Entrepreneurs have no time to waste. There needs to be a balance between running your business and conducting business through sales. But thankfully, the multitude of digital tools available means that business owners can find the specific tool that works for them and their business needs.
One of the role players with an improved solution in this space is a financial tool from Standard Bank, the SimplyBLU Merchant solution that combines various tech solutions to bring an all-in-one package to SMEs.
We had the opportunity to speak to the head of sales and service merchant solutions at Standard Bank to find out exactly how this tool works.
Powering South Africa’s SME Growth Beyond the Till
“SimplyBLU began as our vision to simplify the often-fragmented world of business management for SMEs,” says Muzzafar Nagvadari, Head of Sales and Service Merchant Solutions South Africa and Card Sales at Business and Commercial Banking, Standard Bank South Africa. “But it has evolved into a comprehensive, all-in-one ecosystem.”
“SimplyBLU acts as a gateway to modern commerce, transforming a basic bank account into a powerful growth engine for businesses,” he explains. “It’s designed to seamlessly integrate payments, inventory, sales, and valuable business insights, empowering even the smallest merchants with enterprise-grade capabilities that were historically out of reach. This commitment to building solutions that resonate with the practical needs and ambitions of South African entrepreneurs is something we take immense pride in.”
The all-in-one merchants platform combines not only card machines but also a mobile app for managing sales and stock, and an easy-to-use online store builder. The two card machines include functionalities such as cash acceptance, QR capability, and mobile payments.
According to Nagvadari, empowering SMEs is more than a commercial objective – it’s a strategic imperative for our country’s growth and prosperity. “In an increasingly digital world, SMEs must adapt and thrive. Their success hinges on access to efficient, integrated, and secure business solutions.”
He explains that SimplyBLU empowers SMEs in tangible ways, transforming how they operate and grow by:
Simplifying Operations: Consolidating disparate systems significantly reduces administrative burdens, freeing up precious time for core activities like serving customers, innovating, and growing.
Achieving Unified Commerce: SimplyBLU consolidates all payment methods – from in-store card swipes, QR codes, and mobile taps to online links – into a single, intuitive app. This eliminates fragmented systems, offering merchants real-time visibility and control across their entire payment ecosystem, simplifying operations and maximising sales channels.
Gaining Actionable Insights: SimplyBLU aggregates data across sales, payments, inventory, finance, and customer engagement, providing a clear, real-time view of business performance directly through our mobile app. This level of visibility empowers merchants to make informed, data-driven decisions on the go, facilitating faster responses and smarter planning.
Ensuring Security and Trust: Backed by Standard Bank’s robust infrastructure and security protocols, SimplyBLU offers peace of mind, protecting both merchant and customer data.
Democratising Technology: By providing enterprise-grade capabilities that were previously exclusive to larger enterprises, SimplyBLU levels the playing field for small and medium-sized businesses.
“We believe that by providing intuitive, comprehensive, and secure digital tools, we’re not just facilitating transactions; we’re fostering a renaissance for South African SMEs. We’re enabling them to compete more effectively, expand their reach, create more jobs, and ultimately, contribute more significantly to the national economy.”
Empowering SMEs in the Township Economy
The recent Kasi SME Summit hosted by Standard Bank celebrated innovation originating in the informal economy. During this event, Nagvadari gave away ten SimplyBLU card machines to ten lucky attending entrepreneurs. This ties in closely with the event’s theme of “Connected for growth”.
Using these devices will help SMEs to conduct contactless transactions and easily make the shift to the digitised future. Additionally, this tool has been designed to go beyond managing in-store transactions. Coupled with the online merchants’ portal, entrepreneurs can track both in-store and online operations effortlessly.
“SimplyBLU is more than just a payment device. It offers a full range of tools that help businesses manage operations efficiently, all in one place. From payment processing to customer insights, SimplyBLU simplifies your workflow and allows you to focus on what matters most: growing your business,” he concludes.
Digital tools such as integrated payment solutions help SMEs to streamline their operations, saving them time and helping to digitise their enterprises.
To find out more about the various benefits of being a digitised SME, read our e-book.
