Established in 1992, Astric Computers is a leading name in the IT channel
business in Patna. Lead by Prabhat Kumar Sinha the company has successfully
established itself and is recognized as one of the most steadily growing
companies in the region.
Sinha, who is a computer science engineer by profession, launched the company
along with his two friends-Pravin Kumar and Rajeev Ranjan. Launching the company
was itself a bold decision for the three young entrepreneurs as they were about
to tread the path where few dared to go as the
IT industry was at a nascent stage then.
Getting started
Sinha completed his intermediate in science from Magadha University and took
admission in computer science at Siddaganga Institute of Technology (SIT) in
Karnataka.
After completing his engineering, Sinha decided to take on the responsibility
of his parents and stay in Patna. “After engineering college the big question
was what to do in Bihar in IT field as scope then was very limited. I was in a
dilemma, whether to opt for a job or start a business,” he said. It was during
this phase of his life that he with his friends, Kumar and Ranjan decided to
start a business. And now the challenge was how to start it, as they had no
background nor had any previous experience in business. “We were completely
unaware of managing a business or its related tricks. Therefore we did all the
necessary research and calculations beforehand,” he informed.
Finally Astric was inaugurated in April 1992. Astric was a support and
service providing company in IT hardware and peripherals. “Kumar worked at a
company in Bangalore which used to provide computer training and solutions. He
had gained good experience from there and we decided to use the experience in
Patna under our own banner,” Sinha elaborated.
NAME: Prabhat Kumar Sinha COMPANY: Astric Computers Academics: Engineering degree in Computer Science (Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Karnataka) Year of start up: 1992 Address: 401, Samruddhi Commercial Complex, SP Verma Road, Patna - 800001 Tel: 2224782, 2203064, 2200059 Fax: 2237241 Website: www.astric.net and www.dipl.co.in |
Developing the expertise
Initially, Astric had to depend on pure trading; opportunity came knocking in
July 1992 when TVS-E was in search of an experienced dealer who could handle
sales and service of their products in Patna. “We took this opportunity but
since we were novice it was not an easy task for us,” remembered Sinha. He then
used his TVS-E sources in Bangalore, which he developed during his engineering
project, and convinced the printer major and bagged the deal. “That changed
everything and we never looked back again,” smiled Sinha.
The new role gave Sinha and his partners the required knowledge and
experience in support. The rich customer-base of TVS-E helped them to improve
their own client base. “We had our focus on service and our motto was service
first and sales will automatically happen, as it would help us to win customer's
satisfaction and confidence. Also, we did transparent business which helped us
to gain market confidence,” stated Sinha.
It took three years for Astric to establish itself as promising IT service
providing company. In order to expand their business operation and product line
the company partnered with Redington followed by partnerships with HCL, HP and
Epson. Astric also became a service partner for these brands.
Solution providing
With the advent of the new millennium, the entire country witnessed a tremendous
change in technology and communication industry. The industry saw many leading
partners getting into solution providing. “We had a knack for solutions from the
beginning and gradually we developed
our skills and expertise and
were ready to become an integrated solution providing company,” informed Sinha.
In July 2006 Astric launched a parallel company-IT Zone, for providing
integrated IT solutions.
Future aspiration
Starting with a small office with just five people, today Astric is considered
to be among the fastest growing companies in Bihar. “Our ultimate desire is to
take Astric to the top most level where any young professional would dream to
join it, giving it preference over other MNCs or government jobs.
Sinha's passion for IT gave him a vision to achieve. “I have a unique vision
too. This is our one point agenda that in the next five years Astric will be
dedicatedly involved in spreading IT to the remotest corners of Bihar,” he
quipped. According to him the local state government is also very aggressive in
introducing e-governance within the state in a big way, “We want to support this
mission with all our resources and technical expertise.
His fervor has helped him to achieve one major feat. He was appointed as
honorary member of the Apex Committee (the highest authority of
the government of Bihar on science and technology) on e-governance headed by the
chief secretary to the government of Bihar. He also guides aspiring students in
IT and prepares them for competitive exams. “I do this completely free of cost
as I feel it is my commitment towards the society,” he explained.