We’re banking on AI, cybersecurity for next-gen digital shipping: Pitney Bowes’ Pankaj Sachdeva

As digital transformation gains pace across industries, technologies such as AI and cybersecurity are becoming core to business strategy. Pitney Bowes, a US-based technology-driven company known for its SaaS shipping, mailing and financial solutions, is embedding intelligence, automation, and trust across its operations. With one of its largest global innovation and engineering centres based in India, the company is seeing strong growth momentum. In an interview with TechCircle, Pankaj Sachdeva, Managing Director – India, Pitney Bowes, shares how the company is modernising its legacy business, infusing AI into its platforms, and strengthening cybersecurity to power a smarter, more secure digital shipping ecosystem. Edited excerpts.

Pitney Bowes has been in business for over a century. How are you reinventing for a digital-first era, especially with legacy systems?

Pitney Bowes has thrived for more than 100 years by continuously reinventing itself. Our journey of digital transformation began decades ago when we modernised our core mailing business through automation, design thinking, and advanced technology. Today, that same philosophy drives us as we expand into shipping and commerce. We’re leveraging AI, analytics, and automation to make our platforms more intelligent and responsive. Design and client centricity remain at the heart of everything we build. The focus is on evolving technology and creating centres of excellence that keep us aligned with changing market demands.

What’s the growth strategy for India and APAC, and how does this region fit into Pitney Bowes’ global roadmap?

Our strategy globally—and in India—rests on three pillars: domain expertise, technology leadership, and client centricity. The APAC region remains a strong growth market, while India serves as both an innovation hub and a delivery powerhouse. The teams here are driving advances in automation, analytics, and digital platforms that simplify commerce for clients worldwide. India’s role is strategic—it strengthens our global technology roadmap and enables us to deliver scalable, future-ready, client-centric solutions across markets.

With global trade patterns shifting and supply chain uncertainties, how is Pitney Bowes adapting its business model?

The commerce landscape is changing rapidly. Supply chain complexity and fluctuating demand have made forecasting accuracy a competitive advantage. At Pitney Bowes, we leverage data-driven insights and analytics to help businesses make smarter, faster decisions. Our platforms provide real-time visibility across shipping journeys and predictive intelligence that enables customers to plan proactively. We’re also empowering online retailers and logistics players to streamline fulfilment, optimise tracking, and enhance cross-border operations—helping them expand globally with greater confidence.

How central are AI, automation, and analytics to Pitney Bowes’ technology stack?

They’re absolutely core. We’ve built AI-powered tools that compare shipping rates, predictive models that optimise returns, and analytics dashboards that give clients end-to-end visibility into performance. Automation has simplified workflows and improved operational efficiency, while AI has helped us reimagine shipping itself—making it smarter, faster, and more human-centric. For us, AI is not only about efficiency; it’s about innovation that enhances customer experience and drives business outcomes.

Sustainability is becoming integral to tech-led operations. How are you embedding green-tech into your solutions?
Sustainability is now embedded in how we design, build, and operate. Our engineers are using data science to optimise processes, reduce emissions, and digitise paper-heavy workflows. Even small operational changes—when scaled globally—have a significant impact. We see responsible technology as essential to long-term innovation, and we ensure sustainable practices are woven into our global platforms.

How does Pitney Bowes differentiate itself in such a competitive market?

Our differentiation lies in offering end-to-end, scalable solutions that integrate shipping, mailing, and compliance seamlessly. We have strong partnerships with leading carriers and retailers across regions, supported by our Presort Services which streamlines mail processing from pickup to postal entry, and our global technology backbone. We further co-create solutions with clients—whether helping large retailers optimise cross-border shipping or enabling SMEs to scale efficiently. The focus remains on reliability, visibility, and innovation, backed by decades of domain expertise.

Given the sensitive nature of financial and customer data in shipping and e-commerce, how are you strengthening your cybersecurity posture?

Security is embedded into everything we build. We adopt zero-trust principles, robust encryption, multi-factor authentication, and AI-driven monitoring to ensure continuous protection. Our dedicated security domain team in India plays a key role in our global cybersecurity strategy.
Beyond tools, we prioritise secure coding practices and employee training to foster a cybersecurity-first mindset. For us, security is not just compliance—it’s fundamental to maintaining client trust and ensuring business continuity.

India is a key global capability centre for Pitney Bowes. What’s your talent strategy in this market?

India houses one of our largest GCCs, supporting both technology and operations. We’re hiring across AI, data science, automation, cybersecurity, and full-stack engineering—areas that directly influence our innovation roadmap. We also invest deeply in our people through programs like the Client Centricity Program, Young Talent Development, and Mentorship & Talent Rotation initiatives. These build multi-skill readiness and business acumen. Ultimately, our goal is to nurture purpose-driven, future-ready talent that can connect technology with tangible business outcomes.