Founder and CEO Muhammad Ali from Uptivity chats to us about how technology is shaping the new normal and why small businesses are in good standing to thrive.
What is Uptivity and how can SMEs benefit?
Uptivity Apps are a suite of affordable and readymade cloud and mobile apps that work together to bring online orders, streamlining businesses’ operations, meeting quality standards, and staying compliant. Our strength is to build technology that fills gaps within business processes, enabling them to grow and scale. Whatever your sector, we have a ready- made app for that.
What are the emerging shifts for 2021 and how SME’s can benefit?
Currently, all thriving businesses are increasingly reliant on tech. Decision makers attitudes towards tech are changing fast. Growing businesses in difficult times are harnessing technology to their advantage instead of investing in brick & mortar assets. Customers and consumers are also more open to using technology. Previously SME’s relied on in-store customers; however, as the pandemic has resulted in a large percentage of consumers buying online, businesses need to adapt to survive.
We all hear about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). How can they help SME’s in practical terms?
Ever wondered how flight ticket prices are calculated based on seasons? Heard about self-driving cars? It’s all done with AI and ML. The apps and systems SME’s use collect information at various points, which is then processed with ML and AI to predict patterns, pricing and behaviours such as what products customer buy, when, and at what price point. Similarly, it can also be used to determine what time and costs it takes for your team to buy supplies, manufacture, and deliver so you can adjust your sales and margins. SME’s can start their journey on AI now to be able to make right business decisions in months and years to come to make right strategic decisions on suppliers, staff, pricing, customers etc.
What about Blockchain, how can that help SME’s?
Blockchain is predominantly known for cryptocurrency but it’s actually a very useful tool in other sectors. Food supply chains for instance, use Blockchain to assure the source, ingredients and food quality information is updated by various handlers. Giving buyers assurance that the information on the label has been verified by different parties. SME’s can also use Blockchain to get more information on their supplies and offer more transparency to their customers increasing brand image and loyalty.
Can you give practical examples?
1. In Property and Maintenance, lots of equipment needs regular checking, testing and maintaining. AI can help property managers predict the next breakdown based on repair histories.
2. In Healthcare, AI can help keep track of patient’s medical history and requirements, ensuring healthcare professionals are best informed to make the right decisions based on accurately collected information; promoting a better quality of life.
3. In retail, marketing and sales trends can be predicted using AI based on previous years’ data to help business owners make informed decisions.
4. In recruitment, workers’ past work ethics can be verified anonymously, without relying on previous employers’ references. This opens doors for transparency and a high-quality customer experience. Ultimately, Blockchain can help verify the authenticity of information provided by contractors, health workers, food handlers, delivery drivers etc.
Why should SMEs take this into account now?
SMEs often feel these solutions are too advanced for their businesses but starting now will reap the benefits in the future. These technologies are now affordable and easy to implement, and SME’s are best equipped to adapt because of quick decision-making and agility. Automation for SMEs will help make smart decisions at the right time to stay competitive and responsive.
How can Uptivity help SMEs with digital transformation?
With years of experience working with different sizes of businesses and in different sectors, we enable SME’s to start their journey with technology. We work as your technology advisors to ensure your business sales and operations are running like clockwork. Our apps empower your staff to input information directly, gathering it accurately and in real-time, and eliminating the reliance on paper and spreadsheets. This step alone gives SME’s control of their information instantly to make decisions, but also helps in future decision-making using AI and ML.
What is your latest contribution to supporting North East businesses through the ‘new normal’?
We realised the challenges faced by local businesses during lockdown and the impact it had on their sales. Marketplace giants such as Amazon, eBay, Shopify, and Just Eat take commission on sales and offer no direct interaction with customers. With our latest app Just Sell, we offer an alternative so that SME’s can sell directly to their customers with their own branded app and web-shop. Not only do we charge zero commission, but also include operational efficiency apps for SME’s to manage their stock, deliveries, orders and promotions.