How is HCLSoftware driving AI adoption and expanding its presence in the region?
HCLSoftware’s strategy in the region is multifaceted, leveraging its strong presence through both its products and services businesses. HCLTech services division is well-established in the UAE, while the software business already serves hundreds of customers and continues to grow.
HCLSoftware is building its market presence by expanding its local market unit, which includes employees and business partners. Combined, there are over 100 people in the region actively involved in selling HCLSoftware products, with at least 50 sellers in the GCC. Our partners significantly extend HCLSoftware’s reach, with each partner having teams skilled in HCLSoftware technologies. This creates a larger delivery ecosystem, including capabilities from major global partners like Infosys. Overall, HCLSoftware estimates that around 1,000 professionals in the region are trained on its product technologies.
HCLSoftware’s efforts in AI span four key areas, with a focus on embedding AI into products, integrating regional technologies, and addressing enterprise data challenges:
- AI-assisted development tools to enhance software engineering, achieving a 30–40 per cent improvement in productivity, which enables faster delivery of innovative features globally.
- Integration of advanced language models into its products, while also collaborating with regional entities to support private AI infrastructure and enabling localised edge processing aligned with the UAE’s AI vision.
- Generative AI (GenAI) embedded directly into products to deliver practical outcomes. For example, BigFix automates patching and ticket resolution, while Unica Deliver enables hyper-personalised marketing through MaxAI. These innovations help regional enterprises offer contextual, seamless user experiences.
- Addressing data challenges critical for AI scalability. Through its acquisition of Zeenea, HCLSoftware leverages enterprise knowledge graphs to prepare and duplicate data, essential for AI deployment.
These efforts underscore HCLSoftware’s role in driving regional AI adoption, emphasising integrated, outcome-focused solutions and scalable data strategies.
Why should countries invest in these futuristic technologies?
It’s a simple analogy: why should countries invest in good road or public utility infrastructure? The same applies to technologies like AI and quantum. Viewing these technologies as public utilities or foundational infrastructure really captures the essence.
Take the UAE as an example—a country that’s redefining public infrastructure with AI at its core. Initiatives like building an AI industry and integrating it into public infrastructure showcase foresight. The results won’t be immediate—this is a long-term investment, much like creating institutions like Oxford, Cambridge, or IITs, which took decades or centuries to reach excellence.
However, the exponential rate of progress in regions like the UAE is remarkable. For example, in education, the quality of students has improved significantly in just four years. While benchmarks like Stanford or IITs took decades to evolve, the UAE is closing the gap rapidly. This highlights the transformative potential of futuristic technologies when treated as foundational public infrastructure.
What sets HCLSoftware apart from others in the industry?
HCLSoftware exists because we believe the software product industry often lacks empathy and sustainability. Many companies build products that force customers into limited options—like annual price hikes or restrictive licensing models. We’re different. We aim to bridge the gap between customer-centric service companies and product-focused software companies.
Our focus is on creating sustainable value. For instance, we’ve nurtured products like Lotus Domino for over 40 years. When we acquired it in 2019, after years of stagnation, we released five updates and recently launched Domino IQ with GenAI capabilities. This shows that innovation doesn’t mean discarding the old but enhancing its value.
We also believe in frugal engineering—spending where it matters to offer high-quality products at reasonable prices. Our Feature of One approach lets us build specific features for individual customers if needed—a rarity in the industry.
Additionally, we provide customers with choice: flexible licensing models across SaaS, private cloud, and all major hyperscalers. The same license works seamlessly across these environments, providing unparalleled flexibility.
Our real edge lies in how we engage with customers. We prioritise their success, putting them—not the product—at the centre. This philosophy sets us apart in an industry often focused on pushing products over solving customer needs.
What is the roadmap ahead for AI and Quantum?
For AI, HCLSoftware’s roadmap focuses on embedding AI natively into all its products. Each new release will include built-in AI capabilities as part of the standard subscription, ensuring customers can adopt AI seamlessly without overhauling their systems. Additional functionality will be available through add-on licenses.
HCLSoftware also emphasises open architecture, offering 100 per cent open data access from its software products. Customers can use this data to build their own AI algorithms without restrictions. For example, the CDP (Customer Data Platform) supports integration with third-party tools, allowing organisations to extract and utilise data freely—a rarity in an industry that often prioritises proprietary ecosystems.
On the quantum front, HCLSoftware is pioneering efforts like the development of a quantum random number generator in collaboration with an Indian university. This algorithm addresses concerns around quantum computing’s potential to break AES encryption and SSL certificates by providing a robust encryption technique. The generator is ready to run on simulators and will be incorporated into future products once commercial quantum computers become viable.
Looking ahead, HCLSoftware plans to extend its Volt MX engine to support quantum applications, enabling the creation of quantum-based solutions in multi-experience environments. While commercial quantum computing is expected to mature around 2027–2028, HCLSoftware’s investment in long-term research and development positions it to deliver innovative quantum-ready products in the future.
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