The Xcelerate 2024 event Ahmedabad on June 26 witnessed a significant gathering of SMB leaders, IT professionals, and industry experts, all eager to explore how scalable IT strategies can fuel business growth and digitization. Hosted by Schneider Electric, the event highlighted how SMBs can leverage technology and digitization to overcome challenges and compete in a rapidly changing market.
Narayan Sahu, Regional Head – West Region, Schneider Electric, emphasized the pivotal role of SMBs in India’s economic rise. He remarked, “India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and in the coming years, we will surpass many large economies. The SMB market will play a major role in this growth, and it is essential to focus on digitization and industrial growth.” Sahu further noted that while the SMB sector holds enormous potential, it faces unique challenges such as digitization and cash flow management. Schneider Electric aims to support these businesses through a comprehensive range of IT and infrastructure solutions.
During the session, Sahu touched upon the vital role Schneider Electric plays in addressing the SMB market’s needs. “We, at Schneider, are here to assist the SMB market in overcoming challenges related to digitization. Our product portfolio is designed to help businesses navigate these hurdles efficiently.”
Uday Gupta, Senior Manager at Schneider Electric, expanded on Schneider’s global footprint and its increasing emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region. “Asia-Pacific, including India, is emerging as a major player in the global market, and this is reflected in Schneider’s revenue. Last year, the region contributed 29% of our global revenue, surpassing North America,” he said. Gupta emphasized that data centers, which contributed 14% to Schneider’s revenue, are key to driving digital transformation through energy management and automation.
Gupta further elaborated on the rapid evolution of data centers, highlighting the shift from centralized to decentralized, and now to local edge computing. He noted, “A growing trend in the market is local edge computing. Enterprises want their data near the source to minimize latency. This is particularly important for businesses like retail stores, where even milliseconds of delay can impact transactions.” Schneider’s solutions for this emerging market include micro data centers, which offer scalable and efficient infrastructure for businesses of all sizes.
In addition to presenting Schneider’s innovative solutions, Gupta underscored the importance of embracing AI, IoT, and machine learning in shaping the future of business. “By 2025, there will be 80 million connected devices generating 180 trillion gigabytes of data. Enterprises are expected to invest heavily in AI, machine learning, and IoT, and Schneider is positioned to support this shift with our comprehensive portfolio,” he explained.
Sachin Sansare, Asst Manager – Internal Sales, representing Schneider Electric’s President systems business, delved into the technical aspects of Schneider’s solutions. He presented the concept of micro data centers as a cost-effective, plug-and-play solution tailored to SMBs’ needs. “Our micro data center solution integrates IT infrastructure with cooling, power, and security into a single cabinet, offering real-time monitoring and preventive maintenance to minimize downtime,” said Sansare.
Closing the session, Sahu reiterated Schneider Electric’s commitment to the SMB sector, stating, “Schneider is a one-stop solution for any IT or infrastructure needs. From micro data centers to large-scale data centers, we offer flexible, India-for-India products that are accessible through our extensive local partner network.”
As SMBs in India face increasing pressure to digitize and scale efficiently, Schneider Electric’s solutions aim to equip them with the tools needed to thrive in the digital economy. The Xcelerate 2024 event provided a platform for SMB leaders to engage with the latest trends in IT and automation, offering valuable insights and actionable strategies for the future.
Watch the full session here: https://youtu.be/jmhNiUKkC4E
