Thunder: Why has not been able to become the protagonist?

Abstract: "Guide" in the past a long time, the installed software is the necessary QQ and thunder. Now, the installed must become QQ and 360. In Shenzhen, Thunderbolt had been placed high hopes, known as the next Tencent. With more than 400 million users, the world's largest download engine

"Guide" in the past a long time, the necessary software is QQ and Thunderbolt. Now, the installed must become QQ and 360. In Shenzhen, Thunderbolt had been placed high hopes, known as the next Tencent. Why has a company with more than 400 million users, the world's largest download engine, failed to play the leading role?

Recently three things happened in the video circle: Baidu Archie Art acquired PPS, Sohu Video acquisition pplive merger of the gossip constantly, plus last year's merger of Youku potatoes. This is the video circle of the past two years of the three major events, however, as the old video and download site Thunder, has not been able to become the protagonist.

In the past a long time, the installed software is the QQ and Thunderbolt. Now, the installed must become QQ and 360. In Shenzhen, Thunderbolt had been placed high hopes, known as the next Tencent. In the celebration of the 30 anniversary of the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, the Thunder as a representative of the outstanding enterprises, its CEO Shenglong by the state leaders. Today, the company, which boasts more than 400 million users and the world's largest download engine, is slowly getting into an awkward position.

The thunderbolt is defined as a simple video site or download platform are biased. At present, the Thunderbolt is China only one by one have data download, online video, local play the three major video applications of the strength of the company, however, in the eyes of netizens, Thunderbolt has become synonymous with the download.

Founded in October 2002, the Thunderbolt, can be said to be the pioneer of the field of download, founder Shenglong that the portal, search, mailbox, communication, download is the Internet five basic applications, the first four have achieved the giant company, download the same opportunity. And in fact, the Thunder does in the user scale became the giant company, 400 million installed capacity in addition to QQ unmatched.

Shenglong once very self-confident, "give Thunder five years again, I believe can do today Tencent scale." "But now the gap between the two is widening.

First of all rely on a product to obtain a large amount of users, and then on the basis of the introduction of the Internet value-added services, and the flow of cash, this is the game Tencent. In the words of Shenglong, the so-called "first enclosure, after the farming." Although the Thunderbolt online, Thunder 6, gougou.com, Thunder to see, there are massive users, but the Thunder and QQ between the essential difference: QQ is a communication platform, carrying the user's social relations, and even emotional sustenance, with a strong user stickiness, so users can pay for QQ value-added services; Thunderbolt only to solve the download demand, but not long time to stay in the download interface: value-added services became source.

To make a metaphor, Tencent circles the community and residents. The Thunder circle to is a path, as well as above the hurrying passers-by.

Thunder has long begun to think how to use these "passers-by" commercialization.

In 2006, Shenglong began a commercial attempt. Mainly include: 1. The introduction of resource integration Portal Thunder online, to try to transfer users from the download client to the site; 2. Launched the "Thunder Look" online video services, to attract thunder online users to stay down; 3. Integrate gougou.com and transform it into a multimedia download search engine; 4. Joint operation of Online games, To guide the user to the network game operators, and get divided; 5. Upgrade Thunder download client, increase SNS, IM and other elements, and the Thunderbolt all the services integrated into a QQ Facebook-style client.

2007 to 2008 Thunder formed a dog, look at, online and other products fist, but because of blunt imitation and erratic and failed successively. Thunderbolt 6 is the Thunder on the client upgrade attempt. It tries to go beyond simple downloads, like QQ and Facebook, into the lives of users. For example, the Thunderbolt 6 increase so-called "Reyou growth plan", encourage users to use QQ as the same as the long time to hang the Thunder on the desktop, according to the length of the Hanging machine and download the number of files to allow users to upgrade. This blunt imitation deviates from the Thunderbolt as the core value of downloading software, the user does not accept, ultimately this project basically failed.

Such a star-colored technology companies, the listing process is a bumpy ride, the final retreat. Since 08, four times has not been listed. The failure of the Thunder IPO was largely due to the fact that its business model was not favored by American investors. Thunderbolt to Peer-to-peer mode download started, but in the United States Peer-to-peer mode is not valued by investors, thunderbolt in the early road performance has been encountered this problem.

Although the financial position and profitability of the Thunderbolt are much better than those of other competitors. Whether the download flow, customer stickiness, or management team these indicators, the Thunderbolt is indeed more than potatoes, Youku, Storm audio and video more cattle. But the reality is, Youku, potatoes are listed, and the Thunder after a few sprint, had to cancel the U.S. listing plan.

In order to cater to the capital market, Thunderbolt has always hoped that through the transformation of video site will be their own repackaging. Obviously, this road is not too smooth, copyright is the biggest problem. To this end, the Thunderbolt sold a new son dog search.

The value and bandwidth of a download software is inversely proportional to the volume of the target file. Today, bandwidth is and will continue to grow, while files are getting smaller. Thunder's core advantage is disappearing. The prospect and liquidity of the model are questioned by the capital market, which is the main reason of the multiple IPO stranding.

The birth of Chinese video web site appeared in 2005-2006, such as Youku, potatoes, 56, Ku6, PPS, PPLive. These days, most of these boys are either on the market or find a home. Archie Art as the final video field into the bureau, since the birth of 2010 so far, with HD genuine foothold, and recently acquired a video client advantage PPS, the industry is the only one can compete with Youku Potato Company, the IPO is just within reach, is the video field of the reverse attack representatives. And the Thunder ten years, but go astray. Shenglong once publicly will thunder and Taobao as the same echelon, even say that the domestic unlisted two Bai company, one is Taobao, one is the Thunder itself, now, Taobao valuation billion is no dispute, and thunder, and the IPO no fruit, even if listed, the market value is also afraid within 1 billion.

Thanks to thunderbolt in this decade to provide us with free services, the development of China's Internet, the work must not be.

Finally, the heartfelt wish lonely thunder can successfully reverse attack.