Amazon company joins Open Network of Digital Commerce (ONDC)
Recently Amazon has joined the Open Network of Digital Commerce (ONDC) platform.
- Amazon will integrate its logistics network and software group ‘Smart Commerce’ with ONDC.
- Smart Commerce is a suite of SaaS (Software as a Service) products. It is powered by Amazon Web Services.
- It enables MSMEs in India to start and grow their business through digital mediums. Also, they will be provided with an enabler to connect to the ONDC network.
Open Network of Digital Commerce (ONDC) Platform
- The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has launched the ONDC project. It is designed to prevent digital monopolies and standardize the listing of retailers on e-commerce sites.
- It promotes an open network for all aspects of exchange of goods and services over digital or electronic networks.
- The task of integrating the e-commerce platform on ONDC has been entrusted to the Quality Council of India.
Importance of ONDC-
- It promotes democratization and decentralization of e-commerce.
- It will provide huge market to the vendors, especially grocery store owners.
- This will provide freedom to the consumers to choose their preferred local dealer.
Challenges before ONDC-
- An increase in the number of sellers will not necessarily improve buyer satisfaction on this network.
- Getting customers to ONDC from platforms that are already providing satisfactory service will not be easy.
- Accountability (especially how customer complaints and returns issues will be handled) is still unclear.
Source – Indian Express
