Make in India’s big fillip for the IT industry is already fetching dividends and leading the pack is Iris Global Services, the Rs 2,000 crore Delhi-based, home grown IT Distribution enterprise.
Chairman-cum-managing director, Iris Global, Sanjiv Krishen believes that the concept of Make in India or MII is a very innovative idea and one that encourages the idea of manufacturing in India.
“The objective has been served because all original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of IT products are gearing up to make their products in India. Dell, HP and others have all increased their capacities to meet the demand for IT products,” said Krishen..
According to Krishen, the ban on importing products, like laptops, has led to most manufacturers progressing from import to local manufacturing. `The transition has been smooth and local manufacturing is all set to receive a big boost,’ he said.
The government’s production linked incentive (PLI) is propelling the IT industry. Every OEM is at a stage of advanced readiness, putting in place production units, Acer has taken the lead while HP is best equipped with their entire range of laptops being MII.
India will implement import restrictions on laptops, tablets, personal computers (PCs), and other electronic items falling from November 1, 2023 – unless the government shifts its strategy towards import management.
“Despite the November deadline, the government is very flexible. They will re-evaluate the preparedness of OEMs to ensure that they are equipped to introduce the necessary changes so that the supply chain is not impacted in any way,” Krishen said.
Asked how he saw the markets responding, the Iris CMD said that local manufacturers had responded proactively to this change. Most products will start coming in and as a distributor, the company is tying up with local manufacturers.
In their past 27 years, Iris has become the `Most Preferred IT Distribution Company’ for their quick response, supply of appropriate products and technologies, prompt order loading, professionally managed logistics and timely delivery.
Iris has become the Distributor of Choice for channel partners and SIs who rely on them for supplies, support, and services. In the last two years, Iris Global has signed up with many OEMs under the aegis of their Make in India initiative.
The government, including public sector units (PSUs) are major consumers of Make in India products, particularly in the fields of education, surveillance and IT infra projects. Beginning with computer products like PCs, servers, storage, networking and anything related to IT – Iris have this range of MII brands and hardware.
Kamini Talwar, Director-Iris Global Services and the company’s co-founder, believes that “as MII is mandatory for government sector projects, IT OEMs are aligned in thoughts and processes, as well as regular changes happening at the level of policy,’’ adding however that they “expect clarity on import licensing that will further help all OEMs.”
In her estimate, the intention of the government is clear and the results shall benefit
the whole nation. “This shall have a cascading effect; it shall not only help growth in the IT industry but propel ancillary industries as well. Manufacturing shall become more intensive, and it will push employment opportunities,” Talwar, a well-known technocrat, pointed out.
The advantages, according to her, are manifold. “With all OEMs expanding manufacturing. Indian logistics and transportation will undoubtedly grow as more goods will need to be moved through different parts of the country. Manufacturing will be widespread, adding up to development and growth,’ predicted Talwar.
“Since the current manufacturing facilities are too small with limited capacities, the OEMs shall need bigger manufacturing plants and warehouses, which could push the real estate sector into a boom,” she pointed out.
