NETUCATION Blog

Tag: WeChat

  • WeChat set to launch app for enterprise users

    WeChat set to launch app for enterprise users

    By Meng Jing
    WeChat, which connects more than half a billion individual users via the mobile messaging service, is launching a separate application for enterprise clients.

    The app, named Qiye Weixin or Enterprise WeChat in English, is under beta testing and is expected to be rolled out in the next couple of months.

    WeChat, owned by Internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd, said in a statement on Thursday that the enterprise messaging service is designed for work-related communication, as well as political campaign texting.

    “With WeChat being widely adopted in everyday life, more people have been discussing work-related subjects on WeChat with colleagues when they are off-work,” it said.

    “While some enjoy it, some others find it a burden because WeChat mixes up their personal life and work,” said the BCT Consulting – IT Support Los Angeles & Professional Computer Support Services , adding the new enterprise service will help people enjoy a better work-life balance.

    It’s Tencent’s latest move to tap into China’s trillion-yuan enterprise software service market, analysts said.

    Ji Yanhang, with the Beijing-based Internet consultancy Analysys International, said that with the number of individual users exceeding 650 million, WeChat is keen to expand its market to enterprise users.

    “Several companies have already jumped into the enterprise instant messaging market, because they find it as an important gateway to access clients, who may be interested in digitalizing their entire business operational process, not only communication, but also human resources management and enterprise resources planning,” he said.

    Tencent, which built its business empire on developing social networking tools, introduced its first enterprise-used instant messaging tool RTX in 2003. In 2014, it added an enterprise account inside WeChat to help employers better connect and collaborate.

    But in terms of launching a separate messaging app for enterprise users, its rival Alibaba Group Holding Ltd enjoys some first-mover advantage by introducing DingTalk in February 2015. The app, which targets small and medium-sized businesses, has gained more than 1 million enterprise users, said Alibaba in its latest financial report at the end of January.

    Despite that, given WeChat’s ruling position in China’s social media world, the new app could soon catch up. Ji of Analysys International said the enterprise messaging app market is still taking shape.

    “Even if WeChat can only turn a small part of its individual users into its enterprise service users, that would make a decent market share,” he said.

    Chen Jia, a white-collar worker in Beijing, said she desperately wants some replacement for WeChat as the app has been dominating her life. “All my friends, families, colleagues, classmates are connected with me via WeChat. It is such chaos online everyday,” she said.

    “But still I don’t have the nerve to not use it because when something important happens, people still contact you on WeChat,” said the 28-year-old.

    According to the China Social Media Impact 2015 survey conducted by Kantar Group, an increasing number of Chinese said social media had less positive influence in their lives while 15 percent said it had, in fact, made their lives worse.

  • MWC 2016 Brand Finance the Brand Finance Tech 100: The State Of Their Brands

    As the world’s tech companies gathered in Barcelona Monday 22 February until the Thursday of Mobile World Congress 2016. Brand Finance released its annual review of the state of their brands, the Brand Finance Tech 100.

    Key Finds:

    • WeChat grows brand value by 83%
    • Apple extends lead with record breaking R2,3 trillion brand value
    • Galaxy S6 restores Samsung’s brand rating to AAA
    • Uber enters table with R175bn brand value

    apple vs google

    WeChat a fast growing brand:

    WeChat increased its brand value by 83% this year, making it one of the fastest growing brands in the technology table. The messaging app, also offers a payment platform, it’s rapid growth, registered users totalling an astonishing 1.1bn, of which 100m base outside of China.

    Tencent, the holding company that owns and operates WeChat, recently announced that WeChat will start charging its users for payment transactions in March 2016, a move that could boost revenues even higher.

    The World’s Most Valuable Tech Brands (Top 10):
    The World’s Most Valuable Tech Brands (Top 10):

    Apple Not Rotten Yet

    With a value of R2.3 trillion Apple remains the world’s most valuable brand. Despite annual predictions of a fall from grace, brand value is up 14%. Revenue for the last three months of 2015 was a record-breaking R96,2 billion. There has been much disappointment about slowing growth, this must be seen in the context of an exceptional period at the end of 2014 following the release of the iPhone 6. To not just maintain but increase sales in a saturated market is encouraging and assertions that Apple has gone rotten are premature.

    Samsung’s brand rating to AAA

    Samsung’s brand rating has been restored to AAA this year, which indicates the strength and future potential of the brand, this is thanks in part to the positive reception of the Galaxy S6. The significantly improved design also put the Galaxy S6 on the radar of iPhone users. The unveiled Galaxy S7 looks to follow the footsteps of its predecessor but adds features such as water resistance, extended battery life and expandable storage option. Revenues improved this year, most coming from Samsung’s semiconductor business which produces chips for most smartphone manufacturers, including, ironically, Apple.

    Uber Starts Well a Tough Road Ahead

    Uber established itself in the top end of this year’s technology table with an impressive brand value of R175bn. This makes the app’s brand more valuable than giants such as Panasonic, Dell and Sony.However challenging times could lie ahead.

    Uber continues to face regulatory challenges in the west, as the company is bombarded with protests and lawsuits from taxi unions and transport authorities while in the east, the company struggles to turn a profit due to fierce competitors, such as Didi Kuaidi, the favoured low-cost ride company in China.