IBM extends IT package to small businesses

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Responding to the need for affordable communications technology, PT IBM Indonesia is reaching out to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through a new version of its Express IT package.

Launched Thursday by the local unit of IBM Corporation, the fifth edition of Express offers a wide range of both software, hardware and related services at affordable prices to SMEs.

With component prices ranging from US$1,000 to $15,000, the new scheme will also offer investment-optimization and data-backup features, according to IBM Indonesia country manager Achirul Djamal.

Achirul added that Express was intended to answer the needs of SMEs for accessible technology at relatively affordable prices so as to enable them to compete with their larger competitors.

"The domestic IT market for SMEs currently stands at around US$1.6 billion, up 18 percent from last year. We hope Express will be able to capture around 20 percent of this market," said Achirul.

Currently, IBM Indonesia services around 2,500 SME clients in various industries, Achirul said.

First launched in 2002, Express, which is distributed by around 45 suppliers, accounts for more than 20 percent of IBM Indonesia's revenues.

Express was developed as part of a 10-year-old IBM Corporation worldwide business plan to tap the SME market.