Smart Mobile Solutions (SMS) launched its impressive and extensive suite of products and services on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at the Jamaica Pegasus’ Talk of the Town in Kingston Jamaica, to prominent business leaders, executives and dignitaries, who witnessed the unfolding of the outstanding journey and evolution of the company, guided with a novel unfolding by the gracious and talented Master of Ceremonies, Paula Ann Porter Jones along with her Co-Host and interviewee being the Co-Founder and Managing Director of the company, Dane Spencer; who took the audience through the phenomenal history of the company.

One of the dynamic duo, Dane Spencer, who started the company with his co-founder Marlon Hudson in 2008, divulged the genesis of their success story “…Smart Mobile Solutions (SMS) came about as a reaction to a circumstance that myself and Marlon were in and we were faced with a challenge we had to fix as IT professionals and of course, we generated an idea from research and the discovery of accessories that were not readily available on the market…”

They capitalized on the opportunity presented, that was supplying Blackberry accessories, and based on the high demand, moved from selling out of their duffel bags and car trunk into a physical space. This brought structure to the company which then evolved into the software space with the development of a pioneer premier blackberry app tracking platform product.. Broad Axxe. This app converted the Blackberry device into a Blackberry panic button that became a transponder which would provide GPS locations. This was introduced to the market and utilized by a prominent Jamaican Security company, and thereafter came the introduction to the wider Caribbean market, propelling the vast growth of the company, with the building of other blackberry apps, expanding into cross platforms and digital labs.

Dane further marveled his distinguished guests with the continued compelling SMS story, highlighting that, in addition to the phenomenal growth of being one of the largest local distributors of mobile devices & accessories, they also added the provision of Repairs and other IT services. They have now further expanded offerings of SMS to include Mobile Device Management, Customized Software Solutions, provider of ICT equipment and are making strides to increase their reach regionally and globally, with their Miami operations. With over 200 clients and a customer base in excess of 14,000, they are the first and only full-service Technology solutions support unit in Jamaica, offering such a wide range of hardware and software solutions, and is the sole vendor of mobile handset protection plans in the Caribbean (Smart Protect), which has been driven by innovation and productivity.

Dane emphasized another new game changing product of the company, Devices As A Service (DaaS).

He explained ‘…This is actually how we bring everything together, Technical Services, Software Studio creating Solutions for customers, and we are also talking about our Commodities and how we support them, manage them and implement them. When we put all these combined solutions together, the key element is to package them almost like an all-inclusive package. We are doing this to shape and revolutionize the use of technology. What we are trying to accomplish is to allow for the consumer, whether it be a business, government entity or an individual, to be able to consume these devices in a way that you acquire them by paying a monthly fee, and you are able to trade in these devices, obtain a rebate on your new devices and reduce your costs of ownership over time. This will keep you connected with the latest technology, so even if you acquired these devices and you realize they are not suitable, you will be able to trade them in, acquire new devices and enter a new payment cycle…Now this is Devices as a Service…What more can I say..’

‘…At this point what we really want to highlight and drive home with this marque product, is that we structured these solutions for our customers in different ways. We already have Smart Payment Plans and Smart Protect but those are just the basics, we have added, enhanced and created this all-inclusive package of Solutions with Devices as a Service, which will serve our customer-base even better…’

At the magnificent and memorable launch, Smart Mobile Solutions (SMS) was lauded for their pioneering resilience, remarkable milestones, impressive products & services, phenomenal growth and the continued commitment to national development, by the stellar line up of special guests to include:

Senator Damian Crawford, Shadow Minister of Education & Youth who verbalized,‘…I am here today because technology by its rightful definition is doing things better, and while we have been stuck with communication technology, mainly in other spheres of life, there are ways to do things better and the thing you have taught me as a friend, is there is even a way to do business better and while you are in a technology business you are educating and motivating many of us to continue pushing and fighting; and so my message today is that, I thank you for myself as a person fighting to grow, that you again have another example of a young individual that believes in himself, in his country and in his capacity and so I thank you for giving me another push and greater energy to keep pushing. We look forward to technological solutions in the education sector. We have been discussing how AI can be used to increase teacher capacity and enhance student learning and I look forward to some of those, but what I look forward to most is the continued examples to persons like myself that no matter what, high or low, business can work.”

