Technology is not simply about equipments, which helps you work smartly and efficiently but also about the way you integrate with a system. It's integration that determines success, and it has come so naturally to PP Subramaniam, the country head of Hitachi Data Systems that for him, success is only a by-product to his popularity. The growth of Hitachi Data Systems (HDS) under Mr Subramaniam has been phenomenal. Today, HDS is a force to be reckoned with.

A leading supplier of storage hardware, software, solutions and services focused on verticals like IT services, manufacturing, petrochemical and banking, HDS's offerings include enterprise and modular storage systems and software, professional services, fully complemented by best-of-breed products through channel partners and industry alliances. It's the wide range of services that Subrsmaniam got incorporated in the company's profile, which has earned him a distinct name.

Realising that India would emerge as a big market; HDS under Subramaniam began taking a methodical approach to selling its products. It started by identifying SI partners such as Wipro Infotech and Apara. Simultaneously, HDS India identified a list of 100 potential customers. It partnered Wipro to take care of the distribution, integration and support for its products. While HDS has been operating primarily through its channel partners, it was through untiring efforts of Subramaniam that in 2004, it saw a major initiative when it formed a local subsidiary.

The company today has customers such as VSNL, HDFC Bank, Infosys, TCS, IDBI and Intel. A commerce graduate and masters in management studies from Jamanalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Subramaniam has 13 years of experience in office automation, telecommunication and information technology. It was under Subramaniam that HDS India designed and implemented the first SAN solution in the country. Also, under his stewardship, the company has grown by 300 per cent in manpower, and has crossed revenues of $20 million from India, which accounts for around significant portion of the gross revenue of Hitachi Data for South Asia.

With Subramaniam at the helm, HDS India has identified four pillars of growth: modular storage, SAN solutions, NAS and GSS (Global Solution Services). Under the GSS, as an initiative from Subramaniam, the company provides product-based services, storage solutions services and industry solutions. The storage solutions services category includes services such as integration, business continuity and disaster recovery. HDS has tough competition in India - from the likes of IBM. But Subramaniam remains optimistic. "Storage services is a high growth area and is relatively untapped by the majority of storage players." But with Subramaniam leading the way, the growth of Hitachi Data Systems is secured in safer hand.