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Small- and medium-sized enterprises ( SMEs ) in ASEAN ( Association of Southeast Asian Nations ) have set their sights on leveraging external tech providers as a way of accelerating their digital ambitions , according to TDCX ’ s latest report . SMEs are looking to tech providers such as cloud providers , system integrators , cybersecurity specialists , as well as digital platforms , for the expertise they require as they grow their businesses .
Laurent Junique , Chief Executive Officer , TDCX , said : “ Post-pandemic , SMEs have fully come around to the benefits of going digital . What was once a nice-to-have is now a must-have and SMEs are making up for lost time by tapping the expertise of digital solution providers . Hence , the time is also ripe for digital solution providers to engage with SMEs to support their Digital Transformation .”
Key findings from the report include : 1 . ASEAN SMEs are investing big in digital
Tech investments are crucial for SMEs to remain competitive and to meet customer expectations in ASEAN ’ s rapidly growing digital economy which reached a gross merchandise value of US $ 200 billion in 2022 .
In addition to improving their data analytics and innovation capabilities , ASEAN SMEs are focused on transforming their traditional business model to an e-commerce enabled one ( 69 %) and digitalising operations such as sales and marketing and customer relationship management ( 69 %) in the next two years .
2 . Going together to go far
As SMEs mature in their digitalisation journey , things can get increasingly complex and more difficult to manage . ASEAN SMEs are now more receptive to getting an external tech provider to help them manage certain functions to achieve their goals more quickly . Across the five ASEAN countries surveyed , more than 84 % of SMEs see value in working with an external tech provider .
3 . ASEAN SMEs are on the lookout for tech providers who can better meet their needs
To serve ASEAN SMEs , digital solution providers need to keep a pulse on what SMEs want and understand the pain points of a frustrating experience . According to our report , more than four in five ( 82 %) of the SMEs surveyed expressed their openness to switching providers , with advanced technology ( 71 %), more responsive customer care ( 68 %) and better pricing ( 45 %) being the top three factors driving this desire . �
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