When the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2019, not only did our lifestyles change but so did the way we worked. Business owners, particularly those who were accustomed to operating with outdated (and inefficient) processes were suddenly forced to brave the unknown that was the digital world and all its innovative inhabitants.
 
Most Malaysian businesses are speeding up their digital transformation initiatives. However, according to Wilson Low, CEO of Wilstech, Malaysia is still lagging behind other countries. In an interview, he stated that the country's infrastructure is not standardised, and information is frequently out of sync.
 
“A lot of SMEs are still struggling to bring their business online. Many businesses don’t have access to adequate information or the appropriate guidance in terms of digitalisation, especially those in more rural settings,” Low said.
 
Established in 2016, Wilstech is a Malaysian company that specialises in business digitalisation services, providing a complete spectrum of offerings that are aimed at empowering local businesses and SMEs to digitalise effectively and cost-efficiently – particularly during the current market environment. Wilstech’s core services include software and mobile app development; web solutions; infrastructure and workstation solutions; HR, accounting and CRM solutions as well as a series of other added services.
 
Sharing his experience and expertise, Wilson explained that some traditional businesses do not see the need to invest in IT infrastructure due to misconceptions regarding new technology, familiarity with more manual work processes despite their tediousness, and mindsets that are cemented in the past.
 
Unfortunately, these end up becoming factors why some businesses are falling behind their competitors in this digital transformation era. Wilson believes that in this new norm, digitalisation is important to bring a company’s presence online. It has changed consumer behaviour in terms of spending and lifestyle choices, among others.
 
“By having your business digitised, borders no longer exist to restrict business growth and SMEs and startups can reach out to a bigger pool of customers from all around the nation and even those from other countries. I would say that the pandemic has boosted the digitisation journey of countless SMEs in Malaysia either towards cashless payments, e-commerce and online purchases, remote food ordering, etc.,” Low added.
 
It is safe to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant advances in digitalisation. Wilson believes that SMEs can reduce their business management overhead by utilising various IT tools while also expanding their reach through digital marketing and other means. Not only that, but the economy would benefit greatly from revitalised businesses on digital platforms as well as new innovations brought about by COVID-19.

In an effort to assist Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in digitalising their businesses, Wilstech has collaborated with the Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (SIDEC) to offer grants worth RM 5 million.
 
Knowledge of digital adoption has to be planted deep in the mindset of every SME owner, according to Wilson. “With the grant, we hope that we can at least provide some assistance for business owners to jumpstart their digital transformation journey,” he said.
 
SMEs in Selangor will be able to access a 50% grant (up to a maximum of RM 5,000) on fees to digitalise their businesses in a variety of ways through the Selangor SME Digitalisation Matching Grant. With that, Wilson believes that it will definitely create a positive impact on SMEs. He stated that it will help SMEs to adopt tech-based solutions in their businesses and equip them with the knowledge to survive in this new norm. The grant lessens the risk and increases the acceptability of IT among traditional SMEs, thus increasing adoption rates.
 
Of course, the grant isn’t the only thing that SMEs can benefit from. According to Wilson, they will also have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the importance of implementing IT solutions in their businesses.
 
“Having IT integration means that these businesses will be able to run automatically without the need for manual inspection and bookkeeping at all times. It will also allow brands to boost their sales and online presence,” he added.
 
Wilstech's expertise in assisting business digitalisation in a variety of areas, including web and mobile application development, e-commerce and web solutions, business management solutions, and remote working solutions such as ERP, CRM, and HR, positions them to empower and elevate local SMEs in the future through big data and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
 
According to Wilson, with the help of big data, SME owners will be able to study and analyse their best-selling products and plan more effectively for stock management, marketing, and so on.
 
With plans to work with the government to upskill the workforce and boost Malaysia's digital economy through various initiatives, Wilstech is more eager than ever to elevate digital literacy and adoption in Malaysia moving forward.