Situation:
Microsoft (MS) is losing money in PRC, partly because of the lack of intellectual
property protection in that market and partly because its product (Windows 3.1) can not meet
local customers" needs due to low level of localization.
Since localization of Window 3.1 seems indispensable for MS to succeed in the
promising PRC market, the question for MS is choosing the best localization solution from
the available three choices. These choices are either leaving the market open for Software
Vendors (SV) to localize the product, doing all of the localization by MS itself in Taiwan
(headquarter of Greater China), or adopting an intermediate solution such as localizing in
PRC.
Suggestion:
In addressing this question, I used several criteria as listed in Exhibit 1 to evaluate
these alternatives (Exhibit 1 also listed detailed analyses of each criterion used). My
conclusion, therefore, is that localizing in PRC will be the best choice for MS among all
alternatives as it helps build good government relationships that in turn benefit sales and
competitiveness. Meanwhile, Microsoft can acquire the best product quality by localization in
PRC due to familiarity with the market and convenient technical support. (Exhibit 2)
Among all the criteria used, the political issue, i.e. relationship with the Chinese
government plays the most crucial role, as it has the biggest impact on other factors.
Specifically, a good relationship with the government could: 1) Get the power from PRC
government to build a better legal environment, as piracy software is rampant in PRC market
and it seriously affects MS"s profit. 2) Increase sales, as SOEs and government organizations
account for a big percentage in MS"s total sales. 3) Help MS standardize the software
industry to guarantee its long-term profits. 4) Be decisive in securing Microsoft a competitive
2
advantage, as PRC is still not a totally free market in terms of degrees of government
intervention.
Implementation:
Why will localizing in PRC bring government support? As Exhibit 3 shows, Chinese
government needs technology in PC industry badly, it also needs employment opportunities,
foreign capital, management and industry expertise, and other intangible assets such as
company image, all of which can be met by MS"s local investment. Therefore, MS can
acquire bigger bargaining power in dealing with the government and then utilize this power
to receive government supports in combating piracy software in PRC and setting up a
standard in the industry.
Following its decision to localize in PRC, Microsoft still has two choices available,
namely, localizing by itself or by allying with one local SV. I think that Microsoft should
have partnered with one of the key software vendors, preferably Great Wall, that is closely
connected to the government and also the local market leader for localization process. By
partnering with local SV Great Wall, Microsoft can have gained some other advantages
besides a good government relationship that include: 1)Smooth the distribution channel to
deal with poor logistic infrastructures in PRC. 2) Further increase sales by bundling the
operation system and future application software with SV"s hardware sales. 3) Save training
cost in developing software and technical supports by sharing the partner"s IT experts.
However, MS also takes the risk of losing control of timing and localization quality
and leakage of its advanced technology. To reduce the risk to the least, MS should have
participated actively in the localization process to reduce the risk of "hold-up" effects by its
partner. By keeping control on the technical part, Microsoft can also learn from its partner to
contribute to its learning curve and thus pave the way for future software development for
PRC market.
3
Exhibit 1 Criteria used for localization decision
Political ç Central government plays a key role in combating piracy software.
ç SOEs account for a big percentage in revenue. (PC market grows at 32% and
40% of large or medium-sized SOEs are computerized)
ç Supports from government are also crucial in setting up a standard for operation
systems in PC industry.
ç Distribution is also affected by government opinions.
ç Taiwan is a political sensitive area to PRC.
ç PRC government needs investments in technologies. It also welcomes MNCs to
invest in China to bring foreign currency and employment opportunities,
especially big names like MS.
Product Quality ç Many versions of translation software used in the market affect the product
quality negatively. (Using parallel software involves many technical problems.
Due to lack of knowledge, normal end-users may address these problems to MS )
ç Localization process also needs developers to understand local cultures and
customer needs.
ç Technical support needs the involvement of original software developers.
ç Very few local SVs are available for partnership. Bargain power is low and cost
may be high.
Legal ç Directly affecting sales (overall losses due to piracy of computer programs is
over $300 M in PRC)
Sales ç Customers include SOEs, government organizations, institutions and family
users.
ç Other than small percentage of personal PC users, SOEs and other organizational
users prefer standardized PCs in both hardware and software. Normally orders
are made in bulk.
ç First mover is important, as SOEs will order standardized PCs and software for
compatibility and more convenient technical support.
ç Penetration of operation system affects future sales of application software.
Cost
(Technological
process)
ç Taiwan has MS"s technical base, as it is headquarter of Greater China.
ç Developers" wages in PRC are only 20-40% of their Taiwan counterparts, but
the training costs can be very high. MS is also not sure about the competence of
developers in PRC.
Time to Market ç Can be very long if localized by SV in PRC (training is time-consuming and it is
impossible to give the task to more than one SV)
ç Taiwan has well-established software development infrastructure needed.
Competition ç Lotus, the main regional competitor only has basic localization but it"s much
cheaper than MS in localization efforts.
ç There is a trade-off of product quality (extend of localization) and time to
market.
ç Unix has already allied with local SVs for localization.
Distribution ç Main target markets are SOEs and organizations.
ç Software are normally sold with bundling of hardware.
Standardization ç Is important for long-term profits considering of repeat SOE customers and
compatibility problem.
4
Exhibit 2: Comparison of localization decisions
English Version +
Chinese Software
Localization
in PRC
Localization in
Taiwan
Political
(government support)
+ ++ -
Product Quality - ++ +
Legal
(Combat piracy)
- ++ -
Sales - ++ ? (probably negative
due to political
consideration)
Cost advantage
(technical process)
++ - +
Time to Market ++ - +
Competition - ++ +
Distribution Status quo ++ -
Standardization - ++ -
Exhibit 3 Congruency Assessment Matrix
Business Resources
For. Jobs
Government Needs Cap. Ex. Tec. Trg. Mgt. Infra. Mkts. Taxes
Economic
Employment + + +
Training + + + +
Bal. of
payments
+ ?
Growth + ? + + + + + +
Productivity + + + + +
Infrastructure + + + +
Fiscal revenues +
Political
Economic Power + ? + + + + +
Credibility + + + + + +
Social
Education + + + + + +
Health +
Housing +
Income equity + + + +