SMEs urged to embrace e-business

information and communication technologies.
This came out of an SME workshop hosted by Twenty Third Century Systems (Pvt) Ltd yesterday.
Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises’ director of business development services Mr Mamvura Mabika said the utilisation of novel technologies could improve these entities’ competitiveness in the global market.
“The benefits of ICT use for SMEs typically include improvement of production and operational efficiencies, decision-making processes, reduction of transaction costs and the breaking down of geographical barriers to market access.
“This will help SMEs become more competitive in the global economy in view of increasing market liberalisation,” he said.
Experts believe that when exploited successfully, e-business technologies can increase firm competitiveness by raising the efficiency of internal communication and organisation and/or supply chain relationships, and by facilitating the development of new or improved products and services.
SMEs in the country play a critical role in contributing to the fiscus, and have the potential to turn around the country’s economy provided that adequate funding, sound infrastructure and effective institutional structures are put in place.
On the continent, the SMEs sector in economic powerhouses such as South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria and Kenya, is estimated to contribute over 70 percent in employment and between 30 to 40 percent contribution to Gross Domestic Product.
The event was also an opportunity for Twenty Third Century Systems (Pvt) Ltd to inform the local SMEs sector on their business management software product targeted at small enterprises, the SAP Business One.
SAP is an acronym for System Applications and Products, an integrated business management software, while SAP Business One is one of its applications that caters for small businesses.
SAP Business One combines a broad range of functions including accounting and financials, sales and customers, purchasing and operations, inventory and distribution, reporting and administration, and system reliability and performance.
TTCS general manager Mr Cleopas Manyika said SAP Business One has been receiving positive response from the local market.
“The product has been on the market for some time now and the response is encouraging, especially coming from a situation were companies have been facing cash constraints,” he said.
Outside South Africa, Zimbabwe has the largest number of SAP users in Africa.
SAP South Africa (Pty) Ltd head of Business One Mr Pankaj Pema said the product offers an integrated business solution platform.
“SAP Business One includes all the processes required to run a business, and because it is designed specifically for small businesses it can be installed quickly and is easy to maintain,” he said.
He added that the Business One version is fully integrated with other SAP products allowing for seamless integration between all users allowing for greater market access.
It is estimated that around 80 percent of Fortune500 companies use SAP solutions. In Zimbabwe, TTCS acts as a distributor for the SAP business solutions.
The company has implemented the software for a number of local and regional public and private firms across the range of sectors.