ASIRT: Soaring to new horizons

By Lionel Alva, Mumbai Bureau

Ever since the Association of System Integrators & Retailers in Technology’s (ASIRT) conducted its first ‘Techday’ in January 2014, the event has become a monthly fixture at the association. The day is looked forward to with zealous enthusiasm as was evident by the attendance of over a hundred members and dignitaries. This time too, the event was nothing short of an ostentatious spectacle providing insight into the finer nuances of developments in the tech industry. It also provides a no holds bars insight into the challenges and obstacles faced by system integrators and retailers.

After a short address and inaugural session by ASIRT Chairman, Kshitij Kotak, who addressed the members, while the Secretary, Limesh Parekh, kicked off a session where members interacted with the board providing their testimonies on how the organization has impacted their lives and business while acting a veritable platform for exploring commercial opportunities.

This first session was held by Sandhya Shetty, National Sales Manager, Canon India, who with her colleagues who discussed some of the key technological advancements in Canon printers. She shed insight on some of the company’s proprietary technologies such as Canon's proprietary Dynamic Layout Engine (DLE) technology for automatic text and photo layout, which also has the company’s developed auto-design function that draws on the know-how of professional designers. She also highlighted the role that LUCIA and Reactive Ink Technology would play in ensuring precise, professional and quality printing.

This was quickly followed by a session by Parag Pulliwar, Channel Sales Manager, Evolis, who explained how Evolis Card Printers was a technology pioneer in India. Pulliwar highlighted the keener aspects of card printing technology while shedding light on the assortment of solutions that his organization provided. He also provided case studies and explained how the printers could be used in an assortment of sectors ranging from the government to banking.

Dr Radhakrishnan Pillai, who is a Director for ‎the Chanakya Institute of Public leadership and is known in business circles for being a management guru as well as advisor to several top corporate houses world-over and has penned some best-selling books on business, held the final session. This session was the fifth session on Chanakya’s seven pillars that focused on the treasury. The talk provided various examples of critical areas of concern when it comes to building financial resources both as an individual and an organization. Dr Pillai also provided certain basic tenets for ensuring the long term financial survival of a firm. He also provided a keen analysis of the psyche that one should adopt to become wealthy while highlighting the need for patience, perseverance, business acumen coupled with a long term vision and planning.

All the sessions were interactive, piquing the curiosity of the members who depicted their bonhomie and camaraderie amidst opportunities as well as trends that would have an impact on their business. ASIRT provided immense value to its members’ business aspirations in the long term and the sessions opened up new vistas of opportunity for interaction and networking.