Transformation Tour — Bhubaneswar Chapter

Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, stands out among the emerging Tier-II tech hubs in India, positioning itself as a hub for technological growth and innovation. Its unique blend of history, culture, and modern development makes it a vibrant and significant city in eastern India, continually evolving as a key player in the economic and technological landscape of the country. The city has already secured its place on the IT map of India, achieving commendable heights in IT exports and cultivating skilled IT professionals, along with developing world-class IT infrastructure.

The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) landscape in Bhubaneswar is characterised by a dynamic and evolving ecosystem. Proactive government initiatives and a commitment to fostering entrepreneurial growth have propelled Bhubaneswar to emerge as a thriving hub for small and medium-sized enterprises. The MSME sector in the city benefits from dedicated clusters and industrial estates, creating an environment conducive to collaboration and resource sharing among businesses. Government policies, including financial support, subsidies, and streamlined regulatory processes, have played a pivotal role in creating an enabling business environment. Skill development programs and a focus on technology adoption have further enhanced the capabilities of the local workforce, propelling MSMEs towards increased productivity and competitiveness. Bhubaneswar's growing economy and expanding local market provide ample opportunities for MSMEs to flourish. The city's commitment to exports adds a global dimension, allowing MSMEs to explore markets beyond the region. With supportive infrastructure and a concerted effort to ease business operations, the MSME landscape in Bhubaneswar reflects resilience, innovation, and a promising trajectory for sustained growth.

Technology has been a significant boon for MSMEs, aiding them in navigating challenging times. To leverage opportunities and meet the city's growing demand for cutting-edge technologies, along with aligning with the growth trajectory for MSMEs and channel partners, CRN India, in collaboration with Dell Technologies and Tech Data, organised a noteworthy conference, Transformation Tour, at the Mayfair Lagoon in Bhubaneswar on October 11th, 2023.

The day kicked off with a panel discussion, led by tech experts from Bhubaneswar's SMB sector, on the theme "Navigating the Digital Landscape: Strategies for Indian SMBs to Embrace Digital Transformation." They shared insights and strategies, guiding businesses through the ever-changing digital landscape.

Madhusmita Dash, Director at Dharma Infraprojects Pvt Ltd, emphasised the importance of data security, stating, “Looking at data security, the cloud represents the future, offering scalability and agility along with robust data protection, making it the preferred choice for businesses in need of a secure digital infrastructure.”

“In the ongoing digital transformation, technology plays a pivotal role, enabling progress. However, it also introduces new challenges, such as hacking, which necessitates heightened cybersecurity measures to safeguard against evolving threats,” said Rana Pandey, Group Project Manager at IngramMicro.

Gopal Krishnan Nayak, Professor at XIM University, pointed out, “Despite economic downturns, the education sector remains resilient. Small and medium businesses leverage IT to stand out, embracing resilience and innovation.”

BK Mishra, CEO, Dhruv Technology & System Solutions, stated, “The future of technology and IT presents exciting opportunities alongside complex challenges, promising a dynamic landscape of innovation and progress.”

Following this was an interesting presentation by Rana Pandey, Group Product Manager, IngramMicro, where he emphasised and appraised the product line of Dell Technologies. He stated, “Dell is committed to the enduring trend of hybrid work and provides personalised solutions to address the unique requirements of hybrid workers.”

He also highlighted, “Dell offers a sustainable desktop portfolio that is cost-effective and adaptable, meeting the diverse needs of users with eco-friendly solutions.”

The Latitude series by Dell, including the 3000, 5000, 7000, and 9000 models, empowers customers to work with confidence on the world's most advanced commercial PCs, no matter where they are located, he further stated.

The panel discussion received an enthusiastic response from the audience, and numerous rounds of questions and answers followed. After more than 20 Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, Bhubaneswar was revisited on the Transformation Tour. The conference concluded on an upbeat note, with SMBs in the city expressing gratitude and enthusiastic support for it.

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