Smart, India-based telco forge partnership

PLDT'S wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc (Smart) has linked up with Indian international telecommunications solutions provider 6D Technologies to streamline its sales and distribution operations.

Smart and 6D Technologies formalize partnership at the sidelines of the 2024 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. From left are Alex Caeg, head of Consumer Individual Business at Smart; Abhay Kumar, SVP for Sales and Manish Arora, Executive Director and CRO at 6D Technologies; John Palanca, Head of Sales and Distribution at Smart; Kunal Nidhi, VP for Sales at 6D Technologies; Rajat Sarna, Chief Telecom Technology Procurement Strategy Advisor at Smart; and Abhilash Sadanandan, Co-founder and CEO of 6D Technologies.

PLDT announced on Feb. 28 that the partnership will focus on enhancing sales and distribution processes, automating inventory management, optimizing resource utilization, and strengthening dealer operational efficiency. Smart will tap into 6D Technologies' Sales and Distribution Management platform Ventas, which is driven by artificial intelligence (AI) technology, along with the Ventas Dealer Management System (DMS).

These systems aim to improve the operations of Smart's distribution partners, and boost the purchasing experience of customers.

"As part of our transformation journey and our quest to reinforce our leadership, we continue to create collaborations to further lift our operational excellence, making sure that these partnerships will naturally progress and translate to much improved user experience for the customers of Smart," said Smart First Vice President (FVP) and Head of Sales and Distribution John Palanca.

For his part, 6D Technologies Executive Director and Chief Revenue Officer Manish Arora lauded the collaboration to empower their networks.

"By combining our expertise with Smart’s extensive reach and market presence, we aim to redefine industry standards and deliver unparalleled value to customers," he said.