Journey of Innovation: Siddhartha Dikshit Building ERP Success
- July 31, 2024
- Brandz Editor Team
- 1
Siddhartha Dikshit happens to be another such dynamic personality in the world of Enterprise Resource Planning within the beautiful city of Kolkata, known for its heritage and cultural richness. In fact, with a mere sum of $1,000 as his initial investment, Siddhartha, the Managing Director of ILICO Services Limited, has turned the same into a highly flourishing enterprise; today, this outstanding firm boasts a group turnover of $25.8 million.
It was a success story not just in terms of business acumen but also in the unceasing search for innovation and excellence in the ERP industry.
Early Life and Education Background
The entrepreneurial spirit for Siddhartha Dikshit was shown right from his childhood days. Hailing from Kolkata, the boy always nursed dreams to know what was happening in the corporate world and technology. The strong wish as a boy to become an entrepreneur was fed by inquisitiveness to see how industries were run and the technology involved in the same. This early passion guided him on the path towards computer science and business management.
He followed this with a degree in Computer Science and then a Master’s in Business Administration, both of which laid down a firm groundwork for him to build his future on. It was this configuration of technical knowledge coupled with business strategy that later formed the base for his triumphant ERP ventures.
The Genesis of ILICO Services Limited
In the year 2006, Siddhartha stepped one more step forward to establish ILICO Services Limited, and this was the inception of his foray into the ERP space. With a little starting capital, Siddhartha initiated the campaign for imaginative and tailor-made ERP solutions. He dreamt of developing software that would cater to the distinctive requirements of businesses in different sectors in order to heighten their operational efficiency and raise their productivity.
Quick to stand out, ILICO Services Limited focused quickly after its conception on elements of customization and flexibility. Its flagship product, ERP.BZ, has been developed to handle the manifold requirements of businesses, right from small startups to large enterprises. The ERP.BZ platform holds the full range of modules like Inventory Management, Production Planning, Payroll, GST Compliance, and many more in order to meet the specific needs of different industries.
Impact on the Market and Society
ERP.BZ has taken market and society by storm. ILICO Services Limited provided customized ERP services to allow organizations to streamline processes, reduce cost, and increase effectiveness. It is widely accepted in many businesses in varying industries because the platform is flexible and easy to use.
This is what made ERP.BZ different from all competitors. The software could be modified and adjusted for any unique business need. With software adaptability and integration capabilities, it ensures that companies can optimize processes without being limited by the use of generic solutions. That’s been just so instrumental in meeting businesses’ goals and adapting to new market conditions.
TIMELINE HISTORY
YEAR 2004
- June: Siddhartha Dikshit, a 20-year-old, unofficially started a company after completing a Diploma and B.Tech in Computer Science.
- Converted a 200 sqft game parlor in Dumdum, Kolkata, India into a software and web development office with an initial loan of Rs. 45,000 ($750) from Rizwana Begum.
- Initially employed 5 contractual staff: Souveek, Sourim, Milan, Partha, and Abhijit.
- First project: Designed a website for Satish B.Ed College, Malda for Rs. 1,000 ($15).
YEAR 2005
- Expanded business operations to Hyderabad, India.
YEAR 2006
- 18 July: Registered as Vehement Technologies Private Limited with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Government of India.
- Began business activities in the USA and UK.
YEAR 2007
- Moved operations to Newtown, Kolkata after purchasing an office space of approximately 900 sqft.
YEAR 2008
- Initiated development of ERP software named vERP for The Moonlight Engineering Corporation in Kolkata.
YEAR 2009
- 1 April: Launched the first version of vERP 1.0.
YEAR 2010
- Expanded office space from 900 sqft to 2100 sqft.
YEAR 2011
- 1 April: Launched the second version of vERP 3.0.
- Started business activities in Qatar.
YEAR 2012
- 12 March: Registered as a public limited company, ILICO SERVICES LIMITED with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Government of India.
YEAR 2013
- Expanded operations to Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur.
YEAR 2014
- 1 April: Launched the third version of vERP 5.0.
- Started business activities in Dubai and Bangladesh.
- 23 April: Launched ERP.BZ, a SaaS ERP product.
YEAR 2015
- Expanded business operations to Mexico.
YEAR 2016
- Began constructing a new office building of 7000 sqft at Newtown Action Area-1, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, after purchasing land.
YEAR 2017
- Started business activities in African countries: Nigeria and Angola.
YEAR 2018
- 1 April: Launched the fourth version of vERP 6.0.
YEAR 2019
- Moved operations to the new 7000 sqft office building at Newtown Action Area-1, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
YEAR 2020
- 1 April: Launched the fifth version of vERP 8.0.
