In a market where artificial intelligence (AI) dominates headlines, it's easy to forget that the success of any technology project rests on a solid infrastructure and a well-grounded strategy. This is how Syvalue, a company specialized in technology infrastructure, professional services, and business modernization, understands it, celebrating its twentieth anniversary with a clear lesson: AI is the tip of the iceberg, but without the foundation, no progress is possible.

Twenty Years of Trust and Specialization

Syvalue has built its trajectory on a strategic decision uncommon in the sector: working exclusively with a single manufacturer, HPE, of which it is a Platinum partner in Spain. For its CEO, Javier Martín Yagüe, this bet has not been a limitation but an accelerator. "You build a relationship of trust with the manufacturer, and that helps you develop much more business. Loyalty is generated between the partner and the manufacturer, which is essential to tackle projects together," he explains.

This philosophy contrasts with the usual recommendation to diversify suppliers. However, the results speak for themselves: Syvalue has achieved a level of specialization that, according to its CEO, would be impossible to reach with multiple brands. "We were the first Platinum partner of HPE in Spain. It is impossible to have that degree of specialization with multiple brands," he adds.

Trust is not only cultivated with the manufacturer but also with customers. Martín Yagüe highlights that "you don't start a project without knowing the customer, their environment, and their needs." This closeness, combined with a rapid adaptation capacity, has been key to staying relevant in a constantly evolving market.

AI as a Catalyst, Not a Substitute

The arrival of AI has transformed the conversation with customers, but Syvalue has not fallen into the trap of seeing it as an isolated technology. "AI is fundamental, but without everything underneath, it is impossible," says Martín Yagüe. In many projects, the infrastructure needed to support AI workloads represents between 80% and 85% of the economic volume. Customers often set up their AI solutions on private or hybrid clouds, reinforcing the importance of a solid foundation.

To address this demand, Syvalue has created Zainex IA, a company dedicated exclusively to artificial intelligence, resulting from an alliance with a highly specialized technical partner. "We believe it is so important and differentiating that we have partnered with a small, highly specialized company to combine their technical knowledge with our experience," details the CEO.

Ignacio Arganda Martínez, General Manager of Syvalue, adds that "AI will be decisive in the coming years. We have high-performance computing solutions with Nvidia GPUs, and that requires technical, pre-sales, and commercial readaptation." But the real value, he emphasizes, lies in deploying generative AI solutions in the service domain, a field with much potential ahead.

Talent, the Most Critical Link

One of the biggest challenges companies face when bringing AI to production is the lack of prepared talent. "In Spain, there is a very significant deficit in AI training," warns Martín Yagüe. While in infrastructure you can train someone in months, in AI, training requires years. Large companies can attract talent easily, but SMEs need different strategies, such as partnering with specialists.

Syvalue has bet on internal training as an investment, not an expense. "For us, training is a blank check. It is an investment, not an expense. If you don't train people, they stay in their comfort zone and don't evolve," he states. This policy has resulted in low staff turnover, even in the face of attractive external offers.

Competing with Large Integrators from Financial Strength

Syvalue competes in a market dominated by large multinationals, but its financial strength allows it to tackle projects of up to 50 million euros per quarter. "All profits have been reinvested in the company, accumulating equity. That allows us to grow without depending on others," explains Martín Yagüe. This capacity, combined with deep technical knowledge and a differentiating service layer, enables them to compete successfully.

"Many customers prefer to work with us because of our extensive knowledge. And many large companies end up subcontracting small companies for specialized services they cannot cover," he adds.

Looking to the Future: AI as a Growth Lever

Syvalue turns 20 with a clear vision: AI is not a passing fad but a revolution that needs a solid foundation. The company has been able to anticipate trends, as demonstrated by its early bet on AI, which now allows it to reap the rewards. "Detecting where the market is heading and reacting at the right time is essential," concludes Martín Yagüe.

For IT professionals and companies looking to modernize, Syvalue's lesson is clear: specialization, trust, and a solid financial base are as important as cutting-edge technology. As we have seen in other analyses, such as Pilot Protocol or advanced solutions in Microsoft Azure, the key is to build on firm foundations.

In a world where AI promises to transform everything, Syvalue reminds us that the real value lies in what is underneath. As its CEO rightly points out, "AI is fundamental, but without everything underneath, it is impossible."

Original source: ComputerWorld. Analysis and adaptation by ForgeNEX.