In a bid to harness the potential of digital commerce and enable small retailers to thrive in the modern marketplace, the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has recently introduced the ONDC Academy. This pioneering initiative is collaboration between the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and NSE Academy Ltd, a subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange. The ONDC Academy aims to provide a facilitative model that equips small retailers with the knowledge and skills needed to harness the power of digital commerce.
What is the ONDC Academy?
The ONDC Academy is not just another application, platform, intermediary, or software. Instead, it is a set of specifications meticulously designed to foster open, unbundled, and interoperable open networks. The primary objective of the Academy is to democratize digital commerce by empowering small retailers with the knowledge and tools to embrace the online marketplace successfully.
Collaboration for Success
To ensure the success of the ONDC Academy, the DPIIT partnered with NSE Academy Ltd, a renowned entity with expertise in education and training. This collaboration brings together the domain knowledge of DPIIT and the educational process of NSE Academy, resulting in a potent combination to support small retailers in their e-commerce journey.
Empowering through Education
The heart of the ONDC Academy lies in its role as a repository of educational and informative textual and video content programs available in multiple Indian languages. This inclusive approach aims to eliminate language barriers and make e-commerce education accessible to a broader audience across the country.
Curated Learning Experience
The ONDC Academy offers a carefully curated learning experience that provides guidance and best practices for a successful e-commerce journey. Retailers, even those with no prior knowledge of e-commerce, can now learn how to create a seller app with the assistance of a technology service provider. This app enables the aggregation of products from nearby marketplaces and makes them available online, expanding the retailer’s reach to a larger customer base.
A Path to Certification
The ONDC Academy not only imparts knowledge but also provides the opportunity for certification. Individuals who successfully complete the assessment developed by the NSE Academy will be eligible for certification. This certification validates their proficiency in e-commerce, boosting their credibility in the competitive online marketplace.
Advantages for Small Retailers
The ONDC Academy holds immense advantages for small retailers, especially those who have yet to venture into the digital realm:
- Leveling the Playing Field: Small retailers often face challenges in competing with larger, established players. The ONDC Academy bridges this gap by providing the necessary tools and knowledge to thrive in the digital economy.
- Access to a Wider Market: By embracing digital commerce, small retailers can extend their reach beyond physical boundaries, tapping into a vast online customer base and potentially scaling up their businesses significantly.
- Increased Resilience: Amidst the dynamic market landscape, digital commerce offers greater resilience, allowing retailers to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and market trends effectively.
- Empowering Local Economies: The proliferation of small retailers in the digital space can have a positive impact on local economies, generating more employment opportunities and fostering growth.
- Enhanced Customer Engagement: Through digital platforms, retailers can engage with their customers more proactively, creating personalized experiences and building stronger customer loyalty.
