Your Tech Story

HCL Technologies

Shiv Nadar's Success Story: The Visionary Behind HCL Technologies

Shiv Nadar’s Success Story: The Visionary Behind HCL Technologies

Shiv Nadar was born on July 14, 1945, in Moolaipozhi village, Tamil Nadu, India. His early education took place in various schools across Tamil Nadu due to his father’s transferable job. He completed his pre-university degree at American College, Madurai, and subsequently graduated with a degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from PSG College of Technology in Coimbatore.

The Birth of an Entrepreneur

Shiv Nadar's Success Story: The Visionary Behind HCL Technologies

Image Source: vyapaarjagat.com

Shiv Nadar’s journey into entrepreneurship began in the 1970s when he, along with his friends, founded a company called Microcomp to sell teledigital calculators. However, Nadar had a vision that extended beyond calculators. Recognizing the untapped potential of the IT sector, he founded Hindustan Computers Limited (HCL) in 1976. This was the beginning of what would become a major force in the global IT industry.

Founding HCL

HCL started as a hardware company, producing India’s first indigenous computer at a time when computers were largely imported. The company’s innovative spirit was evident from the outset, with HCL introducing many firsts in the Indian market, including the first 8-bit microprocessor-based computer in 1978. Nadar’s leadership and foresight were crucial in navigating the nascent technology landscape in India, allowing HCL to establish itself as a pioneering tech company.

Transition to Software and Services

While HCL initially focused on hardware, Nadar understood the growing importance of software and IT services. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, HCL transitioned towards providing software services, capitalizing on the global shift towards outsourcing. This strategic pivot was instrumental in the company’s growth, allowing it to tap into the burgeoning market for IT services.

Under Nadar’s leadership, HCL Technologies expanded its footprint globally. By focusing on R&D and establishing partnerships with global technology leaders, HCL positioned itself as a major player in the international IT services market. The company’s emphasis on innovation and customer-centric solutions helped it secure large contracts and foster long-term relationships with clients across various industries.

Philanthropy and Legacy

Beyond his business acumen, Shiv Nadar is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He established the Shiv Nadar Foundation in 1994, which focuses on education and rural development. The foundation has set up several educational institutions, including the prestigious Shiv Nadar University, which aims to nurture future leaders.

Shiv Nadar’s journey from a small village in Tamil Nadu to becoming one of the most influential figures in the global IT industry is a testament to his vision, perseverance, and innovative thinking. By founding HCL Technologies and steering it through various phases of growth and transformation, Nadar has not only created a legacy in the business world but also contributed significantly to society through his philanthropic initiatives. His story serves as an inspiration to entrepreneurs worldwide, demonstrating the impact of visionary leadership and the importance of adapting to changing market dynamics.

HCL Technologies

HCL Technologies – The Foundation Stone of the Pillar Of Indian IT Industry

HCL Technologies is an Indian IT services and consulting
company, the foundation stone of the Indian IT industry and way ahead of its
time. Shiv Nadar founded HCL 44 years ago on 11 August 1976, with the idea of
making computer hardware easily accessible to Indian consumers and HCL a common
household brand. HCL Technologies is a multinational company with its
headquarters located in Noida, India. The company specializes in software
development, computer hardware manufacturing, outsourcing, consulting managed
services, etc.

About HCL
Technologies

HCL Technologies has a huge client base across the world, over 250 Fortune 500 companies being some of them. The company has expanded its operations overseas and has its offices located in countries like the US, the UK, France, Germany, etc., and over 160,00 people are working for it globally. The fields the company works in include banking, capital market, defense, aerospace, healthcare, hi-tech, insurance, media and entertainment, telecom, travel, etc. As of 2021, the company made revenues worth US$11 billion and owns total equity worth US$8.3 billion.

HCL Technologies
Image Source: glassdoor.co.in

The Back Story of HCL Technologies

In 1976, Shiv Nadar lead a team of five people, all colleagues
from  Delhi Cloth & General Mills, to
establish a teledigital calculators selling company named Microcomp Limited.
The sole reason behind founding the company was to achieve their dream of
starting up a computer manufacturing and selling company and raise money for
it. On 11 August the same year, Nadar renamed Microcomp Limited to Hindustan
Computer Limited.

Yet again, another name change took place, when in 1991 the
founder built another company to provide technology development services with
the name HCL Overseas Limited. This was the beginning of a new chapter as the
new company was doing exactly what the founders had dreamt of, making and
selling computers. In 1992, the company received the certificate of
commencement of business, and the company started its journey as an authorized
computer manufacturer and seller. The company became HCL Consulting Limited in
1994.             

In 1999 the R&D department of the HCL group became HCL Technologies Limited. HCL Technologies, HCL Infosystems, HCL Healthcare, HCL TalentCare are the four divisions of HCL Corporation. HCL Technologies is specifically into software services, business process outsourcing, and infrastructure services. The company is credited as the pioneer of the development and growth of the IT and computer industry in India.

HCL Technologies
Image SOurce: assets.entrepreneur.com

Though during the initial years of the company, Hindustan
Computer Limited was selling teledigital calculators, the company’s focus was
entirely on building personal computers and related hardware. It developed an
indigenous microcomputer in 1978, and in 1980, the company opened its first
international company branch in Singapore to sell IT hardware, with the name
Far East Computers.

In 1983, it also introduced a networking OS and client-server architecture. During the 90s, the company targeted the software solutions development for its US and European clients as well as the APAC market. On 10 November 1999, HCL had its first IPO, and it also established a development center in Chennai in 2000.

Acquisitions

Starting from the year 2000, HCL has made some big
acquisitions in the field of service outsourcing, telecommunication services,
SAP, CRM-consulting, automation, IT and engineering service, etc. It acquired
Gulf Computers Inc. in 2002. Between 2008 to 2009, the company made acquisitions
like Capital Stream Inc., Liberata Financial Service, Control Point Solutions,
Inc., Axon Group Plc. and UCS Group’s Enterprise Solutions SAP Practice.

In 2015, the company acquired Concept to Silicon Systems and
PowerObjects, followed by the acquisition of Geometric Ltd (2016), Part of
Volvo IT (2016), Butler America Aerospace 
(2017), H&D International Group (2018), Actian (2018), and Sankalp
Semiconductor (2019), etc.

The Founder: Shiv Nadar

Shiv Nadar is a famous Indian businessman who founded HCL Technologies in 1976. He is known for his innovative approach to business and is credited for his contribution to the growth of the IT industry in India. He is one of the richest people in India and has won one of the biggest honors of India, Padma Bhushan, for his efforts in the development of the IT industry in India.

Nadar was born on 14 July 1945, in Moolaipozhi, Tamil Nadu, India. During his childhood, he switched between multiple schools and completed his high school education at St. Joseph Boys Higher Secondary School, Trichy. He earned a pre-university degree in the American College, Madurai, and completed a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore.

Nadar started his career at Walchand group’s College of
Engineering, Pune (COEP), in 1967, but left the job to found his own company,
which today is known as HCL Technologies.