Who would still start a business seriously after being reborn?

Chapter 626 The enemy of my enemy is my friend

A murmur rippled through the audience.

The defense meeting hadn't even started yet, and three companies had already withdrawn.

Isn't this a joke?
Cheng Yi sat in the front row, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

Wang Qiang's gaze fell on Cheng Yi, sensing that this matter must be related to Cheng Yi.

That makes sense. Why did these three companies suddenly withdraw from the bidding?

That's really illogical.

However, Wang Qiang did indeed wrong Cheng Yi.

Although Cheng Yi did not lobby these three companies, he knew very well why they had abstained.

They compete with Microsoft in the Chinese procurement market almost every year, but they suffer a crushing defeat every year.

That's how many things are.

Even if you suffer repeated defeats, you must not give up easily.

Because once you give up, there will be no place for you in this field anymore.

Therefore, they come to China every year with a heavy heart, only to be humiliated.

After they had suffered the humiliation, they went back to their own homes and their own mothers.

This happens every year.

Google and Microsoft have been constantly competing globally, and their relationship has at times reached a point of intense hostility.

The relationship between the two sides is almost on the verge of physical confrontation.

In May of this year, Microsoft sued Motorola, alleging that the Android system infringed on its patents. Subsequently, Microsoft began charging Android device manufacturers such as HTC a patent fee of $5 per device, further exacerbating the already tense relationship.

In June, Microsoft launched MSN Search globally, directly targeting Google's core search engine business.

Google, on the other hand, didn't hold back either, launching Google Docs and other office software to directly challenge Microsoft's traditional software market. In the European market, WPS and Google Docs have been steadily eroding Microsoft's office software market share.

Even recently, Microsoft CEO Steve Jobs publicly stated that he would definitely bury Google CEO Eric Schmidt alive, because Schmidt carries the banner of anti-Microsoft monopoly wherever he goes.

As for IBM, needless to say, Microsoft routinely slaps them in the face every year.

Eating, sleeping, and playing IBM games became the norm at Microsoft.

As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. When Google and IBM saw that Momo Group had stepped forward, they naturally opened the door wide for them.

As for Siemens, they simply didn't want to get involved. After all, being defeated by Microsoft isn't shameful, but being unable to even compete with Momo Group would be too embarrassing.

Without Google and IBM at the bottom, they naturally wouldn't want to enter the game.

Since we can't compete with Microsoft anyway, and we're just going to be the background character every year, it's better to just withdraw cleanly than risk being humiliated.

Besides, Momo Group's tactics are so aggressive, even going so far as to offer free services. Let Microsoft handle this mad dog-like opponent.

Can't afford to offend, really can't afford to offend.

At this moment, the group of real estate company representatives, industry observers, and media reporters from all over the country below the stage were completely silent.

The lecture hall was unusually quiet, with only the occasional click of a camera. It was awkward to take a picture, but also to be wary.

Wang Qiang took a deep breath and calmed himself down.

He worked his way up from the bottom, and he's seen all sorts of shameful things.

This is no big deal at all.

He quickly smiled and said, "Alright, since the representatives from Google, IBM, and Siemens have withdrawn, let's have the representatives from Microsoft and Momo Group come up to the stage to give their answers. Considering the changes that just happened, we will still decide whether Momo Group is shortlisted based on the number of votes."

"Deputy Director Wang, now that only Microsoft and Momo are left, is there any point in continuing the defense?" Fang Ping was somewhat displeased.

Anyway, since everyone present today is a member representative from the management center and a familiar media outlet, Fang Ping doesn't need to worry about any impact.

Wang Qiang said, "Deputy Director Fang, I know you have a good relationship with Momo Group, but rules are rules. Our management center's standard has always been to have fewer but better quality products."

When they saw Wang Qiang and Fang Ping start arguing, the reporters present put down their DSLR cameras; they were already used to this kind of scene.

They lowered their heads, their pens gliding rapidly across their notebooks:

The industry forum held today was lively, with all parties exchanging views extensively. Vice President Wang Qiang and Vice President Fang Ping engaged in in-depth and frank discussions on the industry's development direction, demonstrating the association leadership's strong sense of responsibility for the industry's future…

Fang Ping retorted sharply, "You mean, you're only keeping Microsoft, and we don't even need to go through the bidding process?"

