Online learning solutions firm SumTotal Systems (SUMT) says that Great Wall Computer will serve as SumTotal's first Chinese "value added distributor."

Founded in 1993, Great Wall Software, with 2005 annual revenues of more than US$73 million, is widely known in China as a state-owned systems integrator that has carried out a number of large-scale projects for employers including China Post, People's Bank of China and the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Health. With approximately 700 employees, Great Wall Software will offer SumTotal the benefit of a large sales force and software implementation team that work with customers across China.

"We feel we can truly establish SumTotal in China," said Li Zebin, general manager for Great Wall Software. "We look forward to working closely with SumTotal to take advantage of its sales, marketing and technical support. And with SumTotal's software, we believe we can win a considerable share of the market for talent and performance management in China."

According to a March 2006 report from researchers at IDC, the corporate learning market in Asia/Pacific has "enormous growth potential." IDC's forecast goes on to say that the Asia/Pac market's infancy is defined by the lack of clearly designed solutions and well-executed partnerships.

"Great Wall Software has a remarkable amount of experience in both the Chinese public and private sector," said Jack Kramer, SumTotal's vice president and general manager for International. "They know the IT challenges that large, Chinese companies face each day, and they see tremendous potential in helping their customers drive change by better managing talent."

For Chinese organizations, forces inside and outside of China are driving efforts to become competitive on a global scale. This means not only opening China's markets to international competition but also expanding Chinese ventures to compete in new markets overseas. In December of 2006, for example, the World Trade Organization has called for China to open its internal banking market to foreign competition. As China competes with foreign companies, Chinese managers see the importance of meeting new demands from customers and strengthening the talents and skills of employees.