Bangkok – 15 February 2016 – Microsoft Thailand has vowed to continue its staunch support for Thailand’s software industry and reaffirm its status as the only cloud service provider in the country to offer end-to-end support for partners. Through its Microsoft Azure cloud platform, Microsoft is empowering Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) with greater capacity for innovation while also ensuring support for all technological standards as well as harmonious integration with open-source software. Ultimately, this provides customers with the capability to handle today’s challenges, discover new business opportunities, and drive the growth of Thailand’s digital economy.
“In today’s mobile-first, cloud-first world, we are surrounded by data – vast amounts of data that shifts and changes without pause,” said Ms. Siriporn Pajharawat, Director of Developer Experience and Platform Evangelism (DX) Group, Microsoft (Thailand) Limited. “If we rely on our natural senses and analytical capacity alone, we would never be able to understand or use this data in any meaningful way. This fact sparked our ambition to build Microsoft Azure as the intelligent cloud platform that empowers users – from individuals to entire organizations – to do more and achieve more. ISVs have essentially become superheroes who turn impossible challenges into great benefits that drive performance at work.”
Despite various economic challenges throughout 2015, data from the Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA) indicates that the Thai software market grew by 11.1% last year reaching 61,096 million baht. The market is expected to grow by a further 12.8% in 2016. This trend of consistent growth serves to underline high interest in adopting mobile and cloud technologies. By 2017, over half of leading organizations across Thailand’s public and private sectors will have incorporated digital transformation as a major strategic direction. These movements make it apparent that ISVs now have a golden opportunity to turn these technologies into the foundations of advanced products and services that effectively fulfill current demand.
“By empowering ISVs to enter the market with high-performance products and services that address the needs of target users, Thailand’s IT industry and the economy at large can go from strength to strength in a sustainable manner,” added Ms. Siriporn. “We have compiled listings for ISVs using Microsoft’s technologies in Thailand. Through the listings on the Microsoft ISV Solution Directory and Microsoft Pinpoint, we provide central marketplaces for customers to choose the right solutions for their needs. Today, we have 200 ISVs developing solutions on Microsoft Azure out of the Thai market’s total number of 600 ISVs.”
Microsoft is the only cloud service provider in Thailand to provide end-to-end support for ISVs – from technical advice and access to technologies and software products to business networking opportunities. In addition to the aforementioned platforms, Microsoft selected a number of ISVs to take part in the SMB Power Up Suite program, which was initiated in late 2015 to introduce innovative solutions and services to customers across the public and private sectors. The Microsoft Innovation Center, founded under a partnership with the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Ministry of Science and Technology, has so far provided support to more than 400 ISVs and startups through a wide range of programs and activities.
“Each year, Microsoft organizes more than 50 activities to support ISVs – including everything from marketing opportunities to technological workshops. We want to provide opportunities for Thai ISVs to advance onto the global stage in fine form,” said Mr. Ekaraj Kongswangwongsa, Software Industry Development Manager, Microsoft (Thailand) Limited. “Software developers can also take advantage of the Microsoft BizSpark program to access abundant resources – including software tools, up to 4 million baht per year in Azure credits, and technical consultation with experts.”
Mr. Teerachart Kortrakul, creator of StockRadars, a stock market data analysis and filtering app for investors, said of his experiences in application development on Microsoft’s cloud platform: “Microsoft Azure’s strengths lie in the computation of very large amounts of data. This makes it a perfect fit for StockRadars, an app that analyses stock market data from years past. We have also chosen Microsoft SQL Server as the solution to handle our user database systems, making Azure integration seamless. The flexibility of the cloud has allowed us to expand into Singapore and Indonesia, and we have plans to enter five more markets in 2016.”
