Editorial illustration for Indian IT Firms Reframe Data Platforms as Strategic IP Amid Cloud Partnerships
Indian IT Firms Reframe Data Platforms as Strategic IP
Indian IT firms view data platforms as IP amid cloud-partner reliance
Indian tech giants are quietly reshaping how they view data infrastructure, transforming what were once considered simple service offerings into strategic intellectual assets. The shift marks a nuanced evolution in how major IT firms approach cloud partnerships and technology development.
These companies are no longer content to simply provide data management services. Instead, they're positioning custom data platforms as proprietary technologies with inherent value beyond traditional consulting work.
The strategic reframing comes at a critical moment for Indian IT firms. Cloud providers like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure increasingly dominate technical infrastructure, pushing traditional service providers to differentiate themselves through unique technological capabilities.
But this transformation isn't without complexity. While firms seek to establish data platforms as valuable intellectual property, they remain deeply dependent on cloud partners and specialized technology experts to execute their vision.
The emerging landscape suggests a delicate balance between idea and partnership - a dynamic that's prompting serious internal discussions about technological ownership and strategic positioning.
In his view, data platforms are increasingly treated as internal intellectual property, even as vendors continue to depend on cloud providers and specialist partners to fill gaps. Pravat Jena, a senior data scientist at Dell with 14 years of experience in data strategy, took a more sceptical view. He said most Indian IT firms remain "strong at pilots and PoCs (proofs-of-concept)," but only a subset are consistently ready for production AI at scale.
The limiting factors, he argued, are operating models and governance maturity rather than technical capability. "Most firms are not building core platforms fully in-house," Jena said. "They rely heavily on hyperscale-native stacks, vendor tools and partnerships, with limited proprietary differentiation." Both Datta and Jena agreed that data quality and governance remain the weakest layers in AI programmes.
Jena described governance frameworks as often existing "on paper," with uneven implementation across legacy systems and multi-cloud environments. The result is that AI systems scale slowly beyond controlled use cases. Datta noted that despite regulatory pressure from India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act and emerging AI governance guidelines, only a minority of enterprises feel adequately prepared to support scalable AI workloads.
According to a 2025 McKinsey report, while almost all companies worldwide invest in AI, only 1% believe they are at maturity.
Indian IT firms are navigating a complex landscape of data strategy, where intellectual property and cloud partnerships intersect. While data platforms are increasingly viewed as strategic assets, the reality remains nuanced.
Pravat Jena's insights reveal a critical gap between ambition and execution. Most firms excel at pilot projects and proofs-of-concept, but scaling production AI remains challenging.
The industry's approach suggests a strategic pivot. Companies are treating data platforms as internal IP, even while relying on cloud providers and specialist partners to address technological limitations.
This strategy reflects both opportunity and constraint. Firms want to build proprietary capabilities, yet they still depend on external expertise to fill critical gaps in their technological infrastructure.
The path forward isn't straightforward. Success will likely depend on how effectively Indian IT firms can balance internal idea with strategic partnerships. Jena's skeptical perspective underscores the complexity of truly achieving scalable, production-ready AI solutions.
Further Reading
- Jio Platforms zooms past TVS, IIT Madras to emerge as India’s largest global IP creator in FY25 - Economic Times
- India's Intellectual Property Ecosystem: A Record-Breaking Year - Insights from the Annual Report 2024-25 published by the Patent Office - Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
- Jio Platforms Limited leads India's global IP creation by a wide margin - CXO Today
- Is India ready for Agentic AI? The AIdea of India: Outlook 2026 - EY
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Common Questions Answered
How are Indian IT firms transforming their approach to data infrastructure?
Indian tech giants are reframing data platforms from simple service offerings into strategic intellectual assets. This shift represents a nuanced evolution in how major IT firms approach cloud partnerships and technology development, positioning custom data platforms as proprietary technologies with inherent value.
What challenges do Indian IT firms face in scaling production AI?
According to Pravat Jena, most Indian IT firms are strong at creating pilots and proofs-of-concept (PoCs), but struggle to consistently scale production AI. The limiting factors include operational complexities and gaps between initial project development and full-scale implementation.
How are data platforms now being viewed within Indian tech companies?
Data platforms are increasingly being treated as internal intellectual property rather than standard service offerings. This strategic approach reflects a broader shift where companies are looking to create proprietary technologies with unique value beyond traditional cloud-based services.