As AI workloads accelerate and data sovereignty regulations tighten across the region, 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for enterprise storage. Santosh Varghese, Managing Director of TOSH NXT TECH VENTURES, outlines how rising demand for AI-ready infrastructure, video surveillance, and edge computing is creating new opportunities—and how Toshiba Storage is positioning itself through application-specific solutions, high-capacity HDD innovation, and deeper collaboration with OEMs and system integrators.
What opportunities do you foresee for 2026, and how do you plan to leverage them?
2026 presents strong opportunities driven by AI workloads, video surveillance expansion, edge computing, and data sovereignty regulations. Toshiba Storage is well-positioned with its high-capacity enterprise HDDs, AI-optimized surveillance drives, and energy-efficient architectures.
We plan to leverage this by deepening OEM and system-integrator partnerships, promoting application-specific storage, and aligning closely with customers’ AI and compliance-driven infrastructure needs.
What major challenges did you encounter this year, and how did you address them?
Key challenges included pricing pressure, longer customer decision cycles, and supply-chain volatility. These were addressed through better demand forecasting, tighter channel collaboration, and clear value-based positioning—focusing on TCO, reliability, and workload optimization rather than pure price competition.
Can you elaborate on your strategic partnerships this year and plans for next year?
This year, Toshiba strengthened partnerships with distributors, surveillance solution providers, cloud and edge integrators, and select OEMs.
For 2026, the focus is on co-creation partnerships—joint solution validation for AI surveillance, smart cities, healthcare imaging, and enterprise data centers, along with joint marketing and enablement programs.
What will be your primary focus areas and strategic priorities for 2026?
Key priorities for 2026 include:
- AI-ready storage solutions (especially for video analytics and edge AI)
- BYODC : Build Your Own Data Centre
- High-capacity, energy-efficient HDD platforms
- Vertical-specific solutions (surveillance, cloud, government, healthcare)
- Channel enablement and technical evangelism
- Reliability, security, and compliance-driven messaging
Are there plans to explore new markets or introduce new products/applications in 2026?
Yes. Toshiba Storage is actively exploring emerging markets and non-traditional data environments such as smart infrastructure, transportation, and industrial IoT.
On the product side, the emphasis will be on higher-density HDDs, AI-tuned surveillance drives, and hybrid architectures that balance performance, cost, and sustainability.
How is your company approaching sustainability, digital transformation, or AI adoption in preparation for 2026?
Sustainability is a core pillar. Toshiba continues to invest in energy-efficient drive designs, longer lifecycle products, and reduced carbon footprint per TB.
Digitally, the company is enhancing data-driven forecasting, partner portals, and automation.
AI adoption is focused on enabling AI workloads through optimized storage, while also using AI internally for quality control, predictive maintenance, and operational efficiency.
