Tell us about Softlink Global and your role within the company?
Softlink Global was founded by my father (Amit Maheshwari) in 1992, and I joined the company around five years ago. My responsibilities span across various functions basically everything which interacts with our customers, impacts our team, all of those things. I have an MSc in Finance from the University of Exeter. Before joining Softlink, I worked at a leading investment bank in India for three years, founded a food tech startup, and started another venture focused on software for exporters. Joining Softlink wasn’t automatic; I had to earn my father’s trust by proving my capabilities.
It was essential for me to understand and connect with the company’s legacy and its customers, which has been an ongoing and enriching learning experience.
How has Softlink maintained its competitive edge over three decades?
Adaptability and innovation have been at the core of our strategy. For example, we launched a logistics mobile app in 2015, well before many in the industry recognized the value of mobile technology. Initially, customers were skeptical about using mobile apps for business. However, the pandemic accelerated the adoption of such tools, making our solutions highly sought after.
Over the years, we’ve seen a significant shift in the industry. Traditional businesses that once questioned the need for technology now recognize it as essential to remain competitive. Between 2018 and 2021, there has been a major transition where companies embraced technology to improve productivity, control, and efficiency. Now customers are more informed and eager to adopt advanced functionalities. This evolution has been exciting and aligns perfectly with our forward-thinking approach.
What are the challenges in the adoption of technology within the logistics industry?
Initially, the biggest challenge was convincing businesses of the need for technology. Many traditional companies were reluctant, relying heavily on manual processes. However, this mindset has changed significantly. Now, the challenge lies in managing the transition. Change often comes with resistance from employees who are accustomed to existing systems.
It is encouraging to see that the push for change now comes from top management. They understand the importance to equip their team with the best tools to stay competitive.
This top-down approach has made transitions smoother. The industry’s hunger for innovation and improvement is a promising sign for the future.
How does Softlink balance its startup mindset with its legacy?
We’ve managed to blend the agility of a startup with the stability of a legacy company. Despite having team members with decades of experience, there’s a youthful energy in how we approach problem-solving. Complacency is not an option in a tech-driven industry, and our team’s focus on delivering customer-centric solutions keeps us dynamic.
Our emphasis on agility and sustainability has allowed us to innovate while maintaining a solid foundation. This balance is crucial in delivering cutting-edge solutions and staying relevant in an ever-evolving industry.
What future trends do you foresee in your domain, and how is Softlink preparing for them?
The logistics industry is increasingly leveraging technology to gain a competitive edge. Automation, business intelligence, and AI-driven solutions are becoming indispensable. Companies are now proactive in seeking tools that enhance efficiency and decision-making.
Softlink’s strategy has always been to consistently innovate and introduce features that predict customer needs, helping us to become leader in the domain. As the industry continues to evolve, our commitment to agility and customer-focused innovation will ensure we remain at the forefront.
How does Logisys integrate with other software and systems in the market?
Logisys is designed to be highly integration-friendly, facilitating seamless data and document exchange with other systems. This includes connections with banks, agents, shipping lines, and airlines. The API-driven design ensures compatibility and easy integration, making it possible for logistics companies to collaborate with stakeholders efficiently. We recognize that we cannot build everything under the sun, so we leverage integrations to enhance functionality and add value for our customers.
What differentiates Logisys from competitors in the market?
Many competitors focus on solving specific problems for logistics companies through smaller applications.
Logisys, however, addresses the entire operational spectrum, from tracking and accounting to compliance and customer visibility. While some smaller players develop niche solutions, we integrate with them if they add value to our customers.
This collaborative approach ensures our customers benefit from a comprehensive ecosystem without leaving the Logisys platform.
Similarly, Live Impex is a niche product tailored for custom brokers in India, focusing exclusively on custom filing and invoicing.
Despite its specific focus, Live Impex holds an impressive market share of 82-83% in India for custom filing. While our broader focus is on 3PL and 4PL companies globally, Live Impex serves as a stepping stone for startups in the logistics domain.
As Chief Growth Officer, where do you see growth opportunities for Softlink Global?
In India, we see new startups and entrepreneurs entering the logistics sector. Globally, we are expanding into Southeast Asia, North America, and East Africa. These markets show strong demand for our solutions.
With offices in regions like the Philippines and North America, we’re strategically positioned to cater to diverse needs. Our approach involves identifying high-potential markets and deploying the right teams to establish our presence.
How does Softlink Global handle compliance and customization for different geographies?
We focus on “productization” rather than one-off customizations. For example, when entering the Saudi Arabian market, we pre-emptively developed features like electronic invoicing in Arabic. This approach ensures that compliance requirements are configured into our system, making future deployments seamless for any customer in that region. By doing this, we prepare for future needs while maintaining a scalable solution for global markets.
Is Logisys configurable to suit varied customer needs?
Absolutely. Our application is highly configurable, allowing customers to choose the controls and workflows that align with their processes and SOPs.
Whether a customer wants strict controls or a flexible workflow, Logisys adapts to their requirements, ensuring maximum utilization.
Could you elaborate on your product development and customer support teams?
Softlink Global comprises about 250-260 people, with the largest teams dedicated to product development and customer success. Our customer support team of around 120 people ensures 24/7 assistance, while our 80–90-member development team focuses on continuous innovation. We release updates every two to four weeks, emphasizing seamless support and robust development as our core strengths.
Are there plans to diversify Softlink Global’s offerings beyond current products?
Our focus remains on the logistics industry. While we continually enhance features and develop ancillary tools to address evolving needs, we are committed to serving logistics service providers exclusively. By building solutions for freight forwarders, custom brokers, and other stakeholders, we aim to strengthen our ecosystem while staying true to our core domain.
In a connected world one of the challenges for businesses are safe storage space for ever increasing volumes of information and data. Is there any innovation being done by Softlink Global in this direction?
Logisys is our cloud platform launched in 2011 to address such issues. Previously, logistics companies relied on disjointed desktop-based applications for various functions like customs clearance, ocean freight, air freight, and accounting. This fragmented approach was inefficient. We reimagined the system around 2005-2006 to create a unified platform that would integrate all operations for logistics service providers (LSPs). After three years of development, Logisys was born.
Logisys is a single cloud-based platform that manages the entire shipment lifecycle, starting from handling inquiries and quotations to tracking shipments, managing financial counting, and ensuring compliance, everything happens in one place. Logisys aims to simplify operations by enabling LSPs to manage tasks like custom clearance, financial tracking, container visibility, reporting, and compliance through a single application. It’s a SaaS model designed for companies of all sizes, ensuring scalability and efficiency.
