Cloud technology is a crucial enabler for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), assisting them to bolster growth by enabling them to collaborate more efficiently with their partners and suppliers whilst increasing efficiency. One Linkage, a women-owned technology company, has recognised this, and is hosting an upcoming event on 25 May 2023 to delve into cloud technology and its potential to foster growth for SMEs participating in ESD programmes. 

With a keen focus on innovation and leveraging modern solutions, this event will provide a platform for corporates, ESD practitioners and consultants and incubators to explore the transformative power of cloud technology in driving business expansion and realising untapped opportunities for SMEs.

The event, titled "Cloud-Powered ESD Programmes: Boosting SME Growth with Cloud Technology”, will provide insight into the SME cloud landscape, cloud readiness and adoption, as well as challenges and opportunities that cloud technology can create for small businesses.

One Linkage co-founder and CEO, Hepsy Mkhungo, says the conference will unpack cloud services that are typically leveraged by SMEs across various industries and their benefits.

“One Linkage is an Amazon Web Services (AWS) Select Partner, meaning that we are certified to deliver AWS cloud services to clients, and we are combining this with our core DNA, which is driving development in the ESD space,” says Mkhungo.

“With this event, we want to target corporates to make sure that they have an understanding of what can be achieved with cloud technology and how it can support the beneficiaries of their sponsored ESD programmes, particularly SMEs.”

Mkhungo says that the conference will feature a number of industry experts, including representatives from AWS, who will discuss key issues and innovations through presentations and panel discussions.

For example, some of the topics that will be covered include enabling SME growth through the understanding of cloud technology and its benefits, cloud utilisation by SMEs, SME use cases and comparing South Africa’s cloud adoption to that of other emerging markets and global trends.

Panel discussions will cover topics that include “Access to Markets: Expanding horizon through AWS Marketplace” and “Cloud technology SME landscape, challenges and opportunities”. These sessions will explore how corporates can help SMEs transition to the cloud and what cloud services and solutions should be offered to SMEs, and how they differ from those offered to larger enterprises.

“We will be targeting corporates, helping them understand the value of cloud technology for SMEs. In doing so, we aim to inspire them to consider incorporating cloud-based solutions for their SMEs when designing their ESD programmes,” says Pragasen Naicker, COO at One Linkage.

“Small and growing businesses often progress to a level where they need to leverage technology to become more efficient in what they do, as well as to grow their capability. They thus need to build tools, systems and customised solutions that will enable their processes.”

Naicker explains that if a corporate would like to sponsor an SME with technology through their ESD programmes, they can turn to One Linkage for advice about the type of technology and solutions that should be deployed for a particular small business.

“We will also put together technology packages that can be leveraged by corporates for their ESD programmes. Furthermore, we will provide advice on cloud technology that will support and enable SMEs along with the ability to connect with them. Our partnership with AWS is an instrumental component for us to deliver the right solutions,” says Naicker.

“The AWS partnership provides us with the tools, infrastructure and credibility, allowing corporates to trust us to help with any cloud-related solutions that they might need for their ESD programmes and SME business optimisation.”