Software Asset Management (SAM) service introduced to boost efficiency in organizational IT management
Bangkok 29 March 2016 – Microsoft (Thailand) Limited is taking steps to raise security standards in the healthcare industry with the provision of Software Asset Management (SAM) service for Phyathai Hospital group and Paolo Hospital Group – the first hospital groups in the country to deploy SAM across their entire network of hospitals in a move that reaffirms their intention to ensure full transparency and compliance with their business group and corporate governance principles. Furthermore, this measure ensures that organizational and patient data is better protected from various threats as the healthcare industry proceeds into the era of mobile and cloud.
Orapong Thien-ngern, General Manager, Microsoft (Thailand) Limited, said, “In this digital era, security and privacy have become issues of paramount importance. Microsoft is keeping in touch with the changing needs of modern businesses in various fields of work – including the healthcare industry. Our solutions are designed to respond to the fast, ever-changing nature of things in the mobile-first, cloud-first world and help organizations to do more and achieve more. One of our priorities is the development of trustworthy technologies and services that lend confidence to our customers, especially when it comes to security and patient data privacy, which rank among the most pressing matters in this industry. Through our Software Asset Management (SAM) service, we offer Phyathai Hospital Group and Paolo Hospital Group greater reassurance in security and transparency, resulting in the safest and most trustworthy hospital IT systems. An organization cannot take care of an infrastructural system if it is not aware of the elements that need to be taken care of. SAM capably steps in to fulfil this need with complete information on software assets in use, leaving no gap for risky software installations that create vulnerabilities in the system and offering patients complete confidence in the safety of their personal medical data.
“The transition to the era of mobile and cloud represents a challenge for the healthcare industry. In recent times, we have seen many leading organizations – worldwide and in Thailand – fall victim to data theft, ransoming, and other types of attacks that are becoming faster and more complex. According to a Thailand Computer Emergency Response Team (ThaiCERT) study, Thailand ranks second in the world[1] in terms of cybercrime threats. As a leading player in the global IT industry, Microsoft is investing more than $1 billion annually in research and development to enhance security features in our products and services and enable customers to embrace mobile and cloud technology with full confidence.”
Att Thongtang, Chief Executive Officer of Phyathai Hospital Group and Paolo Hospital Group, added, “Phyathai Hospital Group and Paolo Hospital Group are fully committed to the task of elevating our quality standards to the next level, bringing together world-class medical expertise and excellent patient care. To underline this commitment, we have chosen Microsoft – a leading IT company with exceptional track records in security and privacy worldwide – as our provider of Software Asset Management service. As a key element in our technological infrastructure across the entire Group, SAM ensures that all software applications in use within our organization are legally licensed and thus not susceptible to cyber threats. Through this, we are able to strengthen patient data security and manage operating costs. In fact, these benefits came with no extra investment burden as the service itself does not have an associated fee. Furthermore, SAM allows us to achieve full compliance with the intellectual property policy outlined by Bangkok Dusit Medical Services as well as the government’s principles for transparent governance. A strong technological infrastructure enables us to plan effectively and efficiently our future IT investments, resulting in enhanced growth prospects for our hospitals. We believe that SAM is laying the groundwork for Phyathai Hospital Group and Paolo Hospital Group’s eventual transition to the cloud as we strive to maintain our standards of governance.”
IT security expert Prinya Hom-anek, President and Founder of ACIS Professional Center Co., Ltd., said, “Technology is the heart of modern business. However, technology also carries with it the threat of cybercrime. For instance, the use of illegal, unlicensed software may lead to a malware threat[2]. In order to protect an organization’s software assets, it is vital to develop an understanding of cyber threats and the risks they pose in day-to-day operations as well as long-term success and growth. In the healthcare industry, we are seeing more and more use of diagnosed tools that generate and process data. For example, modern X-ray machines no longer store images in film but use digital files instead. The question at hand is how we can store this data in a way that maintains its long-term integrity while also enables fast and precise access for medical personnel in charge of the treatment process. A reliable, fully-compliant SAM service has a key role to play in this, and its ability to assess the hospitals’ entire range of interconnected systems allows security issues to be fully addressed through organizational IT management.”
Microsoft’s Software Asset Management (SAM) service offers the following benefits:
- Protect and Secure – SAM entails an inspection of your organization’s IT infrastructure for potential vulnerabilities to address
- Getting more control – With SAM, your IT infrastructure is fully under your control, reduce technology conflicts and gain stability.
- Cost-effective – SAM can also help you optimize the way you manage the software life cycle and the procurement processes in order to save money.
- Facilitating growth – SAM helps provide better visibility for planning as well as more budget predictability.###
- SMB and enterprise customers interested in the Software Asset Management (SAM) service can learn more by visiting https://www.microsoft.com/sam/ or contact Khun Saranya at 02-257-4857 or email [email protected].
[1] Thailand Computer Emergency Response Team (ThaiCERT), Electronic Transactions Development Agency (Public Organization)
[2] IDC, http://play-it-safe.net/
###
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).
For further information, (press) please contact:
Pornravee Suramool or Yada Sintavarattana
Hill+Knowlton Strategies Thailand
Tel: 0-2627-3501 ext. 110, 213 or 081-735-9213, 081-694-9949
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]