IBM survey: Mid-size firms to maintain IT investments

KUALA LUMPUR: The majority of chief executive officers of mid-market companies will maintain their investment priorities in information technology (IT), despite the challenging economic times, according to a survey.

The global CEO survey 2008 was conducted by IBM Corp. It covered 1,030 companies, including 80 from Malaysia.

Mid-market companies refer to those with less than 1,000 staff.

IBM Asean vice-president (general business) Tim Wong said in Malaysia the mid-market companies would also maintain the same practice.

He said over half of the local companies that partcipated in the survey expected to benefit from the government’s stimulus packages.


International Trade and Industry deputy minister Datuk Mukhriz Tun Mahathir officially launching the IBM Business Reality Summit 2009, flanked by IBM ASEAN vice-president (general business) Tim Wong (far left) and - IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd managing director Ou Shian Waei (far right)
“Of the 80 companies, 42% expect to use the funds for IT projects,” he told reporters on Tuesday at the IBM Business Reality Summit themed “Building Strategies for a Smarter Business”.

Wong said the summit offered a strategic focus for small and medium businesses (SMB) to look at ways to turn adversities into opportunities during this economic turmoil by the adoption and deployment of advanced technology, services and solutions.

Asked what was required to make Malaysia more competitive, IBM Malaysia managing director Ou Shian Waei said local companies should not only undertake projects for the sake of stimulating the economy, they also needed to be transformed into effective organisations capable of being flexible to the changing business environment and meet the high standards of their customer needs.

“Companies must take a conscious effort to plan ahead long- and short-term strategies to embrace and excel in this changing business landscape,” he said.

Industries must be shaped to become more resilient and competitive via better processes, increase talent and capital, while enhancing customer satisfaction through personalisation, he said.

He added: “We must infuse not just our processes, but also our decision-making and management systems with intelligence.”