The pandemic has accelerated the digitalisation efforts of small and medium businesses (SMBs). And the figures support this. More than 78,000 SMBs have taken up the SMEs Go Digital programme in Singapore, which was launched in 2017.

Around 40,000 of them signed up in 2020, with the bulk adopting COVID-19 solutions including online collaboration and virtual meeting tools.

“As more and more activities shift online, businesses have had to pivot from bricks-and-mortar shops to digital platforms to adapt to the new normal,” Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo recently said.

Digitalisation can be intimidating, however. Unfamiliarity with the subject matter and start-up costs can deter businesses from taking the plunge.

The programme aims to help SMBs use digital technologies, improve their digital capabilities and capture opportunities in the digital economy.

It leaves room for businesses that have little understanding of how to go digital. They are introduced to solutions which are being used by peers in their industries, through an official digital plan.

They can adopt pre-approved solutions and tap on government grants, such as the Productivity Solutions Grant and SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit.

They can also harness the Start Digital initiative and deploy foundational digital solutions at low costs. Four in 10 SMBs tapping on the initiative are startups, Teo said.

Singapore has around 280,000 SMBs that support 70% of employment, according to official data. They make up 99% of all businesses in the country.

While a digital future is still being forged, more collaboration such as that between the government and businesses is key, Teo said.

"Because it is frontier terrain… we have to interact with each other, and develop and strengthen trust. Otherwise, I don't see how we can move forward in a way that will strengthen Singapore's competitive position,” she shared.

SMBs can sign up for the Start Digital Pack with Singtel. The pack has two main draws:

Addressing cybersecurity concerns

While digitalisation helps businesses become more efficient, it can open them up to cybersecurity risks. These risks could bring systems to a standstill and harm operations in the long run.

The pack’s solutions protect broadband networks, business computers and email accounts from ransomware attacks.

Meanwhile, the Data Compliance and Protection Suite safeguards data of businesses and their customers at an affordable cost. SMBs can opt for the lite or full version according to their needs.

Boosting online collaboration

The pandemic has also cemented the need for online collaboration. It has forced employees to work and thrive at work from home.

This culture will likely persist after a “new normal” is established, as flexible and remote working arrangements have proved to reduce business costs.

Platforms like Microsoft 365 allows employees to collaborate and host virtual meetings seamlessly. Google Workspace helps kickstart businesses by giving users a custom email address and cloud storage.

The licensing agreements allow for a number of users, with subsidised rates for batch purchases.

SMBs are given a free six-month subscription when they sign up for the solutions with Singtel, under a 24-month contract.