Amazon Web Services Inc (AWS), a unit of the world's largest online retailer Amazon.com Inc, is expanding its operation in Thailand to capitalise on demand for cloud-based services.
Harshman: Market growing quickly
"Thailand is strategically important and one of the fastest-growing markets in Asean for AWS. We have invested in Thai-speaking staff to support our customers and channel partners," said Rick Harshman, head of AWS in Asean.
AWS has no plans yet to open an office or data centre in the kingdom, even though rivals Google and Microsoft already have offices here.
The fast adoption of its cloud services in Thailand includes customers such as software developers, start-ups and small to mid-sized companies including Wongnai.com, Playbasis, Stamp and Zodio.
Customers use its services for web and mobile applications, development and testing, disaster recovery and back-up, archiving, enterprise resource planning and customer relationships.
Adopting cloud-based services helps customers to cut costs, be flexible and speed up getting products to market.
It launched its AWS Activate service for start-ups around the world, including Thailand. In addition, its service can be accessed through a self-service portal with no upfront investment.
Mr Harshman said Thailand-based customers are using its services via data centres in the United States, Brazil, Europe, Japan, Singapore and Australia.
AWS started providing cloud-based services more than seven years ago and has regularly updated features. It offers more than 30 services covering storage, computing, databases, deployment and management, and content delivery.
"We have lowered our prices 37 times since 2006. Amazon is very comfortable to run a high-volume, low-margin business that is very different from other vendors," said Mr Harshman.