The solutions will allow SMEs access to a website, professional email, human resource payroll software and accounting software at competitive prices.
Safaricom Business General Manager Sylvia Mulinge says that the new offer will make it easier and affordable for SMEs to professionalize data management.
She highlighted that the new proposition offers businesses the option of choosing the specific suite of services 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.
She said that 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 services wherever they are through the internet hence affording them flexibility in managing data,” she said.
The accounting software; Sage Pastel, will allow SMEs to generate professional financial reports which they can use to borrow loans from financial institutions.
The payroll solution; Clean Bill, will ease and professionalize payroll management by automatically tabulate all statutory deductions from the employees and keeping relevant records.
To access the new service, businesses will pay a monthly fee of Sh870 for the on-line payroll processing software, Sh1,740 for the accounting software and Sh1,750 for professional email. Website hosting will cost Sh999 for a full year’s subscription.
The Economic Survey 2012 indicates that the informal sector contributed 89.7 percent of all new jobs during the year, which was a 7.4 percent increase over 2011.
The government has indicated that it looks up to SMEs to achieve what has been envisioned in the country’s economic blueprint Vision 2030.