News

HONG KONG / MACAU, April 23, 2008 – IBM World Trade Corporation (NYSE:IBM) today launched IBM Express Advantage, a comprehensive program offering industry-specific business solutions for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Macau. Express Advantage addresses operational pain points by combining IBM software, hardware and services with application from IBM business partners. This enables SMBs to focus on their core businesses and realize more growth opportunities offered by the booming Macau economy.

“IBM Express Advantage helps SMBs ease the pain of managing daily operations by providing easy-to-use and easy-to-deploy solutions,” said Lloyds Cheung, Macau Branch Manager, IBM World Trade Corporation. “The program will help SMBs take full advantage of existing business opportunities in Macau and neighboring Chinese provinces, while at the same time, adequately equipping them for future growth.”

The new program addresses the specific needs of Macau SMBs, in particular solving the challenge of operating in Macau’s tight labor market. With about 96 percent of Macau’s 39,000 companies having fewer than ten staff on average, gaining the resource edge through the astute use of IT is critical to helping Macau SMBs grow and differentiate their businesses.

The IBM Express Advantage portfolio spans more than 40 IBM offerings, including tailored industry software and business applications, hassle-free infrastructure solutions, and IBM point-of-sale and kiosks that help automate operations, improve efficiencies, collaboration and IT security while reducing costs. Industry solutions for hotel property management, enterprise resources planning, customer relationship management, e-marketing and security – among others – have been designed in collaboration with 37 business partners from Hong Kong and Macau. They have been customized to support industries including hospitality, trading and entertainment, retail and distribution, manufacturing and logistics, and banking and finance. IBM already has plans to expand its Express Advantage offerings for Macau. The first additions will target Macau educational institutions and provide solutions for course management, e-learning leveraging video streaming technology, and data and workflow management.

IBM Express Advantage leverages IBM’s vast network of Hong Kong and Macau Built on Express Business Partners to deliver a broad range of applications and services including implementation, training, support and maintenance, combined with deep industry expertise. As part of its Built on Express Business Partner program, IBM complements its business partners with technical, education and marketing resources to ensure that SMBs receive the level of service and support that they need.

IBM Express Advantage comes at affordable price point, with infrastructure product starting at MOP 1,000 only. Solutions which are specifically designed to help SMBs establish their IT infrastructure are priced competitively at MOP 100,000 on average while business solutions prices start at MOP 20,000. Through IBM Financing Advantage as part of the program option, Macau SMBs can benefit from flexible payment schedules and easy access to leases and loans for IBM and non-IBM hardware, software and services. The option also includes a full range of buyback, recycling and scrap services to help SMBs manage costs while creating savings that can be invested in business growth initiatives.

In addition to affordable, customized solutions, IBM Express Advantage incorporates enhanced customer service through a dedicated IBM hotline at (853) 8795 9808 through which SMB customers can access a network of skilled agents to help them identify the right IBM or IBM business partner resource. The Express Advantage web portal – www.ibm.com/hk/express – also addresses all client information needs. The portal maps IBM offerings and solutions by business goals to make it easier for SMB customers to identify solutions that meet their requirements. It also features a “Business Partner Finder” tool to help locate the right local partners, and a web cast featuring SMB solutions with case references that combine to make shopping for the right IT solution easier and friendlier.

Highlights of the IBM Express Advantage Offerings for Macau

• Data and Workflow Management Solution – with Aniform from Clever Motion Technology The Data and Workflow Management Solution automates routine business tasks like order processing, data collection and logistics tracking, to create efficiencies and minimize training investment. Businesses can manage data from various sources and systems; streamline work processes and automate assignment to groups and critical task alerts; and analyze data in line with business processes.
• Email Marketing Solution – with Radica Intimate Standard Edition 3.2 The Email Marketing Solution is a valuable solution for SMBs that drives targeted, effective, permission-based email marketing. The solution shortens deployment time for email campaigns with a multi-lingual, user-friendly Web-based interface and capabilities such as contact list management, mail merge, multi-stage scheduling functions and automated support for un-subscription and bounce back email management. It can also integrate with existing CRM databases and web portals.
• Enterprise Resources Planning Solution for Trading – with Envision X from Integrated Solutions Limited The Enterprise Resources Planning Solution for Trading provides SMBs with a comprehensive, scalable trading and accounting software package that reduces operational and inventory costs; improves productivity and service quality; and shortens production cycles. The solution automates a wide range of processes such as sales, purchasing, inventory and accounting, and provides multi-company, multi-location, multi-currency support and report analysis functions.
• Enterprise Resources Planning Solution for Manufacturing – with Kingdee K/3 The Enterprise Resources Planning Solution for Manufacturing provides SMBs with an integrated management system to efficiently manage their supply chain, inventory, human resources, sales and finance functions. The solution leverages advanced management models and tools, and includes components for business intelligence, mobile business, and an integrated engine and industrial plug-ins to achieve effective cost management, plan and process control. It also offers multi-language capabilities and can be easily scaled to leverage existing IT investments through flexible configuration.

Since launching IBM Express Advantage in more than 45 countries, IBM has had a tremendous response from SMBs. In Hong Kong, IBM has experienced a 20 percent quarter on quarter growth in new customers for its IBM Express Advantage solutions since launch.

About IBM
For more information about IBM Hong Kong, go to: www.ibm.com/hk

###