Empowering MSMEs: Vishal Prakash Shah, CEO of Synersoft, on BLACKbox’s Role in Revolutionizing IT for Small Businesses
1. Synersoft is known for its deep commitment to SMEs. Could you share your vision behind focusing exclusively on this segment and how BLACKbox aligns with their unique needs?
At Synersoft, our unwavering commitment to India’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) stems from recognizing their pivotal role in the nation’s economy. SMEs are significant employment generators and substantial contributors to the GDP. However, they often face challenges in adopting and managing complex IT infrastructures due to limited resources and expertise.
Our flagship product, BLACKbox, is meticulously designed to address these challenges. It integrates multiple functionalities—such as data preservation, security, fraud mitigation, and software license cost minimization—into a single, user-friendly solution. This integration eliminates the need for SMEs to invest in and manage multiple, often complex, IT systems.
BLACKbox offers features like forced centralization of data, Active Global Recycle Bin for data recovery, and email vigilance to monitor communications. These capabilities ensure that SMEs can protect their digital assets from threats like data loss, theft, and ransomware attacks without requiring in-house IT expertise.
By focusing exclusively on SMEs, we aim to empower these enterprises with affordable, effective, and easy-to-use technology solutions that enhance their competitiveness and ensure business continuity in an increasingly digital world.
2. BLACKbox is described as a “disruptive technology.” In what ways do you see it disrupting traditional IT solutions for SMEs?
BLACKbox is a disruptive technology because it challenges the traditional paradigms of IT solutions by simplifying, consolidating, and innovating in ways that resonate deeply with SMEs. Unlike conventional solutions that require multiple hardware and software systems, BLACKbox delivers a comprehensive “IT in a box” approach. It integrates critical functions such as file server, firewall, mail server, domain controller, backup system, disaster recovery, cloud storage, endpoint security, VPN server, and storage system—all within a single hardware unit.
What truly sets BLACKbox apart is its design philosophy, which prioritizes the needs of data owners rather than data managers. This perspective allows SMEs to regain control over their digital assets with features like autocratic centralization, which ensures all data is centralized and protected against unauthorized access, and Vault-Workspace, which isolates critical files for added security.
BLACKbox’s proprietary innovations like ransomware recovery, USB usage reporting, email shadowing, and on-the-fly VPN provide unparalleled protection against modern cyber threats. Additionally, it introduces unique features such as Happy Hours, Screen Captures, and BCC Intercept, which proactively safeguard against data breaches, monitor activity, and enhance operational transparency.
This all-in-one solution not only eliminates the need for complex IT setups but also ensures that SMEs can access cutting-edge technology without requiring extensive technical expertise. Its intuitive interface translates complex IT tasks into simple, user-friendly operations. BLACKbox is not just a product—it is an AI-enabled security guard that detects, nullifies, and reports any attempts at data theft or misuse across devices like laptops, desktops, mobiles, and tablets.
The disruption BLACKbox creates in the market is further amplified by its cost- effectiveness. With no hidden charges and its ability to replace multiple IT systems, it offers SMEs a reliable, scalable, and economical solution tailored to their specific needs. This is why thousands of installations across the SME sector stand as a testament to its effectiveness and innovative edge.
3. What motivated Synersoft to develop an all-in-one solution like BLACKbox that integrates security, collaboration, backup, and user management?
The motivation behind developing BLACKbox was our vision to address the unique needs of Indian MSMEs for data protection, information security, and IT compliance. We observed that most IT products achieving these objectives were designed for large-scale usage by large enterprises. These solutions are not only expensive but also complex, requiring professional IT talent for deployment and maintenance—resources that MSMEs often cannot afford.
We identified a clear product-market gap where MSMEs needed a simpler, cost-effective, and more accessible solution tailored to their scale and capabilities. Traditional IT products include numerous features designed for large-scale usage, which, while essential for big enterprises, make these solutions unnecessarily complex and expensive for small businesses.
Our approach was inspired by the thesis that 30% of the features in IT products can meet the requirements of 70% of customers. Applying this to the MSME sector, we focused on identifying and developing only the essential features necessary for small-scale usage.
Instead of requiring MSMEs to invest in and integrate up to eight different IT solutions—like File Server, Firewall, Domain Controller, Backup Systems, and more—we consolidated these functionalities into a single hardware-software system: BLACKbox.
By designing BLACKbox to operate efficiently with a lean feature set on a single hardware unit, we not only made it cost-effective but also more environmentally sustainable. This innovation allows MSMEs to achieve enterprise-level IT compliance, data protection, and information security without the need for extensive IT expertise or infrastructure.
Our goal with BLACKbox was simple: to empower millions of Indian MSMEs with a practical, affordable, and user-friendly solution that bridges the gap between their operational needs and the limitations of traditional IT products.
4. What advice would you give to SME owners who are still hesitant about investing in IT solutions like BLACKbox?
To SME owners hesitant about investing in IT solutions like BLACKbox, my advice is to shift their perspective from viewing IT spending as an expense to recognizing it as a crucial investment. In today’s digital landscape, your data—be it designs, drawings, documents, tender bids, formulations, business insights, or HR information—is one of your most valuable assets. Losing this data can severely disrupt business continuity and put your competitive edge at risk.
Investing in IT solutions like BLACKbox ensures robust data protection, safeguards sensitive information, mitigates insider threats, and keeps your business compliant with regulatory requirements. These measures are not optional; they are essential for the sustainability and growth of your enterprise.
Think of IT solutions as enablers that not only protect your business but also enhance efficiency and resilience. By setting up the right IT infrastructure now, you’re securing your future and ensuring that your business can thrive in an increasingly competitive and data- driven world.
5. Lastly, how do you envision Synersoft’s contribution to the Indian economy and SME ecosystem in the next decade?
Over the next decade, I envision Synersoft playing a pivotal role in strengthening the Indian economy by empowering MSMEs, the backbone of our economic structure. By providing cost-effective solutions like BLACKbox, we aim to help MSMEs save significant resources, which they can reinvest into their core business operations and growth.
Our commitment to sustainability is another critical aspect of our contribution. By designing BLACKbox as a single hardware solution that consolidates multiple IT functions, we reduce electronic waste and ensure lower power consumption. This approach not only supports environmental goals but also helps MSMEs reduce operational costs.
Furthermore, by equipping MSMEs with cutting-edge IT solutions that are simple to use, scalable, and effective, we aim to make them globally competitive. BLACKbox allows small businesses to achieve enterprise-level IT compliance, data security, and operational efficiency, leveling the playing field and enabling them to compete on a global stage.
Through these efforts, we aim to empower MSMEs to drive innovation, create jobs, and contribute more significantly to India’s economic growth and global standing.
About the respondent
Vishal Prakash Shah is the founder and CEO of Synersoft. He is known as a seasoned technology stalwart, an inventor of specific patented technologies, a writer, a serial entrepreneur, an investor, and, importantly, a “Go to Guy” for MSMEs.
