HERALD: How long have you been in business and what is your specialty?
RUCHIN C DAYAL: eDOT Solutions was established in 2004. We developed a digital tracking solution for barges plying on Goa’s rivers. It was a first of its kind, much before the inception of commercial GPS and GPRS. It was a technological breakthrough and became the corner stone for the conceptual structure of the present company.
Our specialty is deep insight into data, technology, and business. Yes, we make apps and customised software solutions – but so do a million other people. We dig deep into business to establish common perceptions and expectations, identify technology and implement a fully functional prototype prior to writing a single code. A dedicated and experienced quality assurance team ensures that projects are delivered on time, while a support cell ensures local time support for most of our live projects.
The eDOT Marine Laboratory remains the most accredited marine laboratory in India – presently the only marine laboratory to be approved by the Directorate General of Shipping – India for the Modified Proctor & Fagerberg Test (MPFT). The eDOT Marine Survey division prides itself to be associated with many of the international group protection and indemnity clubs, having worked with a majority of them.
HERALD: How does your company help Goans?
RCD: I have a different approach to this – I sincerely believe that this socio-eco angle or paradigm must shift to a more logical level. Tech companies can help Goans as well as other Indians as well as the industry itself only if their prime focus is technology and training. Focus of technology will attract the best of the talents – Goans, Indians, even the diaspora. We leave our homes for a better life; with better books, better wages, better conditions, why would the logically prodigal Goan not return to his roots if he could enjoy equivalents conditions in his homeland?
Hence, this whole business of protectionism and subsidy is lopsided in my personal opinion. The tech sector does not need any subsidy – they need a market, they need demand. What is the point of the governments offering subsidy to start-ups (forget about the already struggling units) but give their business to others. We need a market and transparent process for business procurement. If at all, the Govt should give subsidy to service providers for Internet, software LICs, office equipment, Power, etc – so that when coupled with technology, local companies may compete with the rest of the world.
Whether it is California, Bengaluru or Hyderabad, tech people will throng these hubs because they offer technology – based on which great infra gets supported, better social structures are born and bigger dreams are realized.
Reservation or protectionism of any kind may at best work for uplifting the economically backwards masses but completely fails in raising standards for excellence and professional brilliance. Technocrats are good at technology —- focus on technology – bring out your best, leave the socio-economic narratives to Politicians – they are good at it.
eDOT’s core philosophy is that of training; the company maintains a structured training process for its employees. Our software team consists of 100 per cent Goans – including many who have returned from Bengaluru, Pune and Mumbai – this is not because we pledged to employ only Goans but because we are committed to technology and training.
HERALD: Who are your major customers?
RCD: Our major clients include some of the biggest names in the maritime industry – we have made customised training portals and apps for ship’s crew, officers and management; the surveying professional institutes – where we host the live competency management program, major event managers, multinational pharma giants, P&I clubs, etc.
HERALD: What made you work as an entrepreneur in Goa?
RCD: I was sailing until 2004, when the Iron ore shock hit India. The price of ore quadrupled due to the crazy demand in the Chinese market. This unprecedented market scenario saw the iron ore industry go through a completely unnatural, unorganised and almost by all accounts, unethical growth. Locally, the barge traffic was looking at growing exponentially, becoming more and more unregulated for traffic while the iron ore demand coupled with poor safety awareness about the product was resulting in sinking of ships and losing lives.
It was during this time that I began my research on iron ore and liquefaction and at the same time started the survey work to develop the barge traffic management system, including tracking and tidal representations. We founded eDOT Solutions with our focus on proficiency, technology and integrity; experience was added to it as time passed by. Hence, eDOT happened more because of an industry demand for regulation and safety rather than any entrepreneurship streak in me. At best I am an accidental albeit committed entrepreneur.
HERALD: How do you see the Goa market?
RCD: Where software is concerned, we have extremely few clients in Goa. Regret that we undermine the QA and support processes here as well as Pan India many times. We are in the process of launching our app, myzyp in Goa in the next couple of months. It is available for free download and use in the app store as well as in the play store. Our marine laboratory forms the backbone for testing of iron ore fines in Goa and remains the best in the business.
HERALD: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
RCD: I see myself guiding leaders of eDOT who make their own calls, heading teams for Singapore, UK and the US. I see eDOT able to provide world class working environments, benefits and a balanced life for Goans, Indians and even world citizens. I see eDOT making significant contributions to technology in the maritime domain with special focus on training.
