Leapset explores future of eCommerce
Jim O'Connor, Senior VP of Production and Operation, Leapset was the
keynote speaker at the CXO briefing on the future of eCommerce organized
by SLASSCOM, the Industry Chamber for the Sri Lankan IT and Knowledge
Services Companies.
Jim O’Connor |
The CXO briefing focused on an in depth discussion on the future of
eCommerce based on current developments as well as predictions by
experts. In his keynote address Jim O'Connor reviewed the latest trends
in eCommerce, such as the increase in mobile commerce market share, the
rapid emergence of mobile friendly websites that have unchained
consumers from the browser to meet their commerce needs, the online to
offline (O2O) market and the innovative platforms that supports mobile
payments such as Apple passbook and Google wallet.
Jim O' Connor has over 12 years of Internet Product Management
experience and is responsible for all new product design as well as
customer service and client operations at Leapset.
Delivering his keynote address, Jim O' Connor added, "O2O is still in
its infancy, but several companies are making firm inroads. For example,
big box retailers such as Target and Best Buy allow in store pickup on
web purchases and Starbucks has developed a popular gift card programme
that seamlessly bridges virtual and real world transactions and also
leverages third party apps like iOS Passbook. Also passport and wallet
services like Google wallet, iOS passbook and Paypal help close the O2O
loop."
He added, "Merchant driven O2O solutions must start with the core
merchant operating system, the point of sale (POS). Leapset is the core
operating system for SMB's that look to get a head start on the O2O
revolution. We offer core services for businesses and allow for
integrations into value added online features like OLO, rewards,
specials, coupons, gift cards, check-ins and mobile applications. In
this model, the merchant drives the offering, not the service provider.
Leapset is an open platform, API driven system that allows domain
specialist 3rd parties to develop value added apps."
Speaking at the event, Sujiwa Dewaraja, Chairman - SLASSCOM and
Executive Vice President and Head of the IT Sector, John Keells Holdings
said, "Mobile penetration in Sri Lanka is high. There is an average of
at least one mobile per person. The proportion of smartphones is rising
exponentially. In this context eCommerce especially mobile commerce will
consist of a larger portion of the consumer market share. It is high
time that Sri Lankan Business leaders and IT professionals concentrate
on adapting global eCommerce practices to suit our market and explore
its possibilities."
The interactive panel discussion that followed the keynote address
further discussed possibilities, challenges and trends in the Sri Lanka
market. The expert panel consisted of Livan Fernando - CEO Zone 24/7,
Paul Freemantle - CTO WSO2, Dulith Herath - CEO Kapruka, Jane Levene -
Emerging Market Development, Google South East Asia together with
Leapset's Jim O' Connor. The Panel discussion was moderated by Sanath
Fernando - CEO Ridgecrest and the event was hosted by Imran Furkan,
Executive Director of SLASSCOM. |