The storage solutions market in India has witnessed significant growth and transformation in recent years, with companies like Kingston Technology playing a pivotal role in shaping the landscape. In this exclusive interview, Rajeev Ranjan, Editor, Digital Terminal, speaks with Tejashwar Singh, India Sales Head, Kingston Technology, to gain insights into the company’s strategies and its approach to addressing the evolving needs of the Indian market.
Rajeev: How do you see the growth of Indian storage solutions market? Any products that Kingston offers to cater to the growing storage market.
Tejashwar: India's storage solutions market is experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by rapid digital transformation, increasing data consumption, and the rise of data-intensive applications. With the world moving towards work from home the demand for faster and more efficient technology is at its all-time high.
With a few simple additions in the PC, one can enhance the workflow, productivity, and speed to the next level. Replacing the hard drive with a solid-state drive (SSD) or increasing the memory with the latest DRAM, are some of the easiest and quickest ways to enhance the PC performance. Additionally, the surge in demand of AI is driving the need for higher-capacity SSDs, as these technologies require significant data storage and rapid access to large datasets for training and inference.
This has led surge in demand for higher capacity storage solutions with advanced technology. At the same time, the adoption of NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) is rising, offering significantly lower latency and greater throughput compared to traditional storage interfaces. Together, these trends are crucial for meeting the performance demands of AI workloads, ensuring efficient data management and faster processing speeds.
As a leader in memory and SSD market, Kingston Technology recognizes that India's shift to a digital-first economy is significantly boosting the demand for high-capacity, efficient storage products. Hence, to support the ever-evolving needs of the customers, Kingston has a range of storage solutions to cater to every requirement.
We recently launched our Kingston NV3 NVMe SSD (Mainstream) in the consumer space. This is our affordable and fast upgrade solution for laptops and desktops. Powered by a Gen 4x4 NVMe controller, it delivers read/write speeds of up to 6,000/5,000MB/s. The NV3 is ideal for everyday users and casual gamers looking to enhance their PC performance without breaking the bank.
Similarly, we have Kingston KC3000 SSD for High Performance for Content Creators and Professionals. This M.2 SSD delivers next-level performance using the latest Gen 4x4 NVMe controller and 3D TLC NAND. It's specifically designed for content creators and professionals who require top-tier speed and reliability for demanding workloads like video editing, 3D rendering, and complex data processing.
For extreme gamers we have Kingston FURY Renegade PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD. This cutting-edge SSD provides extreme performance in high capacities, specifically tailored for hardcore gaming enthusiasts and PC builders seeking the absolute pinnacle of storage speed. It's optimized for minimal load times and maximum game performance.
Moreover, recognizing the importance of portable storage solutions, we offer two distinct external SSDs catering to different user needs:
· Kingston XS1000 External SSD (Multi-Device Streaming Solution): The Kingston XS1000 is designed for users who need to stream and share files across multiple devices such as smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and gaming consoles like PS5. With capacities up to 2TB, it's an ideal solution for those looking to save on monthly cloud storage fees. Its ultra-portable design, weighing under 29 grams, makes it perfect for on-the-go use. With read speeds up to 1,050MB/s, users can quickly access their files. It's available in sleek black or vibrant red color options to suit different preferences.
· Kingston XS2000 External SSD (Content Creator's Companion): The XS2000 is tailored for content creators who need to capture, transfer, and edit high-quality video quickly. It's perfect for directly recording ProRes video from iPhones and rapidly transferring footage to PCs for editing and backup. Its ultra-fast transfer speeds ensure an efficient workflow, making it ideal for on-location shooting and quick backups.
Rajeev: How does Kingston ensure customer satisfaction through its after-sales service support? What initiatives have you taken to improve it?
Tejashwar: At Kingston Technology, customer satisfaction is paramount, and we believe that after-sales support plays a crucial role in delivering a complete and positive experience with our products. Our commitment to quality extends beyond the initial purchase; we aim to provide exceptional support at every stage of the customer journey to help our customers maximize the value of their Kingston products.
