However, in India, along with theft and shrinkage related problems, there is another security threat: the terrorist threat. Sanjay Chadha, President and CTO, S5 Systems, shares his vision for the India market with I4S India Editor: Excerpts:
Why did you choose India as the market for S5 Systems?
After graduating from IIT Delhi many years ago, I left for Canada. Deep down, I always had a desire to do business with India, giving me further reasons to visit India. The desire I had, developed into reality when recently the Indian market experienced a supreme growth, which amplified the need for security products. Luckily, S5 Systems was looking for new markets, to expand its market reach. This was a perfect time and situation for me and for S5 to expand into India.
From your experience, please compare Indian market with that of Canadian and US?
The fundamental differences between Indian and North American markets are:
The Canadian and US security market is a mature market it being served by products from small to large for a few decades now. Where as Indian market is still at its infancy and is expected to grow rapidly for another ten years.
The security threats are different in India than those in North America.
For example, the home security market is much large in the US/Canada because homes can easily be broken into. Generally speaking, there is a large gap between homes, people keep to themselves, and are not concerned with the activities at the neighbors’ homes. The security threat in US and Canada is generally related to theft at home and shrinkage at work place. We also believe that in India, along with theft and shrinkage related problems, there is another security threat: the terrorist threat.
Difference in security is also affected by availability of inexpensive labor in India enabling manual protection of premises, which is generally cost prohibitive in US and Canada.
How do you distinguish your company from other US, Canadian, and European companies?
We understand the Indian market better than other US, Canadian, and European counterpart companies because of the Indian background of the founders of the company. S5 understands the Indian market, the Indian culture, and how to best serve the country.
For other companies, such as from US, Canadian, and Europe, India is simply one of the markets; however, for S5 Systems, India is a home and a strategic market.
How would you like to be seen by partners, customers, and competitors?
We believe in working together – be it be with competitors, partners and our customers. We are always looking for ways to work together with our competitors, adding our strengths with theirs and providing higher value to our customers. In regards to working with our partners, our objective is to assist them in expanding their market, increasing their revenue, and supporting them in providing unparalleled services to our customers. Together, with our partners, we make sure that our systems work effectively at our customers’ sites; we work relentlessly, until our customers are satisfied. Our objective is to work together with our partners and competitors to provide satisfying solutions to our customers.
How would you like to differ from other companies?
We differ from other security product companies as follows:
We provide unique solutions – and refrain from “me-to” market.
We assist our partners in increasing their revenue by providing them with new market opportunities, assisting them in increasing the profit margins and by co-marketing to assist them in increasing market share.
We provide unparalleled customer service.
What is your company’s area of focus or do you simply provide general security solution(s)? What solutions have you launched or plan to launch in the security space?
Our company’s area of focus is security solutions associated with vehicles. The vehicle related security products that we have developed are: Electronic Vehicle Access Control System (EVACS), Under Vehicle Surveillance System (UVSS), and Secured Parking Management Systems (SPMS).
Considering growth and competition in the security world, where do you see your organization in the next five years?
As far as India is concerned, in the next five years I see S5 Systems as a key player providing vehicle safety, security, surveillance, and vehicle management products, while creating and maintaining great relationships with system integrators, distributers, other partners, and customers.