Amid the wave of digital transformation, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have always been the group that "wants to transform but dares not, wants to invest but cannot afford to." However, a joint project called "Youyoucao Hubei-Chongqing" has recently caused a stir among business circles in Hubei and Chongqing.
The initiator of this project is not an internet giant, but a local enterprise deeply rooted in traditional manufacturing for years at the junction of Hubei and Chongqing—Youyoucao Group. Their goal is clear: to provide SMEs in the region with an internet development path that is "affordable, implementable, and yields quick results."
"We visited hundreds of small factories and trading companies and found that they are not unaware of the need, but are intimidated by various high-end digital solutions," admitted Li Ming, head of the Youyoucao Hubei-Chongqing project, at a recent media briefing. "A SaaS system can cost hundreds of thousands of yuan, and you need to hire a dedicated IT team. For companies with annual revenues of tens of millions, that's simply unaffordable."
Based on this insight, the Youyoucao Hubei-Chongqing project abandoned the traditional "software selling" model and instead launched a "lightweight industrial internet platform." The platform integrates three core modules: supply chain management, online customer acquisition, and remote collaboration. Companies do not need to build their own servers or hire highly-paid technical staff. By paying a very low monthly service fee, they can quickly set up their own digital operations system.
"We ran a live test, and it took less than two hours from registration to launching the first online store," said Mr. Wang, the owner of a hardware accessories company in Chongqing, who signed a cooperation agreement on the spot after experiencing the platform. He told the editor that his company previously relied entirely on referrals from old customers, and business almost came to a halt during the pandemic. Now, through the Youyoucao Hubei-Chongqing platform, his products can be directly connected to multiple procurement networks in the Sichuan-Chongqing region.
Notably, the Youyoucao Hubei-Chongqing project is not an isolated commercial endeavor. It is backed by the policy dividends of the "Chengdu-Chongqing Dual-City Economic Circle" strategy in both Hubei and Chongqing. The project team has partnered with several local industrial parks to provide special subsidies and free training for入驻 enterprises. According to reports, among the first batch of 50 pilot companies, more than 70% achieved their first online order within three months.
Of course, this path of internet development has not been without challenges. Some industry observers have pointed out that the success of the Youyoucao Hubei-Chongqing model largely depends on a deep understanding of local industrial needs, and replicating it across regions could face difficulties due to different local conditions. In response, Li Ming stated that the team has launched a "Regional Partner Program," prioritizing the search for partners with deep roots in local industries in central and western cities outside Hubei and Chongqing, to modularize and export this methodology.
"Internet development cannot rely solely on big tech companies or government policies. It requires companies like Youyoucao, which dig their roots deep into the soil and solve problems step by step," commented a media professional who has long followed the industrial internet on a social platform.
As of press time, the Youyoucao Hubei-Chongqing project has served over 300 SMEs and plans to expand its services to 30 county-level economies across Sichuan, Chongqing, and Hubei provinces within the year. For countless SMEs hesitating at the doorstep of the internet, this might just be the "key" they have been waiting for.