India Launch DigiReady Certification Portal to empower MSMEs

What is the DigiReady Certification portal?

The DigiReady Certification portal is an online platform launched by Quality Council of India and Open Network for Digital Commerce to evaluate and certify the digital readiness of small businesses and retailers in India through a self-assessment.

DigiReady Certification Portal

The Quality Council of India (QCI) and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) launched the DigiReady Certification (DRC) portal on February 8, 2024. The portal aims to evaluate and certify the digital readiness of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India. MSMEs can use the self-assessment tool on the portal to test their preparedness to integrate with the ONDC digital network as sellers.

Assessing themselves on parameters like documentation, software skills, workflow integration etc. will allow MSMEs to understand their strengths and gaps in digital capabilities. The overarching motive behind the DRC portal is to ultimately widen the digital prowess and business potential of MSMEs by smoothly onboarding them as participants on ONDC’s open e-commerce network.

The DRC portal contains 7 modules covering the major areas of digital integration that MSMEs need to evaluate before joining an online marketplace. By taking this self-driven assessment, MSME entities can measure whether they can easily network with platforms like ONDC that aim to democratize e-commerce at population scale. Certifying themselves as DigiReady will empower MSMEs, especially small retailers, to unlock additional online business opportunities and firmly embed themselves in emerging digital ecosystems in India’s economy.

What are the benefits of DigiReady Certification?

Becoming DigiReady certified can greatly ease the process for MSMEs to embed within digital selling environments. The certification checks whether MSMEs have the right documentation, technology skills and organizational integration to smoothly adapt to digitized workflows like those in e-commerce.

Assessing these parameters builds readiness among MSMEs to synergize with paperless order management, digital payments, automated inventory updates etc. that define online marketplaces. This readiness can enable MSMEs, despite being small, to access and leverage the booming e-commerce sector to reach more customers.

Additionally, MSMEs certified as DigiReady gain visibility among digital networking platforms like ONDC. Such visibility allows them to directly showcase their products to consumers on popular e-shopping apps and websites. The certification also aligns perfectly with national goals to promote digital participation of micro-enterprises and rural retailers.

It empowers vulnerable seller-groups to avail the profits and prospects of India’s nearly $200 billion e-tail economy. Hence, DigiReady certification equips MSMEs to obtain multi-fold business benefits in the digital paradigm.

What is DigiReady Certification Process?

The DigiReady portal allows MSME entities to self-evaluate their digital readiness across 7 major areas that are vital for e-commerce integration. These modules test whether MSMEs have digitized key business aspects like inventory management, order processing, catalogue creation etc. The modules also gauge soft capabilities like aptitude in using digital tools and willingness to migrate online.

Based on their responses to the free assessment modules, MSMEs immediately know their capability gaps that need urgent addressal before online trading. If an MSME correctly answers all modules, demonstrating full digital readiness, then the portal instantly awards an e-certificate of “DigiReady” status. This certificate has national credibility. However, any incorrectly attempted module prompts guidance to the MSME on building skills in that sphere through government e-readiness coaching programs. Therefore, the DRC portal diagnoses digital preparedness, rewards readiness and enables upskilling if needed.

Conclusion

The newly launched DigiReady Certification portal by QCI and ONDC can bring deep changes in how MSMEs build technology capacities to drive growth. Assessing digital readiness and providing targeted coaching helps MSMEs achieve faster and smoother inclusion into e-commerce networks, right from small towns to big cities. Removing barriers to digital adoption also proactively secures MSMEs’ livelihoods amid India’s accelerating digital economy. By enabling micro-enterprises and rural retailers to actively access emerging online marketspaces, DigiReady certification envisions an inclusive and resilient digitized trade ecosystem. It can equip the MSME sector with future-ready digital skills to aid Atmanirbhar Bharat.

What is the benefit of DigiReady portal for small businesses?

The DigiReady portal helps small businesses determine if they can integrate into digital platforms like e-commerce by assessing their digital capabilities across parameters like documentation, tech skills, workflow integration to get certified as ready for digital business.

Who can use the DigiReady Certification portal?

The DigiReady portal is open for self-assessment to all Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and small retailers in India to determine their ability to integrate into Open Network for Digital Commerce and other online marketplaces.

Share This Article
UCN Team
UCN Team

UCN Team: Combining expertise in UPSC Exams and Tech to deliver high-resolution, insightful content for aspiring civil servants

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *