Safaricom Business,the go-to-market arm of the leading mobile services provider in Kenya, Safaricom, has today launched online solutions that will enable Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to access affordable high-end software therefore transforming the way they manage business.
The solutions will allow SMEs access to the website, professional email, HR payroll software and accounting software at competitive prices since users will only have to pay for the solutions according to the specific needs of the business. Users will also be able to access the service wherever they are through the internet hence affording them flexibility in managing data.
The accounting software; Sage Pastel, will allow SME’S to generate professional financial reports which they can use to borrow loans from financial institutions. The payroll solutions; Cleanbill, is designed to ease and professionalize data management by automatically tabulate all legal deductions from employees and keeping relevant records.
Sylvia Mulinge, Safaricom’s Business General Manager says that the new offer will make it easier and affordable for SME’s to professionalize data management. She highlighted that the new proposition offers business the option of choosing the specific suite of service they require based on the individual needs.
“Software as a service is a solution that will provide SMEs with an affordable, safe and secure method of storing and managing their data. Presently, many SMEs find the cost of data management such as the purchase of genuine software and servers as well as the hire of professionals prohibitive,” she said.
To access the new service, business will pay a monthly fee of Ksh. 1,740 for the accounting software and Ksh. 1,750 for professional email. Website hosting will cost Ksh.999 for a full year’s subscription.
The economic Survey 2012 indicates that the informal sector contribute 89.7 percent of all new jobs during the year, which was a 7.4 percent increase over 2011.