IBM will consolidate its position as China's No.1 personal computer brand in terms of sales value with increasing investments, new products and aggressive marketing activities.

"We are very glad to see IBM has gained many No.1 titles in the PC market and we hope that when people talk about personal computer, they will think about IBM Thinkcenter and Thinkpad," said Janet Ang, vice-president of IBM China and general manager of its personal computer business.

According to statistics from the market research house International Data Corp (IDC), IBM ranked first in terms of the value of PC sales in China among all foreign brands and only after the domestic vendor Lenovo.

Its market share in the notebook computer segment in terms of units also grew from 17.3 percent to 21.2 percent and further extended its leadership.

Frances O'Sullivan, general manager of IBM's global PC division, said listening to customer needs is a key for the company to achieve success.

"Our strategy is not only going after market share, but focusing on the needs of customers, especially enterprise users," she said.

IBM launched its new model of notebook Thinkpad X40 earlier this year to meet customers' needs in mobility.

It also released its smallest desktop computer Thinkcenter S50 on Thursday in China which will save more space on customers' desks.

Ang said the S50 is the smallest full-function desktop computer in the world, which saves 75 percent space compared to traditional IBM computers.

The world's biggest information technology company will start a 14-city promotion in China for the product soon.

It has already recruited more than 50 new distributors in Beijing to sell the model.

IBM also sponsored 30 S50 computers and 10 notebooks for the China Open Tennis Match in Beijing as another promotional move.

Besides launching more new products, IBM will open "experience centers," where consumers can have a close look and try the computers.

Ang said the information technology giant will expand locations of its stores from 80 cities at the end of last year to more than 100 Chinese cities.

O'Sullivan said small and medium cities will also be focal points and can be a growth engine for IBM's PC business.

According to IDC, small and medium businesses have become one of fastest-growing buyers of computers besides education and government sectors.

(China Daily September 15, 2004)