Digital commerce the way forward for SMEs

Digital commerce the way forward for SMEs

With access to Internet being touted as a fundamental right, SMEs can fully leverage the benefits of digital commerce, the market for which is estimated to be $200 bn in two years

Srinivas Rasoor

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

BANGALORE, INDIA: Future Group, India's retail giant with the brands such as Big Bazaar or Pantaloon, is expecting 10-12 per cent of its revenues to come from digital commerce in the next 2-3 years.

Digital commerce is the new way forward for the organizations to tap the generation next for their product or services. It is time SMEs should look at this space for the early mover advantage.

We can say that the digital commerce is an extension of e-commerce, where products are delivered online. But the buyer may be accessing the online store from a mobile or a kiosk.

Also read: E-commerce a boon for women entrepreneurs

Adoption of IT and communication technologies by SMEs is only part of the story. The basic ICT infrastructure in businesses and access to the Internet are no longer considered a major problem. Agreed that SMEs are less equipped than large enterprises.

With significant progress being made in Internet access by businesses, this in itself is no longer the main challenge, but rather the effective integration of ICT into business processes.

Digital commerce for SMEs provides a relatively level playing field. It is just the mindset which needs to be changed. According to some of the market estimates, the market for the digital commerce will be over $200 billion in the next year or two. It is a very good opportunity for SMEs to look at this new emerging way to find the new buyer for their products and to address different markets.

©CIOL Bureau