BUSINESSES in Singapore are learning to tap infocomm to transform their processes and gear themselves up to take advantage of new market opportunities. An example is real estate company HSR, which pioneered a new way for its agents to help buyers find their dream home using a system called SMARTplus.
A SMARTplus programme called iMatch enables HSR agents to specify the criteria for the house they are looking for their buyers. On finding a perfect match, the system will alert the agent via SMS and send an email with more details about the property. Agents can also view the latest property listings online, with just a few clicks of the mouse.
SMARTplus also comes as a boon for the agents. They can now discuss issues, share their opinions and seek advice on the online forum, and update themselves on upcoming courses and events using the HSR eCalendar. By allowing agents to work from any location that has Internet access, the system has also enabled them to cut down on travelling and make more productive use of their time. In fact, the system has been so popular that HSR increased its recruitment of agents by up to 40 per cent with its implementation.
Like HSR, used car exporter Sunauto has also been leveraging on infocomm to reach out to customers in new and innovative ways while enhancing staff efficiency.
Sunauto exports quality used cars to various parts of the world, and has also made inroads into the parallel import market. All these have been made possible through the development of an online presence, backed by a system that automates many of its processes.
Today, instead of paper-based orders, Sunauto’s customers can order used cars online.
Through the company’s website, they can access the latest information on the used car inventory, and view the photos and specifications of vehicles.
At the same time, manual tasks such as the storage and retrieval of car photographs and other data have been automated, reducing the manpower required and cutting down on errors due to inconsistent information or missing documents. These developments have helped to free Sunauto’s manpower resources to focus on broadening its business lines and developing its regional strategy.
Like HSR and Sunauto, SMEs in Singapore can learn to leverage on infocomm to expand their market reach and tap new business opportunities.
A good starting point would be to tap the Technology Innovation Programme (TIP), which is jointly administered by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and Spring Singapore.
Calling on more SMEs to take advantage of the programme, Lo Yoong Khong, Cluster Director, IDA, said: ‘If you have an innovative idea on how infocomm can better your business, make use of the support from TIP to turn it into a reality. Through the adoption of infocomm, businesses can make a difference in the way they operate. Infocomm can relieve them of the operational challenges they face daily, and allow them to focus on sourcing for new markets and business opportunities.’
This article is contributed by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA)
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Infocomm public education for SMEs
The Technology Innovation Programme (TIP) supports SMEs in infocomm innovation projects and helps to defray up to 50 per cent of the qualifying cost. TIP can also defray up to 70 per cent of the qualifying cost for industry-wide projects.
Source : Business Times - 6 May 2008
