Blue Martini expands amid Japanese CRM optimism
As spending on CRM in Japan increases dramatically, Blue Martini is extending its operations in the country by bringing distributor and reseller Netyear Group's sales, service and marketing team in-house, adding several brand-name Japanese companies to the firm's client list.
As previously reported by The Wise Marketer (read the story here), total spending on CRM solutions in Japan saw a rapid increase in 2001 to reach 361.9 billion Yen (US$2.84 billion). According to IDC research, the CRM solution market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 18.3% to reach 840 billion Yen (US $6.59 billion) in 2006.
Since signing the distributor agreement with Netyear in November 2000, Blue Martini has added many brand-name Japanese companies to its customer list, including Avex Group (record company), and most recently Matsushita (consumer electronics manufacturer). Matsushita has also entered into an agreement to resell Blue Martini applications through its CRM solution business in Japan.
While key Netyear Group employees will join Blue Martini Software, the company will remain a Blue Martini Software partner and distributor. "The employees from our CRM practice who have joined Blue Martini Software have a strong track record, and will prove to be a valuable asset for Blue Martini Software," said Fujiyo Ishiguro, president of Netyear Group.
For more information: · Visit Blue Martini at http://www.bluemartini.com · Visit NetYear at http://www.netyear.net