In an exclusive conversation with CXO News – APAC News Network, Piyush Somani, Chairman & Managing Director, ESDS Software Solutions outlines how they are emerging as a key cloud service provider with their SaaS and IaaS solutions and cloud security mechanisms.
What is the current status update about the ESDS data centers in India?
In recent years, ESDS data centers have experienced significant growth in the Indian market. Strategically located in Mumbai, Nashik, Bengaluru, Airoli (Navi Mumbai), and Mohali, our data centers offer state-of-the-art facilities and unmatched security measures.
Trusted by leading enterprises, financial institutions, and government organizations, our data centers guarantee maximum uptime and data protection. To address India’s increasing demand for dependable and secure cloud services, we are planning to expand the capacity of our data centers.
What are the solutions and services offered by these ESDS data centers? How will you explain the traction of the eNlight cloud suite and what are its use cases?
ESDS data centers offer Cloud, Managed Security, and Managed Services tailored to diverse IT needs. Our eNlight cloud suite stands out with its auto vertical scaling technology, enabling seamless scalability and cost optimization through a pay-per-consume model. It empowers businesses of all sizes, facilitating digital transformation and providing secure, cost-effective solutions for various industries.
eNlight Cloud is a cornerstone for success in the ever-evolving digital landscape, from small enterprises to government agencies. As CEO, I am proud of our commitment to innovation and excellence, ensuring our clients have the tools they need to succeed in today’s dynamic business environment.
What has been the traction amongst Indian enterprises for IaaS and SaaS adoption amongst Indian enterprises?
As businesses and industries increasingly migrate to cloud-based platforms, the global software-as-a-service (SaaS) market is undergoing significant expansion. Over the past years, Indian SaaS startups have witnessed substantial growth, driven by the escalating digitization and hybridization of businesses worldwide. India’s SaaS market has reached a pivotal juncture, with venture investments surging to $4.8 billion in 2021 and projected to soar to a value of $50 billion by 2030. This trend underscores a notable shift towards cloud-based solutions, driven by their cost-effectiveness, scalability, and accessibility.
ESDS stands at the forefront of this transformative wave, offering a suite of robust Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and SaaS solutions tailored to the unique demands of Indian enterprises. Our state-of-the-art infrastructure and innovative software offerings empower businesses to harness the full potential of cloud computing, driving productivity, scalability, and competitiveness in today’s dynamic market landscape.
How do you see this traction vertical-wise for ESDS? What will be the proportionate contribution from the top 5 verticals?
ESDS traction in several verticals indicates our dedication to offering specialized solutions for a wide range of sectors. We witness a high level of engagement from important industries like government, enterprise, sector, and BFSI. We understand the particular needs of every vertical and create customized community cloud services to meet those needs. For example, our Enterprise Community
Cloud provides scalable infrastructure and advanced software solutions to meet the changing needs of large organizations. For public sector organizations, our Government Community Cloud guarantees security and compliance; for financial institutions, our BFSI Community Cloud offers strong infrastructure and regulatory compliance.
What is the GTM strategy followed by ESDS? How would you elaborate on the partner structure?
Recognized for our excellence in Cloud Services, ESDS is charting a course toward the future. Evolving into a “One-Stop Shop,” we’re strategically shifting our focus to emerge as leaders in security and managed services, providing comprehensive solutions for our clients. Building strong bonds of trust with key stakeholders is a cornerstone of our competitive edge. Our partnership with STPI, a renowned IT park in India, exemplifies this commitment. Through collaboration, we continually uphold industry best practices and maintain cutting-edge technical infrastructure.
Additionally, we take immense pride in being a Meity Empanelled cloud provider, underscoring our dedication to the ‘Make in India’ initiative and ensuring the highest standards of security for our clients’ data. Security remains our utmost priority, and housing data within Indian borders adds an extra layer of assurance. Beyond technical prowess, our standout feature lies in our exceptional customer service. Our versatile teams are deeply committed to exceeding expectations, serving as trusted allies to our clients by delivering personalized, enthusiastic support across all fronts.
