New e-commerce platform to ‘shake up FMCG trade’

MACmobile, a provider of cloud-based solutions for the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) space, hopes that its new end-to-end e-commerce platform will transform general trade in South Africa.

The MAC eCom Platform offers a complete B2B platform with built-in warehousing, distribution, and sales modules to allow spazas to leverage direct order generation while offering independent distributors and wholesalers a powerful plug and play digital solution.

“With MAC eCom Platform, we bring a layer of digital transformation to an area of the value chain that has previously been hard to reach,” says Andrew Dawson, managing director of MACmobile.

“Our progressive Web app is easy to use and ready to go on virtually any smart device, combining MACmobile’s range of solutions into a powerful solution that simplifies order taking and product management and brings line of sight through this area of the retail chain.”

The app is easy to use and available on any device that has a web browser, including most Android-based smartphones. Distributors and wholesalers simply upload their products to the platform to create a catalogue that is immediately live with their customer base.

From here they can manage orders and stock levels, prepare orders for delivery, generate invoices, push promotional pricing, and create loyalty programmes. Spaza owners can download the app to access these products, pricing, and promotions, manage stock, generate, and track orders and even make use of online payment options.

MAC eCom Platform is more than just a Web plug-in, says Dawson. Instead, it is a standalone cloud-based solution. Wholesalers and distributors simply upload their stock, pricing and basket availability onto the platform and these offerings will immediately be available to main market retailers to purchase.

Furthermore, it combines back-end functionality for dispatch management, including call and collect or delivery options, as well as end-to-end warehousing, stock management and distribution, invoice generation and settlement, creating visibility through the supply chain as well as improving efficiency.

The plug and play nature of the platform allows you to integrate other value-added services to deepen every customer engagement. Introducing third party value adds natively within the platform creates a smooth experience and meets the current needs of the customer. This provides access to more information to build deeper insight and allows you to get closer to the customer and build true loyalty.

“Digital transformation can greatly benefit the general trade space in South Africa, automating manual processes, improving data-driven decision making and enhancing customer relationships. MAC eCom Platform is a flexible ecommerce platform that integrates with existing systems for seamless order management and creates a consumer-like shopping experience taking business growth to a whole new level,” Dawson concludes.

ALSO READ: Want to do business in Africa? Read this first