Reporters kept their pens flying: "Both sides offered their constructive viewpoints on innovation-driven development strategies..."

After the two vice presidents' assistants finally stepped forward to mediate, and even Liu Yuan joined in to persuade them, the reporters wrote: "The participating representatives generally expressed that this meeting enhanced understanding, built consensus, and injected new momentum into the healthy development of the industry..."

Soon, the two vice presidents took their seats after being persuaded by peacemaker Liu Yuan.

Liu Yuan quickly said to Waters, "Mr. Waters, why don't you give your speech first?"

“Okay.” Waters smiled slightly, wearing a well-tailored dark suit, and strode onto the podium.

He stood on the podium, and his powerful aura instantly enveloped the entire audience.

He glanced at the Google representative, who stared directly at him and smiled broadly.

Waters withdrew his gaze and smiled, "Distinguished leaders, experts, and colleagues in the industry."

Waters spoke Mandarin with a slight accent, but clearly and fluently. He used Mandarin to deliver his speech, which also served as a demonstration of the importance he placed on the conference.

"It is an honor to represent Microsoft to report to you on our IT upgrade solution tailored for the real estate industry in China."

He raised his hand, and their meticulously prepared PowerPoint presentation appeared on the projection screen, with beautiful visuals and detailed data.

Instead of immediately showcasing products, he first took a global perspective, using extensive data and case studies to outline the challenges and opportunities facing the real estate industry in the digital economy era. Only then did he delve into the main topic, demonstrating Microsoft's solutions.

He explained in detail, from basic to advanced, how to achieve full lifecycle digital management from investment decision-making, planning and design, engineering construction to marketing and operation, and how the Windows Server system ensures the security and stability of core data.

His speech was logically rigorous and full of the confidence and persuasiveness characteristic of international giants.

The examples he cited were all Fortune 500 companies overseas or top domestic real estate companies, and the images showed modern skyscrapers and complex global business scenarios.

This undoubtedly deeply moved the board members in the audience who valued international standards and a high-end image.

Even Wang Qiang, who was still fuming, nodded repeatedly, his eyes revealing deep appreciation.

After giving his lengthy presentation, Waters smiled and said, "Our Microsoft motto is that technology knows no borders, but choices carry risks. Microsoft's solutions may not be the cheapest, but they are certainly the most mature and stable solutions that have been proven in the global market. We provide not only software, but also a secure and reliable global platform for the future."

His speech ended with enthusiastic applause.

Representatives from many large real estate companies and board members on stage gave them approving looks.

Waters stepped off the stage and briefly met Cheng Yi's gaze, a hint of provocation flashing in his eyes.

Before Wang Qiang could speak, Fang Ping interrupted, "Alright, now let's invite the representative of Momo Group to the stage to give a speech."

Wang Qiang glared at Fang Ping with some annoyance, and Fang Ping immediately returned a sharp look.

After a short break, it was Momo Group's turn to take the stage.

Cheng Yi took his speech and quickly walked onto the stage.

He was wearing a simple Momo Group uniform, with a youthful vigor and a seemingly humble smile on his face, which contrasted sharply with Waters's elite demeanor.

"Distinguished leaders, experts, and seniors, good afternoon. I am Cheng Yi, the head of Momo Group."

His opening remarks were simple and direct, delivered in a relaxed tone. He said, "Mr. Waters spoke very well and with great flair. I was quite excited listening to him. While I was in the audience, I was even thinking about whether Momo Group should also build a few buildings overseas."

A burst of relaxed laughter rang out from the audience, greatly easing the tense atmosphere.

“However,” Cheng Yi’s tone shifted, becoming more pragmatic, “the services we provide today are not only for those industry giants with ambitions to expand globally, but also for the thousands upon thousands of development companies rooted in China, building homes for hundreds of millions of people. They may not have overseas business, but they also need to reduce costs and increase efficiency, they also need transparent management, and they also need to survive and thrive.”

Cheng Yi slowly raised his head, and the technicians immediately projected his PPT file onto the large screen.

