Zobaze an app that helps MSMEs, traders

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) along with retailers, vendors, traders and other businesses are tapping technology these days to streamline their business, especially the finance.

Hyderabad-based startup Zobaze Technologies, a SaaS (Software as a Service), developed a platform that would be of immense help to them. The startup founded by Karthik Sutrave and co-founded by BG Suhas launched its services in 2018.

A Computer Science graduate, Karthik Sutrave had hands on experience of developing applications from his college days itself with five apps to his credit. After having gained experience in the corporate world for three years, he decided to embark on entrepreneurial journey.

In 2016, he came out with Zobaze Marketplace, a hyperlocal market – digital platform to connect consumers and vendors in a community.

While consumers were open to utilise the idea, the startup had a hard time convincing the small vendors. After having understood the vendors concerns, Sutrave got down to develop a solution and get them equipped with technology.

"User experience is the most basic criteria we have kept in mind while developing this easy to use app. After having discussed with more than 200 to 300 vendors we were able to develop the simplest framework for the app.

We will go ahead with Zobaze Marketplace in future only after these small vendors, retailers and traders get handy with mobile applications," says Sutrave.

Zobaze Technologies offers two mobile applications, called as Zobaze PoS (Point of Sale) and Zobaze iLedger Book.

The PoS software is built for digital billing, manage invoice, (stock inventory, sales and profits), customer and staff management. The iLedger Book app is developed to manage transactions with a customer, also known as credit management.

"Basically, small traders still deploy traditional methods of doing business. That means all financial transactions remain on paper.

With our billing system, Zobaze PoS helps them to manage their transaction receipts, track their inventory stock on real time basis, controlled access to staff for selling the product, and easy bill/invoice generation from smartphone itself," he adds.

Zobaze PoS is also a perfect instance for a business owner to analyse the trend of their business through analytics. This feature analyses their own business numbers -- when higher sales are recorded, which inventory got sold the highest etc.

The available 40 per cent of features on Zobaze PoS are suggested by their users wherein the startup has marked 120 active users to take feedback and implement the same as a feature in the app.

Staff management and partner management are the two features suggested by their users who want to drive their business on autopilot mode.

Related to payments, the startup also had to add on flexible payment methods like UPI, GooglePay along with credit card, debit card and wallet payments, on demand of the users.

Another feature suggested by businesses is the calculation of GST, for this PoS will soon display a GST feature, which will simplify calculations through taxable invoice generated in the app.

Also, the startup has a higher percentage of quick service restaurants as active users.

Based on their suggestion, the startup will be adding another feature called as Kitchen Display System for the benefit of food businesses. Besides, Instant Wala is another app in pipeline being developed for micro vendors.

According to the founder, 70 per cent of users are on their platform for Zobaze iLedger Book. To increase PoS user base, Zobaze Tech will be introducing the Point of Sale app to the wholesalers for managing inventory with the retailers.

At present, 60,000 small and medium retailers, traders are registered on the platform, out of which 16,000 are active users.

While 80 per cent users are from India, Zobaze has 20 per cent business owners using the app from South East Asian countries like Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia.

In India, 70 per cent of users are from Tier 1 city and the rest are from Tier 2 and 3 cities. Widely present in all states of India, the startup has active users from Hyderabad in Telangana, Maharashtra, Chennai in TN, and Delhi.

Currently, the platform is available for free to download on Android. By end of 2019, the founder will be introducing subscription model on an offer price of Rs 1,000 for a year.

Awaiting to generate revenue, Sutrave has self-funded Zobaze Technologies of up to Rs 20 lakh, including Zobaze Marketplace.

The founder is looking to raise Rs 80 lakh for reaching out to users aggressively in Indian and international market, to strengthen the team and to add on new features along with launching additional apps.

Zobaze Technologies has a two-member team now, wherein Sutrave is into developing the application and Suhas is into content and marketing.

The founder will be on boarding two interns who have been supporting them with research and development. By end of 2019, they plan to be a six-member team for which they will be adding on two more jobs into customer support.

"The wave of enterprises using technology for ease of doing business has kicked in.

There are quite few companies providing this service on similar lines, but we stand out as highly convenient to use, taking business on autopilot mode at a cost of Rs 1,000 per year while our competitors on an average charge Rs 10,000," concludes Sutrave.