Market Trends of Thailand ICT Industry
Enterprise Software to be the Largest Software Segment
- As Thailand's workforce evolves with enhanced skills and diversity, businesses turn to sophisticated HCM solutions. These solutions aid in talent acquisition, performance management, training, and succession planning. HCM systems empower organizations to cultivate a robust workforce, streamline HR processes, and synchronize talent strategies with overarching business goals.
- In February 2023, Akrivia HCM, an enterprise HRMS platform, unveiled its ambition to onboard over 500 personnel within the year. The Visakhapatnam-based startup, currently boasting a workforce of 400, sees over 350 of its team dedicated to Akrivia HCM, its flagship Human Capital Management software. This aggressive hiring aligns with the company's strategic expansion into international markets, particularly in Southeast Asia and Gulf Cooperation Council nations, including Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
- Moreover, the growing BYOD trend in the region is poised to drive the adoption of CRM solutions further. As employees engage with multiple enterprises, the BYOD trend underscores a shift towards flexibility and network accessibility, enhancing workplace productivity. While CRM solutions bolster an enterprise's image, the BYOD trend ensures employees have real-time access to vital data, streamlining customer query resolutions and amplifying CRM effectiveness.
- In August 2023, Salesforce rolled out its new offering, Starter. This intuitive, all-in-one CRM application integrates deals, services, and marketing functionalities seamlessly. Designed for small and burgeoning businesses, Starter aids in managing customer relationships, centralizing vital data, and boosting operational efficiency. With features like marketing campaign templates, segmentation, analytics, an email builder, and AI-driven email optimization, starter empowers small businesses to amplify their lead-generation efforts.
- In Thailand, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) increasingly adopt Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solutions to bolster customer interactions and optimize business operations. These CRM systems empower SMEs to efficiently manage customer data, monitor interactions, and elevate customer satisfaction through tailored communication and focused marketing initiatives.
- SMEs in Thailand are experiencing notable growth, reaping benefits like streamlined operations, organized data, and accurate sales forecasting. As reported by The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion in April 2023, the service sector employed around 1.02 million individuals in small enterprises (SEs), while medium enterprises (MEs) in the manufacturing sector employed roughly 700.97 thousand, marking the highest employment figures across industries for this business size.
IT and Telecom Industry to be the Largest End User
- The IT and Telecom sector for the Thailand ICT Market includes telecommunication services (voice, data, messaging, OTT, and PayTV services), telecommunication infrastructure (fixed networks, mobile networks, and telecom towers), telecom operators (Advanced Info Service (AIS), TrueMove, Total Access Communication Public Company Limited (DTAC), National Telecom (NT), and mobile virtual network operators (MVNO)) and technology such as Internet of Things (IoT), ICT security and solutions, cloud computing, network management, and 5G infrastructure and applications among others.
- Thailand's telecommunications market has experienced significant growth recently, fueled by rising demands for connectivity (both 5G and fixed broadband) and a broad embrace of digital technologies. The Thai government envisions transforming Thailand into a digital infrastructure hub for ASEAN.
- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) projects that 5G adoption could inject USD 9.3 billion into the Thai economy by 2035, accounting for 10 % of the GDP. Furthermore, through its "Thailand Industry 4.0" initiative, which promotes digital creativity, technological advancement, and a shift to a digital economy, the government targets a 25 % contribution of this sector to the national GDP by 2027.
- Thailand's push towards 5G has seen significant investments in its ICT market. These investments span spectrum allocations, network towers, and fiber-optic backbones, with both private and public sectors playing pivotal roles. Leading telecom giants, including Advanced Info Service (AIS) and True Corporation, are spearheading extensive network rollouts, particularly in urban locales, to bolster 5G accessibility nationwide.