His PPT style was also completely different from Waters'. Instead of cool animations and global maps, he showed screenshots of the backend data of the Handong Provincial Government Affairs Platform and several small and medium-sized real estate companies that had already tried the Momo system.

“I won’t talk about the distant future today; I’ll talk about what’s already happening now.” Cheng Yi pointed to the data on the screen and said, “In Handong Province, our system has been running stably for over a year and has connected to 87% of the province’s real estate-related government affairs processes.”

"Large real estate companies such as Handong Construction Group and Anju Real Estate Group have seen their project approval processes shortened by an average of 40% after using our integrated workbench. Due to the standardization of processes and the transparency of data, the amount of bank loans they successfully obtained in the last quarter increased by 27% compared to the same period last year."

Cheng Yi presented the most practical and down-to-earth data, directly addressing the pain points of many small and medium-sized real estate business owners in the audience.

Efficiency and funding.

"We admit it." Cheng Yi suddenly raised his voice and said frankly, "When our system is handling the extremely complex simulation calculations of some super-large real estate companies, which are comparable to science fiction blockbusters, it is indeed not as smooth as Microsoft's system. Our deep integration with a few top overseas professional software is still in the process of being refined."

The audience fell silent; no one expected him to expose his own shortcomings.

Waters frowned slightly, also wondering what Cheng Yi was up to.

"But!" Cheng Yi added, "We also have our advantages. We can promise 24/7 localized service. Even if your system has a problem in the middle of the night, our engineers can help you solve it, instead of giving you a distant international service call and making you listen to music for half a day while waiting to be transferred."

These words immediately sparked discussion among the representatives of more small and medium-sized real estate companies in the audience.

Indeed, while Microsoft's software is excellent, its after-sales service is equally arrogant.

"Finally, and most importantly," Cheng Yi revealed his trump card, saying, "Our Momo Group has reached comprehensive strategic cooperation agreements with several major domestic banks, including ICBC, CCB, and CMB. The banks have also clearly stated that they welcome and encourage companies to adopt efficient and transparent digital management tools, which will be a plus for the company's overall strength and future development potential."

Upon hearing this, the audience fell silent.

Cheng Yi's words are tantamount to an official announcement. Although he didn't explicitly say it was related to loan approval, this positive aspect is enough to explain a lot.

For the representatives of these small and medium-sized real estate companies, this is the issue they care about most.

Technology can be iterated, and services can be improved, but the bank's approval is the real gold standard.

Cheng Yi's speech lacked a lofty international perspective; it was all about pragmatic solutions rooted in local realities.

This also won the favor of many representatives from small and medium-sized real estate companies present.

Before Cheng Yi could finish speaking, Wang Qiang had already grabbed the microphone before Fang Ping could.

He stood up and said with a smile, "Mr. Cheng's remarks were also very good. Now that both sides have finished their speeches, let's get right to the Q&A session. Please welcome Mr. Waters back to the stage."

Waters quickly went up on stage.

Standing next to Cheng Yi, he looked somewhat unreal.

A business elite in his forties.

A college student who hasn't graduated yet.

The two of them standing together look incredibly strange.

Waters and Cheng Yi exchanged a few pleasantries. Waters spoke fluent Mandarin, while Cheng Yi spoke fluent English, which made everyone look even more strange.

Soon, an expert judge broke the awkward atmosphere and asked Waters, "Mr. Waters, while Microsoft's solution is excellent, is its overall cost too high for the vast majority of small and medium-sized real estate companies? How do you define cost-effectiveness?"

Waters chuckled, “Thank you for the question. Personally, I believe the value of IT shouldn’t be judged solely by the initial investment, but rather by the return on investment throughout its entire lifecycle. The efficiency improvements and risk reductions that Microsoft systems bring to businesses will far exceed this company’s investment. To use a Chinese proverb, it’s cheap…”

"No good products."

Waters's words immediately created a tense atmosphere.

Soon, another judge launched an attack on Cheng Yi, asking, "Mr. Cheng, you just admitted that the system has shortcomings in highly complex applications. Does this mean that the Momo system is currently unable to meet the core business needs of large benchmark real estate companies? Is this a kind of technological immaturity?"

This question was extremely pointed, drawing everyone's attention to Cheng Yi.

(End of this chapter)