Digital transformation towards data capital

Today, in this digital transformation era, data has become a valuable asset with everyone talking about it being the new oil. While this acknowledgement is positive, most respondents are still struggling to properly protect their data. Here, Ripu Bajwa, Director and GM, Data Protection Solutions, Dell Technologies, explains the latest data protection advancements. Excerpts:

Dataquest: How do you see the data protection landscape shaping in India? 

Ripu Bajwa: India is transforming into a digital economy, and the sheer volume of data being generated in the country is huge. Data has definitely become the most valuable asset for businesses all around the globe. To give you a better context, we launched the Dell Technologies Global Data Protection Index 2018 report, which found out that an average organization in India is currently managing 6.42 PB of data as compared to 2.79 PB in 2016.

In fact, it also found out that 93% of businesses see the potential value of data, and 47% are already monetizing it, as against 36%, globally. Hence, the need to protect this humongous amount of data is the need of the hour. In the next 5-6 years, we can envision a world where we have total control of our data, in the sense of protecting and managing it efficiently and cost effectively.

Dataquest: What is the outlook of enterprises and customers towards adopting better data protection solutions? 

Ripu Bajwa: Indian organizations are looking at data protection in a more positive way and have become sensitive to how data flows between internal and external entities. Today, data has become a valuable asset with everyone talking about it being the new oil. While this acknowledgement is positive, most respondents are still struggling to properly protect their data.

Interestingly, the Global Data Protection Index also reveals that 76% of the respondents experienced a disruption in the past year, and 30% of respondents experienced irreparable data loss. The research also shows that data protection adopters sprang forward from 12% in 2016 to 60% in 2018. This is a clear indication of how customers are increasing their attention towards data protection solutions, and are investing heavily on it in their organizations.

Dataquest: Can you explain the latest data protection advancements made by Dell? 

Ripu Bajwa: In this dynamic world, the secret to accelerate the data-driven decisions along with driving better business outcomes is modernizing IT assets. We have been constantly innovating our portfolio with solutions, such as the Dell EMC Data Domain, Data Protection Software Suite and Integrated Data Protection Appliance (IDPA).

These are designed to offer organizations real-world flexibility and value with expanded multi-cloud capabilities and improved performance. The advancements to these products also provide the mid-sized organizations and remote offices of larger organizations with more choice and options in obtaining enterprise-level data protection.

Our aim is to enable our customers to achieve their digital and security needs. Through our innovation and in-depth knowledge about the data protection landscape in India, we offer a holistic data protection solutions/offerings to keep the critical data of the customers intact – be at the edge, core or in multi-cloud environment.

Dataquest: What is Dell Technologies’ go-to-market strategy in India? 

Ripu Bajwa: In a world where digital transformation is determining the success of businesses – the need for “data capital” comes into focus. When applied across the organization it not only allows you to extend the value of traditional assets, but it actually creates new opportunities and efficiencies well beyond these assets.

Dell Technologies is employing a variety of go-to-market strategies in order to reach the customers in the best way possible. In some cases, strategies include direct sales pitches and in others, we follow our channel partner approach.

Our distributers are an integral part of our distribution model and through our channel partner program we provide them proper training so that they can excel. Our program also recognizes these partners on the basis of their revenue, training and service targets they achieve into Gold, Platinum, Titanium and Titanium Black.

Dataquest: Can you elaborate on the future outlook of Dell Technologies? 

Ripu Bajwa: Dell Technologies have always believed in providing the best-in-class solutions to the customers. Especially, with our consistent efforts to bring in new innovation and upgrades, based on the evolving needs, we have also been able to build trust with them.

The latest solutions across our comprehensive portfolio range showcase the superior quality of our products, which gives a new meaning to protect and to manage the data, empowering the businesses to move ahead in their digital transformation journey.

Our aim is to become the digital architects for our customers and partners to help them get ahead of their competitive curve. Under the Dell Technologies umbrella, we have the capabilities of providing varied solutions, which are cost-effective, making us the single trusted supplier for all end-to-end needs.

• Aanchal Ghatak