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Epitom to open centers in Hyd, Delhi

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CIOL Bureau
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Vinita Suvarna Bhatia

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KOLKATA: Epitom Networks is all-set to shake off Eastern Comnet's shadow and emerge as a multi-vendor, multi-solution company. The company is in the throes of establishing itself as a separate entity, distancing itself from the earlier positioning of being an IT Group division at Eastern Comnet.

According to Epitom executive director Rajashri Ghosh, the company was perceived as a part of Eastern Comnet, as they shared one director, Jatan Baid, on the board. Gosh informed that this was adversely impacting Epitom, as clients would assume, like Eastern Comnet, Epitom was solely into networking products.

"We are a multi-vendor, multi-solution company while Eastern Comnet largely focuses on D-Link, Avaya and Tyco. It was becoming difficult to get customers to accept us as a solution provider," added Ghosh. He will now head the company and will manage 76 people, of whom majority will be service engineers.

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To build this differentiation, Epitom is revamping its operations and expanding into cities other than Kolkata and Guwahati where it already has presence. "In 2005 we will open branches in Hyderabad and New Delhi," informed Ghosh.

Epitom is also working with Tyco to organize a series of roadshows for highlighting the importance of networking among interior designers and architects. "Since these are the people who build the corporate offices, it is imperative they understand the nuances of networking, like data cable laying and niches for switches. They can then include it in their site designs. We can also create good mind share among them for our solutions, to get referral projects from them," added Ghosh.

Epitom is also building up a strong portfolio of network integration projects that will help them bag more clients. It recently executed a Rs 5 lakh fiber-to-desk project and another networking of switches order worth Rs 3 lakh for the Railways. It is also networking 375 offices of Development Cooperation Bank, a project valued at Rs 20 crore. "The work at seven branches has already been completed," said Ghosh.

Founded in June 2003 the upstart has already posted a turnover of Rs 1.25 crore for the fiscal 2003-04 and is well on its way to achieve its target of Rs 5 crore in 2004-05. The company is also applying for an ISO 9001: 2000 certification and expects it to be through by January 2005.

Currently, Epitom is targeting the corporate segment. "The government segment has a long payment cycle, which is not conducive for our business at this point of time," said Ghosh. Also most government tender business considers only those suppliers who have a balance sheet of three years. "We can get into government segment after about a year," said Ghosh.

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