IBM Increases Presence in Poland with New Branch Offices

&IBM has been present in Poland for the past 20 years and we have established operations across the country. In recognition of the continued importance of Poland to IBM and to ensure the highest levels of support for our customers and partners, we are strengthening our branch network in a number of strategic locations,& said Anna Sienko, Country General Manager, IBM Poland < Baltics.

The new offices are in Poland&apos

The new offices are in Poland's Upper and Lower Silesia regions which have seen some of the country's strongest economic growth in recent years. Traditionally known for mining and heavy industry, today these regions have seen an increase in high-tech and other innovative economic activity, as then as growth in the small and medium sized business sector which currently generates about 50 per cent of Poland's Gross Domestic Product.

Katowiceis the largest city in the Upper Silesia region. With established mining, iron and steel industries, in recent years Katowice's economic growth has come from the development of the scientific, business and transportation sectors.

One of IBM's existing customers in Katowice is the Center of Mining Innovation, amongst Poland's oldest IT firms, which provides computing services to the coal mining industry. IBM has helped COIG S.A. to build a data center and develop cloud computing services for its customers in the region. &For the mining industry in Poland to remain competitive on the global stage it needs to turn to the latest technologies and approaches. IBM is helping us to develop innovative solutions and services for our customers in the region and with the opening of its new office in Katowice we look forward to strengthening this relationship,& said ZbigniewKoszowski, President ofCOIG.S.A.

One of IBM's existing clients in Wroclaw is Spolem PSS Polnoc, a midsize supermarket chain which turned to IBM to streamline its checkout process. With the help of Jantar, a local IBM business partner, IBM provided Spolem PSS Polnoc with one of Poland's first self- service checkout systems.

IBM is as well investing in skills in both regions. For instance, IBM is collaborating with Katowice's School of Economics to support students on technology projects and provide an possibility for IBM internships. As part of nurturing local talent, IBM has as well established a University Competence Center in Gliwice nearly Katowice which specializes in developing solutions based on IBM systems. In Wroclaw, IBM and the University of Innovation have agreed to collaborate on a cloud internship program which gives students the chance to gain experience in tackling some the most challenging IT tasks in a virtual environment.

The opening of the Polish branch offices

The opening of the Polish branch offices was recognized this week at two ceremonies attended by government officials, clients, and business partners in Katowice and Wroclaw.