Kickstart your company’s digital transformation with a Start Digital Partner of your choice. Photo credit: Pexels
SMEs make up 99% of businesses in Singapore and employ 70% of the workforce, contributing to nearly half of our Gross Domestic Product.
As vaccination programmes roll out worldwide, including Singapore, and businesses prepare to pick up the pieces in a post-pandemic world, one thing is clear: SMEs must digitalize their operations to evolve and adapt to the new normal.
Despite increased awareness on the importance of digitalization, many SMEs still face hurdles on their digital journeys.
The Start Digital initiative was developed by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore and Enterprise Singapore in January 2019, under the SMEs Go Digital Programme.
When done right, digitalization can help your company grow, and be more productive and resilient.
To get started with their digital transformation, SMEs can choose a Start Digital Pack or solution from any one of these six Start Digital Partners – DBS Bank, Maybank, OCBC Bank, United Overseas Bank, M1 and Singtel.
You can sign up with any of these six partners as long as your company:
● Is registered and incorporated in Singapore;
● Is newly incorporated or new to using digital technology;
● Has a minimum of 30% shareholding by Singapore citizens or permanent residents;
● Has an annual sales turnover (at group level) of not more than $100 million and not more than 200 employees; and
● Is applying for the SME Digital package for the first time and not currently using identical solutions.
SMEs that qualify can take up at least two Start Digital solutions at no cost for at least 6 months – as long as they commit to a minimum 18-month contract period.
Eligible SMEs are also entitled to only one Start Digital Pack each.
The solutions span six categories – Digital Marketing, Digital Transactions, Digital Collaboration, Accounting, HR Management System and Payroll, and Cybersecurity.
You can choose to sign up for DBS Partner Solutions across a range of categories. Each type of solution offers a choice to work with more than one partner.
Select two solutions to enjoy a free 6-month subscription. Terms and conditions apply.
Take your pick from these DBS Partner Solutions:
● Accounting (Financio, Xero, Netiquette, DashBod)
● HR/Payroll (Talenox, Payboy, Info-Tech Cloud HRMS, Singtel Essential HR Plan)
● Digital Collaboration (Google Workspace)
● Digital Marketing (Skale)
● Digital Transactions (DBS Max, SourceSage, Shoptiq)
● Cybersecurity (Singtel Zone Alarm Mobile Security, Singtel Broadband Protect)
Select two of your preferred DBS Start Digital Solutions here. Read the frequently asked questions here.
Or choose any of these DBS Start Digital Featured Packs:
● Accounting & HR/Payroll
Pack 1: Financio (free for 18 months, S$8 from month 19) + Talenox (free S$720 Talenox credits, S$4-8/user per month)
Pack 2: Financio (free for 18 months, S$8 from month 19) + Payboy (free S$540 Payboy credits, S$2-3/user per month)
● Digital Collaboration & Marketing
Pack 3: Google Workspace (free for 12 months for 3 users with 18-month contract, S$8/user per month from month 13) + SkaleGrowthDesk (first 6 months free with 18-month contract, free S$50 ad credits and 100 digital vouchers download, S$400/year for next 12 months)
Choose your preferred Start Digital Featured Pack here. Read the terms and conditions for the Start Digital Featured Packs here and here.
Email startdigital@dbs.com for more information.
There are various bundles and solutions available across different categories. Select a minimum of two services from two different solution categories to enjoy the promotions.
