Interview of the Week: Reasmey Keo, Managing Director at UDAYA Technology
This week, EuroCham's Senior Communications Officer Stew Post sat down with Reasmey Keo, Managing Director of UDAYA Technology, to discuss Cambodia’s evolving digital landscape. From founding a tech company with friends to helping local SMEs embrace digital transformation, Reasmey shares insights on the opportunities, challenges, and mindset shifts needed to build a more connected, competitive business environment.
Stew: Can you tell us how you got interested in technology? How did Udaya get started, and what services does the company provide?
I've always been fascinated by how software and machines could solve real-world problems and improve everyday life. That curiosity became a passion. In 2009, I joined forces with my close friends who shared the same passion and vision for technology’s potential in Cambodia. We began exploring how we could bring meaningful, tech-driven solutions to Cambodian businesses. As a result, we took the initiative that led to the founding of UDAYA Technology in 2010. From the beginning, our mission was to help Cambodian businesses—especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—adopt practical digital solutions to improve productivity and competitiveness.
Today, UDAYA Technology is a trusted digital solutions provider based in Phnom Penh. We have become one of Cambodia’s leading companies in software development and industrial automation. We provide end-to-end digital solutions, and we specialise in building user-friendly business management tools tailored to the local market. Our services span across industries such as hospitality, healthcare, logistics, wholesale, finance, and manufacturing. Our featured products include an advanced Accounting Inventory System, Vending machines, as well as HR, Payroll, and Attendance management systems. We also provide automation solutions for various industries, along with services in mobile and web app development, custom software, and IOT product.
Stew: How is digital transformation shaping the current business environment in Cambodia?
Digital transformation is reshaping Cambodia’s business landscape at an accelerating pace. We're seeing more companies—from SMEs to large enterprises—adopting digital tools to improve efficiency, reduce operational costs, and compete more effectively. We’ve seen significant growth in the use of cloud-based systems, mobile applications, and e-commerce platforms—especially among urban businesses.
What’s most exciting is that digital tools are creating new opportunities for SMEs to compete with larger players by reducing costs, improving customer service, and expanding market reach. Government initiatives and private sector platforms like KhmerSME and ASEAN Access are also creating stronger support systems for businesses looking to adopt digital strategies.
However, it's more than just a shift in technology—it's a shift in mindset. Businesses are realising that staying competitive means being agile, data-driven, and customer-focused. As you can see, our government creates momentum by encouraging digital adoption and improving infrastructure. Still, there’s a lot of work to do to bring smaller businesses along for the journey.
Stew: Which sectors and industries do you see having the most active adoption of digital tools? Are there any sectors that stand to benefit from digital tools that are slow to ultilise these new tools?
Reasmey: We’ve observed the most active digital adoption in wholesale and retail, logistics, hospitality, and human resources—sectors where day-to-day operations benefit directly from automation and real-time data. Many of our clients in these industries are now running more efficiently and reaching wider markets thanks to digital adoption. They realise the value of digital platforms in managing inventory, tracking sales, managing customer relationships, and improving service delivery and operational transparency.
On the other hand, traditional manufacturing, construction, and agriculture still lag behind—often due to limited awareness, infrastructure, or technical skills. These sectors have huge potential to benefit from automation, real-time data, and improved supply chain management. Helping them unlock that value is one of our key priorities at UDAYA.
Stew: What do you see as the biggest opportunities and challenges for Cambodia’s digital economy over the next few years?
Reasmey: The biggest opportunity lies in the rapid growth of Cambodia’s young, tech-savvy population. With the right digital tools and support, they can become a powerful force for innovation and entrepreneurship. There’s also growing international interest and investment in Cambodia’s digital infrastructure, which could help bridge the urban-rural gap.
The main challenges are digital literacy, access to financing, and cybersecurity awareness. Many SMEs don’t know where to start or lack the budget to invest in digital transformation. There's also a need to build trust in digital services and strengthen the talent pipeline with more technical training and industry collaboration.
Stew: Udaya has supported a number of SMEs in leveraging digital technologies in their businesses.
Reasmey: SMEs in Cambodia often face barriers such as limited digital skills, high upfront costs for technology, and a lack of tailored support. Many business owners still rely on manual processes and are hesitant to change what has "always worked" to adopt new systems because they fear disrupting existing workflows or dealing with language barriers. There's also a gap in understanding how digital tools can create long-term value, not just short-term convenience.
In rural areas, infrastructure and internet connectivity remain challenges. And in some cases, business owners fear data breaches or don’t know how to ensure security and compliance. That’s why our approach at UDAYA is holistic—we provide not only the tools but also training, support, and long-term partnership to help businesses transform confidently and sustainably.
Stew: What advice would you give to a small business interested in using digital tools to grow their business? Are there any “must do” strategies or common pitfalls to avoid?
Reasmey: My advice would be to start small but think big, start with purpose. Don’t adopt technology just because it’s trendy—start with a real business need. Identify one or two business pain points—like manual inventory tracking or attendance issues—and adopt a targeted digital solution that addresses those areas. Whether it’s improving your inventory, engaging customers, or saving time, focus on what matters most. Importantly, choose tools that are simple, relevant, and scalable, so you can grow into them as your business evolves.
A “must-do” strategy is to invest in training your people and choosing tools that are scalable and easy to use. Engage with platforms like KhmerSME and ASEAN Access for support, and don’t hesitate to ask for advice from those who’ve done it before.
The most common pitfall is trying to do too much, too fast—or choosing solutions that aren’t right for your size or sector. Also, don’t overlook cybersecurity. As your business grows digitally, so does the need to protect your data and systems. Start small, learn as you go, and stay committed to the journey.
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