Redington CEO Viswanath Pallasena on emerging technologies and new frontiers

Can you share with us Redington’s role and contribution to the technology industry, and how the company has evolved over the years in this space?

Redington partners with global tech brands whose products we use every day, whether at home or at work.

Innovation in technology is happening at a very fast rate, however, the rate of adoption has its own pace and rate which is hampered by several factors.

At Redington, we refer to this lag between the introduction of new technology and its adoption as technology friction. Redington strives to reduce this “technological friction”. We take every step of the value chain to help our customers adopt technology faster.

We have a presence in more than 18 countries across the Middle East and Africa where we support technology adoption through our network of channel partners. Over the past 20 years, we have evolved from a single product distributor to an enabler of bringing cutting edge technology to the Middle East and Africa region.

As Redington operates in different markets, including developing markets such as Kenya and East Africa, what is your view of technology adoption in these regions, and how does the company address unique challenges and opportunities in these markets?

Technology has enormous potential in unlocking the potential of businesses and societies. Prospects for technology adoption actually jump several generations in Kenya and East Africa look promising.

This is driven by many factors such as enhanced mobile connectivity, supportive government initiatives, an expanding technology ecosystem, and burgeoning tech talent.

Innovation hubs, developments in fintech and mobile money, potential adoption of clean energy technologies, and developing skills to participate in the digital economy are some of the areas Redington can contribute to local ecosystems by providing the necessary technology.

What emerging technologies are expected to be in high demand in the future?

With the progress of Kenya and East Africa, many emerging technologies are expected to be sought after in the region. Renewable energy and clean technologies, combined with artificial intelligence and machine learning, hold the potential to fundamentally transform a variety of sectors.

In addition, the Internet of Things is poised to boost efficiency and productivity across a range of industries in the region.

Moreover, cloud computing is expected to play a critical role in enabling businesses to scale and innovate, while reducing infrastructure costs and enhancing collaboration between organizations in East Africa.

Looking ahead, what is your message to Redington employees and customers regarding the company’s future plans and vision and how you intend to remain competitive and innovative in an ever-evolving technology landscape?

Technology, innovation and partnerships are Redington’s strengths. We have adopted a ‘digital first’ business model which will help us bring new technologies to market faster and enable our channel partners to better serve their customers.

At the same time, we focus on developing talent and enhancing the employee experience to establish ourselves as the most admired workplace in the region.