neoteric infomatique ltd., one of the leading and most respected national IT distributors has been offering an outstanding portfolio of products and well-structured core technology solutions of exacting international standards, across diverse verticals since its inception. neoteric’s in-depth understanding of the channel business and close association with leading vendors has enabled it to be the vital link in the technology value-chain connecting solution providers with vendors world-wide. Here’s a sneak-peek at neoteric infomatique ltd. and its evolution over the years ….
Paras Shah, CEO, neoteric infomatique ltd., founded the organization with the goal of bringing international technology standards to India. An alumnus of Case Western Reserve University, USA, Paras began as a humble IT dealer in 1991 and established neoteric as a truly value-added IT distribution company over the years. neoteric has grown rapidly and today, it stands tall with a strength of 450 employees and a pan-India network of 10,000+ channel partners spread over 500+ cities.
Bearing its origin in Greek, ‘neoteric’ means modern, new and contemporary, rightly representing the vision Paras Shah had, not solely for the company but the country as a whole. 1991-97 was the era that marked the growth and visibility of neoteric as the most popular and known dealer in the IT channel fraternity in Mumbai. After its successful stint in the dealership arena, Paras Shah established neoteric infomatique ltd. in 1997; his vision clearly being Growth and Value Addition. The newly adopted distribution business model, along with its growth prospects brought in multiple challenges; yet undaunted, Paras marched ahead with his ambitions and goals.
Over the years, neoteric evolved as an organization holistically. Paras pushed for neoteric’s consistent spread across geographies by opening 4-5 branches every year. His vision has been to match global excellence and induce global practices. This explains neoteric’s investment into support functions like Marketing, HR, Techno-commercial training and post-sales services. neoteric was the first Indian IT distribution company in the mid-size segment to introduce structured processes within the system by implementing an ERP. Over a period of time, neoteric went the extra mile by investing significantly in procuring and implementing a new ERP; consequently, neoteric went LIVE with its new ERP, Microsoft Dynamics-Navision early this year across all its branches.
As a value addition to all partners, neoteric imparts solution and application training to partners and their teams. In 2008, neoteric had made a humble foray into enterprise business under the name – neoteric technology solutions (NTS). NTS, the solutions arm of neoteric, today, is focused on enabling the channel partners to pitch complete solution offerings and act as a one-stop support for all their technology requirements. NTS thus gears up partners to serve the customer end-to-end and in turn, add value to them, thus completing the value cycle till the last tier.
Right from consulting and solution architecting, the partners are trained and developed to manage the entire gamut of services ranging from sizing, designing, implementation, maintenance, training and certifications. The team includes pre-sales, business development as well as post-sales technical experts. The NTS group focuses on developing verticals like Audio Video, Video conferencing, Unified Communications, Security & Surveillance, Digital Signage Solutions, IP telephony networking and Media & Entertainment. This BU has been signing up various brands that cater to verticals like Education, Hospitality and Retail. This year saw NTS mark its significant debut participation at InfoComm India 2013, which is a part of InfoComm- the largest annual conference and exhibition for AV buyers and sellers worldwide. AV is one of neoteric’s primary focus areas of business currently and by participating at such events, it strives to enrich its AV portfolio and generate awareness about advanced products and solutions currently available to the AV consumers in India.
Post-sales services is another integral part of neoteric’s value-added services. neoteric has been providing a comprehensive array of post-sales and warranty services to its vendors and channel partners for over a decade under its service arm ‘F1’and over the years, it garnered the requisite skill sets and competencies to propel its service offering to a higher level. Subsequently, on1st July 2012, neoteric announced the formation of F1 Info Solutions and Services Private Limited as an independent 3rd Party neutral service provider aligned with a vision to be “the customer‘s most trusted choice for service through continuous improvement, ethical practices and commitment towards achieving the highest levels of customer satisfaction”.
Today, with a dedicated team of over 300 qualified engineers and technicians, F1’s reach in India is spread across 117 service locations through its 40 plus Branches and 82 Partner Service centers (ASPs), coupled with 500 Field Service Locations. It is ideally positioned and equipped to provide best-in-class service. Its focus products are IT, Mobile & CTS (AV, UC and Security & Surveillance). Its wide gamut of key services includes Onsite services, Walk-in Services, Spares Management, Security & Surveillance, RMA/Reverse logistics, Extended Warranty and Installation-support Services. F1’s additional focus is Enterprise-managed services.
2011 saw a new avatar of neoteric when it started conducting Microsoft and Apple-autorized technology training through intensive, cutting-edge in-class and on-site training for vendors, channel-partners, corporates and end-consumers (students, IT professionals, Apps developers and digital media professionals) under its autonomous business unit called, Evolve.
Marketing and demand generation being at its core, neoteric has a dedicated Integrated Marketing & Communications (MARCOM) Solutions’ Team that supports its vendors by conducting road shows for partners and end-consumers and creating tailor- made channel partner programs, marketing collaterals, channel-advertisements, and special incentive-based schemes. These activities aim at generating product-awareness amongst the target audience. neoteric has churned out various innovative programmes out of its creative think tank. Few of these are as follows:
- Xplore & Evolve: a one-of-its-kind road show, that not only helps partners get a hands-on experience of the technology and understand how best to sell the products in the market, but also provides them with an opportunity to interact with the Vendors
- Experience Live: A live demo activity that provides hands-on experience of the products and technology to the target audience (end-consumers)
- Campus Buddies: A programme tailor-made for vendors to showcase end-consumer product lines at large educational campuses (so as to tap youth at these locations)
- Chak De: a unique road show offering the channel to get a first-hand experience of the product and technology at their doorsteps
These value-added services of neoteric complement its go-to-market strategy with which it enables vendors and channel partners to work towards better business understanding and growth. Guided with its vision to become the preferred choice as a distribution partner, neoteric continues to add value to the supply chain through efficient logistics, in-depth product knowledge and strategic value-added initiatives.