- Started business activities in Saudi Arabia.
YEAR 2021
- Received land allotment at Bengal Silicon Valley by the Government of West Bengal, India, measuring around 0.248 acres for larger business operations.
YEAR 2022
- Launched a complete self-help portal with video walkthroughs and live demonstrations for ERP.BZ at https://demo.erp.bz/.
- Began construction of a new office building of 30,000 sqft at Bengal Silicon Valley, IT Park, Newtown, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Overcoming Challenges
Although he has learned some very hard lessons, Siddhartha is no stranger to first-generation IT professional hurdles in front of an entrepreneur. Among the toughest challenges were the competitive nature of the IT industry and building trust with customers. However, his profound knowledge of business strategy and a dedication to providing quality solutions helped him to get through these challenges.
Strong client relationships were the key for success with Siddhartha’s business. Personalized service and transparent communication created for him a reputation of a reliable and excellent organization. This approach with clients did not just mean secured long-term partnership, but it was also helping in the overall successful results for the company.
Some of the personal experiences of Siddhartha have been a part of his professional life too. He acknowledges the friendship of Ms. Rizwana Begum, an advocate in the Calcutta High Court, who had facilitated him with critical support and motivation in the initial business days, in turn offering apt guidance which helped Siddhartha to handle the intricacies associated with the entrepreneurial initiative.
Ethical Foundations and Professionalism
Professional ethics and etiquette: As Sidhartha believes in his business philosophy, he holds the view that good conduct and adherence to moral ways are important. This is not only an integral part, but the very core, of growing sustainably; this principle has been a driving force behind the growth of ILICO Services Limited.
Siddhartha has always believed in ethical business practices where honesty, transparency, and integrity are embedded in the very key foundation. He has not only built a financially successful company but also widely respected throughout the industry for these very values. This anchorage on ethics is what has developed trust with the clients and stakeholders in general, which have been contributors to the longevity and long-term success of the company.
Market Opportunities and Strategic Approach
The sources of success for Siddhartha have been identification and exploiting the market opportunities. He is strategic in his approach, where data are a tool of identifying what areas in the market are gray or in an emerging trend, thus giving him a competitive edge. Other ways of identifying new opportunities are networking with potential clients and participation in industry events. Siddhartha’s strategic marketing policies and partnerships helped in the dissemination of the ERP.BZ to a large section of society. By staying attuned to the needs of the market and leveraging strategic alliances, he has positioned ILICO Services Limited as a leading provider of ERP solutions.
One of the great strengths of the ERP.BZ platform is the fact that this becomes a cloud-based system, making it the most cost-effective and energy-saving solution without huge outlays on more on-premise infrastructures. This innovation has added impetus and attractiveness to the use of the platform, being the choice of preference by many businesses worldwide.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
This makes entrepreneurship, according to Siddhartha, a process of continuous learning. Interaction with professional industries and staying updated on technological advancement has also improved his understanding and shaped his approach in business. Continuous learning, therefore, is key to innovation for ILICO Services Limited.
ERP.BZ has a strong future because it integrates Artificial Intelligence and other advanced technologies that would further make it even more adaptable and more responsive to user needs. According to Siddhartha, ERP.BZ will greatly come into play in the processes of digital transformation of business productivity and efficiency in general.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
In fact, the advice Siddhartha has for all young entrepreneurs is best encapsulated within these two utterings: “Slow and steady wins the race.” He always emphasizes careful planning, maintenance of consistency, and balancing one’s personal and professional life with a view to getting success that can be long-lasting along with happiness.
Awards and Recognition
Siddhartha’s contributions to the industry have been recognized with several prestigious awards. These include the Bharat Joti and Bharat Nirman Ratna awards in 2012, the Blindwink India Business Awards 2024 , amongst other accolades, which mirror his resolve toward excellence and innovation for ERP solutions.
Mr. Siddhartha Dikshit (Managing Director) receiving Blindwink India Business Awards 2024 by Bollywood Actress Amrita Rao for India’s Most Innovative Complete Business Management Software Providers 2024 – ERP.BZ By ILICO SERVICES LTD
Siddhartha Dikshit has shown that it is possible to make a difference in ERP innovation at the topmost global level by vision, determination, and commitment—results from nowhere other than from the drawing board. Through ILICO Services Limited and ERP.BZ, Siddhartha has made permanent changes within the global software industry. These commitments have continued to be his core source of success as well as his inspiration for future generations of entrepreneurs.
Connect with Mr. Siddhartha Dikshit
Website: https://erp.bz
https://www.instagram.com/siddharthavtpl
https://www.facebook.com/sc.dikshit