TECHNOLOGY
Supply Chain Digital : What inspired SAP Ariba to make the move into China ?
Grant Clinch : China is aggressively promoting innovation and digital transformation through a new government agenda . The ‘ Internet Plus ’ initiative , for instance , is driving heavy investment in the building blocks of the internet economy including new digital platforms and cloud-based technologies , which is helping fuel procurement and supply chain growth . The ‘ Made in China 2025 ’ effort looks to promote innovation and transformation empowered by smart manufacturing , which is closely aligned with smart procurement . And the One Belt One Road focuses on driving significant growth in overseas trade . All of this aligns well with our strategy to help companies digitise their business and commerce , and thus will create solid opportunities for us to grow .
What challenges have there been ? There are always challenges when entering new markets . You need to be aware of government regulations , product localisation requirements and appropriate license approvals , etc . To be successful , you really need to work with local partners who understand the lay of the land and have connections that can help you effectively build your brand . And this is the approach we are taking in China . We will , for instance , make our sourceto-pay applications available locally through a facility in Shanghai hosted by GDS . And as we go to market , we will employ both a direct and indirect sales model , leveraging the scale and capability of our own sales and consulting organisations along with those of local partners so that we can quickly deliver our solutions to large private companies and mid-tier small and medium enterprises alike .
What are your objectives for your operations in China ? Companies across China are increasingly placing digital processes at the core of their business and are looking for cloud-based solutions that can help them to better manage their operations and connect with trading partners . Much like the networks and applications Chinese
14 November 2016