Startups' plug-and-play solutions offer path to digitalisation

AS THE Covid-19 pandemic forces consumers indoors and online, startups and young tech firms that offer plug-and-play digitalisation solutions are seeing greater demand from South-east Asian companies. Many of these are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in traditional sectors, with little to no experience in technology, and which are now looking for a highway to the virtual world.

Such plug-and-play solutions typically provide a "one-stop shop" for businesses to address the basic needs of going digital for the first time, and at an affordable price.

Grab, for instance, launched a free self-serve platform called GrabMerchant in June. It aims to help merchants optimise operations, view insights, purchase supplies at wholesale rates and create ads.