ONDC - Seller App

Introduction:

In the dynamic world of retail, getting sellers onboarded onto an e-commerce platform smoothly and efficiently is crucial for business success. However, the existing process is riddled with complexities and manual tasks, causing delays and frustrations for both sellers and the platform. This case study delves into the challenges encountered during the seller onboarding process and proposes an innovative solution to streamline it while also digitizing catalogs effectively.

Identifying the Problem:

The first step in solving any problem is understanding its root causes. For us, the issues with the current seller onboarding process were evident:

1. Manual Verification Procedures: Sellers had to go through time-consuming manual processes for Know Your Customer (KYC) checks and license verifications. This reliance on manual verification led to delays and added costs.
2. Digitization Challenges: Digitizing a store's catalog presented its own set of hurdles. These included language barriers, varying levels of digital literacy among sellers, constantly changing SKU counts, and the high costs associated with digitization efforts.

Proposed solution:

After identifying the problems, our team brainstormed innovative solutions to tackle them head-on.

1. Seamless Registration and KYC Checks:

   • Problem: The current registration process was cumbersome and not user-friendly.

   • Solution: We proposed implementing a seamless registration process with an intuitive user interface. Additionally, we aimed to automate KYC checks using advanced technology to reduce manual dependencies and speed up the onboarding process.

2. Efficient Catalog Digitization:

   • Problem: Manual catalog digitization was slow, expensive, and prone to errors.

   • Solution: Our plan involved leveraging innovative techniques such as voice recognition, barcode scanning, and image recognition to digitize catalogs quickly and accurately. We also prioritized providing vernacular language support to cater to sellers who preferred communicating in their native languages.

Implementation steps:

With the solutions mapped out, the next challenge was implementing them effectively.

1. Designing User-Friendly Interfaces:

   • We started by designing an intuitive platform interface for seller registration. The goal was to make the process as straightforward as possible, even for sellers with limited digital literacy.

2. Automating KYC Verification:

   • Integrating AI-powered tools was key to automating KYC checks. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, we aimed to significantly reduce the time required for verification while ensuring accuracy and security.

3. Innovative Catalog Digitization:

   • Our approach involved multiple techniques:

     • Voice Recognition: We developed a robust voice recognition system to allow sellers to dictate product details, making catalog digitization faster and more convenient.

     • Scan and Camera Integration: Barcode scanning and image recognition capabilities were integrated into the platform to speed up catalog digitization further.

     • Machine Learning Algorithms: By training algorithms to recognize and categorize products efficiently, we aimed to streamline the digitization process even further.

4. Vernacular Language Support:

   • Multilingual support was incorporated into the platform to accommodate sellers who preferred communicating in languages other than English.

Results:

The implemented solution aims to achieve the following results:

• Reduced seller onboarding time: What used to take days now it will be a matter of hours.

• Efficient catalog digitization: Even with large catalogs of over 5000 SKUs, digitization of catalog will be completed within 4 hours.

• Enhanced user experience: The user-friendly interface and multilingual support catered to sellers with varying levels of digital literacy, resulting in a more positive experience overall.

We also conducted Usability testing with the actual grocery store owners and the result was much positive. They liked how the digitization of catalog happened seamlessly.

Conclusion:

By addressing the complexities of seller onboarding and catalog digitization, this innovative solution promises to transform the retail commerce landscape. The integration of cutting-edge technologies and a focus on user-friendliness are poised to set a new standard for seamless and efficient seller onboarding processes.