Data protection is equally important for MSMEs as it is for big companies, said Pramod Sharda, CEO, IceWarp India and Middle East. He added that with the increasing use of technology and the internet in business, data protection has become an essential component to protect the information that companies store and process.

Excerpts of the interview…  

Q1. Please tell our readers about IceWarp and its entrepreneurial journey.

Ans. IceWarp builds an advanced Email Communication and Collaboration platform, operating data centres close to its customers and working with partners worldwide.

In 2001, a young Czech developer started working on an alternative for the complicated MS Exchange. Our aim has always been to develop and offer an easy-to-use communication tool that would be solving the same issues. Initially named Merak, IceWarp quickly gained popularity among the developers’ community and the IceWarp team was able to onboard partners and clients from across the globe.

IceWarp has been in India for 7 years now and we have seen an increasing demand in recent years, allowing us to expand our operations at an encouraging pace. We strive to enable our teams and partners to provide value-added deployment and integration services to help customers succeed, along with ongoing local support. We have consistently focused on providing businesses with affordable, seamlessly integrated, and easy-to-use communications solutions, while covering all aspects of business collaboration and productivity.

Q2. What services does IceWarp provide? What is the competitive edge?

Ans:IceWarp provides a complete Email and Collaboration Suite of productivity web apps, including calendar scheduling, instant online document sharing & editing, effective real time TeamChat collaboration, Video Calling, and Video Conferencing features as well as personalized secured online storage. It provides an All-in-One User Interface (UI) which is ready for deployment on the servers or in its own cloud data centres. Our solution is currently being used by over 50,000 companies around the world.

IceWarp gains the winning edge with technology leading through crises, orchestrating unprecedented change in the mode and formats of work, delivering value to the business, managing cultural shifts necessary for successful technology transformation, and driving business impact through next-gen technology. IceWarp renders an innovative all-in-one collaboration platform that offers real-time collaboration tools, scalability as a business grows, resulting in lower total cost of ownership than our competitors, taking advantage of all the available processing power to handle more email users, and faster than the competitors.

Q3. Please tell us about the industry you are currently operating in.

Ans:The India enterprise ICT revenue is expected to increase from US$88.2 billion in 2021 to US$137.5 billion by 2026 at 9.3% CAGR over. Microsoft dominates India's $77.8 million Enterprise Email market, and the study, Evolving Market for Email & Collaboration Platform in India, predicts that the market will grow at a CAGR of 10.3% over the next four years.

With almost 122,500,453,020 emails sent every hour in India, email is alive and here to stay for long. While marketers across the globe are embracing advanced personalization in email, India is leaving no stone unturned to win the email game. Internet penetration in India is as low as 19%, but given the large population; even 19% amounts to a huge user base that can’t be neglected. The report also surveyed marketers about the reasons that they feel are hampering deliverability and no wonder most email companies (small size) even today send out a lot of emails (mostly batch and blast) leading to deliverability issues. With limited genuine alternatives to Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, the enterprise email market surely has a huge opportunity for yet untapped revenue and this might be the right time for enthusiastic professionals to associate with the Indian email industry.

Q4. Is data protection equally important for MSMEs as for big companies?

Ans: Yes, data protection is equally important for MSMEs as it is for big companies. With the increasing use of technology and the internet in business, data protection has become an essential component to protect the information that companies store and process. MSMEs are especially vulnerable to data breaches due to the lack of resources and technical expertise, making them more susceptible to cyberattacks. Therefore, it is critical for MSMEs to take steps to ensure the security of their data and make sure that it is protected from unauthorized access. This includes using encryption, ensuring that all software and systems are regularly updated, and implementing secure authentication protocols. Additionally, it is important for MSMEs to create and maintain a comprehensive data privacy policy that outlines what data is collected, how it is used, and how it is protected from unauthorized access. By taking these steps, MSMEs can ensure that their data is protected and remain competitive in a digital world.

Q5. What is your view on the increasing number of cyber-crimes?

Ans:The increasing number of cyber-crimes in India and globally is concerning. Cybercrime is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach from both the public and private sectors to ensure the safety and security of individuals and organizations. Cybercrime is a rapidly evolving threat and requires continuous vigilance and proactive measures to protect against it. Cybercrime is a global issue and requires a comprehensive strategy to address it. This includes the adoption of strong laws and regulations, increased awareness among users about potential risks, improved technological solutions, and the promotion of international cooperation and collaboration. In India, the government is taking active steps to address the issue of cybercrime and is working to ensure the safety and security of its citizens by introducing various initiatives and schemes.

Q6. Please share your future plans with our readers.

Ans: We are at an important junction in our growth journey and aim to increase our strength as well as expand our footprint significantly in the country in order to achieve our goals. IceWarp is certainly poised to take the Indian email enterprise market by storm and is looking to onboard equally motivated and driven partners for the exciting journey ahead.