German software and cloud giant SAP SE launched a branch as well as an intelligent center for northern China's companies in Jinan, capital city of East China's Shandong province on July 11.

The center, jointly supported by the Jinan government and SAP, will serve as a platform to provide companies across northern China with world-class cloud technological supports including data analysis and smart management.

"We are pleased to work with the Jinan government to build the center," said Li Qiang, general manager of SAP China.

SAP aims to cooperate with the local government and business leaders to show how SAP's technology, combined with its global experience, can help local small and medium-sized enterprises achieve leapfrog development and add new drivers to the development of the digital economy in Shandong province.

Wang Zhonglin, Party secretary of Jinan, noted that Jinan government will offer qualified and complete services for the SAP branch and local companies to promote its further development.

SAP, the world's leading cloud provider, launched its branch and intelligent center in the city, saying it will help boost the upgrading of the city's digital economy.

Located in the city's Shizhong district, the center will also cooperate with local partners to provide professional training and technicians for local companies and help accelerate the city's transformation to smarter, higher quality and more innovative manufacturing.

The launch of the center and the branch is also a part of SAP's five-year plan released in January, outlining a series of strategic initiatives designed to bolster and expand the Chinese market, according to Li.

Li Qiang (left), general manager of SAP China and Wang Zhonglin (right), Party secretary of Jinan shake hands at the launch ceremony for the Shandong branch of SAP on July 11. [Photo/hkstvsd.com]

The Intelligent Center for Northern China's Companies is launched in Jinan, Shandong province on July 11. [Photo/hkstvsd.com]

Wang Zhonglin, Party secretary of Jinan, attends the launch ceremony. [Photo/hkstvsd.com]

Li Qiang, general manager of SAP China, delivers a speech at the launch ceremony on July 11. [Photo/hkstvsd.com]