Travancore Analytics CEO Baas Mannarasala On Creating Software For Fortune 500s

Identifying viable opportunities to start a new online business that stands a chance to succeed is harder than ever. All markets look overcrowded, and it feels like there is always someone one step ahead. What do the top in class know that you don’t?

In this interview series by Website Planet, experts from the top companies in AI, SaaS, martech, and more reveal exactly how they validate gaps in their industry to develop solutions that thrive even in the most competitive markets, and what emerging trends they’re going to leverage to keep their competitive edge. A condensed playbook backed by decades of experience and expertise, concrete metrics, and real-life stories that will help you learn how to spot the right opportunity at the right time, and craft a truly-unique value proposition.

Baas Mannarasala is the Chief Executive Officer of Travancore Analytics, a prominent custom software development company with over 15 years of experience serving Fortune 100 and 500 companies with mobile app development, website design, and complex software systems. Before Travancore, Mannarasala worked atNeST, ISRO, Ernst & Young, Infosys Technologies, and Ushus Technologies.

What gaps or trends in your industry led to the founding of your company, and what are your biggest milestones so far in terms of customers, revenue team, etc.?

Travancore Analytics (TA) was founded in 2007 with a vision to address the growing demand for custom software solutions that focus on quality, timely delivery, and cutting-edge technology. The software industry was evolving rapidly, but many businesses struggled to find reliable development partners who could help them scale their operations effectively. We recognized this gap and sought to build a company that not only delivered technical expertise but also fostered long-term partnerships with clients by understanding their unique challenges.

Over the past 16 years, we have expanded from a 4-member team to a 200+ strong workforce, working across three development centers. Our client portfolio includes Fortune 100 and 500 companies, and we are proud to have delivered over 300 successful projects globally.

One of our biggest achievements is maintaining long-lasting relationships with our clients, reflected in a high customer retention rate. Our continuous focus on emerging technologies like AI, AR/VR, and cloud solutions ensures that we remain at the forefront of innovation, helping clients streamline their processes and achieve tangible business growth.

“They listened and responded with insights and input on the concepts that we were trying to develop.”
Steve Drake, Owner, Forklift University

What are currently the most pressing pain points that you solve, and what makes them more urgent now than in the past?

We have been in mobile app development since 2008, and over the years, we’ve developed apps for renowned organizations like NASA and AMA, and today, we continue to create innovative solutions using the latest technologies.

Our recent projects include apps for the visually impaired, device maintenance, and AI-powered games. These apps not only enhance user experience but also streamline processes, offer personalized solutions, and create more engaging and accessible platforms for a diverse range of clients.

One of the most pressing challenges we’ve addressed recently is in the manufacturing sector, particularly in training heavy machinery operators. With increasing emphasis on safety standards and cost control, traditional training methods have become less viable. To tackle this, we developed a virtual reality (VR) application that allows operators to train in a risk-free, immersive environment. This solution has significantly reduced both training time and costs while enhancing safety—an issue that has grown more urgent with advancements in machinery and the rising need for efficient, scalable training solutions.

Additionally, as industries increasingly shift towards cloud-based and mobile solutions to support remote work and digital transformation, we’ve seen a growing demand for custom applications tailored to these needs. In cloud solutions, we have developed applications for the healthcare industry that help reduce inefficiencies, create seamless workflows, and streamline processes. Another key area is public safety, where our solution enabled government officials to improve operational efficiency by enhancing planning capabilities.

Our EdTech suite has been pivotal in helping organizations optimize their talent management processes while reducing administrative burdens. We designed it for recruitment, onboarding, training, and assessment.

We have extensive experience with AWS and Azure, utilizing their platforms to deliver robust, scalable solutions.These experiences demonstrate our ability to build impactful, cloud-based solutions that meet the unique demands of various industries.

The urgency around these pain points has increased in recent years due to the fast-paced evolution of technology and the need for businesses to remain agile and competitive. At Travancore Analytics, we ensure that our clients are equipped with the tools they need to address these challenges head-on and stay ahead of the curve.

How are people usually trying to fix these problems, and what’s wrong with these solutions?

In the manufacturing sector, companies typically rely on in-person training for heavy machinery, which can be both time-consuming and costly. These approaches also come with inherent safety risks, as trainees are often required to operate real equipment in high-risk settings. While effective to a degree, these methods are increasingly inefficient given the advancements in training technology. They also fail to scale well as machinery becomes more complex and the demand for skilled operators grows.

Similarly, when it comes to cloud and mobility solutions, some companies try to patch together existing legacy systems or adopt off-the-shelf software that doesn’t fully meet their needs. These solutions often lack the customization and flexibility required to integrate with current workflows, leading to inefficiencies and limited scalability. Additionally, outdated systems can struggle to support remote work, which has become a critical requirement in today’s business environment.

In talent management, many organizations are still using manual processes for recruitment, onboarding, and employee training. This results in slow turnaround times, administrative bottlenecks, and a lack of data-driven insights that could optimize the process. While these approaches may have worked in the past, they no longer align with the need for streamlined, technology-driven solutions that can quickly adapt to changing business needs.

At Travancore Analytics, we address the limitations of traditional methods with custom, future-ready solutions:

In manufacturing, our VR training eliminates safety risks and reduces both time and cost by providing a safe, controlled environment for operators to practice on heavy machinery.
Our cloud and mobility solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing systems, ensuring flexibility and scalability while supporting remote work.
For talent management, our edtech suite streamlines recruitment, onboarding, and training with automated workflows and data-driven insights, significantly improving efficiency and reducing manual effort.

