SmartOSC: Southeast Asia eCommerce among few industries growing rapidly during pandemic

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 -- Few industries have grown as rapidly as eCommerce has worldwide during the pandemic, and Southeast Asia is no exception, SmartOSC shared.

The eCommerce boom comes alongside online price inflation and a tech talent shortage, with 68 per cent of tech managers surveyed in the e-Conomy SEA report saying it averaged three months to fill an open position.

These factors combined with high logistics costs of up to 20 per cent of the final cost of goods in some countries make it tough to compete on price, according to a statement.

“Projects that previously would take nine months to implement now need to be launched in weeks,” says SmartOSC Founder and CEO Thai Son Nguyen, adding that a minimum viable product approach allows businesses to get a market foothold quickly, gain proof of concept, and then swiftly scale upwards and outwards.

“Brands need speed and agility to scale up amid the eCommerce boom.

“More people are shopping online and for a more diverse range of products than before, so brands need to offer consumers what they want, when they want it. Online inflation means consumers also have higher expectations for a personalised shopping experience,” added Nguyen.

SmartOSC helped ASUS Singapore scale up rapidly with a focus on personalisation and de-siloing B2B and B2C customers, growing eCommerce revenue by 56 per cent.

As companies look to scale rapidly in a talent-short environment, a tech partner with the know-how and resources to solve complex problems is invaluable, says Nguyen, whose company was recognised in Forrester’s Now Tech: APAC Digital Experience Services Q4, 2021 for offering competitive specialties other large providers in APAC don’t.

“At SmartOSC we’re doubling down on our greatest asset: our people. We’re hiring tech talents every day and are fostering an environment where our people can grow, so they’re ready to take on the challenges our partners face,” he added.

With 15 years in operation, SmartOSC is an award-winning digital commerce agency of 850+ experts, across seven countries.

-- BERNAMA