TM and Lelong.my in pact to aid SMEs

• Lelong.my’s Web Store to be offered as part of TM’s MARKETINGTools app
• Companies to also hold joint seminars to promote and educate SMEs on e-commerce

TELEKOM Malaysia Bhd (TM) has inked a collaborative agreement with Interbase Resources Sdn Bhd – which operates the famous Lelong.my site -- to encourage and promote the adoption of ICT by Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
 
Through this collaboration, Web Store will be offered as part of the various complimentary services available in TM’s MARKETINGTools app, a bundle of value-added services comprising engagement tools and listing services which was launched earlier this year.
 
The bundle was designed to offer SMEs a cost efficient one-stop-solution through short messaging service (SMS) and also to leverage on online listings for better visibility in the marketplace, TM said in a statement.
 
“TM is very optimistic about the potential benefits that this strategic partnership will bring to the SME segment,” said Azizi A. Hadi, executive vice president, SME, TM.
 
TM and Lelong.my will also be educating SMEs on the importance of e-commerce through upcoming seminars which will be conducted at selected locations nationwide. These practical classes will be held to ensure business owners are equipped with e-commerce know-how and also to get them running Web Store and MARKETINGTools immediately.
 
Lelong.my’s Web Store provides a powerful e-commerce solution of international standard that pushes businesses to the next level without any hardware investment or technical knowledge, the companies claimed.
 
SMEs can set up their Web Store in minutes, with features to manage their online inventory, sales, invoicing, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), shopping cart, online payment gateway, integration to Facebook, you-tube videos, coupons and many more, all ready to use immediately.
 
“Adoption of e-commerce has been growing rapidly in the last two years,” said Lelong.my managing director Richard Tan.
 
“A recent survey by Paypal put the value of 2011 e-commerce at RM1.9 billion growing to RM3.5 billion by 2015 for Malaysia. It is no more an option of ‘to have’ or ‘not to have’ an online presence, but rather a must have for all businesses, big or small,” he added.
 
Tan also said that the most compelling reason for SMEs to sign on to Web Store is not the features and functions, but the fact that all the products listed in their own web store would be immediately available to more than four million potential buyers a month in the Lelong.my marketplace.