PLDT Smart SME Nation rolls out E-Commerce on Wheels for MSMEs
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| Techmobile is a caravan targeting MSMEs who want to venture out into the online marketplace. |
Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) who want to digitally expand their businesses can now use a new mobile technology platform powered by PLDT Smart SME Nation.
The business IT leader recently launched Techmobile—a caravan comprised of business solutions and digital tools designed to empower MSMEs. It aims to empower MSMEs to be future-ready by optimizing and digitizing business marketing, operations, and management.
MSMEs who work with PLDT SME Nation benefit from a basic connectivity set-up for their business and consultation on which specific tools can help boost their business. Solutions include mobile connectivity bundles from Smart which are particularly ideal for MSMEs in regional areas where IT infrastructures may not be as fully developed.
Other IT business tools available are TackThis!¬—an e-commerce website builder and Paymaya—an e-payment solution for faster and safer transactions. These tools are specifically designed to help MSMEs establish their online footprint.
For the month of March, Techmobiles will be deployed in Iloilo. Next stops for April will be in Negros and Cebu. During these caravans, PLDT Smart SME Nation will also be conducting Social Media for Business seminars featuring Apprentice Asia’s grand winner Jonathan Yabut. The seminar aims to participants with an in-depth workshop on online readiness for business. Yabut will also share insights and best practices on how MSMEs can utilize mobile applications as well digitizing business management and increasing brand awareness and customer base online.
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| VP and PLDT Smart SME Nation Head Mitch Locsin |
“We are here to help MSMEs harness opportunities in utilizing digital technologies to make their services and operations more efficient, which will give them better chances at grabbing opportunities especially given market developments such as the ASEAN integration,” VP and PLDT Smart SME Nation Head Mitch Locsin said. “Our goal is to get our MSMEs online and encourage them to take advantage of the e-commerce space and other digital tools available like e-payment solution PayMaya. We aim to boost their capabilities as they form the essential backbone of the economy, representing 99 percent of Philippine businesses.”
Changing landscape
The business sector is perhaps the most transformed by the onset of the digital age as the latter has revolutionized the traditional ways of doing business. But unlike big companies that have the resources to acquire these technologies, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have limited means to usher their businesses into the digital landscape.
To help MSMEs succeed in today’s technology driven world, PLDT Smart SME Nation, the enterprise arm of the country’s largest telecommunications company, has made it its mission to provide them the connectivity, support and hardware tailored to meet their needs.
PLDT Smart SME Nation helps level the playing field by making enterprise-level asset, service and inventory management tools accessible to MSMEs as well as empowering them with mobility, connectivity and online presence. By promoting the migration or the adaptation of the digital platform for their business, MSMEs can save on operating costs while maximizing the opportunity to reach their growing online markets.
“Digitally empowering the MSME sector is our way of helping boost the country’s economic and business landscape. We are committed to enabling the success of all Filipino entrepreneurs, wherever they may be, and no matter how small or big their businesses may be,” Locsin added.
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