Build your free catalog
SMEs all over the world are eager to take advantage of the opportunities opening up from e-commerce. However, launching their own web catalog is a daunting challenge as they have to figure out how to get the proper software, hosting service, credit card payment, template design, and technical assistance. Most SMEs wind up paying hundreds if not thousands of dollars to get their web catalog set up but then don't know how to update it.
PEOPLink is the only organization providing totally free e-commerce catalogs to SMEs worldwide. It does so with its award (*) winning www.OpenEntry.com e-commerce platform that offers each of the above components all built with tools on Google's "cloud". PEOPLink also guides SMEs on the intricacies of on-line promotion as well as international payments and shipments.
The example of Onel de Guzman has been a major motivating force in the development of OpenEntry. He is the 22 year old Philippino who wrote the ILOVEYOU virus in 2000 that did 5.5 billion dollars worth of damage to computer systems worldwide. There are scores of "Onels" in every corner of every country - talented youth with a strong desire to earn a living working at IT. However, frustrated by their limited employment opportunities, many of the most dynamic are not focusing their creative energy to best advantage for themselves or their societies.
Development organizations can train these "Onels" to create free OpenEntry catalogs and then sell their knowledge of providing this valuable e-commerce service directly to countless local shops, hotels, restaurants, theaters, schools, etc. in Manila and beyond.
To illustrate, a United Nations Development Program evaluation of OpenEntry (http://ictdegov.org/e-gov/e-comm/nepal-artisans-exec-summ.pdf) in Nepal concluded that:
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"The largest impact of implementing this 'pro-poor' e-commerce approach was on income and employment. Firms using it reported jobs that were directly attributable to the on-line promotion...3918 women"
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"a relatively inexperienced group of young IT professionals could, with the proper tools, create employment for themselves while providing e-commerce services to local SMMEs."
OpenEntry also enables a SME network to aggregate their members' catalogs into a powerful "network marketplace" capable of generating the visibility and credibility necessary for global e-commerce >> Network Market
* OpenEntry won the Global IT Excellence Award by the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (www.WITSA.org - "members represent 90% of the world IT market")
