Mistakes you should avoid by IT installation (maybe not only for IT) in China

DELine's Guide to Successful IT Implementation in China. This insightful resource highlights common mistakes foreign companies make when installing IT infrastructure in China. Key points include the challenges of importing IT devices, misconceptions about VPN usage versus MPLS lines, and adapting to Chinese IT regulations and practices. The guide emphasizes understanding local customs and avoiding assumptions, with practical advice on navigating China's unique IT landscape. DELine aids businesses in making informed decisions, avoiding costly errors, and effectively setting up IT systems in China

As foreign companies a lot of pains you main have already experienced by IT installation in China. If you have seen the following listed points before, it might have helped you avoid these troubles.

  1. Try to import all the devices from homeland.
    You may want to import all the IT devices from Europe to China? Please stop thinking of that.
    No matter you want to reduce the cost because some same brand devices may cost more than that in China, or you want to start the Chinese branch at first with that in headquarter used outdated devices, or your the device your HQ IT can support only exists in Europe. Because most of our experience shows that:
    1. Shipped devices will be stalled on the Chinese customs, requiring manufacture CCC certification, like the CE in Europe. Which as end-user you may not offer or can cost large amount of time to get the certification.
    2. You must then pay the warehouse fee for the stalled period. No matter in the end the devices passes the customs or not.
    3. The price difference is much lower than the cost of money and time by the customs.
    4. The HQ helpdesk may never be able to support you properly because of the time difference. The local support for a unfamiliar devices may costs more
  2. Believe VPN is not allowed and MPLS line must be used.
    You may always see the sentence by the agreement with Chinese internet provider, that VPN is not allowed to build up on your enterprise internet line. But the fact is that it is tolerated. Since the last 10 years we have never seen foreign companies’ VPN tunnel was cut-down. Therefore is the unencrypted MPLS line then better? Compared to MPLS line, IPsec based S2S VPN is much secure, price-effective and flexible.
  3. 100% believe “This is China, it has to be done like this”
    China do has a lot of difference than any other countries in the world, not only aspects IT. For example, the Chinese websites require ICP certification to ensure that the published website is regulated. For example, some international warranty for notebooks do not work in China. However, actually China is not so diffrent. Try to find out the right voice by consulting is really difficult, but by telling “This is China, it has to be done like this” please hold on your steps and think more. Typical:
    1.  Only Chinese version Anti-Virus software can work against “Chinese” viruses – OK, that means virus can not travel across the pacific:P
    2.  In China you must deploy Chinese firewall hardware to avoid attack from China – Come on, if China do attacks you, they will use Zombie machines from outside of China to attack the headquarter.