Infor, a global enterprise software vendor, said yesterday it has plans to expand rapidly in the Chinese market, mainly in the industrial equipment, automotive, financial services and textile industries.

Infor's customer base jumped 30 percent over the past 12 months compared to the previous fiscal year, which ended in May. Its Chief Executive Jim Schaper highlighted China's importance as one of the company's fastest growing markets. The firm's global revenue was US$2.3 billion in the last fiscal year.

"Chinese companies require software solutions that support efficient business processes," said Lawrence Chan, president of Infor Asia Pacific.

Infor is considering an initial public offering in the United States and more details will be available between October and January, Schaper said.

Infor has offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou and more than 350 direct employees. In Shanghai, Infor also operates a research and development center.

(Shanghai Daily June 24, 2008)