Software, multimedia companies to help train SMEs in Cikarang
Software, multimedia companies to help train SMEs in Cikarang
Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
To help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) compete in the era of
globalization, software giant Microsoft, multimedia company
Indosat Mega Media and President University will work together to
provide information technology training to hundreds of SMEs.
Microsoft Indonesia's marketing manager, Lucas Tjahjaprawira,
said they would begin training this week about 800 SMEs in the
Jababeka Industrial Estate in Cikarang, Bekasi, on how to apply
information technology to their businesses.
"Microsoft, Indosat and President University have signed a
memorandum of understanding to train and assist about 800 SMEs in
Jababeka for three years. We will begin the program this week,"
he told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.
Lucas said the three organizations would begin with very
simple computer applications because most of the SMEs were
unfamiliar with even basic computer knowledge.
In the first year of the program, the SMEs will be trained in
how to use computers, how to establish a simple homepage and how
to sell their products over a website.
Microsoft will provide affordable software, Indosat will
provide the Internet bandwidth and President University will
provide the training.
"This will allow the SMEs to promote their products worldwide
through the web," said Indosat Mega Media president director
Brata T. Hardjosubroto.
After evaluating the results of the first year of training and
assistance, the SMEs will be trained in the second year in how to
use computers and software to manage and maintain customers, to
conduct video conferences and to manage human resources.
In the third year, the SMEs will be trained in computerized
accounting systems and enterprise resource planning.
"The program aims to boost the competitiveness of the SMEs
through the utilization of information technology. Microsoft will
provide technology that can help the SMEs raise their potential,
which, in turn, will also help the Indonesian economy," Microsoft
Indonesia president director Tony Chen said.
After three years, the program will be expanded to other
industrial areas in Cikarang, Lucas said.
He said they had identified about 5,000 SMEs in five other
industrial areas that would be trained in the next round of the
program.
According to data from the Office of the State Minister for
Cooperatives and SMEs, the country has a total of 25 million
SMEs.
Although SMEs proved to be resilient during the 1998 financial
crisis when most conglomerates were wiped out, and have been an
essential source of employment for years, many SMEs have
complained that the government has continued to ignore their
needs.
They say the government has not given them the opportunity to
grow and compete. The government and banks prefer to channel
loans to large companies, despite the fact that it was the large
companies that forfeited on their bank loans during the 1998
crisis.