ONDC And Google Push For Open Commerce Solution, 20 E-Commerce Companies Already On Board

ONDC and Google announced that they would conduct a new India-wide Hackathon – Build for Bharat Hackathon, which would push innovation across India’s e-commerce. It would be part-extension of their already launched open sourced ONDC Open Commerce solution. The Hackathon would enable developing solutions that would enable access to digital commerce to everyone irrespective of geographical location, financial status or digital literacy. Along with this, it also aims at building an open network of developers, students and startups, which can use the ONDC framework for innovation. The challenges which would be faced by the next billion digital users would also be addressed at the collaboration platform, reported the ET

In June this year, Google cloud and ONDC had launched the open sourced ONDC Open Commerce solution, which allows the sellers and buyers to go onboard with ease onto the ONDC network. Since the lunch, there are more than 20 e-commerce companies that have adopted the Open Commerce Solution.

About this, the CEO of Google cloud, Thomas Kurian said that “Google Cloud and ONDC are helping create a more level playing field for all digital commerce companies, whether the largest businesses in the world or the smallest vendors in local markets. Our collaboration creates an opportunity for organizations India-wide to reach larger audiences and grow their businesses, ultimately transforming digital commerce adoption in the country,” reported the Financial Times.

The solution is finding a good level of adoption, said the ET. The sellers would be able to build up on their catalogue by describing their products as per their style. The Google cloud AI, Vertex AI, would aid the sellers and buyers in translating, through its voice commands, thus leading to a transaction without any typing.

The Hackathon would be for three months with 100,000 participants, and would provide resources, mentoring and assistance in handling the challenges faced from e-commerce. Technology and skills would be imparted to startups and developers to learn with effect, the adoption of AI. Google cloud with Apollo hospitals is building on clinical intelligence platform using Vertex AI, which would be helpful in patient consultation. Google has also training officials in cyber defences and in using generative AI.

MD and CEO at ONDC, T Koshy said, “We are at the cusp of revolutionizing e-commerce. This hackathon will serve as an ideal launchpad, enabling us to discover numerous gifted individuals and organizations with inventive concepts. This, in turn, propels the drive for innovation for Bharat by solving countless pressing challenges faced by merchants and consumers both in metro cities and smaller towns. This hackathon is a step closer to our vision of forging an inclusive and accessible digital commerce arena for every Indian, transcending all backgrounds.” The next step in this strategic collaboration involves ONDC and Google Cloud working together to significantly expand the ability for buyers and sellers of all sizes across the country – especially those in smaller cities – to transact on the network through the use of Google Cloud’s generative AI tools,” reported the Financial Times.

ONDC is the government of India’s initiative which aims at bringing last mile buyers and sellers on e-commerce.