Transformation Tour - Coimbatore Chapter

Nestled in the heart of southern India, Coimbatore has gracefully transitioned from its industrial roots to embrace a new era of innovation and digital transformation. It has been experiencing growth in its IT sector over the past few years. The city has been gradually transforming into a hub for information technology and related industries.

Coimbatore, often referred to as the Manchester of South India, known for its rich heritage in manufacturing and textiles, has now become a hotbed of technological progress. The evolution of Coimbatore's IT landscape is a testament to the power of adaptation and innovation.

We can see how ancient strengths and contemporary aspirations are coming together. In addition to utilising its historical manufacturing knowledge, Coimbatore's IT ecosystem has embraced cutting- edge technologies that are reshaping our world.

The rapid growth of MSME companies is at the core of this shift. These businesses have demonstrated to us that size is not a barrier to accomplishing lofty goals since they were motivated by an inventive and ambitious mentality. The MSMEs in Coimbatore have grown from regional competitors to global contenders, carving out a position in a variety of industries. They have demonstrated that innovation knows no boundaries and that even the smallest business can have a big influence when supported by the appropriate technical tools.

This MSME sector has boosted exports and is contributing significantly to the GDP. Recent years have seen the emergence of tech startups that are willing to disrupt the status quo and create ground-breaking solutions to problems encountered by MSMEs. Online platforms, digital marketing, and e-commerce are growing, giving MSMEs access to markets throughout the world that were previously unthinkable. Financial transactions are increasingly seamless and secure for MSMEs thanks to digital payment systems, which offer useful options for both businesses and consumers. These advancements have become even more crucial in these trying times when it is more difficult to make personal contact.

In general, technology has benefited MSMEs and assisted them in overcoming difficult situations. 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 Coimbatore at Vivanta on August 11, 2023.

Shuvam Kumar, Specialist Solution Sales, Dell ISG-Tech Data, gave the inaugural talk on the subject of "Modernising your IT Infrastructure with Dell and Tech Data". He said that in a multi-cloud, data- driven world, every firm must function as a digital organisation.

He emphasised Dell's PowerStore as a data-centric solution distinguished by its flexible architecture and a range of versions created to satisfy customer's various needs. Kumar stated that Dell's VxRail was the best option for customers looking for the quickest route to a hybrid cloud solution. In order to successfully implement a digital transformation, he highlighted the need for IT evolution. He spoke about the need to upgrade historical infrastructure to modern standards while smoothly integrating cutting-edge apps in a multi-cloud setting. In order to build cutting-edge infrastructure that not only lessens IT issues but also promotes commercial success, Dell EMC PowerEdge racks were also introduced.

His presentation highlighted the strengths of AMD EPYC-powered Dell PowerEdge 16th Gen servers, which excel at managing demanding workloads in edge, cloud, and core settings. Kumar emphasised the need for all organisations to function in a multi-cloud environment, particularly in the current digital and data-driven economy. He pointed out that maximising the value of data and software and promoting digital transformation depend on modernising IT infrastructure.

Additionally, Dell VxRail HCI was presented as a key element in Dell's offerings, streamlining data centre modernisation and supporting hybrid cloud deployments. Dell PowerStore was also highlighted for its capacity to optimise system performance, scalability, and storage efficiency to support a variety of workloads.

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

The panellists, who represented a variety of companies serving the SMB market, delivered an insightful conversation on "Navigating the Digital Landscape: Strategies for SMBs in India to Embrace Digital Transformation."

Srikrishna Narasimhan, Group Head, IT, Prictol Limited, emphasised the significance of enhancing operational efficiency in human resources for SMBs, considering it a pivotal asset and a primary growth area that demands dedicated attention and effort.

While Vedhaviyas Gopalakrishnan, Co-Founder, Adra Product Studio LLC, highlighted, "The potential of AI, ONDC, and edge computing in helping small and medium-sized organisations reduce costs while enhancing the customer experience."

Kalaivanan S., VP-IT, Schnell Energy Equipments, stressed, "The main transformation required for SMBs to operate smoothly with improved efficiency and communication is adoption, rather than solely focusing on innovation."

Lastly, Dilip Kongassery, Head of ICT and CS at the CS Academy, pointed out the importance of effective customer communication for SMBs but cautioned that AI tools could present challenges and growth limitations." He also highlighted the need to navigate complexity to ensure seamless contact and unrestricted expansion.

The panel discussion garnered an enthusiastic response from the audience, leading to multiple rounds of questions and answers. Following successful visits to over 20, Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, the Transformation Tour returned to Coimbatore. The conference concluded on a positive note, with SMBs in the city expressing their gratitude and wholehearted support. The event, which drew over 50 participants from the MSME segment, received praise for Dell's product offerings. Attendees also shared their insights with the CRN India team on how Dell has been instrumental in helping MSMEs in Coimbatore transition into digital enterprises and its impact on local economic trends.