'We are positioning Unified Collaboration Tools as the future of hybrid workspaces bridging the in-office and remote teams': Mandar Jadhav, Business Head

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In an exclusive conversation with CXO Media and APAC Media, Mandar Jadhav, Business Head – AVSI, Syntel by Arvind explains integrated AV-IT solutions seamlessly delivering tailored solutions for different industries like education, healthcare, and retail, and integrating cutting-edge technologies like AI, IoT, and automation for intelligent and scalable AV configurations. He elaborates how Syntel by Arvind is playing a major role in this growth by utilizing its IT integration, cloud solutions, and digital transformation expertise.

What are the solutions and services that are available from the Syntel by Arvind portfolio in India today?

Syntel’s portfolio in India offers a variety of solutions, including:

Voice Communication – EPABX systems, smart communication systems, and enterprise communication solutions.
Data Networking – Networking infrastructure, wireless solutions, and server/data center management.
AV Integration – Corporate spaces like boardrooms, conference room, Training centres, Multipurpose auditoriums, video wall signage, etc. Also we cater solutions for hospitality, BFSI and education.
Security & Surveillance – CCTV cameras, access control, and visitor management systems.
Unified Communication – Collaboration tools, voice applications, and contact center solutions.
Telephony Products – IP phones and intercom systems.

These services cater to businesses across sectors, backed by over 35 years of expertise and a strong national presence.

What are the use cases of NEOS and SNEOS in Indian education, healthcare and security sectors?

For the education sector, we are soon going to launch SNEOS IFPD Displays, which will enhance smart classrooms by providing interactive, touch-based learning, allowing teachers to deliver dynamic lessons and engage students. These displays also facilitate collaborative learning, enabling real-time group projects and brainstorming sessions. Additionally, SNEOS displays support remote learning environments, making hybrid or online classes more interactive, and improve the learning experience with multimedia presentations. On the security front, SNEOS CCTV ensures campus safety by monitoring classrooms, hallways, and entrances, preventing misconduct and ensuring a secure learning environment for students and staff.

In healthcare, SNEOS IFPD Displays will play a vital role in medical training by allowing interactive learning and simulations for healthcare professionals. They will also improve patient education, helping doctors explain medical conditions and treatment plans more clearly. The displays support collaborative case discussions, enabling real-time interaction among medical staff, and help with efficient patient record access. SNEOS CCTV systems enhance hospital security by monitoring entrances, sensitive areas like ICUs and ensuring safety through surveillance of public spaces. These cameras also aid in theft prevention and provide valuable evidence in case of incidents.

In the security sector, SNEOS CCTV provides continuous 24/7 surveillance of high-risk locations, monitors access points for unauthorised entry, and serves as a crucial tool in preventing crime by recording activities. In emergencies, CCTV systems help security personnel respond promptly, providing real-time visual evidence to support law enforcement.

How would you assess the vertical-wise traction of Syntel by Arvind’s AV solutions today in India?

Syntel by Arvind’s AV solutions have gained significant traction in BFSI, government, and hospitality sectors in India, with specific use cases addressing key needs in each vertical.

In the BFSI sector, Syntel provides tailored conference room solutions that enhance collaboration through seamless video conferencing, secure communication, and integrated presentation systems. These solutions enable financial institutions to streamline client meetings, internal communications, and high-level decision-making processes. Additionally, their systems improve the efficiency of training programs and financial seminars.

In the corporate sector, Syntel by Arvind offers advanced boardroom and training centre AV solutions, transforming these spaces into interactive hubs for meetings, presentations, and collaborative sessions. These solutions support high-quality video conferencing, immersive displays, and centralized control systems, improving overall communication and decision-making. Syntel’s AV systems also enable efficient training environments, helping corporations conduct internal training sessions, workshops, and skill development programs with ease.

In the government sector, our AV solutions are widely adopted in auditoriums and medical colleges, providing high-quality projection systems, sound systems, and video conferencing tools for educational purposes, government functions, and public meetings. These setups help in delivering lectures, seminars and conducting virtual sessions, improving accessibility and knowledge dissemination.

