Serving with Zest

Zest Systems has become a well-known entity in the IT industry since its professional inception in 1989. The company since then has grown into being one the leading providers of IT solutions and also a single point provider of IT needs of varied industry in the Indian user community.

One person whom we can attribute this success to is Rajeev Mehta, Director of Zest Systems. He along with his two other partners, MB Reddy, and Breejesh Nirula, who are the other two directors of Zest, have taken the company to new heights.

“The reason behind our success is that we enjoy the work that we do and we have always thrived to take our business to the next level. My approach towards work is to remain dedicated and sincere and would always strive to put in my best efforts. I am very passionate about my work and it always gives me a high. I believe success always come with hard work and honesty,” asserted Mehta.

The beginning

Hailing from a family of doctors, Mehta completed his computer engineering in 1989 and joined HCL as a trainee. But he couldn't continue for long, as he was smitten by the entrepreneur bug. And that's when on September 9, 1989, he started his own business along with his HCL colleague, Breejesh Nirula, and set up a company called Third Party Maintenance (TPM).

Three years later, in 1992, as the business flourished, they converted TPM into a private limited company and rechristened it as Zest. The company diversified into corporate reselling and became a preferred partner of Sterling Computers, selling their Siva branded PCs. However, in 1994, Sterling decided to wind up the PC business and that prompted Zest to ink a deal with PCL, the other leading PC vendor. Soon, Zest became the largest PCL partner in the country, and bagged its first award, called the 'Clean Sweep' trophy.

But there was something more to the company's destiny. PCL too had to shut shop around 1996-97. Luckily, HP had just ventured into the PC business in the Indian market and seeing Zest's potential, it chose the company as its partner in North India. And the rest they say is history.

On the road to success

The company, over the years, developed the required skills and expertise to face the challenges of this very dynamic industry. It is known for facility management services, implementation of large corporate networks and consulting business apart from the regular business of selling IT related hardware and software.

Today, Zest is present across all the major industry verticals. It has a fairly good presence in IT, ITeS, BPO, manufacturing, and hospitality sectors. Besides, it has a very strong hold in the education and SMB segments. The reason behind this success is that the company has followed a committed approach in these areas and its customers have also helped it to reach the next level. Now, Zest has expanded its business in the government sector in a big way.

Mehta highlighted, “We have partnered with HP for their entire range of Intel and Itanium (BCS) servers, PSG, and IPG products. We are also authorized service providers for their entire product range. We are also direct AMC partners for HP and are 24x7 support providers.”

Moreover, it is the first company to partner with Kaseya for remote managed services. It has also partnered with TCS for their cloud computing ie IT-as-a-Services business vertical. Apart from these, it has also partnered with Microsoft, D-Link, EMC and Emerson.

“Zest is a solution-centered organization. We are fanatic about understanding business processes and working towards an immaculate business-specific technology solution for Indian corporates and organizations. Technology alone is not everything; value is achieved only when it is deployed as a tool to achieve business goals. Being solution-focused, enables us to build customer intimacy. We believe that meeting the client needs, understanding and helping them with business models is more central to us than just bringing latest technology,” added Mehta.

The outlook

Mehta believes that one trend that changes the market dynamics considerably is consolidation. And that is why Zest has always consolidated on the technology front and kept itself abreast with the technological advancements. With his ability to sustain values and work as an honest entrepreneur, Mehta has remained quite loyal and dedicated towards its customers, and has also been able to provide best of the possible solutions to them. Besides, he has also been able to retain his manpower since the beginning, as he believes that the manpower is any company's biggest asset.

For him, every challenge is an opportunity to grow. His family has been the pillar of strength throughout this journey. “They have always encouraged me in every situation and never complained about my absence from home. They have a pivotal role in my career as well,” said Mehta.

Nivedan Prakash
(nivedanp@cybermedia.co.in)