Choose from these bundles:
● Accounting + HR/Payroll
Bundle A: Financio + BenefitX by Hearti (free 18-month subscription for both)
● Accounting + Marketing
Bundle B: Financio + Skale (free 18-month subscription for both)
● Accounting + Cybersecurity
Bundle C: Financio + Singtel (free 18-month and 24-month subscriptions)
● HR/Payroll + Marketing
Bundle D: BenefitX by Hearti + Skale (free 18-month subscription for both)
Alternatively, choose any of these solutions:
● Accounting
Financio Premium Plan (first 12 months free with 18-month contract, S$8 from month 13)
● HR/Payroll
JustLoginJust Payroll (first 6 months free for 10 users with 18-month contract, S$20 per month for 10 users from month 7, additional headcount at S$3.50/month)
JustPayroll&JustLeave (first 6 months free for 5 users with 18-month contract, S$20 per month for 5 users from month 7, additional headcount at S$7/month)
BenefitX by Hearti (first 6 months free for unlimited users with 18-month contract, S$10/month for 15 users from month 7, additional headcount at S$1/month )
● Digital Transactions
Shoptiq (free 6 months with 18-month contract, S$38 per month from month 7)
● Digital Marketing
Skale (first 12 months free, US$149 from month 13)
● Cybersecurity
SingtelBusiness Protect Basic 2 (first 6 months free for 2 users (1 laptop/desktop and 2 mobile devices each user) with 24-month contract, S$7.24 per month from month 7)
SingtelMobile Threat Prevention (first 6 months free for 1 user with 24-month contract, S$5 per month from month 7)
Terms and conditions apply. Read the frequently asked questions here.
Email cs@maybank.com.sg for more information.
Those who already have an OCBC Business Banking account can sign up for at least two digital solutions for at least 18 months to get a $500 rebate and up to 12 months’ free subscription.
Check out these bundles:
● Bundle 1: Accounting + HR
Xero (Starter Pack): Free for first 12 months, US$20 from month 13
Talenox (Suite Plan): Free for first 6 months, $$40 from month 7
Register here.
● Bundle 2: E-commerce + Collaboration
Shopify (Basic): Free for first 6 months, S$40 for months 6-18
Google Workspace (Business Starter): Free for first 12 months, S$8/user/month for months 13-18
Register here.
● Bundle 3: Procurement + Collaboration
Eezee Procurement Platform: Complimentary S$480 worth of spending credits
Google Workspace (Business Starter): Free for first 12 months, S$8/user per month for months 13-18
Register here.
● Bundle 4: Accounting + HR + Bookkeeping
OCBC Start Digital Pack (OSOME): $600 for the first year, $840 for months 13-18
Register here.
● Bundle 5: Accounting + HR
DashBod (Start Digital Starter Pack): Free for first 12 months, S$48/month for months 13-18
Register here.
Or select any of these solutions:
● Accounting & Expense Management
Business Financial Management (InvoiceNow)
● Collaboration
● HR
● Digital Marketing & CRM
● E-commerce
● Cybersecurity
Declare your eligibility here or here.
Read the terms and conditions or submit your feedback here.
Email startdigital@ocbc.com for more information.
You can pick two solutions from the choices offered here. Most of them are free for at least 6 months as long as you subscribe for at least 18 months.
Here are their solutions:
● Accounting
Enterpryze Accounting (free for first 12 months with 24-month contract, S$20/user per month for 2 users from month 13)
● Human Resource
HReasily (free for first 12 months with 24-month contract, $1-2/user per month from month 13)
● Digital Marketing
Skale (free for first 6 months with 18-month contract and one-time $150 ad credit, $40 per month from month 7)
● Digital Transactions
Shopmatic (free for first 12 months with 24-month contract, $240 for second year, chargeable on month 13)
EzyProcure to Payment (free for first 12 months with 24-month contract, $1,000 for second year, chargeable on month 13)
Enterpryze Invoice & Pay (free for first 12 months with 24-month contract, $10/user for second year, chargeable on month 13, minimum of 2 users)
● Cybersecurity
Singtel Business Protect Basic (free for first 6 months with 24-month contract, S$7.24 per month after first 6 months, up to 2 users)
Singtel Broadband Protect (free for first 6 months with 24-month contract, S$9.35 per month from month 7)
SingtelZoneAlarm Mobile Security (free for first 6 months with 24-month contract, $2.71 per month from month 7)
● Collaboration
Google Workspace (free for first 6 months with 24-month contract, S$8-24/user per month for up to 4 users from month 7)
Sign up for the solutions here and the Start Digital Pack here.
Read the frequently asked questions or email startdigital@uobgroup.com for more information.
Sign up for at least two M1 Start Digital Solutions for at least 18 months to get 6 months’ of free subscription on its solutions, 3 months’ worth of free fibre broadband, and $250 worth of gift cards.