In the hospitality sector, Syntel by Arvind’s AV solutions enhance guest experiences with background music systems for common areas, in-room entertainment setups, and high-quality sound systems for banquet halls and event spaces. These solutions are critical for delivering exceptional ambiance and ensuring smooth communication during events, conferences, and large gatherings. Syntel also provides integrated systems for managing various AV functions across hotels and resorts, improving operational efficiency and guest satisfaction.Overall, our AV solutions cater to the unique needs of each vertical, providing customized, scalable, and reliable systems that improve communication, collaboration, and operational efficiency across the BFSI, government, and hospitality sectors.

What are the unique differentiators of Syntel by Arvind over other video surveillance competitors?

Syntel by Arvind differentiates itself from other video surveillance competitors through several key strengths that make its offerings unique. One of the primary differentiators is its ability to provide customized and scalable solutions tailored to the specific needs of various industries, such as BFSI, government, hospitality, and healthcare. This flexibility allows clients to start with small systems and expand them as required without compromising on performance.

Additionally, our systems are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing security infrastructures, such as access control and alarm systems, ensuring a unified and efficient security environment. The incorporation of advanced analytics and AI, such as real-time monitoring, facial recognition, and behaviour analysis, enhances security by proactively identifying potential threats before they escalate.

Syntel also places a strong emphasis on data security, ensuring that surveillance footage is securely stored and encrypted, which is especially important for sectors like BFSI, where compliance with data protection regulations is critical. Offering end-to-end solutions, from hardware installation to software for monitoring and management, Syntel by Arvind ensures a fully integrated experience with consistent support and maintenance.

Expertise in vertical-specific solutions allows us to address the unique challenges of each sector, like high-definition cameras for government events or privacy-focused systems for healthcare. Moreover, we provide 24/7 support and monitoring, ensuring that our clients can rely on their surveillance systems at all times. With a proven track record and strong local presence, Syntel by Arvind has earned a reputation for delivering high-quality, reliable systems backed by on-the-ground
expertise and quick response times. These factors collectively position Syntel as a leading provider in the video surveillance space, offering robust, customized solutions that set it apart from competitors.

How do you assess the rise of Interactive Displays in Hybrid Learning and Creative Environments?

The rise of interactive displays in hybrid learning and creative environments has been a transformative development, reshaping how education, collaboration, and creativity are approached. In hybrid learning, interactive displays have become essential tools, bridging the gap between in-person and remote students. These displays enable real-time interaction, allowing teachers to present content, facilitate discussions, and engage both physical and virtual students simultaneously.

With features like touch interaction, multi-user collaboration, and seamless integration with online platforms, interactive displays create an immersive learning experience that enhances engagement and retention. They also support multimedia presentations, enabling the use of videos, animations, and interactive lessons, which makes learning more dynamic and accessible, and that is why we are soon launching our range of interactive displays.

In creative environments, such as design studios, art schools, and innovation hubs, interactive displays are fostering more collaborative and hands-on work. Designers, artists, and creatives use them to brainstorm, visualize concepts, and collaborate in real time on digital platforms, breaking traditional barriers of static, individual work. The tactile nature of interactive displays allows for more intuitive manipulation of digital content, whether it’s graphic design, video editing, or 3D modelling, encouraging more fluid and dynamic creativity. Moreover, the ability to easily share and manipulate digital content collectively in a team setting enhances collaboration, making it a central tool in both educational and professional creative spaces.

In both sectors, the rise of interactive displays reflects a broader trend toward more engagement-driven, collaborative, and tech-enabled environments. They offer immense potential to improve learning outcomes, foster creativity, and enable deeper collaboration, solidifying their place as crucial tools in both hybrid education and creative industries.

How is Syntel by Arvind looking at Unified Collaboration Tools as the Future of Hybrid Workspaces?

Syntel is positioning Unified Collaboration Tools as a core component of the future of hybrid workspaces, recognizing their critical role in bridging the gap between in-office and remote teams. As hybrid work models continue to evolve, businesses require seamless, integrated solutions that enable efficient communication and collaboration across different locations.

