Building the Nation – Vizag Chapter: SMB

Visakhapatnam, known for its industrial and port-driven economy, hosted the Vizag edition of Building the Nation, organised by CRN India in association with Dell Technologies and Intel, on September 26, 2025, at Novotel Vizag. The MSME-focused session saw participation from 30+ MSME business owners, highlighting the growing role of technology in powering India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Praveen Kumar, Director & Founder, Qbic Catalyst Partners Pvt Ltd, kicked off the session by connecting the impact of MSMEs to India’s broader economic growth, highlighting the opportunities that technology can unlock for small businesses.

Kumar emphasised Dell’s commitment to supporting MSMEs. He said, “We understand the fact that MSMEs and SMBs contribute not just to this country, and we are here to help them grow. Most of you fall into this category, and we are here to support you with the latest technology.”

Kumar also highlighted Intel’s AI-enabled innovations for PCs, explaining, “If you have an AI PC, please do remember, in Intel, the AI PC comes as Core Ultra processors…you will see something called Intel AI Boost, which means it has an NPU inside, enabling your PC to run AI workloads efficiently.” This ensures MSMEs can perform tasks like advanced data analysis, simulations, and other AI workloads locally, without solely relying on cloud infrastructure.

Dell also unveiled its restructured PC portfolio, which now features three primary categories: Dell, Dell Pro, and Dell Pro Max. The standard Dell series targets personal and general use, while Pro is designed for professional and enterprise-grade productivity. Pro Max represents the peak of computational and graphics performance, capable of handling advanced AI tasks, including running large language models locally. These PCs are powered by Intel Core Ultra processors with integrated NPUs, allowing AI inferencing directly on the device. Additionally, Dell introduced Pro-Essential, an affordable, business-ready line for SMBs, combining performance, security, and sustainability. Features such as intelligent connectivity, Windows Studio effects, AI-assisted copilot, proximity sensors, and neural noise cancellation further enhance productivity in hybrid work environments.

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.

For Vizag’s MSME community, the session reinforced that they are not just participants in India’s digital economy but critical drivers of innovation, supported by technology partners like Dell Technologies and Intel.