Transformation Tour - Bhubaneswar Chapter

Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, with its rich history, architectural splendours, educational institutions, growing IT sector, and cultural vibrancy, offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity. It continues to evolve as a significant economic and cultural centre in eastern India, attracting visitors, businesses, and students from various parts of the world. It has also witnessed remarkable growth and development in its IT sector.

Both the MSMEs and the IT industry in Bhubaneswar have made significant advancements throughout the years. The government has put in place a number of measures to support and promote these industries, which has fueled their expansion. Numerous IT and software firms have decided to establish their presence in the city as a result of the emergence of prominent IT parks and technology centres like InfoValley and Infocity. A thriving startup ecosystem has been fostered in Bhubaneswar, which has seen the emergence of startups in a number of industries, including technology, e-commerce, and mobile applications. The state government has implemented programmes and policies to support innovation and entrepreneurship, thus enhancing the potential of the area.

The National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) and the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), both of which are located in Bhubaneswar, are among the esteemed technical colleges and organisations that call the city home. These organisations serve as a talent pool, bringing in a regular flow of qualified workers for the IT sector.

The administration has given the creation of digital infrastructure a primary priority in keeping with its goal. High-speed internet connectivity has increased, e-governance initiatives have been put in place, and digital services are now available. By promoting widespread usage of digital technology across various industries, these efforts hope to improve connectivity.

The Government of Odisha has taken aggressive steps to support MSME growth in Bhubaneswar, including streamlining procedures for establishing and running MSMEs, offering financial aid, improving access to finance, and developing skill development programmes specifically designed for the sector. The growth of industrial clusters has received particular attention, especially in sectors like textiles, handicrafts, and food processing. These clusters offer infrastructure, shared resources, and marketing assistance to create an environment favourable for MSMEs. Through a number of policies and projects, the government has also expedited the funding procedure for MSMEs. MSMEs now have an easier time obtaining finance because of subsidies, collateral-free loans, and cooperative efforts with banks and financial institutions. Additionally, MSMEs are encouraged to embrace new technologies, and the government supports them by facilitating technology adoption, organising training courses, and promoting innovation and research and development. For MSMEs, technology has changed the game, especially in difficult times. The use of e-commerce platforms and online marketplaces by MSMEs in this country has allowed them to access a wider audience and increase their customer base. Financial transactions are now seamless and secure thanks to digital payment solutions, which provide practical choices for both businesses and consumers. These developments have become even more important during challenging times when it is harder to engage in physical contact.

Overall, technology has benefited MSMEs and helped them get through challenging times. To take advantage of the opportunities and meet the city's growing demand for cutting-edge technologies as well as the growth trajectory for MSMEs and channel partners, CRN India, in collaboration with Dell Technologies and Tech Data, organised a significant conference, Transformation Tour, in Bhubaneswar at the MAYFAIR Lagoon, Bhubaneswar, on July 19, 2023.

‘Modernise your IT infrastructure with Dell and Tech Data’ was the topic of the opening presentation by Shuvam Kumar, Specialist Solution Sales, Dell ISG-Tech Data. He stressed how every organisation must operate as a digital organisation in a multi-cloud world, powdered by data.

By modernising IT, businesses can maximise the value of their data and software, according to Kumar. "Dell's PowerStore is a data-centric product with a flexible architecture and a range of variants to suit diverse customer requirements," he said, guiding the audience through Dell’s storage portfolio.

According to Kumar, Dell's VxRail is the fastest route to a hybrid cloud for any customer, and it modernises the data centre, accelerates the path to a hybrid cloud, and enables cloud-native applications.

Dell has powerful, scalable storage for high-value workloads, and customers are seeking fewer vendors and more strategic partners to help transform their IT, concluded Kumar.

Shuvam Kumar's insightful presentation was followed by an enlightening panel discussion.

The second session featured a discussion on "Navigating the Digital Landscape: Strategies for SMBs in India to Embrace Digital Transformation" by the technology leaders from the SMB sector based out of Bhubaneswar.

According to B.K. Mishra, CEO, Dhuv Technology & System Solutions, "lack of infrastructure is one of the major issues SMBs face in Odisha, along with a lack of skilled workforce. Modernisation and technology adoption are some of the issues we are facing here in the state, but we are constantly upgrading our technology."

(Dr.) Jyoti Ranjan Mohanty, Professor (HR), BIITM, Bhubaneswar, continued, "During and after COVID, every non-IT person started understanding the significance of IT and digitisation."

Dr. Sushree Sangita Ray, Assistant Professor, IT and HR, Amity Global Business School, added, "We have been able to use IT in a great way. We already had systems in place, which helped us make the most of IT."

The panel discussion received an enthusiastic reception from the audience, and numerous rounds of questions and answers followed. After more than 20, tier 2 and tier 3 cities, Bhubaneswar was visited again on the Transformation Tour. The conference left on an upbeat note. SMBs in the city expressed their gratitude and enthusiastic support for it.

The conference, which was successful, was attended by more than 50 members of the MSME segment.

The visitors appreciated Dell's product line and shared with the CRN India team their thoughts on how Dell assisted MSMEs in Bhubaneswar in becoming digital enterprises and how this affected local economic trends.