These tailored solutions not only solve immediate pain points but also help clients stay competitive and adaptable in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

“I’ve had an outstanding experience collaborating with Travantore Analytics (TA). One standout aspect is TA’s flexibility; they’ve been very nimble in allocating resources, understanding our budget constraints, and consistently delivering high-quality work. Their ability to adapt to our project needs, along with their dedication to rectifying issues, has been truly commendable. We’ve successfully worked together on various projects, including implementing Business Intelligence tools, and TA’s commitment to rectifying challenges with their specialized expertise has been impressive.”
Pramode Varghese, Director Guidance IT Services at Melbourne Health

What features or unique approaches make your way to solve them better, and how has that helped you make an impact? Can you share metrics or stories that show the difference you’re making?

Our approach at Travancore Analytics is unique because we focus on building customized solutions that address the specific needs and challenges of each client.

In the manufacturing sector, our use of virtual reality (VR) training not only offers a safer alternative to traditional methods but also allows companies to scale training efforts quickly. By simulating real-world scenarios, we provide trainees with repeated practice opportunities, which has led to a 40% reduction in training time and a 30% cost saving for some of our clients. This data-driven approach has enhanced skill retention and created a safer, more efficient workforce.

For cloud and mobility solutions, our focus on seamless integration with existing systems allows businesses to adopt new technologies without the typical disruptions of major system overhauls. This has led to increased operational efficiency for our clients, with one project delivering a 25% reduction in operational downtime and improved remote collaboration across teams globally.

In the mobility sector, integrating advanced technologies like AI and AR sets us apart. A notable impact comes from our navigation app for visually impaired individuals, which provides voice-guided navigation that shows an improvement of user satisfaction by 25%. Through these innovative approaches, we’re not just building apps; we’re making a meaningful difference in users’ lives.

This response highlights the unique approaches and provides concrete metrics to demonstrate the impact of your solutions.

What exciting new projects or updates are you working on right now? What made you decide to focus on them, and how are they going to benefit your customers?

We are currently working on several exciting projects across diverse sectors. For instance, in the finance sector, we are developing applications that help companies calculate bonuses for their employees more efficiently.

In the healthcare sector, we’re working on a solution aimed at reducing the use of antibiotics by creating a workflow that promotes better decision-making in medical treatments. The strong cloud capabilities of Travancore Analytics is being utilized in these projects. Coming to mobile application development we are

We are also focusing on AR and VR technologies, specifically for training in industries like heavy machinery and healthcare. These applications enable companies to reduce training time and significantly cut costs, while ensuring that training occurs in a safe and immersive environment.

In the realm of manufacturing, we are collaborating with an electronic safe manufacturer to develop firmware and cloud-based applications that enhance efficiency and help achieve goals more effectively. Our embedded systems and cloud teams are working diligently to ensure the success of these initiatives.

AI and Machine Learning are another key focus area for us, given the growing demand across industries. Our AI/ML specialists are conducting R&D to integrate AI into various domains, including AR/VR and cloud computing. We’ve developed AI solutions like face recognition, document scanning, and customer chatbots for both mobile and web platforms, enabling our clients to deliver quick and efficient initial-level support to their users.

Additionally, we’ve developed an AI-driven application called Graderly, which assesses the effectiveness of employee training and provides certifications. Our goal is to incorporate AI into more applications to enable industries to predict trends, analyze data, and identify pain points, thereby driving growth and improving efficiency.

Our persistent effort to integrate AI, AR/VR, and cloud computing into custom software solutions is helping our clients stay ahead in their industries, with solutions that drive innovation and business transformation.

What trends and technologies are you keeping an eye on? What opportunities and challenges will they bring to your industry?

At Travancore Analytics, we are closely monitoring emerging technologies such as AI/ML (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning) and AR/VR (Augmented and Virtual Reality). AI/ML offers transformative opportunities by automating processes, enhancing decision-making, and improving operational efficiency across industries. We see its potential to revolutionize everything from predictive analytics to personalized customer experiences.

In the realm of AR/VR, the growing demand for immersive experiences, especially in sectors like healthcare and manufacturing, presents exciting opportunities. These technologies allow us to create cost-effective, scalable training solutions and improve user engagement through interactive simulations.

We also track changes in the mobility sector, and especially focus on trends such as the progress of applications offering AI,AR, and cloud computing solutions. We have created AR applications for golf enthusiasts, which enhances the game experience. Such technologies create great prospects in enhancing accessibility and user experience.

However, these advancements also come with challenges—keeping up with rapid innovation, ensuring seamless integration with existing systems, and addressing concerns around data security and privacy. Despite these hurdles, the potential for innovation and growth is immense, and we’re committed to leveraging these technologies to provide cutting-edge solutions for our clients.

If there was one piece of advice you wish to leave for those starting now, what would it be?

Stay adaptable and embrace continuous learning. Technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and the key to long-term success is your ability to keep up with these changes. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and explore new trends, whether it’s AI, cloud computing, or immersive technologies like AR/VR.

Equally important is to remain customer-focused—understanding their pain points and providing solutions that deliver real value will set you apart. The combination of adaptability, innovation, and a client-centric approach is what will ultimately drive your growth in the long run.