Interview with Akhilesh Sharma – CEO, A3logics
Here is the exclusive interview of Akhilesh Sharma – CEO, A3logics only on ITFirms. In this exclusive interview, he shared his thoughts on upcoming technology trends for 2020 and many more things.
Let’s check his success story and views.
1. Tell us in brief about your company and the leadership.
A3logics started with a small team of tech-savvy enthusiasts dedicated to delivering the best IT consulting services initially in the city of Jaipur. With a few clients at the outset, we focused on quality over quantity. The team burned the midnight oil to ensure 24*7 customer support and customized services. Even today, our USP is the support team that is available even at odd hours to solve clients’ queries. In a span of a decade, we have won recognition in the US, UK, Australia and other countries around the world. As the organization grew, the recommendations expanded and we gathered a strong customer base. Also, the digital domain helped us reach remote areas. In the journey, I have stood with my team all the while taking charge from the front by taking action, demonstrating what needs to be done, and keeping the team organized to make sure we’re all on the same page and contribute equally.
2. How would you describe your growth trajectory in 2018-2019? Any particular achievement? Any disappointment?
We value individual growth and organizational growth over simply competing in the business world. In recent years, the approach has helped us achieve exponential growth and deliver some great results. We have launched in the market our Employee Benefits Software, which is an in-house Saas product. We have marketed it in the international markets. Currently, 18+ organizations are using it and appreciate the features and ease of understanding. Last year, we achieved a milestone, where 46% of the clientele reached us through recommendation. The figure itself is proof of our dedication and customer friendly services. Other than these the rapid growth in the number of organizations associated with us, for different services has risen exponentially. Our transition to the digital domain was smooth and has only added to the value of our services.
3. Please describe the operational structure of your company- from the moment a client walks in, to the product deployment.
We treat clients’ businesses like ours. The team ensures there is no chance of error in the services and products delivered. To make sure the client is heard each time he reaches us, we have a strong support team to get things done. Here’s a brief on how we work with our clients.
- Understanding the Needs: The team communicates with the clients clearly to understand the business requirements.
- Regular Sprints: With regular sprint plans we ensure to execute and update the project details.
- Agile Model: We deliver the functionalities one at a time so that it is easier for the development team and the clients to be on the same page.
- Documentation: We ensure to document all the aspects of the process and the solution to affirm the client gets into minute details.
- Quality Check: We make it a point that each code is checked several times before being deployed. Perfection in the solution is the motto.
And, we do not leave our customers once the web solution is delivered. After deployment support makes it easier for the clients to understand and get the most of the solutions.
4. What engagement models do you offer? How should a client choose?
We offer all three kinds of engagement models. To decide which model to implement, we take into consideration clients’ business and their expectations of the web solution. The least advised and asked for engagement model is the “Fixed Price Model.” Obviously, most businesses want flexibility and scalability and add to it who would pay for the extra features. “Time and material model” enters the picture if a client wants a flexible solution. Other than flexibility the other feature that makes this model unique is iteration. Another is the “Dedicated Team Model” that covers the cons of the above two types.
Clients can always find the best model according to their needs and we are good to go.
5. What do you as a leader prioritizes – vertical expansion of your business or the horizontal expansion of your expertise and services? How do you balance both?
At A3logics, we have always focused on a linear growth i.e. we understand that horizontal or vertical growth individually could not be sustained. Thus, we dedicatedly work on expanding both ways. We have partnered with some of the big names Microsoft, Crisil, Zend, etc. Other than this we also have earned certifications for information security management. With such partnerships and certifications, the organization has earned a great clientele. Thus, we have been growing in both directions and getting better every day. We understand we are in a business that is ever-evolving and thus, walk with the trends.
I believe the biggest achievement for us as an organization is the long term business relationships that we have made. Other than that a part of our clientele is through references and recommendations which reflects the trust of other domains on our business.
6. What is your outlook for 2020?
2020 has begun with lots of positive news for us. With the teams doing well, and so many interesting projects in our bucket we feel amazing and all charged up. With a few more ventures in the list that would unfold gradually, we have our hopes high. 2020 is going to see some of the great technical advancements, and also make it easier for the layman to understand the basics. I believe as technology is moving ahead, it is solving complicated problems but is being simpler. Simple enough for a layman to absorb it. Simple enough for the researchers to integrate it in the best ways. 2020 is going to be the year that would begin the decade by pulling the future to itself. The digital domain has brought us a lot of recognition and a percentage of our clientele, so we are more focused to walk in hands with the era and bring a digital transformation.
7. Any particular technology or industry you would be targeting? How do you plan to prepare your workforce for the upcoming technology upgrade?
We have a client base of different domains, and thus explore various technologies to deliver perfect solutions. With technology having something in store to offer every second, we make it a point that the team stays updated with the trends. From basic technologies to advanced AI, IoT, Blockchain technology we have been providing solutions in everything. We have dedicated teams for each niche, who keep an eye on the advancements not just in their field but other technologies too.
Other than this, we work in a technology-driven firm and most employees understand their responsibility of walking hand in hand with the technologies. From the organization’s end, we provide the team with study courses, help them understand topics, and let them have group discussions that can help. Other than this I encourage a healthy, friendly and learning atmosphere.
8. With technologies like React and Node that can be used for both web applications and mobile apps, how do you envision the development methodology to be in the future?
With technology unfolding a new page every day, the future seems to be promising. We expect the development process to become simpler, better and easier. We have seen search as per the instruction, images and now as per mood. To be honest, we are great patriots of technology and am always excited to explore the hidden nooks of technology. Who knows the future has easy coding solutions where you ask the system code for you and you have the solution. !
Who Knows What Future Has in Store!
9. Other than technical expertise, what traits you believe are essential for any app development firm to succeed in this rapidly evolving industry?
Acceptance needs to be a strong trait. Other than acceptance, the constant need for learning and being updated with the technology. These traits can help you walk the business lane, but to retain your clients, one thing that is required is clear communication. Also, to fit in the industry one needs to be ready for experimenting. I believe more than 80% of the ideas that strike one’s mind are already being worked on. Innovation with creativity is the future of technology!
10. How do you assess the role of research agencies like ITFirms in bridging the gap between clients and service providers?
Agencies like ITFirms have made it easier for clients to reach the right business without many troubles. Not just the clients are being at the advantage, even organizations like ours get to eat the fruit. We can showcase our skills, and understand via reviews where we are lacking. A3logics feels great to partner with such agencies that are taking the clients to the right organizations.