RADIANT TECHNOLOGIES: Ahead Of Times

Aveteran among channels, Mumbai-based Anees Khalfay of Radiant Technologies is known for introducing ethics in business.Popular among his channel peers, he chooses to remain low-profile. But that does not mean that he is not in step with the changing times. Keeping an eye on market trends, Anees plans to start retail operations to complement his systems integration activities. “This should hopefully be ready in a couple of months,” says he. 

Radiant Technologies, a pure reseller for the last seven years, posted a turnover of Rs 10 crore in 2002-03. For the current fiscal, Radiant has set a revenue target of Rs 15 crore. “But this time the focus will be only on strengthening the bottomline,” says
Anees. 

Since its formation in 1996, Radiant has grown at the rate of 10-15% CAGR. “During all these years, we have earned a fair amount of profit. Our profit may not have grown at the same rate as that of our turnover, but it has definitely increased,” says
Anees. 

HUMBLE BEGINNING

Khalfay’s biggest asset is his experience and thorough information about the channel business. A BE from Bangalore University, his stint with the IT industry began in 1988, when he started a manufacturing unit called Safeguard Electronics.

Anees used all his skills to manufacture stabilizers and power electronics from the garage of Decent Interiors, which was owned by his father’s friend. 

His mother then helped Anees to get a small place, and soon Safeguard grew into a company with nine employees and an extensive client list. One of his biggest customers at that time was Delhi’s Indian Institute of Hardware Technology, which closed in the mid-90s. 

This closure was the main factor for Anees getting into IT hardware reselling. Besides, heavy state levies on electrical goods had put Safeguard in bad times. Finally, the unit was shut down last year.

WORKING FOR A CAUSE

Anees is known for his active presence in serving the channel community through TAIT and SCALE, two Mumbai-based dealer associations. Currently, he is the VP of TAIT and takes up various issues troubling the channel, and constantly works to bring business ethics among all members. 

Many feel that for a businessman to dedicate a lot of time in any association may not be good for his own business. But, Anees feels that his brother Raiz and Radiant’s team of 14 employees are doing a great job running the show in his absence.

Coming from a Muslim family, Anees has a soft corner for all the downtrodden in his community. He wishes to uplift his community by giving them proper computer education. 

My dream is to provide computer education for all needy people in my community,” says
Anees. 

As a step in this direction, he has helped set up a computer education facility in HM Ishakque School at Irla. Six other friends have joined him in this good deed. Here is one partner who has really breathed life to the adage “charity begins at home”.

NELSON JOHNY

Mumbai