Persistent Systems: A Deep Dive into a Digital Engineering Powerhouse
Persistent Systems has
established itself as a global leader in digital engineering and enterprise
modernization since its inception in 1990. Headquartered in Pune, India, the
company is recognized for its cutting-edge solutions and a vibrant, employee-focused
work environment. This blog post explores the core facets of Persistent
Systems, from its ownership and foundation to its policies, employee benefits,
and ambitious future plans.
The Founder and
Ownership
Persistent Systems was
founded in 1990 by Dr. Anand Deshpande, who started the company with an
initial investment of just $21,000 after leaving his role at Hewlett-Packard.
His vision was to create a company focused on technology services and
innovation.
Today, Dr. Deshpande
remains the largest shareholder, holding a significant portion of the company's
equity, which underscores his continued influence and commitment. The company
went public in March 2010, with listings on the National Stock Exchange of India
and the Bombay Stock Exchange. Other major shareholders include institutional
investors like Motilal Oswal Asset Management and HDFC Asset Management.
The Persistent
Foundation: A Commitment to Society
The Persistent
Foundation, the company's corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm, was
formally established in 2009 to structure and advance its long-standing
commitment to social good. Since 1995, Persistent Systems has dedicated a
portion of its profits (currently 2%) to community-centric programs.
Celebrating 15 years
of impact, the Foundation focuses on creating sustainable solutions for local
communities in Pune, Nagpur, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Goa. Its core areas of
intervention are:
- Health: Providing preventive and
curative healthcare services.
- Education: Improving educational
infrastructure and the quality of learning.
- Community Development: Enabling the
adoption of sustainable development practices.
- Preservation of Heritage and Wildlife: Protecting
cultural treasures and biodiversity.
The Foundation has
supported over 40 NGOs and encourages active employee participation, with team
members contributing over 55,721 volunteer hours and significant donations.
Core Policies and a
People-Centric Culture
Persistent Systems
fosters a values-driven and people-centric work environment governed by a
robust set of policies that ensure transparency, ethics, and fairness.
Key policies include:
- Equal Employment Opportunity Policy: This
ensures that equality is an integral part of the organization's philosophy
and practice.
- Privacy and Data Protection: The
company adheres to strict principles of data privacy, including
lawfulness, transparency, and data minimization, with a zero-tolerance
policy for breaches.
- Responsible AI Policy: This policy
provides guidelines for the ethical development and deployment of AI
technologies.
- Code of Fair Disclosure: Ensures fair
and transparent disclosure of important company information.
Comprehensive
Employee Benefits
Persistent Systems
offers an extensive benefits package designed to support the financial
security, health, and work-life balance of its employees.
|
Benefit Category |
Details |
|
Financial &
Retirement |
A transparent
compensation structure with a history of paying over 105% in performance
bonuses for three consecutive years. Includes Provident Fund (PF), Gratuity,
Superannuation, and National Pension Scheme (NPS) . |
|
Stock Ownership |
The Mega ESOP Plan
offers Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) benefits to a significant
percentage of regular employees, fostering a culture of ownership . |
|
Leave &
Flexibility |
A robust leave
policy with 27 paid leaves and 9 public holidays. The company offers a hybrid
work environment, flexible hours, and sabbatical leave options . |
|
Health &
Wellness |
Comprehensive
insurance covers hospitalization for employees and their families, including
parents or in-laws. Wellness programs include access to gyms, childcare
facilities, and lactation lounges . |
|
Learning &
Development |
Access to Persistent
University, a corporate learning center dedicated to continuous learning and
professional growth . |
|
Emergency Support |
The Persistent
Employees Benefit Trust (PEBT) provides zero-interest financial aid during
medical emergencies for immediate and extended family members . |
Employment and
Career Growth
With a global team of
over 23,500 employees across 19 countries, Persistent offers a dynamic and
growth-oriented work environment. The company empowers its employees to
accelerate their professional and personal growth by working with the latest
technologies on impactful projects. Career opportunities span various roles,
including Software Architect, Senior Software Engineer, QA Tester, Python
Developer, and Business Analyst.
Opportunities for
Freshers
Persistent Systems
actively recruits fresh graduates through a rigorous, multi-stage process
designed to identify top talent with strong technical and problem-solving
skills. The recruitment process is conducted both on-campus and off-campus.
Stages of the Fresher
Recruitment Process:
- Online Assessment: This initial round
includes objective and subjective questions, followed by advanced coding
challenges to test aptitude and technical skills.
- Technical Interview: Candidates are
assessed on their in-depth technical knowledge, programming abilities, and
domain expertise.
- HR Interview: This final stage
evaluates communication skills, cultural fit, and long-term career
aspirations.
Candidates can apply
through campus placements, direct applications on the company's career page, or
employee referrals.
The Future of
Persistent Systems
Persistent Systems is
on a strong growth trajectory, with an ambitious goal to reach $2 billion
in revenue by FY27. The company's future strategy is built on several key
pillars:
- Strategic Acquisitions: Persistent
continues to acquire companies to enhance its capabilities in high-growth
areas like GenAI, cloud, and data privacy management.
- Digital Engineering Leadership: The
company aims to maintain its leadership in digital engineering and
enterprise modernization, helping clients transform their industries.
- Margin Expansion: Alongside revenue
growth, the company is targeting a margin expansion of approximately 100
basis points in both FY26 and FY27.
- Investment in GenAI: Persistent is
making significant investments in Generative AI to stay at the forefront
of technological innovation and meet evolving client demands.
Despite a challenging
market, Persistent's consistent performance and strategic focus on high-demand
technology areas position it for sustained growth and continued success in the
global IT services market.