By Mai Gevera

Davao City (26 October) -- A leading computer brand is now strengthening business ties in Mindanao as it has observed a thriving growth of the information technology in some areas of Mindanao.

Now on its biggest shift, the IBM has now expanded its product line which now includes software, hardware, and services.

"We will continue to invest on all three aspects. Although we are no longer producing computers, but the company now is more geared on solving business problems and providing IT services," said IBM President and Country General Manager James Velasquez.

Despite the shift, the company still retains its spot in the IT sector. In a recent branding study initiated by the Business Week, IBM got the third spot following the Coca-Cola and the Microsoft brands.

Among the leading sectors which IBM delivers on are financial institutions, telecommunication companies, government, and the industrial sector.

To show how IBM is considering the importance of the Mindanao market, it recently participated in the 6th Mindanao Information, Communication Technology (MITC) held in this city.

In the said congress, Velasquez spoke about the Knowledge Innovation track where he announced that IBM is active in providing its clients with innovations that would contribute in transforming to become Globally Integrated Enterprise (GIE).

In a statement he said that the GIE is a company that fashions its strategy, management, and operations in pursuit of a new goal which is the integration of production and value delivery worldwide.

"I am very excited of strengthening the IBM service here in Mindanao in the next five years," he said.

At present, the said company has eight value partners and 17 authorized service centers in Mindanao. Among the value partners are Computerworld Marketing, DC Tech Services, Digital Interface, Emcor Inc., iThink Technology, Columbia Computer, Powertech Specialist, and Smartlink Systems.