Mr. Julian J. Robinson MP, Shadow Minister of Finance & The Public Service, expressed, ‘…You have to be very important if you can bring 6 Parliamentarians to your launch and if you can bring a wide variety of business leaders, then it means that you are important and respected.

I am particularly happy to be here, because I am seeing two young black Jamaican Entrepreneurs who had an idea, built their businesses and have succeeded despite the odds. I am happy to be here because frankly, I just thought you sold tablets and phones, but it is important that you are doing the development of software. In Jamaica, we have been consumers of the technology, we need to become producers of the technology and you have shifted to that, you have demonstrated that you can find solutions to problems here in Jamaica. Same problems exist in the Caribbean and other parts of the world, so you can earn foreign exchange, so you can grow your business, that is what the country needs. You have taken those ideas and built your business around that and I want to congratulate both of you and the Team around you for the success that you have demonstrated, that you can achieve it.

There is no journey that doesn’t have its hurdles as you have indicated, but you have persevered and built and so I look forward to your continued growth and expansion…I remember the blackberry days, but we have evolved and we have grown, and the AI which is going to be the next industrial revolution, has lots of opportunities and threats as well, but it is important for us as a country to take advantage of it. It can improve productivity; it can enhance business and that’s what we have to do. Commendation to SMS, continue to grow, continue to demonstrate that success can lay with young Jamaican Entrepreneurs that have ideas and can convert it and we certainly welcome it…’

Special Guests Parliamentarians smile for the camera with SMS’s Co-Founders Dane Spencer & Marlon Hudson (far right) Standing (Left to Right) Julian J. Robinson MP and Shadow Minister of Finance & The Public Service, The Hon. Zavia Mayne MP, State Minister – Ministry of Finance & The Public Service, Member of Parliament Mikhael Phillips, The Hon. Marsha Smith MP, State Minister-Ministry of Education & Youth, Senator The Hon. Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment & Commerce at SMS’ Smart Tech 360 recent launch at the Jamaica Pegasus’ Talk of the Town.

Hon. Marsha Smith MP, State Minister in the Ministry of Education & Youth, stated that ‘… It is my pleasure to represent the Hon Favyal William, Minister of Education and Youth at the launch of SMS’ Smart Tech 360 and to acknowledged the two vibrant young men. These two young men leveraged their knowledge of STEM to create a business. What we are seeing is a visible example of the intersection of STEM and Entrepreneurship which I am sure will continue to be an example to our students right now. Congratulations for what you have achieved in the past and all the best for your future endeavors…’

Hon. Zavia Mayne MP, State Minister in the Ministry of Finance & The Public Service commented ‘… It is a pleasure for me to be here today on behalf of the Minister of Finance and the Public Service, The Hon Nigel Clarke. It is good to be here to endorse a very extraordinary, ambitious and successful endeavor on the part of SMS. To hear the outstanding achievements and accomplishments roll out is a testimony of belief, commitment, hard work and ultimately the end result is success. So, I want to commend you and congratulate you. We believe that your endeavors and mission is in keeping with what Brand Jamaica is all about. The success stories of SMS are the kind of success stories we want to hear coming out of Jamaica, and I certainly want to say to you, well done and we wish you all the best going forward.

