Softwin, the Romanian software company known mainly for its BitDefender antivirus programmes, has opened an office in Germany, aiming to get 5% of the local market of antivirus software in several years.
To successfully compete against other brands and earn the coveted 5% slice of the market, Softwin will invest almost one million euros in the first year of operations in Germany. More exactly, the firm will invest 980,000 euros, as the company's officials told Ziarul Financiar.
Softwin, which, besides BitDefender also offers full security solutions and services, is also operating in France, one of the leading providers of antivirus products, according to a survey that is to be detailed soon. "On the German market we shall mainly aim at the small and medium-sized enterprises (companies with up to 300 computers) and we are planning to acquire a significant share of this market by 2007. BitDefender is already present in Germany, where we see great potential for the next few years," says Martin Siemens, general manager at Softwin GmbH.
According to company officials, Softwin GmbH will come to account for 11.5% of the company's total sales by 2007.
According to the Finance Ministry's website, Softwin posted 106bn ROL turnover in 2002 and net profit of 32 billion ROL. Company officials say turnover has increased 17% in the first nine months of 2003, as compared to the year-ago period. The same growth pace is expected to maintain by the end of 2003. According to Softwin, BitDefender accounts for about 30% of the local market, with Norton Antivirus and McAfee among its main competitors.
The company's German subsidiary, located in Tettnang, a town in the Alps, near Austria and Switzerland, will provide technical support in the German language and will contribute to improving customer service by developing new products and functions, in line with the clients' demands. Moreover, Softwin GmbH will strive to conclude new partnerships and consolidate its joint-ventures on the German markets.
"We see Germany as one of the world's most exciting and important antivirus markets, so that we want to provide the best services together with the most advanced security products," says Florin Talpes, Softwin general manager.
Germany is one of the leading European markets in terms of antivirus software sales and distribution. The Germanic countries will come to account for 30% of the western European IT market, according to a survey conducted by IDC and quoted by the Softwin officials.
Martin Siemens previously worked as general manager at H+BEDV, a company specialising in the production of antivirus software. "I chose to represent Softwin in Germany, because I believe the BitDefender product range can be a winner on any market," Martin Siemens said. iuliana.susanu@zf.ro
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