Syntel by Arvind’s focus on Unified Collaboration Tools is rooted in their ability to provide a cohesive digital environment where employees can collaborate in real time, regardless of their physical locations. These tools combine video conferencing, messaging, file sharing, and project management features into one
platform, streamlining workflows and enhancing productivity.By offering solutions that integrate with existing enterprise systems, Syntel by Arvind enables businesses to maintain continuity and connectivity, ensuring that teams can communicate effortlessly without the friction of switching between multiple applications. Moreover, these tools support flexible communication modes, from scheduled video meetings to ad-hoc chats and collaborative document editing, making them adaptable to the diverse needs of hybrid workforces. Our approach is not just about technology but about building an environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, and agility, which are essential in today’s fast-paced, distributed work culture.

Furthermore, we see security and scalability as key priorities, ensuring that their unified collaboration tools are not only robust but also secure, protecting sensitive business information. The company’s solutions are designed to scale easily, accommodating businesses of various sizes and allowing for seamless growth as the hybrid work model becomes more entrenched. Ultimately, Syntel by Arvind views Unified Collaboration Tools as the backbone of the hybrid workspace, empowering organizations to create more flexible, productive, and secure working environments for their teams, thus paving the way for the future of work.

What are the key pillars on which Syntel by Arvind AV’s GTM strategy rests in India? What are some of the key initiatives undertaken by this strategy?

Our Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy in India is built around key pillars: industry-specific customization, integrated solutions, hybrid work and remote collaboration, advanced technology, and a strong customer-centric approach. We focus on delivering tailored AV solutions for sectors such as BFSI, government, healthcare, and hospitality, providing end-to-end integration that includes hardware, software, and cloud-based collaboration tools. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI and real-time analytics, we enhance the functionality of our products to meet evolving client needs.

Key initiatives include the launch of industry-specific solutions (e.g., conference rooms for BFSI, auditoriums for government, banquet halls for hospitality), expanding hybrid work solutions (interactive displays and video conferencing), and strengthening customer support with localized services. Our strategic partnerships with global tech leaders further bolster these efforts.

Additionally, we are committed to regional expansion and the creation of experience centers to offer personalized demonstrations of our AV solutions, ensuring wider access and more direct engagement with our clients.

What is the overall channel structure that Syntel by Arvind AV currently follows in India? What are the dynamics of some of these partnerships?

Syntel by Arvind’s AV channel structure in India is partner-driven, focusing on system integrators (SIs), value-added resellers (VARs), and strategic alliances. System integrators are key in implementing customized, integrated AV solutions, while VARs add value through services like consultation, installation, and training. Strategic alliances with global AV technology leaders like Harman, Kramer, LG, etc., allow Syntel to offer best-in-class integrations and co-marketing
opportunities.

The dynamics of these partnerships include collaborative sales efforts, where Syntel works closely with partners on joint campaigns, product training, and post-installation support. Partners benefit from profitability incentives, co-developed solutions, and regional market access, ensuring a localised approach. Additionally, we offer training and certification programs to enhance partner capabilities, ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality AV solutions across India.

What are going to be the key focus areas for Syntel by Arvind’s AV in the next few quarters in terms of Interactive Displays, LED Video Walls, and Projection Mapping?

In the coming quarters, our AV segment will focus on key areas to drive growth in Interactive Displays (IFPDs), LED Video Walls, and Projection Mapping, with a strong emphasis on the education sector for IFPD business.

Hybrid Learning Solutions: Syntel by Arvind will enhance Interactive Displays (IFPDs) for hybrid classrooms in education, enabling interactive lessons and real-time engagement for both in-person and remote students.
Industry-Specific Customization: Syntel by Arvind will continue to tailor LED Video Walls and Interactive Displays for sectors like BFSI, healthcare, hospitality, and government, addressing the unique needs of each industry.
Projection Mapping Innovations: Syntel by Arvind will focus on advancing projection mapping for events, retail, and advertising, creating immersive, dynamic visual experiences.
AI and Cloud Integration: Syntel by Arvind will integrate AI and cloud features in its solutions, enabling smart content management, real-time analytics, and remote scalability, particularly beneficial for education and corporate environments.
Sustainability: Syntel by Arvind will focus on energy-efficient and sustainable AV solutions, reducing energy consumption while maintaining high performance in education and other sectors.

These initiatives will position us as a leader in providing innovative, scalable, and sustainable AV solutions across industries, with a strong focus on hybrid learning in education.