Computer behemoth Microsoft and Alisoft jointly announced Monday they will provide hosted business-class e-mail service running on the Microsoft Hosted Exchange platform.
The e-mail service, which will be targeted at China’s more than 40 million small and medium enterprises (SMEs), will be integrated with Alisoft’s flagship product “E Wang Da Jin” for SMEs.
This initiative stems from a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Microsoft and Alisoft signed in April 2007, which stated that both companies would pursue strategic co-operation in the informationization of SMEs.
Under the MOU, both companies will research, develop and deploy online services including e-business, enterprise management, office automation and enterprise communications.
Leveraging the online software service platform built by Alisoft, the business-class e-mail service will be offered to SMEs in China through a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model.
Alisoft E Wang Da Jin is China’s first business management tool of its kind that bridges e-commerce and online software services, enabling SMEs to improve operational efficiency and capitalize on potential business opportunities.
E Wang Da Jin features customer relationship management (CRM), inventory management.
“Microsoft is helping our hosting partners to be successful under the corporate strategy of "Software plus Services" by providing a next-generation hosting platform, delivering applications that are ready for hosting, and driving growth through integration with our partner ecosystem,” said Jim Butler, General Manager, Communications Sector, Greater China, Microsoft.
“This co-operation with Alisoft demonstrates our commitment to enable our partners to offer compelling end-user experiences.”
In March this year, Jia Juan, an analyst with CCID Consulting, commented that the launch of enterprise hosted e-mail service on a SaaS model in China presents better business opportunities for Microsoft, especially with SMEs.