SUPPORTING MALAYSIAN BUSINESSES WITH PROPPYAPP'S DIGITAL NEIGHBOURHOOD ECONOMY SERVICE

· ProppyApp helps local businesses connect with customers with ProppyCares service KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, June 29 (Bernama) -- ProppyApp, a property-all-in-one portal, has launched a new ‘neighbourhood economy’ service on its app called ‘ProppyCares’, where local businesses will be able to connect with consumers and customers within their locality. With local neighbourhood businesses affected badly during the pandemic, they are exploring alternative ways of doing business, including embracing technology to keep their livelihoods alive. ProppyCares helps property-related businesses and tradesmen including electricians, air-condition service repairmen, plumbers, home renovation contractors and cleaners by listing their businesses on its merchant listing platform. There are over 30 categories of services where customers looking for property-related businesses can find the service they are looking for. The geo-tagging feature on the app lists the relevant merchants closest to the customer, where customers can connect and interact with the merchants via the in-app chat feature called ‘Beep!’. The app also allows customers to post reviews and endorsements on the merchant, enabling anyone searching for these services to assess and select the merchant of their choice. “When the Covid-19 MCO was first announced in Malaysia on March 18, 2020, the local economy was significantly hit and businesses, especially micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which are the backbone of the economy, suffered huge losses. Businesses were coming to a standstill as it was unclear how long the MCO would last,” said Lee Willson, Chief Coordinator and Founder of ProppyApp. SMEs contribute about 38.9% of Malaysia’s economy and about 48.4% of Malaysia’s employment. During the MCO, these businesses had to make the decision of pivoting online by adopting digital technology or face the harsh reality of shutting down. For essential services like food, eateries and the restaurant business, the option of moving onto a digital platform is easier. However, it is different for services and tradesmen like the local electrical repairmen, plumber or home renovation contractors and many others. “Whilst some have successfully embraced the digital transformation and moved their businesses online, there are important services provided by electricians, plumbers and services which are not part of the digital economy. ProppyCares helps merchants build their reputation and brand name by joining our Merchant360 neighbourhood economy campaign,” added Lee. ProppyApp is a property technology startup chaired by Y.A.M. Tunku Naquiyuddin ibni Tuanku Ja’afar, Chairman of Antah-Healthcare and Techna-X. The company aims to disrupt the online Real Estate and Property Tech industry with the latest AI and GPS geo-tagging technology to support SMEs, enabling them to offer more products and services to customers in their locality. ProppyApp is currently open to all merchants, general tradesmen and home-related service repairmen to register for Free for its Basic Merchant package as its introductory promotion. They will also open their property listing marketplace listing to property agents and homeowners soon.