Senator, Hon. Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment & Commerce the main speaker of the event gave a very informative and impactful presentation. He highlighted that. ‘’… As I look at how this company has come about, I was so impressed with the two young men and Team that has put this together. The use of smart technology is necessary for increasing our productivity. We are going to make sure that technology will help us to meet international demand and driving Jamaica’s global competitiveness. Until we get those right, we are not going to be the kind of country that we must be. The use of smart technology helps to streamline processes, automate task and optimize resources and allocation across industries. This administration recognizes the vital role of Technology and is committed to Jamaica’s digital transformation. The EU and Government of Jamaica has launched a Euro$9.5M digital transformation programme for Jamaica called Digital Jamaica. Grant funding means that tax payers in another country sees it worthwhile to spend their money in another country and help us to build what we have to build and I am in agreement with and I am committed to working with our agencies in collaboration with the ministries and the private sector in driving our nation’s digital agenda.

It is indeed my pleasure in joining SMS with the launching of its Smart Tech 360 includes coding and the creation of software and technology. We have to see big companies working with smaller ones to make them stronger. These guys started with a knapsack and car trunk and 70 square feet of space to start a company. Advantage General needed the service and got these two young guys to work with them. I want big companies in Jamaica to recognize that we have excellent ICT companies and other companies that can provide the services for them here in Jamaica.

Continue to invest in Jamaica and build your company in Jamaica. We have such a fantastic relationship with Guyana, we have paid them respect over the years, we have three million people, they have 780,000 people. Jamaica has a stock market that works, we have a system that works and so Jamaicans must form a consistent and symbiotic relationship with Guyana to make sure as that their economy grow on the bank of 11 billion barrels of oil declared and as Surinam grows its economy with 1 billion barrels of oil declared, Jamaica grows with these companies…and between now and then there is a lot of business to be done…go and find partners…get together and form a consortium. One of the best inventions of Western Capitalism is The Limited Liability Company. Focus on making sure that we build great business relationships with Guyana.

I am so pleased to see what SMS has done and they had 40 government contracts…and for SMS to get 40 different government contacts it something to applaud them for as it is not easy to get that done. So, I am happy to see what these guys are doing. We have productive relief for business…Productivity is what SMS is about and in Jamaica we are low on productivity and we can do it. SMS is doing it and are doing well at it…”

Mr. Jose Guerra – Product Manager at Samsung Electronics, shared ‘…When we were looking for a local partner to develop the Jamaican market, after interviewing about 30 companies, we fell in love with SMS’ vision and mission and we started a great partnership. We are looking to continue the partnership in the future to give solutions to the Jamaican market…SMS will have exclusivity on Samsung’s Enterprise Services especially with extended warranty of 2 years than 1 year and a 2 year life cycle and with the Knox Security solution system that is embedded on the phone and can be adapted into your company.

Smart Mobile Solutions lives true to their slogan ‘On the Go” and boasts the milestones of being the first company to focus on Mobile Solutions in the Caribbean (software for Smart Phones, Tablets and other mobile devices), the first Blackberry Non-Carrier Alliance member in the English speaking Caribbean, the first and still the only full-service mobile support unit in Jamaica (from Devices & Accessories to Mobile Device Management , Software development and After Sales support), the provider of the first Mobile Tracking Solution in Jamaica and the English-speaking Caribbean (which was introduced through Hawkeye as a Mobile Panic Button and tracking platform), development team responsible for a number of custom Mobile and Enterprise web applications, the Launch of Mobile Protection plans in November 2014 underwritten by local Insurance company, GK General Insurance Company, master supply agreements with Digicel Group and CWC Caribbean, authorized Samsung distributor, authorized Lenovo distributor, authorized distributor – TCL, LOGIC, COOLPAD, Samsung Authorized Service Center, strong Carrier relationships across the Caribbean (Awarded over 40 Government contracts across the region including but not limited to supply E-learning Tablets in school program, St. Vincent Government MOE ,Ministry of Security in Cayman and Ministry of Health Guyana).

Welcome to RedPlate Technologies Jamaica Limited

RedPlate Technologies Jamaica Limited, a dynamic subsidiary of RedPlate Group Limited, is redefining the tech landscape. As a pure technology company, our mission is clear: to foster growth and development by delivering essential services to companies within the RedPlate Group and third-party entities.

