New tech, new mindset, new business

“Challenging and exhilarating,” summarised Mani Padisetti, when outlining the process of building and launching Emerging Technology Armoury (ETA).

At this embryonic stage, the new venture is merely days old after spinning off from Digital Armour, a Sydney-based solutions provider of 22 years.

“After two decades with Digital Armour, I realised that the pace and scope of technological advancements required a dedicated focus,” said Padisetti, speaking as Co-Founder and CEO of ETA.

“Starting this new venture has been like stepping into uncharted territory – exciting and full of possibilities. It’s been about assembling a team of brilliant minds, forging new partnerships and constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.”

Padisetti is no stranger to the early days of entrepreneurialism having started Digital Armour with his wife, Maria, at their kitchen table in Sydney. The year was 2002 and the dream was to make a difference by combining business consulting and IT skills with a passion for people.

Fast forward to 2024 and in a sense, the recipe is the same – just the technology ingredients are different.

“My entrepreneurial journey has always been driven by a passion for innovation and a desire to make a difference,” Padisetti added.

Building Digital Armour taught Padisetti the power of a customer-centric approach, the importance of building a strong team culture and the value of forging reliable partnerships.

Such lessons are the bedrock upon which ETA has been built, from the ground up.

• Agility: The importance of being able to adapt quickly to new information and market feedback.
• Resilience: The critical need to remain committed to a collective vision despite inevitable hurdles.
• Value: Keeping the customer at the heart of every decision continues to guide product development and service delivery, ensuring relevance and value to clients.

“With ETA, it’s about creating something that will not only benefit our existing clients but also set new standards in the technology industry,” Padisetti outlined. “It’s about being fearless, taking risks and always striving to create something that truly matters.”

New tech, new mindset

From a go-to-market standpoint, ETA was launched to help businesses maximise the potential of emerging technologies, shaped by a “distinct focus” on cutting-edge advancements to offer unique solutions and services.

While the emerging technology landscape evolves at pace, Padisetti cited artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing as “revolutionary” in the Australian market, with blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT) also poised to “redefine industries”.

“They’re not just incremental improvements, they’re paradigm shifts,” he stated. “These technologies have the potential to solve problems we once thought were unsolvable, to transform industries and to create entirely new markets.”

In that context, Padisetti shared that the delivery of emerging technology is anchored by an ability to harness the potential of it. This isn’t a case of rolling out shiny new products for the sake of rolling out shiny new products.

“It’s about empowering businesses to innovate, to thrive in an ever-changing world and to achieve things they never imagined possible,” Padisetti qualified.

“This isn’t just about keeping up with the future; it’s about leading the way, about being the ones to shape that future.”

With a strong heritage in digital, cloud, mobility and security solutions, Digital Armour has operated at the forefront of innovation for more than two decades. But such “unprecedented evolution” in recent years created a need for proactive action.

Hence the launch of ETA, a venture led by Padisetti which operates independently from the parent company – although a synergistic relationship is maintained to leverage shared resources and expertise. At launch, the start-up is running as a “tight-knit team” housing five specialists.

“We want to ensure that our clients not only receive state-of-the-art technologies but also comprehensive support to integrate these solutions seamlessly into their operations,” Padisetti said.

“They’re not just buzzwords, they’re the future. The launch of ETA is about seizing that future. It’s about creating a specialised platform to dive deep into these transformative technologies and offer our clients unparalleled expertise and solutions.”

Setting the stage for the next era of digital innovation in Australia is no easy task however.

According to Padisetti, the decision to launch now was driven by the “rapid acceleration” in technological advancements and the growing need for specialised knowledge in implementing such technologies effectively.

“We saw a unique opportunity to help businesses transition into this new digital era with confidence,” he shared.

“As changes and advancements occur every week, we needed to focus on new technologies specifically. This couldn’t haven been done with the same mindset of running a traditional IT business.”

In other words, to truly innovate, Padisetti needed to start fresh.

“ETA is my solo venture but it’s very much aligned with the mission and values Maria and I have built over 22 years at Digital Armour,” he explained. “This new venture allows us to laser-focus on the cutting-edge technologies that are reshaping our world.”

To execute, partnering with leading technology vendors will be critical. Alliances with Microsoft and open source specialists will ensure that solutions are built on “reliable and innovative platforms”, capable of delivering advanced solutions at scale across Australia.

Initial industry focus will span health, financial services, government and retail sectors – a deliberate strategy to target verticals that stand to “benefit immensely” from innovative offerings, notably in improving operational efficiencies and enhancing customer experience levels.

“It’s about pushing boundaries, exploring new horizons and creating something remarkable to benefit Digital Armour’s customers and the broader Australian business landscape,” Padisetti noted. “We’re not just adapting to the future; we’re actively creating it.”

In assessing customer appetite for emerging technologies in the local market, Padisetti observed “palpable excitement” from boardroom executives to frontline workers.

Businesses are engaged to develop deeper understanding around how new innovations can drive growth and a competitive edge. Market demand is “growing every day” as organisations seek to transition from modernisation to transformation strategies.

“Big players might find themselves overtaken by smaller, more agile competitors,” Padisetti cautioned.

“Companies that have always been no.3 or no.4 – struggling to gain the top position – now have an unprecedented opportunity to leapfrog to no.1. Our clients see this potential and they’re eager to harness these disruptive technologies.”

In a direct message to Australian businesses, Padisetti issued six recommendations for executives:

1. Ensure leaders are agile and ready to adopt AI: The pace of change is accelerating and leadership must be prepared to embrace and drive these innovations.
2. Speed is key in competitive industries: In today’s fast-moving markets, being first can make all the difference. Speed of adoption and implementation sets companies apart.
3. Seek expertise through consultancy: Work with specialists who can assist with governance plans and help identify areas of opportunity within the business. Expertise is crucial to navigate this complex landscape.
4. Successful roll-outs are key: Companies adopting AI successfully are those that train staff thoroughly. It’s not just about having the technology but also about ensuring the team can use it effectively.
5. Mindset is the biggest barrier: The technology and the funds are often available but what holds many Australian businesses back is the mindset. Cultivating a forward-thinking, innovative culture is essential.
6. Allocate a section of the IT budget to emerging technology over the next five years: This isn’t just an investment in technology – it’s an investment in the company’s future and its ability to compete on a global stage.

Success during the first 12 months of ETA will be defined by the ability to establish strong partnerships, refine service offerings and achieve a significant impact in target industries. Setting a foundation for sustainable growth is a top priority.

“At ETA, we’re here to guide clients through this revolution and help them seize these new opportunities, not just in Australia but on the global stage,” Padisetti added.