In a conversation with Simeon Ononobi, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Connected Analytics, we delve into the revolutionary potential of StoreSmart and its transformative impact on businesses across Africa.
Innovation Village: Simeon, thank you for joining us today. Could you start by telling us what inspired the creation of StoreSmart?
Simeon Ononobi: Absolutely, and thank you for having me. The inception of StoreSmart stemmed from a critical observation of the operational challenges faced by businesses, especially SMEs, in managing their inventory and streamlining payments. Our aim was to develop a solution that could bridge these gaps, offering a comprehensive yet accessible tool for businesses to thrive.
Innovation Village: Can you walk us through the key features of StoreSmart and how it caters to different business sizes?
Simeon Ononobi: Certainly. StoreSmart comes in three distinct variants, each tailored to meet the specific needs of businesses at different scales.
- Store Smart Mini caters to small businesses and operates seamlessly on regular smartphones, aiding in efficient stock inventory management.
- Store Smart Mini Plus, building upon the Mini, integrates with NFC payments for added convenience.
- Store Smart Mini Max is our comprehensive solution that not only manages inventory but also facilitates payments. It’s designed for larger enterprises and runs on Smart Android POS Machines.
Innovation Village: The integration with payment systems seems quite forward-thinking. Can you tell us more about the partnerships and how they enhance StoreSmart’s functionality?
Simeon Ononobi: Absolutely, our collaborations with esteemed partners such as OPAY, Nomba, and NETOP POS machine operators have been instrumental. These integrations enable businesses to seamlessly manage transactions, process payments, and generate receipts all within the StoreSmart ecosystem. We’re continually seeking additional partnerships to further enhance the platform’s capabilities.
Innovation Village: Affordability is often a concern for businesses. How have you addressed this with StoreSmart’s pricing model?
Simeon Ononobi: At Connected Analytics, accessibility is a core principle. We’ve priced StoreSmart variants competitively to ensure that businesses of varying scales can leverage its robust features. Store Smart Mini and Mini Plus are priced at N5,000 or $4.30 per month, while Store Smart Mini Max is available at N7,000 or $6 per month.
Innovation Village: What about customization options for partners and financial institutions?
Simeon Ononobi: We understand the importance of tailored solutions. StoreSmart offers a white-label option, allowing partners and financial institutions to customize the platform to suit their specific needs and cater to their diverse clientele.
Innovation Village: Lastly, what’s next for StoreSmart and Connected Analytics?
Simeon Ononobi: Our journey doesn’t end here. We’re constantly exploring opportunities to expand StoreSmart’s capabilities. Discussions with potential partners are ongoing, promising further integrations and enhancements to ensure that StoreSmart remains at the forefront of empowering businesses across Africa.
Innovation Village: Thank you, Simeon, for sharing your insights into StoreSmart’s incredible potential. It’s been a pleasure speaking with you.
Simeon Ononobi: Likewise. Thank you for having me.
Connected Analytics continues to spearhead innovation with StoreSmart, revolutionizing the way businesses operate and paving the way for a more streamlined, efficient future.
To learn more about StoreSmart and its transformative capabilities, visit StoreSmart.Africa.
