SMilDS.com makes a mark in the 2009 DigitalFilipino e-Commerce Summit

Newcomer SMilDS.com joined the ranks of the long-established IT companies in the Philippines when it signed up as a major sponsor at the 2009 DigitalFilipino e-Commerce Summit and Web Awards.

Held at the Hotel Intercontinental on 12-13 November 2009, the e-commerce summit was organized by Janette Toral, one of the country's widely-known and respected IT and e-commerce evangelists.

The annually held summit is among the most awaited technology events among the more than 100 members of the DigitalFilipino Club, even to non-club members who are IT professionals and enthusiasts. It highlights best practices by website owners and it promotes the use of e-commerce and the Internet in business development.

A total of 31 websites were declared winners in the Web Awards, representing interesting categories like blogs, food, automotive, travel, gifts, games, government, music/movie, newspaper, telecoms, restaurant, among others.

Three executives from Platform2u.com Phils. Inc, the company that developed SMilDS.com, the fourth generation e-commerce software used by 618 online retailers in the country, Hong Kong and Malaysia, gave a 45-minute presentation on how they can help bridge the e-commerce divide in the Philippines.

CEO Edward Ling, COO Edgar Canlas and CIO Eddie Lee urged summit attendees to seize the opportunity of starting their online businesses,or bringing their current business to the Internet, because of the huge purchasing power of today’s generation Y (and Internet-savvy) consumers who are slowly taking over the 40+ year-old consumers.

According to the officials, there were 24 million netizens in the Philippines last year. This number will grow to 28 million when 2010 ends. By 2012, there will be 40 million Internet users and total e-commerce transaction value is projected at PhP20 billion. Nearly 32 million Internet users below 30 years old have purchasing power. Retailers are expected to know this but those thinking of starting a business are assured of a good start in online selling.

The SMilDS.com platform, according to the officials, was designed for easy use. As long as one knows basic Microsoft Office applications, anyone who wants to earn an extra income can run an online store. 

Embedded in the SMilDS.com system are tools for website design and development, automated payment and logistics processing, customer relations management. In addition, the SMilDS.com business team conducts training on back-office functions for merchant-partners. The software’s intelligent e-trading engine allows retailers to sell products of other online sellers where they earn commissions agreed between them.

COO Edgar Canlas said the cross-selling engine generates additional traffic to retailers’ websites because buyers from all over the world always want to compare products and prices, eventually leading to sales.

The company which is yet to celebrate its first anniversary in June this year, is making big inroads in the e-commerce industry. The SmilDS.com/ph online mall has 160 merchants selling almost 2,000 items ranging from toys, digital gadgets, clothes and accessories, beauty and personal care, books.

CEO Edward Ling said only about 10 percent of Internet users buy online in the country.  SMilDS.com is determined to raise that number this year.