Spotlight

Integrating networks and providing solutions

Targus Technologies was started in 1997, as a system and network integrator, and IT infrastructure solutions provider. Renuka Vembu tracks the company’s journey over the last decade

Targus Technologies was founded by Col. Balwinder Singh, in May 1997. The motivation to start Targus was a dream to build an organization that had the inherent qualities required to emerge as one of the leading system and network integrators in India. Targus has now traversed a journey of a decade and has emerged as one of the largest IT infrastructure solution providers supporting over 700 clients across all industry verticals, across the globe. They have their Head Office in Delhi, with branches in Mumbai, Pune, Chandigarh and Ludhiana. They had employed 250 employees which is pegged to touch 400 by the end of the current financial year.

Business and its challenge

As a system integrator and a network solutions provider, they aim for high standards of operational excellence, ensure seamless integration of project aspects and provide tailor-made solutions that cater to their clients’ needs. “Targus continually redefines quality and commits to deliver the best to its clients as well as meet and exceed their expectations,” said Raunaq Singh, Vice President, Network Solutions, Targus Technologies.

The first assignment that the company bagged was from Nokia for Compaq laptops. This order was worth Rs 75 lakh and the major challenge that Targus faced was to arrange the finances to complete this project in a short time frame.

Areas of working

Having executed over 200 projects in the time span of just over a decade since they arrived, the four major areas of working where Targus is involved are:

• System Integration: Today Targus has carved a name for itself not because of its strong product knowledge for selling but also for providing the complete integration of the turnkey projects and solutions that are designed keeping in mind the long-term functionality and upgradability. Their strengths allow them to maintain a market lead from the competition as well as maintain the confidence in the customer’s mind.
  They have an entire range of hardware products and support inclusive of IBM (all range of Intel products, Storage and RS4000 series), HP—all range of Intel products, Alpha Servers, Storage and Unix series. HCL, Acer and Toshiba are other brands which are the focus products for the hardware portfolio of Targus.
• Network Integration: Targus is a networking specialist for AMP, Cisco, Fortinet, Avaya, RADWare, Raritan, etc., and also provides its own structured cabling and Facility Management Services. Their team of experienced and certified networking professionals has installed a large number of networks for the MNCs, the Government and large corporates. Targus is a premier partner of Cisco and is focusing on advanced technologies for supporting the platform of future Human Networks.
• Facility Management Services: Singh asserted, “The backbone for all solutions and automation in any organization is the smooth functioning of the IT assets and their effective deployment. The Facility Management Division of Targus understands the criticality of this and strives to provide its clients, a system environment that is efficient and delivers at the click of a button. The FMD undertakes comprehensive maintenance agreements to ensure near 100% uptime of systems.” The services of Targus FMS division includes:
• Facility Management (Hardware and Software AMC’s (Including Networks and Peripherals)
• Software Solutions (Unscheduled System Support)
  The FMS also includes the intricate and complex procedures for Asset and Server Management using the latest technologies for achieving the same.
• Software solution sales: Today IT solutions have become varied and more comprehensive in terms of software. Therefore, Targus has developed a pool of professionals for providing the most suitable service.

They have installed large LAN and WAN (both passive and active) networks for companies like Nokia, Cosmic InfoTech Solutions, Ebony Retail Holdings Ministry of Home and Consumer Affairs (11 offices including Delhi, Ranchi, Chennai, Guwahati, Raipur), KLM Cargo, Noida Power Corporation, Power Trading Corporation, Inforte, KSA Technopak, Modi Apollo, Airport Authority of India, Avon Beauty Products (18 locations all over India), exlService.com, Feedback Ventures, Perfetti India, Oswal Chemicals and Fertilizers, Ministry of Textiles and India IVF Research Center to name a few.

With certified CCNAs, CCDAs, CCNPs and one CCIE on the technical front and certified Cisco Sales Experts on the marketing front, the task for them to deliver the professional touch and finesse required to implement the network backbone for any organization for their smooth operations, becomes easier.

Singh added, “For the infrastructure solutions, power backup plays a major role where we have tied up with international leaders like APC to provide the same. Network design and suggestion also includes storage ideas and products from VERO President and HCL. With the above expertise we can design and implement complete LAN and WAN solutions for our esteemed clients.”

The future vision

Targus Technologies achieved a turnover of Rs 120 crores and their headcount touched 250 plus in the year 2007-08. This apart, there were many other significant customer wins in 2007 for them, which included Whirlpool, Vodafone, CNBC, DIT, WSP, etc. They are looking to touch a turnover of Rs 200 crores in the current financial year 2008-09 and also increase their headcount to 400.

Singh added, “We aim to deliver the best possible solutions to our customers and strengthen our services portfolio further to emerge as one of the leading providers of system and network integration solutions and services across the globe.”

Their three step growth plan is:

• to become a Cisco gold partner by the end of 2009.
• to have a presence in the international market by opening up an office in Singapore by beginning of 2010.
• to increase the reach in South India by opening an office in Bangalore.

renuka.vembu@expressindia.com