How do you witness the adoption of a multi-cloud environment among Indian enterprises (public clouds from multiple CSPs, private clouds, applications on EDGE)?
In recent years, we have seen a notable trend in Indian businesses’ adoption of multi-cloud environments. This trend involves employing apps, private clouds, and public clouds from various Cloud Service Providers (CSPs). Flexibility and resilience are two of the main factors driving this adoption. Businesses can choose the best offerings from various providers, avoid vendor lock-in, and optimize cost and performance using multiple public clouds. It also improves real-time processing capabilities by bringing processing power closer to the data source and lowering latency.
Private clouds remain essential, particularly for applications and sensitive data requiring strict security and compliance guidelines. Businesses can balance control and scalability using the hybrid model, which combines public and private clouds. A multi-cloud approach enables Indian businesses to improve their IT infrastructure, leading to increased innovation and digital transformation and enhanced performance, scalability, and security.
How do you ensure cybersecurity for enterprises hosting their applications on your cloud platform?
At ESDS, we are extremely concerned about cybersecurity, particularly for businesses that use our cloud platform to host their apps. We provide managed security services to safeguard our client’s data and apps. Our SOC Services ensure your data is safe and complies with local regulations by offering comprehensive, 24/7 monitoring and rapid response to threats. Additionally, we have the eNlight web Application Firewall (WAF), which protects your web traffic by logically blocking attacks like XSS and Injection Attacks.
Additionally, we provide Privileged Access Management (PAM) to assist you in managing and monitoring user privileges. It minimizes security threats and ensures compliance with industry standards. Also, to guard against malware and other vulnerabilities, our vulnerability assessment tool, VTMScan, performs comprehensive security assessments of websites. Together, these services offer you complete visibility, ongoing protection, and assurance, allowing you to concentrate on growing your business while we take care of your cybersecurity requirements.
What are going to be the key focus areas for ESDS in the coming 12-18 months?
As ESDS embarks on a transformative journey, the next 12 to 18 months will be crucial. Our goal is to establish ourselves as a leading Indian hyperscaler with a global presence. Here’s what this ambitious journey entails:
1. Rising Above Foreign CSPs (Cloud Service Providers) :
- Opportunity for Leadership: ESDS is positioned to excel beyond foreign CSPs by offering transparent cloud solutions tailored for the Indian market.
- Customer-Centric Transparency: Unlike global hyperscalers, which often lack transparency about data location and IP addresses, ESDS commits to maintaining clear and open communication with our customers.
2. Addressing the Current Market Gaps :
- Data Security Concerns: There are significant concerns with how global hyperscalers manage data encryption and security. Many customers face risks of data breaches, loss, or being denied access to their data.
- Strategic Importance: ESDS aims to address these critical gaps, ensuring robust data security and sovereignty for Indian customers, which is crucial in preventing potential future crises.
3. Innovative Cloud Solutions and Expansion Plans :
- Next-Generation Cloud Solutions: Over the next two years, ESDS plans to launch a variety of innovative cloud services that will redefine the industry standards.
- Expansion of Data Centers: To support our advanced cloud services, ESDS is focused on expanding our data centers. We are clear on our strategy to develop state-of-the-art facilities that will underpin our future services.
- Diversification into New Areas: The expansion isn’t limited to cloud services. ESDS is also venturing into the cybersecurity domain. Together, these three areas—cloud services, data centers, and cybersecurity—form the foundational pillars that will propel ESDS into becoming a multibillion-dollar organization.
The forthcoming period is not just about growth for ESDS but about setting new benchmarks in the cloud computing industry. By ensuring data security, expanding our service offerings, and building next-generation infrastructure, ESDS is poised to play a pivotal role in transforming India’s digital landscape.
