ARMONK, N.Y. and BENGALURU, India, June 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Tata Sky, the leading broadcast satellite television provider in India, has selected IBM (NYSE: IBM) to launch new mobile solutions that enable it to reach new markets, and improve customer service and responsiveness for its 14 million subscribers across the country.

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With the IBM MobileFirst Platform, Tata Sky can securely integrate customer and enterprise data and launch new apps to spur growth, especially in rural markets. For example, the new mSales app helps dealers and distributors quickly respond to customer inquiries, track existing accounts and onboard new subscribers. Access to mobile capabilities that enable more efficient customer service is especially important in rural areas where there is often limited access to laptops or reliable Internet connectivity.

According to a market study by Hong Kong-based research firm Media Partners Asia, the direct-to-home active subscriber base in India will increase from 37 million in 2013 to 60 million by 2018 and 70 million by 2023. By launching innovative mobile solutions for its 300,000 dealers, Tata Sky will be better able to add subscribers and gain market share.

With more than 50,000 downloads since its launch, the mSales app creates new cost efficiencies by decreasing help desk calls to manage existing customer needs, and streamlines processes for establishing new accounts. With simplified access to customer analytics, dealers and distributors can better engage customers with more targeted, personalized products and services.

"With IBM's deep mobile and industry expertise we have gained a trusted partner for mobile solutions. The Tata Sky mSales app is one of the few examples of how mobile handsets can help us overcome business challenges thereby opening new markets and creating more valuable customer interactions," said Ravishanker, Chief Information Officer, Tata Sky.

Advancing clients' digital transformation strategies, the IBM MobileFirst portfolio of solutions can be integrated as a part of a hybrid cloud solution that combines public and private cloud elements with the flexibility to choose and change environments, data and services as needed.

"Service Providers around the world are facing heightened competition as they compete for customer wallet share and loyalty. Creating personalized customer interactions is critical for extending those relationships and identifying new business opportunities," said Vanitha Narayanan, Regional General Manager, IBM, India/South Asia. "With the IBM MobileFirst Platform, Tata Sky can take advantage of new growth opportunities in untapped markets and easily scale the number of users and apps being delivered to market to offer differentiated services and get ahead of the competition."

The IBM MobileFirst Platform is available from Bluemix, IBM's cloud development platform, or via on-premises deployment. The IBM MobileFirst Platform helps create great apps that integrate data from enterprise systems, are contextual and personalized, continuously improving, and as secure as they are convenient.

IBM total cloud revenue - covering public, private and hybrid engagements - was $7.7 billion over the previous 12 months at the end of March 2015; it grew more than 60 percent in the first quarter 2015.

For more information on IBM MobileFirst, visit the press kit or www.ibm.com/mobilefirst. Follow @IBMMobile on Twitter, and see IBM MobileFirst on YouTube, Tumblr and Facebook.

For more information on IBM India, please visit http://www.ibm.com/in/en/.

Media Inquiries:

Amy Angelini
IBM Media Relations
Phone: 914-766-1803
Email: alangeli@us.ibm.com

Natalie Harms
IBM External Relations - Asia Pacific
Phone: +61 417 689677
Email: hnatalie@au1.ibm.com

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SOURCE IBM