Small Business Computing reports that IBM is going after the small and midsize business (SMB) market in China:
“The SMB market in China is red hot, which isn’t in line with a country known more for its super-size, government- companies. According to IBM researchers, 99 percent of Chinese businesses can be categorized as SMBs, while the Chinese SMB market makes up $4 billion to $5 billion of the $300 billion global SMB market.The Chinese SMB market is so large, in fact, that IBM is calling it the epicenter of the world’s global supply chain….”
IBM’s efforts will center around its recent launch of an Innovation Center in Beijing. The Innovation Center assists software partners that will use IBM’s middleware platform to provide solutions to China’s SMBs.
This is interesting because the news involves two converging hot areas: the SMB market and China. As the Chairman of a board that I am on said to me recently “small business is where it’s at today.” I’d add “China is also where it’s at.”
Asian countries like China, India have been attracting many western companies. China is favorite for outsourcing manufacturing jobs. Its huge population also makes it a very attractive country. If the figures mentioned above are true then I must say that IBM has made a timely decision.