Ajay Sawant on 30 Years of Innovation and Evolution at Orient Technologies

In an exclusive interview with itVARnews, Ajay Sawant, the Founder & CEO of Orient Technologies, shares his remarkable entrepreneurial journey, insights on navigating technology trends, and the strategies that have helped his company remain a leader in the IT industry for over three decades.

itVARnews: Welcome to itVARnews, Ajay! It’s great to have you with us. Let’s start with your journey—what inspired you to become an entrepreneur, and how did Orient Technologies come into existence?

Ajay Sawant: Thank you! It’s a long story, but it started after my engineering graduation. I joined an MNC dealing in office automation products like teleprinters and fax machines. Back then, India relied heavily on imports, with duties as high as 200%. My team and I took the bold step of indigenizing the technology, making machines locally that outperformed imported ones in terms of features and performance.

However, when our proposal to manufacture solar cars in India was rejected by our UK-based bosses, it triggered a turning point. My co-founders and I decided to leave the company and start our entrepreneurial journey. In 1992, we founded Orient Telax, focusing on office automation. Later, we pivoted to IT, rebranding as Orient Technologies in 1997. It was a bold move but marked the beginning of an incredible journey.

itVARnews: That’s an inspiring story! How has Orient Technologies evolved under your leadership? What have been the key milestones?

Ajay Sawant: The evolution of Orient Technologies has been shaped by adapting to industry trends every 3-5 years. Some of the key milestones include:

1997: Transitioned from office automation to IT during the PC era, focusing on end-user computing.
2005: Expanded into data center solutions and virtualization, driven by disaster recovery needs post the Twin Tower attacks.
2011: Partnered with 12 companies to pioneer cloud solutions in India, becoming an early adopter in the market.
2015 Onwards: Partnered with AWS and Microsoft, delving into analytics, RPA, and now AI-driven solutions.

Throughout, we’ve ensured our offerings remain relevant, whether it’s PCs, data centers, or the latest technologies like high-performance computing (HPC) and AI.

itVARnews: Customer-centricity is a key focus for Orient Technologies. How do you ensure client satisfaction in an industry that’s constantly evolving?

Ajay Sawant: Orient Technologies is like a multi-specialty hospital for IT. We offer end-to-end solutions, from end-user computing to data centers, cloud, cybersecurity, and analytics, all bundled with services.

Our differentiation lies in bundling services with products, which we refer to as our “jam.” Selling products is our bread and butter, but the services we provide alongside are what truly set us apart. This approach ensures that we address all our customers’ IT needs under one roof, making client satisfaction our top priority.

itVARnews: With enterprises increasingly concerned about rising cloud costs, do you see opportunities for local or regional cloud providers?

Ajay Sawant: Absolutely, but it depends on the nature of the customer’s workload. For workloads like billing applications, local cloud providers can perform efficiently. However, for dynamic workloads like ERP systems that require middleware, APIs, and complex integrations, hyperscalers like AWS or Azure are better suited.

Cloud adoption must be a well-thought-out process. While it offers agility and flexibility, it’s no longer the cheapest option. Customers need to evaluate the long-term implications and hidden costs before migrating. I often say, “Cloud is like a slow poison—be careful and plan your journey thoughtfully.”

itVARnews: Artificial intelligence (AI) is a hot topic. What’s your take on AI adoption, and how is Orient Technologies leveraging it?

Ajay Sawant: AI is still in its early stages. While enterprises have accumulated massive amounts of raw data through ERP systems, many struggle to leverage it effectively. Large Language Models (LLMs) are now helping organizations model their data and extract actionable insights, which will revolutionize decision-making.

At Orient Technologies, we’ve started exploring AI use cases in areas like HPC and robotics process automation. The challenge lies in creating use cases that deliver ROI. While adoption is slow, I’m confident that AI will become mainstream in the next six months, unlocking massive potential across industries.

itVARnews: What advice would you give to young professionals aspiring to succeed in the tech industry?

Ajay Sawant: My mantra is simple:

“L > C”: Your Learning must always exceed the Change around you. Observe industry trends and learn proactively.
Be an Early Adopter: Enter new technologies at the right time to capture higher margins. Once a technology becomes mainstream, margins shrink, and you’re just another follower.
Focus on P&L, Not Just Valuations: Valuations can be a mirage. Build a strong, sustainable business by focusing on profitability and delivering value to customers.

Success requires bold decisions, calculated risks, and a commitment to continuous learning.

Conclusion

Ajay Sawant’s entrepreneurial journey and leadership at Orient Technologies highlight the importance of adaptability, customer-centricity, and innovation in the ever-evolving IT landscape. His insights on cloud adoption, AI, and building sustainable businesses provide a valuable roadmap for aspiring tech leaders.

For more such inspiring stories and industry insights, stay tuned to itVARnews!

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🎥 https://youtu.be/waHbTKfiUH0

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