the Covid-19 crisis. Ms Patama says artificial intelligence and cloud technology are crucial to help companies digitally transform. "Over the past four months, Covid-19 has accelerated Thailand's digital transformation, which was earlier expected to take shape over three years," Patama Chantaruck, vice-president for Indochina expansion and managing director of IBM Thailand, told the Bangkok Post. The pandemic has forced organisations, including those in the business, government and education sectors, to proceed with stress tests for their business and financial models as well as management of their operations and workforce, she said. Organisations need to revisit their business mission, vision and value and consider whether they still cater to customer needs.

Local executives of iconic American computer company IBM said last week that Thailand will serve as the firm's hub for expanding into Indochina as they believe the subregion offers the potential for high growth and increasing revenues over the next three years. "We are studying how to enter the Indochina market in various areas including as business partners, and under a business model with consideration to regulations and laws for investment," said Patama Chataruck, managing director IBM Thailand. "Meanwhile, Thailand still has high potential." Known as Big Blue because of the color of its logo, International Business Machines (IBM) was once the world's leading computer manufacturer, but sold its personal computer business to Lenovo of China in 2005. It still manufactures super-computers, other hardware and has devoted tremendous resources to becoming a leader in solutions and software.