Victory for Korean-born developers of B2B solutions?

Local venture firms are overpowering foreign companies in the field of B2B (business to business) solutions in maintenance repair operations.

Maintenance Re¡ªpair Operation (MRO) e-commerce transactions promoted by about 100 subsidiaries of big local companies amount to 40 trillion won a year. Since such transactions began last year, local small- and medium-sized firms have enjoyed few opportunities to participate in the new business.

The big companies have mainly entrusted foreign firms with the task of developing solutions, part of their efforts from early this year to put the global network-equipped system into operation.

But the situation recently turned in favor of local firms.

Made up of 18 enterprises, including Hyundai Industrial Development and Construction, KEP turned over the job of developing module solutions to Icompia, a Korean B2B solution service provider, after ending its relationship with the U.S. I2Technology firm.

After taking part in N to B business with Korea Telecom, Pohang Iron and Steel Corporation (POSCO) and Hanjin Group, Samsung embarked on the business of developing solutions independently by setting up imarketKorea.

SK, formerly a KEP shareholder, also established an independent site called MRO Korea, thus turning its solution business over to a Korean company.

Jung Wi-Yong viyonz@donga.com