12,000 Small Business Smart Stores to Undergo Comprehensive Inspection

Check the installation and operating status of smart technologies and whether they are being used in practice

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on November 1 that it will inspect how smart technologies are being used at 12,000 small business locations that received support through the 2024-2025 Smart Store Technology Dissemination Project.

The inspection is intended to check whether the smart technologies distributed with government support are operating properly at small businesses and being used in their business activities, and to provide the necessary follow-up support to small business owners who are having difficulty using them.

Since 2020, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups has run the Smart Store Technology Dissemination Project to support the adoption of a range of smart technologies, including kiosks, table-ordering systems, smart mirrors, serving robots and business management software, to help small businesses go digital and strengthen their competitiveness. The project helps ease the burden of initial adoption costs by covering expenses such as the purchase or rental of digital devices and software subscriptions.

Alongside expanding the rollout of smart technologies, the ministry regularly checks how they are being used to help small business owners use the technologies they have adopted reliably in their day-to-day operations. Even after installation, device malfunctions, unfamiliarity with how to use the equipment and changes in business conditions can make it difficult to use the technologies, making it important to assess their actual use and arrange any necessary support.

During this inspection, investigators will visit participating businesses in person to assess a range of factors, including ▲whether smart technologies have been installed and are operating properly ▲whether they are actually being used in business operations ▲any difficulties related to using the devices. If a device is found to be broken or malfunctioning, the ministry will coordinate with the supplier to arrange necessary measures, such as repairs. If a device is not being used effectively because of difficulties with how to operate it, the ministry plans to provide additional training.

The ministry also plans to identify inconveniences and suggestions for improvement from small business owners as they use smart technologies, and use the findings to improve the operation and follow-up support systems for the Smart Store Technology Dissemination Project. The inspection will also check the installation and operating status of barrier-free kiosks provided to make them easier to use for people with disabilities, older adults and other digitally vulnerable groups, as well as whether they are being used at business locations.

Lee Byung-kwon, Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said, "Smart technologies do not deliver results simply by being installed in stores. They can improve business efficiency and strengthen competitiveness when small business owners continue to use them in their day-to-day operations." "Through this on-site inspection, we will carefully look into the difficulties faced by small business owners who are struggling to use the technologies, and continue to strengthen follow-up support so that smart technologies can provide practical assistance in the field," he said.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.