Our Commitment to Innovation

RedPlate Technologies Jamaica Limited actively seeks top-tier tech professionals to join our team, fostering an environment rich with expertise and shared resources. This collaborative approach amplifies our capabilities and drives continuous innovation.

Cutting-Edge Offerings

1. RedPlate Managed Infrastructure
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2. RedPlate IT Security
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3. RedPlate Support and Technical Services
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Our services also extend to Website Design, Graphic Design, Web Development, Mobile Apps Development, and incorporating the latest technological trends.

Target Market

We specialize in serving Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) facing capital and human resource constraints, making it challenging to handle these services in-house.

Value Proposition

RedPlate Support and Technical Services act as an outsourced resource pool, positioning our offerings to meet the growing needs of businesses in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Flexible Pricing Model

Choose the flexibility that suits your business: opt for our support and technical services on a monthly retainer basis or embrace the pay-as-you-go format.

RedPlate Service Desk

Our highly trained service desk professionals are committed to troubleshooting and solving your technology challenges. Rely on our dedicated team to ensure seamless technology operations for your business.

Embark on a journey of technological excellence with RedPlate Tech. We are not just a service provider; we are your strategic partner in navigating the complexities of the digital era. Join us as we redefine the future of technology together.

Deep Dive Company

Welcome to Deep Dive, a distinguished division of RedPlate Technologies Jamaica Limited, and a premier Caribbean Independent and Comprehensive Predictive Analytics B2B Company. At Deep Dive, we harness the power of cutting-edge software and artificial intelligence to provide invaluable insights, enabling business leaders to unlock inherent value within their online business data, resulting in substantial time and cost savings and informed decision-making.

Key Highlights

• Advanced Technologies: Leveraging Machine Learning, Computer Vision, and Natural Language Processing, we reimagine services across diverse sectors, including retail, banking, and insurance.
• Human Intelligence: Our approach combines human intelligence, creativity, and courage to make unexpected leaps, broadening our spectrum of offerings.
• Data-First Philosophy: Understanding consumer online purchasing behavior is pivotal. Our data analytics and mining capabilities identify patterns and establish relationships, empowering businesses to predict future trends and demands.
• Comprehensive Data: Deep Dive’s Subscription Service offers comprehensive reports and special presentations, including weekly product performance reports and Trends and Developments Insight reports.

Our Commitment

• Network Effects: Exploit and generate network effects across the RedPlate Ecosystem.
• New Capabilities: Rapidly assemble new capabilities to satisfy emerging customer needs.
• AI-Powered Learning: Implement an AI-powered learning loop to enhance value creation and efficiency in new business opportunities.

At Deep Dive, we are dedicated to elevating your business through the strategic utilization of data and cutting-edge technologies. Partner with us to embark on a journey of informed decision-making, operational efficiency, and sustained growth.

Advantages: 10 Reasons to Choose RedPlate Tech

Combining the business models of RedPlate Technologies and Deep Dive, we offer at least 10 competitive advantages that position us as a technology powerhouse, providing innovative, tailored, and reliable solutions across industries.

