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Singapore’s Wholesale Trade Industry Digital Plan
The Wholesale Trade Industry Digital Plan (IDP) was launched as part of ongoing efforts by the government to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) adopt more digital technologies and encourage digital transformation.
Wholesale Trade Industry IDP Digital Roadmap
All IDPs contain a Digital Roadmap which comes with a stage-by-stage explanation to guide SMEs along their journey to learn more about digital solutions and enhance themselves.
Stage 1: Getting the Digital Economy Ready
The first stage will use digital solutions to help streamline and integrate business processes to boost productivity and efficiency.
Such digital solutions include:
- Inventory Management
- Distribution Management
- Workforce Management
- Customer Relationship Management
Stage 2: Growing in the Digital Economy
The second stage provides more advanced solutions to help connect business ecosystems and enter new global markets.
Examples include:
- B2B e-Marketplace
- e-Procurement Hub
- e-Invoice / e-Payment Management
- B2B Trade Facilitation Platforms
- Supply Chain Financing
Stage 3: Leaping Ahead
The third stage outlines the use of advanced technology to encourage smarter businesses and ensure a better cross-border trading system.
Examples include:
- Predictive Sales Trend for Automation of Sourcing and Purchasing
- Predictive Price Analytics
- Artificial Intelligence for Processing of Trade Data
- Product Authentication
- Blockchain for Trade Documentation
Digital Roadmap for Skills and Training
As the Wholesale Trade Industry expands and progresses, the digital skills required to follow suit. Job roles will likely require upskilling to keep up with digitalization, and it is best to prepare early by providing the relevant training.
IDPs outline two types of courses for basic and advanced users, respectively:
1. Basic Courses
These are required for all users as they cover essential foundations to improve digital literacy and awareness.
Examples of such courses for the Wholesale Trade Industry include:
- Driving Trade & Business with Enterprise Resource Planning
- Driving Trade & Business with Data Analytics
- Growing Trade & Business in the Digital Marketplace
- Growing Trade & Business 4.0
2. Advanced Courses
These are recommended for users who want to attain high proficiency in digital skills and also contain vendor-specific courses to suit specialised users.
Examples of such courses for the Wholesale Trade Industry include:
- Introduction to Data Analytics
- Hands-on Data Protection Officer Training
- Professional Scrum Product Owner
- Squared Online Certificate in Digital Marketing
Additional Support
SMEs are also provided with additional help through primary advisory or specialist consultancy services through SME Centres and SME Digital Tech Hubs. Resources available include self-assessment checklists for digital readiness, consultation to provide digital advisory or project management information, and more.
