Development of a Centralized Digital Platform to Improve Visibility of Local Service Providers in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Independent local service providers in Puerto Rico rely heavily on informal digital channels, such as social media groups and personal referrals, to promote their services. These channels lack structure, consistency, and effective search capabilities, creating challenges for provider visibility and customer access to reliable service information. This project developed a managerial planning and feasibility framework for a centralized digital platform intended to improve visibility for independent service providers and enhance customer access to organized service information. The project applied a structured DMAIC-based methodology focused on analysis and planning rather than system implementation. Secondary data sources and documented observations were used to establish baseline service discovery conditions and identify gaps related to information organization, search efficiency, and user confidence. The results demonstrated that fragmented and informal discovery practices limited effective service matching and provider exposure. The conclusions supported the feasibility of a centralized managerial framework as a foundation for future platform development and implementation efforts within the Puerto Rican service market. Key Terms ⎯ Centralized digital platform, managerial planning framework, service discovery, service provider visibility.