Canalys underscores strong AI momentum, cybersecurity focus

RAHUL PAREKH
MARKETING HEAD, SHEELTRON DIGITAL SYSTEMS PVT. LTD.

Parekh said the Canalys Forum APAC 2025 reflected a clear shift in industry priorities, with artificial intelligence and cybersecurity dominating discussions more than ever. Attending the forum for the fifth time, Parekh noted that while AI has gained momentum over the past two years, the increasing focus on cybersecurity alongside AI stood out this year, along with the continued relevance of Canalys CEO Steve Brazier’s strategic insights.

Parekh highlighted AI as a core pillar of Sheeltron’s service portfolio, citing the company’s involvement in one of Asia’s largest AI deployments and its strong focus on NVIDIA-led professional services. He acknowledged strong vendor support in accelerating AI-led transformation, particularly in bill-of-material (BOM) design, training, and workforce upskilling.

Addressing challenges, Parekh pointed to rising hardware costs as a key barrier to advanced digital transformation projects, though OEM collaboration has helped mitigate complexities. He said Sheeltron differentiates itself through end-to-end services, nationwide coverage, and multilingual remote support. Looking ahead, Parekh stressed the need for hands-on AI and infrastructure training, while underscoring cybersecurity as a critical takeaway from the forum.