Insight Enterprises (NSIT) has opened a Shanghai to enable the company to provide a local service to its global clients.

Recently accredited with Microsoft's Large Account Reseller status, Insight says it will leverage its strong links with Microsoft and other software publishers such as Adobe, Symantec, Citrix and McAfee to provide software-based solutions tailored to the particular needs of Chinese customers.

Insight's Managing Director for Asia Pacific, John Havlick, says, "With an IT growth rate of more than 20% year on year, China is rapidly maturing as a market for our sophisticated software services. With this in mind, we are investing in this market, which we believe in 10 years' time will rival the biggest technology markets today. Additionally, our clients, nearly 70% of the Global Fortune 500 companies, are increasingly operating in China, so by joining them in the market we are answering their need for Insight's services in China."

Insight says China's commitment to end pirated software, which according to the Business Software Alliance is estimated to be as high as 86% of all software in the country, is increasing corporate demand for legitimate software licensing from trusted, global suppliers.

The company's growth plans for China include expansion into Beijing in 2007 and subsequent office launches in Shenzhen and Guangzhou.