Safaricom launched the cloud computing infrastructure earlier, Hardware as a Service as a service that involved renting out server space for users, then introduced Infrastructure as a service, this being renting out the server infrastructure. Today they are announcing the commencement of Software as a Service that will encompass web hosting, online payroll and Online Accounting among other services.
Subscribers who will have an option to either pay monthly or yearly will have an option to pay via Safaricom’s mobile money. The service will be accessible online and will have several packahes ranging from free for briefcase businesses to the large package for users with over 100 employees.
This service will leverage the recently annnounced Lipa na Mpesa service that has low cost payments for businesses. Safaricom aims to improve on financial inclusion while at the same time bringing managed services to their huge customer base in Kenya.
“Safaricom’s vision is about transforming lives,” says Safaricom Business GM Sylvia Mulinge. “When you develop your customers they get to trust you and the money follows later,” she added.
Safaricom launched the cloud service two years ago and there has been a digital revolution going on, with Kenya taking a lead in ICT growth. Sylvia says that for SMEs, instead of buying all the software you need that will cost you loads of initial capital, you can log in to Safaricom Business and access these services on flexible terms that will allow you to grow without the need for expensive licenses.
