K7 Computing’s new OMR Office
Yesterday I felt very happy, special and humbled all at once by my well-wisher Mr.J.Kesavardhanan, CEO of K7 Computing – 
the makers of World Class Anti-Virus Solutions for nearly two decades.
The reason I was happy was the occasion of K7 Computing moving to a new sprawling 25,000 square feet new office in OMR (Old Mahabalipuram Road) about a kilometre from Tidel Park – in between MARG and HCL buildings on the left-hand side when coming from Madhya Kailash Temple. I have great admiration for Mr.K7 (as he likes to be called), learned from him over the years on both technologies and on running a business. As a matter of history, K7 Computing is the only employer for whom I worked for (for about 3 months), before I started Vishwak and I greatly cherish the experiences I went through in that short duration.
I was feeling special, because K7 after honouring his guru Mr.Pulikesi, gifted me with a “Gold Coin” for being their first customer of Vx2000 15 years or so back. In 1990, when I bought the copy of Vx2000 for Rs.190 for our publishing company LIFCO, I was in my school and honestly didn’t know I was their first customer nor realized it will become history one-day. I remember seeing the below issue (November 1990 or an early issue of 1991) of SysReader, going to a small lane in Saidapet, Chennai and meeting a smart, bearded person Mr.Balu in a tiny room with a PC. Balu acted normally, sold me the product and that I time I didn’t get to meet K7. In the next few years from then, I met K7 many times in SysReader office and events. It was in 1996-97 when I worked briefly (thanks to my other long time well-wisher Mr.Asokan P) in K7 Computing I got to meet K7 closer and the Balu I met in 1991-92 was my line manager (he was a tough manager to satisfy on delivery schedules).
See here Vx2000 earliest advertisement copy that appeared in the above SysReader issue.
Finally, I was humbled to see the simplicity of K7 – even with all these successes behind him, K7 hasn’t changed a bit, he is the same person I met 15 years or so back.
Instead of gifting people items which never gets used, they kept a selection of books in the exit. People were requested to pick their choice. A very thoughtful act, considering that K7 Computing is a Knowledge (IP) Company and even on these Google days – what is more apt to symbolise knowledge than books. Earlier someone gifted me a book was in an event at TCS – read that post here.
2 Comments
geethalakshmi
Dear Mr. Venkatrangan
Pleased to introduce myself as Advocate Geethalakshmi, from Dubai UAE, currently holding the portfolio of CEO, ABA Group. We are primarily consultants with four established entities in Dubai UAE and 1 entity in Bangalore India. We provide consulting services in the fileds of management, investments, legal and DC. we have a full fledged law firm operating out of bangalore India.
With a staff support of around 35 and an established client base of about 400 + we have recently incorporated AK INFOS in Dubai UAE, a primary entity authorized to represent software license trading for the Gulf and to be sole distributors for softwares that are specifically developed from India looking out at reaching and cementing the product line in the Gulf and MENA region.
Our tie up is maily with Government sectors, educational institutions, Health Management etc where the usage is set around a minimum 10 to 4000 PCs. we found this in our market study for the feasibility of our business objective.
I was just browsing the net to understand and reach out at Mr. J Kesavardhanan, on whom as well on whose company we have been researching for quite some time now relating to our opportunity in affiliating with K 7 Anti virus products for the Gulf/Middle East reagions. we have a strong hold of around 250 established vendor partner/resellers in the region as well as in house clients which work around 400+.
I dont know how this will be relevant to you but i felt after reading your above summary, i could ask for your guidance and help in reaching Mr. Kesavardhanan not just for business purpose but also to get to know him better.
My email address is geetha@abattorneys.com and I am now in India until 7th August 2010. I am reachable at 9972013454.
We (ABA)would be shortly launching from our bangalore law firm a presentation on Legal Compliance Audits and it’s benefits for SME’s from the IT sector in India when looking at the world for their market.
I would like to know if you will be interested to participate. It is free and extensively experimented. Could be useful from an IT specialist’z perspective.
Nonetheless, I am greatly impressed with your observations on Mr. K7 which has defenitely enhanced my enthusiasm in getting to know the great man better. It does take an effort to speak about another person so well and high. I would be more than grateful if you will contact me and let me know if you can be of any help.
meanwhile if there is anything at all you wish to know about the region i am in, feel free to contact.
Thanks and best wishes always
Geeta
Vijay Mohan
Venkatarangan,
I was surfing net and searching about K7Computing I happened read your blog. I was working with K7Computing for 5 great years (98-03) before joining TCS. As you have mentioned in Blog , even today you can walk into his office and chat with him and at the end of chat you will feel the same Mr.K7 we might have met him for the first time. His pleasant smile and giving respect. It was a pleasure working with him. I am one of the few lucky people to work under him. His level of confidence, hard work and commitment is something very important aspect to learn from him.
For him Customer satisfaction is very important aspect I can say it one of the goal or commitment for K7Computing as a company itself. He will not give false promises and if gives a commitment he never fails in delivering him.
I will never ever forget the Birthday party he gave me on May 9 2003. I still have the photo with me to cherish.
People worked with him might have moved in different directions but definitely they will have great respect to Mr. K7 for ever.