IBM partners eFuture Information Technology to launch SaaS solution

IBM declared it’s collaboration with eFuture Information Technology Inc. with the aim of launching a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution. The solution is produced for the retail distribution industry in China. The partnership has started in 2005. IBM has integrated its SaaS infrastructure platform, designed and developed by IBM China Research Lab, with eFuture's industry solutions for a new SaaS solution development. IBM has been announced to be responsible for the post-launch operation and maintenance service. 

The new solution is already been used by Beijing Wangfujing Department Store Group stores in Beijing and 2,000 of Wangfujing Group's suppliers. Being on the platform enables suppliers to exchange information, arrange online payments. Moreover, they can access purchase orders, returns, payment status, inventory levels and analysis of sales data. It is projected that the system will be deployed in all of the group's stores by the end of 2009. 

Financial details of the solution were not provided.