Building the Nation 2025 – Bhubaneswar Chapter: MSME

In recent years, India’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are at the forefront of a digital revolution. With the rise of affordable internet, cloud computing, AI-driven applications, and the expansion of e-commerce, these cities are fast becoming hubs of innovation and entrepreneurship. MSMEs, in particular, play a pivotal role in driving this transformation by adopting new-age solutions to solve localised problems and compete on a larger scale.

Bhubaneswar, known as the Temple City of India, is not only a cultural capital but also an emerging technology hub in Eastern India. The city is witnessing increasing adoption of digital tools across industries, with MSMEs leveraging technology for e-commerce, automation, and customer engagement. With Odisha’s focus on skill development and innovation, Bhubaneswar is steadily shaping itself into a vibrant business and technology ecosystem.

Recognising this shift, Express Computer, in association with Dell Technologies and Intel, have launched a new platform – Building the Nation 2025. The initiative aims to empower businesses in Tier 2 and 3 cities with insights on AI adoption, digital infrastructure, and future-ready IT solutions. The first edition of the series took place in Bhubaneswar on August 28, 2025, with a focus on enabling MSMEs to embrace AI and innovation for growth.

The event began with an engaging session by Praveen Kumar, Director & Founder, Qbic Catalyst Partners Pvt. Ltd., representing Dell Technologies. He underscored Dell’s long-standing legacy of innovation, trust, and customer-first service, noting that the company had consistently been ranked number one in customer support for over two decades, number one in monitors globally for 12 years, and number one in workstations worldwide for many decades. “Our service and support always remain customer-first, and our partnership with Intel ensures we continue delivering best-in-class solutions for businesses of every scale,” he said. Kumar also highlighted Dell’s unique ability to provide unmatched levels of personalisation, from 24x7 ProSupport to enabling organisations to customise PCs at scale—even replacing the Dell logo with their own.

Delegates were given a closer look at flagship devices such as the Latitude 7450 (Pro 14) and the Precision A715, which demonstrate AI-ready features designed to enhance productivity and collaboration.

At this Bhubaneswar chapter of Building the Nation 2025, Dell Technologies, in partnership with Intel, one of the key features of theevent was the introduction of Dell's new AI PC lineup like Dell, Dell Pro, and Dell Pro Max. These next-gen PCs, which have built-in NPUs (Neural Processing Units), allow AI workloads to execute in native mode on the device. Transcription, content creation, and data analysis could be done faster, more securely, and more power-efficiently without having to constantly depend on the cloud. The AI PCs are billed as a game-changer for MSMEs with professional-level performance paired with ease of design, enabling businesses to enhance productivity, enhance data privacy, and lower operational expenses, while also remaining future-proof.

The Dell Pro Essential PC also promises to provide reliable, everyday performance for working professionals and MSMEs. Delegates got firsthand experience of how the Pro Essential PC would make collaboration easier, streamline jobs, and offer peace of mind with solid enterprise-grade security and management features. The live demonstration showed its real-world features, security, and reliability and demonstrated how the device integrates perfectly into contemporary workflows.

Also the highlight was the new Dell Pro Essential series, which is business-ready and affordable, starting at ₹31,999. It is designed for everyday business needs. Despite its affordability, Essentials doesn’t compromise on performance. It offers robust security, Full HD+ displays with a 16:10 aspect ratio, up to 10 hours of battery life, and MIL-STD-810G military-grade durability, ideal for the Gen Z workforce and SMEs alike. Plus, it supports open standards, ensuring compatibility with all peripherals, monitors, headsets, and more.

This was followed by a thought-provoking session by Abhirup Paul, Zonal Manager - East Zonal Manager - East, representing Intel, who emphasised the role of AI as the growth engine for MSMEs. He explained how Intel is making enterprise-grade AI accessible and cost-effective for small businesses, enabling them to innovate and compete with larger players. “At Intel, we are making AI accessible for every business, not just the big enterprises. With the right infrastructure and processing power, even MSMEs can unlock productivity, innovation, and new market opportunities,” he remarked. Paul elaborated on how Intel’s processors and computational technologies power AI workloads directly on PCs, allowing MSMEs to tap into the same advanced computing power traditionally reserved for larger corporations. This democratisation of technology ensures that businesses in cities like Bhubaneswar can take bold steps in their digital transformation journey without being constrained by scale or resources.

The Bhubaneswar edition of Building the Nation 2025 concluded on a high note, with more than 50 MSME delegates in attendance. The event created a vibrant platform for dialogue, where business leaders explored how AI, modern IT infrastructure, and trusted service support from Dell Technologies and Intel are unlocking new possibilities for growth. The delegates left with actionable insights and renewed confidence in how technology can serve as the cornerstone of their long-term competitiveness and innovation strategies.