This article is first published in Business Mirror, January 29, 2008 issue.

The new generation of entrepreneurs is starting to realize the benefits of having a presence on cyberspace as local Internet users turn into “cyber consumers.”

“Going online is almost a requirement nowadays,” says Dustin Andaya of Islandrose.net, the web site of one of the country’s largest local rose suppliers, Philippine Cut Flower Corp. Island Rose started delivering bouquets, harmony wreaths and gift items to anywhere in the Philippines through the Net, with prices inclusive of fixed shipping rate and VAT. Its online basket also brims with reward points and discounts for Island Rose members.

While not a newbie in the health-care industry, Medicard Philippines found the same need to establish an online presence. “It was in 2001 when we formulated a new IT plan, and our design was really to digitize everything, “ Medicard’s assistant vice president for information technology Lorena Benipayo says.

Both companies have partnered with Yehey.com’s Kaban Internet Payments, an online-payment system that enables small businesses to accept customer payment through ATM, credit card or electronic-cash modes such as Globe GCash.

Yehey’s attraction to online vendors like Island Rose and Medicard is its over 30 million page views a month and nearly 300, 000 registered users, raking among the top three most-viewed web sites in the country.

“With the onslaught of new competition and a tougher operating model, you can’t expect to compete as a small business today without using an arsenal of marketing tools,” says Jonas R. de los Reyes, eCommerce manager of Yehey.com, one of the leading Filipino Internet portals.

With internet usage growing annually by an average of 42 percent in the past five years, the Internet now brings with promises for the local papaya soap dealer, the barako coffee supplier or the flower farmer who used to merely ply their trade downtown and rely on their satisfied customers to get the word out that their business exist.

“We were like a guinea pig for PayPlus,” Andaya says, referring to Yehey.com’s service that preceded the newly reengineered Kaban payment system. “And I’ve always worked well with Yehey! It’s secure, and I know their web site delivers many hits.” Island Rose now has a steady OFW and migrant Pinoy customer base. Along with sturdy ties with major hotels, restaurants and flower shops, the online store serves a strong business lifeline.

Benipayo says the “the very minimal setup fee” led Medicard towards Kaban. “Unlike other payment systems where we have to maintain a minimum balance, in Kaban we don’t have to pass on the cost to our online buyers.”

Medicard developed all back-office systems before fortifying its e-commerce strategy. Now, all prospective individual and family clients have to do is visit the site, fill out an online application and the accomplishment forms will be directed automatically to its underwriting department.

Benipayo stresses e-commerce is important in “providing value-added service” and promoting “people empowerment and information sharing.”

See the difference! Send flowers to the Philippines through Island Rose