New Weapons of MSMEs: Doku PayChat Innovative Solutions Via WhatsApp

the development of digital technology for business stakeholders in remote areas

Business people in various parts of Indonesia, especially remote areas, now have new tools that can help them participate in digital commerce. Village cooperatives, village credit institutions, or local communities can take advantage of the services of the WhatsApp Business platform as part of the growing digital payment ecosystem. This is done through the launch of DOKU PayChat.

With this innovative solution, business customers can chat, order, and pay directly within the WhatsApp Business application without the need to switch to another application. Doku PayChat allows users to receive payments, send bills, schedule automatic reminders, and manage customer interactions in one chat. Unlike regular chatbots, DOKU PayChat is designed to facilitate conversion from chat to checkout without any problems. Merchants can also easily get well-managed transaction records through this service.

Rama Prahara, Doku’s Chief of Product Experience, stated that many merchants have now started selling products via WhatsApp. However, recording is still done manually and fragmented. “We see that no one has put all that together in one service. It’s still fragmented. Accept orders, places, payments, it’s not connected. We formed a platform called DOKU Paychat,” he said.

Through this service, business people can create simple chat code, accept orders, create invoices, and accept payments. All these processes take place in one platform without having to switch applications. This will make it easier for merchants to improve services to customers, including in terms of their financial records.

From the consumer side, this service is a simple solution for those who live in remote areas. Orders and payments can be made via chat which is much lighter than the e-commerce application which is getting heavier over time.

However, although this service offers many benefits, it is still not fully integrated with the logistics system. However, DOKU has planned the development of DOKU PayChat which is integrated with the logistics system in the future. Rachma Kandini, Vice President of Biller as a Service DOKU, explained that this plan has been prepared and will combine the logistics system so that customers can choose a logistics system in an inseparable ecosystem.

Even so, DOKU has not set a specific target regarding the presence of DOKU Paychat. The company emphasizes the importance of increasing acceptance in various circles first. Himelda Renuat, Co-Founder and Chief of Marketing Officer of DOKU, said that the main goal is to support the community and companies that have a base to actually take advantage of this service.

Java will be the first step to introduce this service to DOKU merchants. Apart from the largest population, this area is easier to reach for socialization. Rachma added that in terms of area, DOKU does not focus on certain areas even though Java is a target. They utilize Java with the highest population distribution as the main market.

In Bali, the DOKU Paychat service is believed to be a game changer, especially through collaboration with PT USSI and the Village Credit Institution (LPD). Zul Fami, Chief Commercial Officer of PT USSI, stated that Doku Paychat allows employees, agents, and LPD customers to buy internet packages directly via WhatsApp with various digital payment options. “This is a technological breakthrough that supports all sectors, ready to welcome the digital future.”

In addition, on the Island of the Gods, the Doku Paychat service is also expected to increase the interest of foreign tourists visiting this superpriority destination. The head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office, Tjok Bagus Pemayun, hopes that this innovation can advance Bali while protecting and protecting nature, humans, and Balinese culture. Previously, PWA payments could only be made through the Love Bali page. Now, with DOKU PayChat, foreign tourists can choose the payment method by simply scanning the QR Code using a smartphone connected on WhatsApp.