New Generation, New Vision: How AI and Automation Are Taking Family IT Businesses Global

India’s IT distribution and channel ecosystem has long stood on pillars of trust, enduring relationships, and regional market dominance. But today, a silent transformation is unfolding. A new generation of tech-savvy successors is stepping into family-run IT businesses—not only to preserve the legacy, but to redefine it through the lens of artificial intelligence, automation, and a clear global outlook.

From national distribution giants to specialized value-added resellers, these young leaders are bringing in engineering expertise, startup agility, and a digital-first mindset. They’re modernizing operations with intelligent go-to-market strategies, data-driven lead generation, SaaS onboarding, platform integrations, and future-ready partner ecosystems. The outcome is clear: smarter, leaner, and globally scalable  IT enterprises emerging from legacy-driven businesses.

Take Rahul Yadav, for example, the son of Ashok Kumar—the visionary behind RAH Infotech, one of India’s top value-added distributors in cybersecurity and business solutions. While Ashok Kumar built a national brand grounded in credibility and reach, Rahul is elevating it into a digital powerhouse. By integrating AI-driven analytics, intelligent deal registration, predictive partner support, and fully digital vendor onboarding, he is repositioning RAH as a smart, partner-centric platform designed for global expansion.

Similarly, Priyam Vijayvargia, an IIT Bombay alumnus and the son of Priyam Vijayvargia Infosystems’ founder Dhiraj Vijayvergia, played a pivotal role in modernizing the company during his tenure. WhilePriyam Vijayvargia Infosystems had long focused on ERP and accounting solutions, Priyam Vijayvargia spearheaded its transformation into a more product-driven tech platform. Under his leadership, the company began developing AI-powered business intelligence modules, chatbot-based workflows, and automated compliance tools tailored to the mid-market segment. His contribution marked a strategic shift from a services-led enterprise to a scalable, innovation-led organization  laying the foundation for its next phase of growth before he joined Beco as Growth Manager under the Founder’s Office to gain more hands-on experience.

Another example is Raghav Khandelwal, who is reinventing Odisha-based ESTPL founded by his father Dhirendra Khandelwal. Rooted in traditional IT services, ESTPL is now undergoing a digital metamorphosis as Raghav introduces automation frameworks, cloud-native operations, and data-driven management strategies. He is focused on evolving ESTPL into a forward-looking, tech-enabled IT player while retaining its regional identity.

So why is this generational shift happening now? There are several compelling reasons. These next-gen leaders are inherently tech-native—fluent in APIs, cloud infrastructures, generative AI, and automation. They find it easier to modernize legacy operations and bring in global best practices, thanks to academic or professional experiences abroad. They honor what their parents built but are unafraid to shift from a product-pushing model to one that prioritizes problem-solving and customer-centricity. Moreover, they are building leaner, faster, and digitally integrated companies capable of scaling revenue without proportionately increasing headcount.

A recent itVARnews Partner Pulse Survey revealed that 42% of next-generation leaders in Indian channel companies intend to expand internationally in the next three years. Even more telling, over 74% are already investing in artificial intelligence, automation, or cloud-native platforms. For an industry once driven by offline interactions and physical distribution, this represents a significant and rapid evolution.

Naturally, the path is not without its challenges. Balancing legacy business models with innovation can be complex. Resistance from conventional teams, along with rigid vendor expectations, remains a common hurdle. Yet, these emerging leaders are navigating these tensions through data-backed decision-making, ROI-driven change management, and carefully structured pilot initiatives. They’re also embracing digital branding—an approach that was almost unheard of in legacy IT circles just five years ago. Today, they use LinkedIn, partner marketing platforms, and influencer-driven content to amplify their evolving brand stories.

The verdict is clear: the Indian IT channel is entering a bold new chapter—one that’s being written not just with SKUs and margin targets, but with dashboards, automation playbooks, and intelligent workflows. This next generation is not merely inheriting companies; they’re transforming them into tech-first engines designed for global growth and relevance.

At itVARnews, we are proud to spotlight this dynamic shift. Visionaries like Rahul, Priyam, and Raghav are leading the way, showing that even the most traditional IT businesses can thrive in the age of intelligence—with the right vision, the right mindset, and the right technology.