In an era where data drives everything, from finance to governance, data centre operators like ESDS Software Solution Limited are not just building infrastructure, but ecosystems. As the company scales its network to meet the rising demand across verticals like BFSI, IT services, and the public sector, the Human Resources strategy must endeavour to scale with equal agility and foresight.
“As HR business partners, we play a crucial role in aligning our talent strategy with business growth,” says Komal Piyush Somani, Whole-time Director, Chief Marketing Officer and CHRO at ESDS. The company’s learning and development architecture has been thoughtfully built to enable leadership at all levels. Programmes like Aarohan (Ascent), a leadership track designed for women, and Karna’s Lakshyabhed (Karna’s Target Piercing), aimed at sharpening the skills of first-line managers, are shaping a workforce.
Humanising Tech in a Data-Centric World
In a fiercely competitive market for cloud and data centre talent, especially across specialised sectors, ESDS is doubling down on its people-first ethos. “In a world driven by systems, processes, and profits, we have cultivated a culture where people matter just as much,” notes Komal. From offering healthy food in the cafeteria to embedding wellness in everyday work, the company acknowledges that employees today seek meaning, not just money.
Referencing Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, she explains that younger generations are now in pursuit of purpose, belonging, and self-actualisation. “They do not just wait for the employers to select them; they choose their employers. It is a two-way street.” In response, ESDS encourages an environment of transparency, authenticity, and culture-led decision-making.
Rethinking Location as a Value Proposition
While traditional wisdom suggests that tech talent flocks to metros, ESDS challenges this notion. Its headquarters in Nashik, Maharashtra, is turning heads (quite literally). “Once people experience Nashik’s environment, their perspective shifts,” she explains, pointing to cleaner air, shorter commutes, and a higher quality of life.
The office itself is a quiet revolution but a blend of tech and tranquillity, with open spaces, green zones, and even a swimming pool. And for those who still prefer metros, the company offers flexibility through offices in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mohali, making location a choice, not a constraint.
AI and Analytics at the Helm of Talent Transformation
AI is no longer a buzzword; it's embedded in the backbone of its HR operations. At ESDS, AI and analytics are being actively explored to improve workforce-related processes. As part of our ongoing research and development initiatives, we are currently developing an Autonomous Hiring Platform, intended to be deployed on our digital marketplace. This platform will help automate screening, scheduling, and assessments, bringing in both speed and precision.
Balancing Hybrid Work with Belonging
Can data centre roles go hybrid? It depends. While many positions demand physical presence, the workplace culture at ESDS is engineered to attract people back. “Our Chairman and MD, Piyush Prakashchandra Somani, strongly believes in creating a workplace so enriching and welcoming that employees genuinely prefer coming to the office,” says Komal. That sentiment has tangible proof that ESDS was recognised as a Great Place to Work in 2019, ranking second in India and fifteenth in Asia among mid-sized companies.
Bridging the Gender Gap in Tech
The tech sector’s diversity problem is well-known, and ESDS is tackling it through deliberate action. Aarohan, the company’s dedicated women’s leadership initiative, delivers more than training. It provides mentorship and coping mechanisms, critical elements for women balancing personal and professional spheres.
Additionally, the use of AI in hiring is helping remove unconscious biases and promote meritocratic inclusion. As Komal notes, the goal is to empower underrepresented groups not just to participate, but to lead.
Sustainability as a Strategic Talent Magnet
In a world increasingly driven by climate consciousness, ESDS’s green data centres are more than a technical asset—they signal environmental responsibility. The company’s mission to plant one billion trees, coupled with solar-powered facilities, exemplifies its ethos of eco-innovation.
“We believe that a growth mindset is essential for both individual and organisational success,” says Komal. For a generation of job seekers that prioritises impact over income, ESDS presents a compelling proposition: a workplace that strives to harmonise technological advancement with environmental stewardship.
From enabling talent through AI to fostering women in tech and embedding green thinking into HR, Komal Piyush Somani’s leadership reflects a people strategy that is aligned with business.
At ESDS, growth is not just vertical; it is holistic.
Komal Piyush Somani is the Whole-time Director, the Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Human Resource Officer of ESDS. ESDS was recognised as the 15th Best Small and Medium Workplaces for Women in 2020 by the Great Place to Work Institute. She has won several awards and recognitions, such as 'Most Innovative Woman of the Year – 2018' at the 2nd She Leads Summit and Awards 2018, was ranked amongst the 50 Most Innovative HR Technology Leaders 2017, and amongst the 25 Most Innovative HR Tech Leaders – 2016 at the Asia Pacific HRM Congress. She was also awarded the Maharashtra Nari Ratna Award 2017, Tejaswini Sanmaan by Swaraj in 2017 and Nashik Best HR Leaders – 2017. She is also on the board of directors of Resvera Wines Limited.