1. End-to-End Technology Solutions: A comprehensive suite of technology services, from managed infrastructure and IT security to predictive analytics, offers a one-stop-shop for technological needs.
2. Advanced Predictive Analytics: Expertise in predictive analytics, driven by machine learning and AI, helps clients make informed decisions based on data-driven predictions.
3. Customized IT Security Solutions: Tailored IT security services meet the unique needs of businesses, enhancing resilience against cyber threats.
4. Flexible Support and Technical Services: Flexible models such as monthly retainers or pay-as-you-go make advanced technology support accessible to SMEs.
5. Integrated Infrastructure Monitoring: Managed infrastructure services ensure optimal performance and reliability, minimizing downtime through proactive monitoring and maintenance.
6. Strategic Data-Driven Decision-Making: Data-first approach and analytics capabilities empower clients to make strategic decisions based on a deep understanding of consumer behavior and trends.
7. Diverse Technology Talent Pool: Attracting key tech professionals ensures a diverse talent pool with varied expertise, fostering innovation and adaptability.
8. Customer-Centric Service Desk: Dedicated service desk ensures quick and effective resolution of technology challenges, enhancing client satisfaction.
9. Network Effects Across RedPlate System: Exploiting network effects across the RedPlate system creates synergies, amplifies brand awareness, and enhances the value proposition.
10. Agile Response to Emerging Needs: Commitment to rapidly assembling new capabilities and implementing an AI-powered learning loop ensures agility and continuous improvement in services.

Partner with RedPlate Technologies and Deep Dive to leverage these competitive advantages and navigate the complexities of the digital era with confidence.

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, consolidating marketing efforts into a social-first framework has become essential for brands seeking to maximize the effectiveness of their marketing channels, content strategies, and influencer collaborations. This comprehensive approach leverages the power of social media to create a cohesive and data-driven marketing strategy that enhances engagement, reach, and ROI.

Understanding the Social-First Framework
A social-first framework prioritizes social media as the primary channel for marketing activities. This approach ensures that all marketing efforts are integrated and optimized for social media platforms, where consumers increasingly spend their time. By consolidating efforts into a social-first strategy, brands can streamline their marketing processes and make more informed decisions based on real-time data and consumer insights.

Benefits of a Social-First Framework

Unified Marketing Channels:
Consolidating marketing efforts into a social-first framework allows brands to create a unified strategy across multiple channels. This ensures consistency in messaging and branding, leading to a stronger and more cohesive brand presence.

Example: Coca-Cola effectively uses a social-first approach by maintaining consistent branding and messaging across all social media platforms, which reinforces their brand identity and enhances consumer recognition​​.

Enhanced Content Strategies:
A social-first framework enables brands to develop content strategies that are tailored to the preferences and behaviors of their social media audiences. By analyzing social media data, brands can create content that resonates more deeply with their target audience.

Example: Starbucks uses social media analytics to understand what types of content their audience engages with the most. This data-driven approach allows them to create highly relevant and engaging content, from seasonal promotions to user-generated content campaigns​.

Optimized Influencer Collaborations:
Integrating influencer marketing into a social-first framework ensures that influencer collaborations are aligned with overall marketing goals and strategies. Social media data can help identify the most effective influencers and measure the impact of their campaigns.

Example: Daniel Wellington’s influencer marketing strategy is deeply integrated into their social-first framework. By leveraging data to identify influencers who resonate with their target audience, they have successfully driven brand awareness and sales​​.

Implementing a Social-First Framework

Centralized Data Collection and Analysis:
To implement a social-first framework, brands need to centralize their data collection and analysis. This involves using tools that aggregate data from various social media platforms, providing a comprehensive view of consumer behavior and campaign performance.

Example: Sprout Social offers robust analytics tools that help brands gather and analyze social media data, enabling them to make informed decisions and optimize their marketing strategies​​.

Content Creation and Distribution:
Content should be created with a social-first mindset, ensuring that it is optimized for the platforms where it will be shared. This includes creating visually appealing graphics, engaging videos, and interactive posts that are tailored to each platform’s unique features.

Example: GoPro’s social-first content strategy involves creating stunning visual content that showcases their products’ capabilities. By focusing on user-generated content and sharing it on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, GoPro effectively engages their audience and promotes their brand​ (Latest Insights)​.

Leveraging Real-Time Engagement:
Social media allows for real-time interaction with consumers, providing an opportunity to build stronger relationships and address customer needs promptly. Brands should use this capability to engage with their audience, respond to feedback, and foster a sense of community.