Take your pick from these solutions:
● Accounting
MadSoft Solutions (free for first 6 months of up to 24-month contract, $5-$39.90/user per month from month 7)
Deskera ERP (free for first 6 months for 18-month contract, S$13-27/user per month from month 7)
● HRMS + Payroll
AGHRM (free for first 6 months for 18-month contract, $26.75/month for first 5 users from month 7)
Deskera HRMS (free for first 6 months for 18-month contract, S$27-41/user per month from month 7)
Info-Tech Cloud HRMS (free for first 6 months for 18-month contract, $5.35-42.80/user per month for up to 10 users from month 7)
● Cybersecurity
OneSecure (free for first 6 months for 18-month contract, $5.50 per month from month 7)
● Digital Transactions
Spenmo (free for first 6 months for 18-month contract, S$5.35 per month from month 7)
● Digital Marketing
TalariaXSendQuick Conversa (free for first 6 months for 24-month contract, S$5.35-$42.80 per month for 1-3 users from month 7)
EZIOM SmartSite (free for first 6 months for 24-month contract, S$24.50/user per month from month 7)
EZIOM SmartMeet (free for first 6 months for 24-month contract, S$24.50/user per month from month 7)
Read the frequently asked questions, and terms and conditions here.
Sign up here or submit your feedback. Email startdigital@m1.com.sg for more information.
Pick any two solutions and enjoy at least six months’ free subscription when you subscribe for at least 18 months.
Choose from these solution packs:
● Cybersecurity
Microsoft 365 Business Basic + SingtelBusiness Protect Basic
(both free for 6 months for 24-month contract, $22.15 per month from month 7)
● Cybersecurity Essentials
SingtelBusiness Protect Basic + Singtel Email Protect
(both free for 6 months for 24-month contract, $9.95 per month from month 7)
● Smart Accounting Pack
Microsoft 365 Business Basic + Financio Premium
(both free for 6-12 months for 24-month contract, $24.35 per month from month 7 and month 13 respectively)
● Smart HR Pack
Microsoft 365 Business Basic (2 users) + Essentials HR (Payslip, Leave & Claims)
(both free for 6 months for 24-month contract, $29.40 per month from month 7)
Contact them here if you have any enquiries about the above.
Or select any of these solutions:
● Accounting
Financio Premium (free for 12 months with 24-month contract, $9.95/month per UEN from month 13)
Sign up here.
● Cybersecurity
Buy any of the Singtel cybersecurity packages here.
● Digital Marketing
sendQuick SMS Marketing (free for 6 months with 24-month contract, $37.45/month for 500 outgoing SMSes from month 7)
Enquire here.
● Digital Transactions
Shoptiq (free for 6 months with 24 month contract, ShoptiqLite @ $25/month from month 7)
Enquire here.
● Human Resource Management
Essentials HR (Payslip, Leave & Claims) (free for 6 months with 24-month contract, $15/month for up to 10 employee records from month 7)
Find out more here.
Essentials Workflow (Leave & Claims) (free for 6 months with 24-month contract, $10/month for up to 10 employee records from month 7)
Find out more here.
Essentials Payslip (free for 6 months with 24-month contract, $10/month for up to 10 employee records from month 7)
Find out more here.
● Online Collaboration
Microsoft 365 Business (Recommended for growing businesses) (free for 6 months with 24-month contract, from $7.20/month per user from month 7)
Enquire here.
Google Workspace (Recommended for new businesses) (free for 6 months with 24-month contract, from $8.56/month per user from month 7)
Enquire here.
Read the terms and conditions and submit your feedback here. Email g-smedigital@singtel.com for more information.
While it may be tempting to go for the Start Digital Partner that offers the cheapest solutions and longest periods of free coverage, it is best to think about which two solutions your company really needs right now for your digital transition.
Start Digital Partners that afford a greater degree of customization for their solutions or Start Digital Packs might also be worth considering. Also, you can sign up for a Start Digital Pack only once, so choose wisely.
All information correct at time of publishing. However, prices and promotions stated are subject to change at the discretion of the Start Digital Partners. Please contact the respective Start Digital Partners directly if you have any queries or require any clarification.
Belinda loves thinking about random stuff, and collecting useless bits of facts and trivia. She often roots for the underdog, and believes the world needs more happy endings.
