Dell signs deal with Thai digital agencies for smart cities

The smart money is on smart cities, and so Dell Technologies of the United States signed a knowledge-sharing agreement last week with two of Thailand’s digital agencies to accelerate the development of smart cities in the Kingdom.

Dell executives signed a memorandum of understanding with the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA), under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, and the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA). The agreement is for technological knowledge and expertise sharing to support the national roadmap towards Digital Smart Cities.

“Through this collaboration, Dell Technologies brings innovation and best-in-class technology for applications, data, infrastructure and security to support and facilitate ETDA’s and DEPA’s efforts to transform Thailand into a resilient digital nation and thrive in the digital economy,” said Anothai Wettayakorn, vice president, Dell EMC Indo-China.

The International Data Corporation (IDC) of the United States named Phuket and Khon Kaen as two of the leading smart city projects in Asia earlier this year. IDC said the projects illustrate the best practices of urban innovation. They focus on the use of technologies and data such as cloud, platforms, analytics, Internet of Things and mobile solutions, and include unique partnerships, funding models, and community involvement.

Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin, president of DEPA, said that a smart city is “an area that utilizes technologies and innovations to enhance services and urban management, and to reduce cost and resources, by collaboration between businesses and citizens, leading to residents’ sustainable welfare.”

The Thai government is intent on expanding smart city projects to Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), the three-province advanced development zone just east of the capital.

Dell Technologies is a specialist in providing digital infrastructure for governments and the private sector with an emphasis on efficiency and efficacy. Security is also a priority, and the agreement with the Thai agencies focuses on security issues.

“ETDA has been working to uphold the national digital and security roadmap, driving Digital Smart City so that Thailand can become a truly digitized society,” said Surangkana Wayuparb, president of the ETDA.

“This collaboration will include not only digital authentication and identification system development for online services, but also promoting ease, speed, and efficiency of online transactions. This goes with the government’s policies on facilitating businesses and services for community and people,” Surangkana added.