Strong IT infrastructure - Better Solutions & Services

By Bunny Sidhu

Mr. Sunny Pokala, President, Amtex Systems Amtex Systems is a global IT consulting and service provider, providing solutions across verticals such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, retail and BFSI domains. The company’s consulting services focus on defining, optimizing and aligning customer’s business and IT strategies as per the changing dynamics of the environment. It also provides IT services in the area of development needs, IT staffing, software testing and quality assurance, offshore development and BPO, along with enterprise solutions, e-Business solutions, application development and maintenance, infrastructure management and security services. Headquartered in New York, USA, the company was founded in 1997 by Indian technocrat entrepreneur Sunny Pokala. Convergence Plus spoke to Mr. Pokala about the importance of having a strong IT infrastructure in place for an enterprise. “The IT Infrastructure is a customizable framework of best practices that promotes quality-computing services in the information technology sector,” says Mr. Pokala. “IT infrastructure addresses the organizational structure and skill requirements for an IT organization by presenting a comprehensive set of management procedures with which an organization can manage its IT operations. Thus, it enables companies to provide better solutions and services.” However, managing IT operations is not the only benefit. An enterprise’s IT set up can foster better internal and external communication. “It would also help people and companies to communicate and connect well amongst them and within the company, help in better customer satisfaction and disaster management among others,” adds Mr. Pokala. When questioned on the main challenges to developing a strong IT set up in a country like India, he cited factors such as having an appropriate and well developed infrastructure like IT parks, having the right talent and resources and keeping pace with ever changing technological developments in western countries. Dependence on IT does not come without its share of risks. “As technology keeps on evolving and developing, it contributes in making our lives better and easier, but on the other hand it also allows one to manipulate and cause trouble, as in the form of hacking, security threats etc.” says Mr. Pokala. However, IT solutions companies have taken the necessary measures in this regard. Amtex Systems successfully achieved compliance status with the Payment Card Industry - Data Security Standard version 1.1 (PCI DSS). The PCI DSS standard represents the best practices defined by VISA, Amex, Master Card covering 12 industry-wide requirements for Security Management, policies, procedures, network architecture, software design and other critical protective measure, that service providers must adhere to in order to safeguard sensitive data. “At Amtex Systems, all level 1 providers undergo an annual on-site PCI Data Security Assessment by an independent Qualified Security Assessor to retain compliance. Hence, at Amtex Systems we strive hard to provide security and safeguard the information shared by our clients,” concludes Mr. Pokala.

India’s PC Market – The Rise of the Notebook

By Pramit Kumar

In keeping with the transition to mobile computing, notebook PCs are rising in popularity. In fact, research firm IDC even predicts that worldwide sales of notebooks are going to surpass desktop sales this year – something that has already been achieved in the United States last year.

In the Indian context, the price differential between the two kinds of computing devices have ensured that desktops dominate the market with a share of 70%, as compared to notebooks with a share of 30%. However, even this 30% is a significant achievement when you take into consideration that notebooks held a share of 3% in the market, just four years ago.

Being a nascent market for IT products, India cannot be that far behind global trends. According to Mr. Vinnie Mehta, Executive Director, Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT), “PC penetration in the country is only 2.5%, providing great scope for various product categories. At every difference price point, a new market exists.”

In fact, the fast pace of notebook sales are driving the PC market in India. According to MAIT figures released last year, notebook adoption in 2008 was at the rate of 114% while desktop sales were growing at 13%. “This is perhaps being driven by changing preferences of the consumer towards the mobility, sleekness of the notebook along with the brand association that comes along with celebrities promoting products,” says Mr. Mehta.

IDC predicts that by 2012, notebooks will enjoy a market share equal to desktops – driven by their increasing affordability. According to IDC, notebook prices in India have been dropping by around 10% a year mainly due to technological developments, growing volumes and changes in the customs duty structure. Significant improvements in communications infrastructure supporting wireless connectivity have also played an important role in driving the demand for notebooks in the country.

Currently even India’s manufacturing scenario favours desktops with the present policy structure. Notebooks also require a much more sophisticated manufacturing process than desktops. But even this scenario is slowly improving. “Notebook manufacturing is growing in India. Earlier we had only HCL and Wipro manufacturing notebooks, but now a multinational like HP has started production in India,” states Mr. Mehta.

HP started production of business notebooks in India for the first time in March at its Pantnagar facility. The move was driven by the huge market potential in India along with a need to be closer to their sales channel.

Notebooks are set to make their place in the Indian market, no longer as mere extensions of the desktop. With improved performance capabilities and declining costs, notebooks will emerge as a significant product category and perhaps even surpass their desktop counterparts in the near future. Augmenting the country’s broadband infrastructure is one of the key factors, which will drive notebook adoption in the country. Development of applications and content in local languages is also a major driver of IT products.