Mr. Nuttaseth Sirinanthananon, General Manager of Semantic Touch and developer of BentoWeb, a full-featured, ready-made online store, added, “Today, BentoWeb has expanded the scope of our business. In addition to the ready-made online store, we provide free product photography as well as inventory and shipment services. With Microsoft Azure, our customers enjoy full assurance in performance and security, while we see a reduction in fixed infrastructure costs. Azure works well with any platform and integrates smoothly with open-source software, allowing us to expand our business and reach out to more customers. On the business end, we have teamed up with Microsoft for many activities to meet with public and private organizations that could become new business opportunities.”
Ms. Julia Lee, General Manager, South East Asia, Sitecore, said of her experiences with Microsoft’s cloud platform: “Microsoft Azure has really helped us deliver solutions that satisfy our clients’ needs in Context Marketing, which extends from content management, contextual intelligence to communications automation. This empowers them to deliver delightful experiences throughout their customers’ journey. Additionally, Azure offers clear advantages with full support for hybrid cloud configurations and exceptional security and privacy. As an international ISV with a longstanding collaborative relationship with Microsoft, we see Microsoft Thailand as a great partner and an exceptional facilitator in both technology and business.”
The Microsoft Azure cloud platform operates on data centers covering 19 regions globally – the highest number of any cloud provider in the market. Furthermore, Azure provides full support for hybrid cloud configurations that work in tandem with each organization’s current infrastructure. Azure’s open and flexible nature makes it the ideal cloud platform for all devices and technological standards – from PCs to smartphones and web applications. As the first cloud service provider to receive certification from the European Union’s data protection agencies as well as the ISO 27018 standard for data privacy, Microsoft Azure delivers world-class security for your data.
Interested users can sign up for a free one-month trial of Microsoft Azure and get $200 to spend on all Azure services here: http://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/free-trial/. Startups in Thailand that are interested to find out more about the Microsoft BizSpark Plus program can contact Ekaraj Kongswangwongsa, Software Industry Development Manager, Microsoft Thailand at [email protected].
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About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services, devices and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Established in 1993, Microsoft (Thailand) Limited aims to Make 70 Million Lives Better by enabling Thai people and businesses to realize their full potential through technology that transforms the way people work, play, and communicate. We offer software, services, and devices that deliver new opportunities, greater convenience, and enhanced value to people’s lives. Working with communities and the Thai government, Microsoft and its partners are committed to working closely with organizations and people across Thailand to fully harness the power of technology and innovation.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Thailand News Center (https://news.microsoft.com/th-th-stage/), or keep track of the latest updates through the Microsoft Thailand Twitter account (@MicrosoftTH).
About StockRadars
StockRadars is a Thai fintech startup focused on solving the complexities of the stock market. Utilizing the concept of a motion-detecting radar, StockRadars functions as the investor’s assistant. A winner of the Financial Software category from the Asia Pacific ICT Awards, StockRadars is now expanding into leading markets across Asia.
About BentoWeb
BentoWeb (www.bentoweb.com) is a full-featured, ready-made online store. We want to help SMEs easily get started with online sales or provide a convenient way for an expansion of their existing businesses into the online world.
The name BentoWeb represents a brand founded on the concept of one-stop service. We provide businesses with everything for their e-commerce needs in the same way that a Japanese bento box comes complete with the starter, main course, salad, and dessert.
About Sitecore
Sitecore is the global leader in experience management software that enables context marketing. The Sitecore® Experience Platform™ manages content, supplies contextual intelligence, and automates communications, at scale. It empowers marketers to deliver content in context of how customers have engaged with their brand, across every channel, in real time. More than 4,600 customers—including American Express, Carnival Cruise Lines, easyJet, and L’Oréal—trust Sitecore for context marketing to deliver the personalized interactions that delight audiences, build loyalty, and drive revenue. For more information, follow us at @sitecore or visit: sitecore.net
For further information, (press) please contact:
Pornravee Suramool or Thornthawat Thongnab
Hill+Knowlton Strategies Thailand
Tel: 0-2627-3501 ext. 110, 206 or 081-735-9213, 083-225-4567
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]