BANGKOK, 9 FEBRUARY 2012 —TCC Technology Co., Ltd. under Thai Charoen Corporation (TCC) Group today signed with the Business Software Alliance (BSA) a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set best practice guidelines for software licensing policy as part of Software Asset Management or SAM.

With this MoU, the TCC conglomerate will officially adopt the best practice guidelines jointly developed by BSA and TCCT as part of the Group’s corporate practices. The aim is to establish and execute standards of conduct with respect to managing and optimizing the value of its software assets, software purchases, utilization and maintenance, and investments as well as to protect and maintain the security and functional efficiency of its IT systems.

“This MoU is the first private sector-led initiative of its kind in Thailand and Southeast Asia to promote best corporate practices of software asset management, and TCC Group is the first conglomerate that are pioneers in implementing software asset management across such a wide swath of multi-industry companies,” Lyn Boxall, BSA managing director for Asia Pacific region, said. “We believe this landmark event serves as another milestone in Thailand’s efforts to promote the use of licensed software among businesses and to develop a creative economy that nurtures and protects innovation.”

As one of Thailand’s leading conglomerates, TCC Group already has in place a corporate policy to use only licensed software throughout its business operations. The policy is aimed at minimizing security and operational risks while deriving greater value from software assets.

“TCC Group’s IT practice is in line with the government’s policies which promotes protection of intellectual property rights and development of home-grown software and IT industry,” said Thailand’s Deputy Commerce Minister Siriwat Kajornprasart, who witnessed the MoU signing ceremony. “It is certainly a corporate role model that deserves to be honored for its IT practice and policies that give high priority to system security, legal responsibility and good governance.”

To support TCC Group’s corporate policy, TCCT, one of Thailand’s leading provider of data center services and other IT services, has supported their IT specialists’ successful completion of BSA’s advanced software asset management course called “SAM Advantage”. Internationally recognized, the SAM Advantage program entails sophisticated auditing procedures to help companies ensure the legality and security of their IT systems. To be a software auditor, one has to undertake SAM Advantage courses, pass a series of examinations, and earn a certificate.

“We believes in the protection and respect for software intellectual property rights, and that reflects in our corporate policy,” said Kosit Suksingha, TCC Technology’s Managing Director. “The signing of this MoU speaks of our commitment towards security protection of our IT systems as well as our honesty and credibility as a responsible corporate citizen.”

Over the past five years, Thailand’s continuous efforts have put the country at the second-top for software piracy reduction in Asia Pacific, trailing only Hong Kong by one percentage point. The adoption of software auditing into corporate practice will support the country’s goal to be the fastest in software piracy reduction in the region. It is also in line with the government’s Thai Creative Economy policy which leverages innovation to create sustainable economic growth, opportunities for entrepreneurs and job growth.

“There have been cases in which companies get into legal trouble because the management is not aware that a small number of their employees have installed illegal software programs on their office PCs without permission,” Ms. Boxall said. “That’s why it’s wise to have corporate software assets audited from time to time either by qualified authorized officials at the company or by independent software auditors.”

“There’s no reason why companies should compromise the security of its IT systems and risk damaging their reputation by using unlicensed software,” Mr. Siriwat said.