Building the Nation – Kochi Chapter: SMB

Kochi, the vibrant port city, hosted the latest edition of Building the Nation, organised by CRN India in association with Dell Technologies and Intel, on September 19, 2025, at Holiday Inn. The MSME-focused session witnessed the participation of 40+ delegates from small and medium enterprises, who came together to explore how technology, particularly AI and modern IT infrastructure, is shaping India’s business future.

Welcoming the audience, Praveen Kumar, Director & Founder, Qbic Catalyst Partners Pvt Ltd, set the context by linking India’s economic growth with the pivotal role of MSMEs. He reiterated Dell’s customer-first philosophy, remarking, “We don’t create something and push it. We understand what you need to grow and then innovate to deliver. That’s the power of Dell.” He also shared an inspiring example of Dell and Intel’s collaboration in healthcare, where AI- powered models achieved 98% accuracy in early breast cancer detection, underscoring the transformative potential of technology partnerships.

The keynote address was delivered by Samriddhi Bhattacharya, Director & General Manager, Dell Technologies India, who traced how the pandemic accelerated digital adoption across industries, from airports automating processes to automotive firms deploying AI-driven driver assistance systems. She emphasised that AI is no longer just a workplace enabler but a foundational element of business transformation. Highlighting security, sustainability, and contextual adoption as critical factors, she noted that AI strategies must be tailored to each organisation’s needs.

“AI brings immense possibilities, but with great power comes great responsibility. It’s not just about adopting new technology, it’s about doing it securely, sustainably, and in ways that make sense for each business context,” Bhattacharya said. She also introduced Dell’s newly simplified PC portfolio, i.e., Dell, Dell Pro, and Dell Pro Max, built with NPUs to enable on-device AI. These devices, she explained, are designed to deliver enterprise-grade performance while empowering MSMEs to scale efficiently and sustainably.

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.

These next-generation PCs enable faster, more secure, and energy-efficient execution of tasks like transcription, content creation, and data analysis without always relying on the cloud. Positioned as a game-changer for MSMEs, the AI PCs combine enterprise-grade performance with user-friendly design, helping businesses improve productivity, strengthen data privacy, and reduce operational costs while staying future-ready.

Kumar also highlighted the dawn of the AI PC era, driven by Intel Core Ultra processors with built-in NPUs. He explained how AI workloads that once depended entirely on the cloud can now be run locally on devices, enabling tasks such as transcription, data analysis, and design simulations to be performed faster, more securely, and with lower energy consumption. For MSMEs, this means access to enterprise-level capabilities at an affordable scale.

The session also delved into practical use cases for MSMEs, ranging from laptops enabling compliance with digital GST filing, to AI-driven insights that enhance productivity and reduce downtime. Dell and Intel showcased their sustainability initiatives, from recycled packaging to eco-friendly accessories, reinforcing how innovation can go hand-in-hand with environmental responsibility.

The interactive discussions saw MSME leaders voicing concerns around costs, cybersecurity, and the rapid pace of technology change. The panelists responded by encouraging them to shift the focus from upfront costs to long-term value and outcomes. As Kumar concluded, “If the conversation moves beyond configuration and into real-world value, MSMEs will find that technology is not a cost but an investment.”

For Kochi’s MSME community, the event was more than just a knowledge exchange, it was a call to embrace the AI era responsibly and confidently, with trusted partners like Dell Technologies and Intel guiding their journey.