IBM offers e-solution packages to help develop SMEs

Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya

In an effort to penetrate the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) market segment, PT IBM Indonesia is offering an e-solution package to improve their efficiency and performance.

The company's country manager Fetra Syahbana said at a press conference here on Tuesday that the firm has been aware of the potential of the SME market.

Data from IDC market research company released last year said that SMEs spent about US$1.187 billion for information technology (IT), almost double 2003's figure of $610 million. IBM projected that the segment would grow by 94.6 percent in 2008.

"Our e-solution for small and medium enterprises will enable them to have integrated businesses that can respond faster to customer needs and market conditions," Fetra said.

IBM has been working with a number of customers in the SME segment nationwide, including the Surabaya-based Bank Antar Daerah and Bogor-based PT Belfood Indonesia frozen food company.

IBM is offering their IBM Express program for SMEs, which includes integrated solutions such as Linux-based suites for banking and the finance industry, ERP (Enterprise Resources Planning) solutions for manufacturing industry, inventory and supply chain management for retail and services industry, as well as Web-based applications for hospitals, health centers, drugstores, universities and schools.

Late last month, IBM launched the KidSmart Early Learning Program in Medan, North Sumatra, targeting students from elementary to high school.