160 likes | 327 Views
Value proposition of SMEs in Geospatial Industry A media perspective. Bhanu Rekha Geospatial Media & Communications. Geospatial Industry. SMEs in geospatial industry. Small, dynamic, flexible Deploying cutting edge technologies Driving innovation
E N D
Value proposition of SMEs in Geospatial IndustryA media perspective Bhanu Rekha Geospatial Media & Communications
SMEs in geospatial industry • Small, dynamic, flexible • Deploying cutting edge technologies • Driving innovation • Bridging knowledge gap between tech companies and users • Promoting entrepreneurship • Creating competitive environment • Creating jobs, economic dynamism, contributing to GDP
SME linkages with MNCs • Partners, distributors and re-sellers, acting as extensions of the principal companies • Providing industry specific solutions complementing to those offered by principal partners. • Outsourcing partners to MNCs • Feedback to MNCs on local requirements • Active partners in collaborative sales models, service and support • Loyalty and commitment to MNCs and users • Heartbeat of relationships with customers
SME linkages to users • Understand their needs better • Fair understanding of local sensitivities, administrative nuances • Understand policy requirements • Live and breathe users’ challenges • Governments prefer SMEs than MNCs in implementing projects • Flexibility and ease of handling is advantage
Affects of acquisitions/mergers • In several cases, SMEs were caught unawares • A new set of opportunities and challenges • Affect on the partner network • Increased value proposition in vertical domains • Solution-centric approach • Principal companies setting up own infrastructure • Developing components and utilities turning distributor to local expert • SMEs as 'off-the-shelf' companies
Way forward • Use knowledge and expertise of solution SMEs to help mix and match products, integrate different technologies and add value to suit the workflows of customers in different vertical industries. • To provide customised solutions in local language and develop workflows based on specific country requirements • In the backdrop of slowing economy, SMEs to acquire more knowledge and skill, so that they can adapt quickly and survive
Way Forward • Move towards commoditisation - technology MNCs are splitting their products into hundreds of small utilities and make them available on ipads and smartphones. • For this scenario to take off, solution SMEs will be increasingly roped in and this will push them up the value chain of geospatial industry • MNCs are foraying into new industry verticals, creating new opportunities for SMEs • SMEs need to grab this opportunity to grow with MNCs
Way Forward • Bottomline • To innovate at fast pace • Break the rules of what was once considered impossible • Move up the value chain