HP eyes growth in SME services

HP Inc Thailand Co, a unit of American IT firm Hewlett-Packard, is set to place more emphasis on new SMEs and startup entrepreneurs by offering them contractual services for printing and computer devices, as well as gaming computers and lifestyle printers.

Affordable devices and total solutions for computing and printing will be offered, said Pavin Vorapruck, managing director of HP Inc Thailand.

Despite having a strong market in commercial and enterprise customers, HP still has a low market share in the SME segment and ranks fourth in the segment in terms of PC sales, while in printing it has 72-74% of the SME market.

Mr Pavin said that since the start of the year HP has offered a printing subscription for SMEs, which can enjoy up to three years of contractual services for a monthly payment of 2,100 baht.

HP is also focused on the growing gaming market and lifestyle printing, which covers all types of commercial printing from business cards to outdoor banners.

The gaming market in Thailand is lucrative, with 18.3 million gamers driving revenue of US$667 million last year, ranking 19th in gaming revenue worldwide.

Gamers are big spenders on hardware, Mr Pavin said.

Digital transformation is expected to continue boosting IT spending in Thailand, he said. Enforcement of the Cybersecurity and Data Protection Act will increase demand among consumers, especially big companies seeking computing devices for security reasons.

Mr Pavin said the new law will encourage businesses such as banks, insurance firms and healthcare providers to investment in tech solutions that help avoid data leakage or cyber-attacks.

The need for IT outsourcing services will increase in order to provide security and data protection to users at a lower cost when compared with purchasing the services and devices themselves.

According to Mr Pavin, HP will coordinate with the American Chamber of Commerce to propose that the government introduce a new IT outsourcing programme for procurement that provides the public sector with computing devices and solutions suited to its demand and budget. This would be better than current practice in which state agencies procure systems and devices, he said.