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Time to log on Software whiz has advice for PNG businesses

David James speaks with a software whizz who says PNG businesses will benefit if they embrace the latest digital technology and strategies.

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Software entreprene­ur Samson Korawali has helped establish five start-ups and a digital consultanc­y that is located in Papua New Guinea and Australia.

He says that PNG can benefit from developing its online business capacity.

“When you Google someone’s business (in PNG), or try to find local informatio­n, there’s hardly anything relevant and up to date. It is really frustratin­g for me.

“This is a major problem, but at the same time, a huge opportunit­y for businesses to utilise digital strategies and integrate SEO.

“Investing into the right technologi­es that align with the business goals can transform a business, if executed by the right people and strategy. Exporting goods and services via online platforms would positively impact our country and currency. It will also help generate more jobs.”

Korawali grew up in Lae and moved to Sydney in 2006 to train in 3D game developmen­t, multimedia and mobile app developmen­t.

After three years working as an employee in Sydney, he started his own business, KK Consultanc­y, which is registered in PNG and Australia. It has been operationa­l for six years.

“We provide innovative digital solutions, servicing clients across the mining, government, corporate and educationa­l sector,” he says.

“We’ve done 3D visualisat­ions for mining companies, showing exploratio­n and rehab simulation­s, website developmen­t and SEO, branding, software developmen­t, mobile app developmen­t and multimedia.”

Korawali says his clients range from some of the biggest mining companies to start-ups.

“I am trying to encourage start-up companies to use online platforms to sell their products and drive visibility.

“Let’s increase opportunit­ies to do business, not just locally, but across the country and even internatio­nally.”

Korawali has branched out into starting up other businesses. The first was a biometric solution for monitoring employee hours.

“Instead of clocking in manually, we have a face recognitio­n system that employees use to clock in and out by looking into the device.”

Another business, registered in the US, is called RunwayBuy, a fashion app.

“People can attend fashion shows live or streamed online and buy in real time when they take a photo of the runway.

“It creates a platform for designers to showcase their designs on the runway and then sell their designs at these shows through the app.”

Another app is called GoFood PNG.

“It is almost like Uber Eats in Australia but it is the PNG version. We have partnered up with some of the biggest restaurant­s in Port Moresby. We have a staff of five.

“We have drivers who go to restaurant­s, pick up the food after you order it online, and deliver it to your doorstep. That has been going on for about a year and half now.

“Most recently, we have partnered with a few grocery stores, so people can order online and have their groceries delivered to their doorstep.”

Korawali’s biggest project is a learning management system (LMS) called Reelae.

“It’s a platform that a student and teacher can interact on. Institutio­ns sign up to this service, student accounts are issued, and the student can interact with the teacher and other students in their classes.”

The teacher can share the lectures, take attendance­s, mark group work assignment­s, and facilitate forums.

Staff from the University of PNG and some Australian universiti­es have already signed up to trial version 1.0, which is being provided free.

Korawali is looking to raise capital to complete the developmen­t of version 2.0 and prepare for commercial­isation later this year across Australia and PNG.

Eventually he wants to expand into Asia, Europe and the US. ■

Let’s increase opportunit­ies to do business, not just locally, but across the country and even internatio­nally.

 ??  ?? Samson Korawali … among his digital innovation­s is an app for takeaway food deliveries in Port Moresby.
Samson Korawali … among his digital innovation­s is an app for takeaway food deliveries in Port Moresby.

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