Example: Nike’s real-time engagement strategy involves actively responding to customer inquiries and comments on social media. This proactive approach not only improves customer satisfaction but also enhances the brand’s reputation as responsive and customer-focused​.

Conclusion
Consolidating marketing efforts into a social-first framework provides a comprehensive and data-driven approach that maximizes the potential of marketing channels, content strategies, and influencer collaborations. By prioritizing social media, brands can create more cohesive and effective marketing campaigns, engage with their audience in meaningful ways, and drive better business outcomes. Adopting a social-first strategy is essential for brands looking to thrive in the digital age and stay ahead of the competition.

In today’s digital landscape, humanizing a brand is crucial for resonating with social-first audiences. Leveraging influencer marketing effectively can bridge the gap between brands and consumers, fostering authentic connections and enhancing brand loyalty. Here’s how brands can utilize influencer marketing to achieve these goals:

1. Authentic Storytelling
Influencers as Storytellers: Influencers are adept at weaving personal stories into their content, making them ideal partners for brands aiming to humanize their image. By sharing their genuine experiences with a product, influencers can create relatable and engaging narratives that resonate deeply with their followers.

Example: Nike collaborates with influencers who share their fitness journeys, personal challenges, and triumphs. These authentic stories not only promote Nike products but also inspire and connect with audiences on an emotional level​​.

2. Micro-Influencers for Relatability
The Power of Micro-Influencers: Micro-influencers, those with smaller but highly engaged followings, often come across as more relatable and trustworthy. Their recommendations feel like advice from a friend rather than a sales pitch, which can significantly humanize a brand.

Example: Beauty brands like Glossier leverage micro-influencers to showcase everyday use of their products. This strategy has helped Glossier build a community-driven brand image that feels personal and approachable​.

3. Interactive and Engaging Content
Engagement Through Interaction: Influencers can facilitate direct interaction between brands and consumers through Q&A sessions, live streams, and interactive stories. This type of content allows consumers to engage directly with the brand, fostering a sense of community and connection.

Example: Starbucks often collaborates with influencers to host live coffee-making sessions or behind-the-scenes tours of their stores. These interactive sessions allow followers to ask questions and engage in real-time, making the brand more accessible and human​.

4. Highlighting Brand Values and Social Causes
Championing Causes: Influencers who align with a brand’s values and social causes can help highlight these aspects authentically. This not only humanizes the brand but also builds trust and loyalty among consumers who share similar values.

Example: Patagonia partners with environmental influencers to promote its commitment to sustainability. These influencers share stories and content that highlight Patagonia’s environmental efforts, resonating with eco-conscious consumers​​.

5. Behind-the-Scenes Content
Transparency Through BTS: Behind-the-scenes content provided by influencers can offer a glimpse into the brand’s operations, culture, and people. This transparency can humanize the brand by showing the human effort and passion behind the products.

Example: Brands like Ben & Jerry’s use influencers to share behind-the-scenes content of their ice cream-making process, their fair trade practices, and employee stories. This approach helps consumers see the brand as a collection of real people and values, not just a corporate entity​.

6. User-Generated Content and Community Building
Empowering Consumers: Encouraging influencers to create and share user-generated content (UGC) can amplify the voices of everyday consumers, making the brand feel more inclusive and community-driven. UGC campaigns often lead to higher engagement and loyalty.

Example: Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” campaign, where influencers and consumers shared personalized Coke bottles, created a massive amount of UGC. This not only promoted the product but also built a sense of community and personal connection around the brand​​.

Conclusion
Influencer marketing offers a dynamic and effective way to humanize brands and resonate with social-first audiences. By leveraging authentic storytelling, engaging content, and aligning with influencers who share their values, brands can foster deeper connections with consumers. This approach not only enhances brand perception but also drives loyalty and long-term engagement.

In a world where consumers crave authenticity and connection, influencer marketing stands out as a powerful tool for humanizing brands and making them more relatable to their audiences.