'Today, ESS is India’s leading ERP solutions provider focussed on the SME segment'

Background

Anil did his BSc in Physics (Hons) from Kirori Mal College in 1974. He then
moved to Canada and completed B.Sc. (specialist) in Computer Science from
the University of Toronto, Canada.  He worked for organizations such as
ESSO Petroleum and Bank of Nova Scotia before returning to India in 1985. On his
return to India he joined CMC Limited. In 1990 Anil switched to entrepreneurship
and together with his colleague Sanjay Agarwala, established Eastern Software
Systems (ESS) to develop software products. Today, ESS is India’s leading ERP
solutions provider focused at the SME segment.

Current job profile

As chairman and managing director of Eastern Software Systems, Anil is
responsible for outlining the vision and guidelines, defining the overall
business objectives and spearheading the growth of the company. His focus is to
ensure that ESS continues to become more and more process driven. His vision is
to make ESS a company offering world class software product (ebizframe) at
Indian prices.

Turning point

The turning point in his life came when he decided to become an entrepreneur
in 1990 and launch Eastern Software Systems together with his friend and
colleague Sanjay Agarwala in CMC Ltd. Venturing into a new field of software
products and solutions was very exciting and challenging.

Best professional decision

Anil’s decision to get into software products as opposed to services was
the most crucial and best business decision taken by him. It gave the company a
definite focus and ensured that ESS did something different than most of the
industry. Thanks to this ESS, enjoys the distinction of being one of the very
few successful Indian product companies.

Achievements

Anil is proud of the fact ESS is considered one of the best software product
companies in India. Under his aegis, ESS has also carved a distinct niche for
itself as the leading and most cost-effective Indian ERP solutions provider for
the SME segment.

As told to Shubhendu Parth in New
Delhi