To stay ahead of the curve, we have been carefully studying the rapidly changing scenario of operating effectively in a diverse market and have set new benchmarks in the quality of service, ensuring turnaround times not exceeding 48 hours to address any kind of customer feedback (on areas like quality and service). Even in a condition where the customer cannot visit the Service Centre physically, there has been a constant endeavor to upgrade service standards based on feedback received from customers, and we try to address the service requests remotely. Moreover, we also have courier facility as well for such customers.
Traditionally we have focused on delighting the customer based with proactive communication, speedy response. We have continued to significantly scale-up the service infrastructure by looking at both Pre-sales and Post-sales. Pre-sales would include product compatibility check assistance and answering questions about product specification and general usage, through calls, email, e-tail sites, customer Q&A and all social media platforms. There would assistance provided to purchase genuine products through registered and authentic sources.
Post-sales would include product verification and warranty confirmation assistance, with free technical support for installation. The transition to SSDs from the old drives is also made easy now with the free Acronis tool that is used for cloning the old data onto the new SSD with assistance right through the entire process. To top it all, we also provide over 80% replacement on the spot for genuine complaints and even an upgradation to a higher model in the case of unavailability of stock.
Rajeev: Kingston FURY has become a notable player in the gaming space. What plans does Kingston have to further enhance its gaming product line in India?
Tejashwar: Kingston FURY is dedicated to supporting the gaming community in India with high-performance, innovative products that meet the needs of both casual and professional gamers. As the gaming landscape in India continues to evolve, we see a tremendous opportunity to expand our presence and enhance our gaming product line to provide cutting-edge, immersive experiences.
In the coming months, we plan to introduce next-generation gaming solutions that focus on ultra-fast processing speeds, superior heat management, and enhanced reliability. This includes the launch of advanced DDR5 memory modules and high-speed SSDs specifically designed for gaming, providing players with the tools needed to compete at the highest levels.
One such product that we are planning to launch in mid-December is Kingston FURY Renegade DDR5 CUDIMMs, compatible with Intel’s new 800-series chipset (formerly codenamed Arrow Lake). Kingston FURY Renegade RGB and non-RGB CUDIMM modules start at an overclocked speed of 8400MT/s and are available as 24GB single modules and 48GB dual channel kits.
Beyond products, Kingston FURY is committed to fostering strong relationships within the gaming community in India, enabling us to gain deeper insights into the needs of Indian gamers. Through our commitment to innovation, product quality, and community engagement, Kingston FURY will continue to empower gamers across India to unlock their full potential and enjoy the best gaming experience possible.
Rajeev: Could you shed light on Kingston’s strategy for engaging and supporting its channel partners across the country?
Tejashwar: Kingston Technology’s supply channel structure in India is based on a robust partnership with distributors, resellers, and retailers, allowing them to efficiently reach various market segments. This structured supply chain enables seamless market reach, with key distributors handling large-scale logistics and resellers and retailers engaging directly with end users to ensure consistent product availability and support.
At Kingston, we are committed to growing alongside our channel partners, who have been integral to our success in India since the beginning. Our partners play a vital role in delivering Kingston’s products and value proposition to consumers. We focus on offering substantial business opportunities for our partners, along with ongoing support and training. Regular, tailored training sessions keep partners up to date on new product features and provide insights into industry trends, which, in turn, help educate end users about our offerings.
To keep our partners engaged and motivated, we frequently run promotional initiatives specifically designed for them, reinforcing our commitment to a mutually beneficial partnership that supports long-term growth and customer satisfaction.
Rajeev: What is Kingston’s strategy for Indian market?
Tejashwar: Our strategy for India is driven by the current market dynamics and the rapidly evolving landscape, especially in these challenging times. With work from home still being on the rise, and the gaming industry experiencing significant growth, consumers are increasingly seeking high-performance solutions for seamless and fast system access. In response, we are focusing on developing products that enhance both work and gaming performance for our discerning customers.
Our goal is to strengthen our SSD and DRAM offerings, with a particular focus on higher capacity, differentiated products. Additionally, we are prioritizing investment and resources towards driving growth in the enterprise segment, ensuring that we meet the needs of both individual consumers and businesses in this evolving market.
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 WhatsApp Channel now! 👈📲
𝑭𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝑺𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒂 𝑷𝒂𝒈𝒆𝐬 👉 Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram
