Whatfix: Empowering Users to Maximize the Utilization of Software Applications

The Software as a Service (SaaS) model has garnered increasing attention and adoption within the global business landscape, and this trend is well-founded. Referred to as on-demand software, hosted software, or web-based software, SaaS departs from conventional software deployment, maintenance, and administration methodologies by delivering cloud-based applications over the internet. In this article you will know about Whatfix success story.

Under the SaaS paradigm, service providers assume responsibility for crucial aspects such as security, availability, and performance, alleviating these concerns for businesses.

Whatfix is pioneering a transformative approach to the consumption of Application Support and Learning content. This innovation is achieved through the delivery of Contextual and Interactive Walkthroughs within the application precisely at the moment when a specific task is being executed.

 Whatfix: How It Works

Whatfix is a cutting-edge Software as a Service (SaaS) platform designed to offer in-app guidance and performance support for a wide range of web applications and software products. Our platform is dedicated to empowering companies by providing them with the tools necessary to create interactive walkthroughs that seamlessly integrate within their web applications.

Empowering Businesses: Whatfix’s Seamless Integration and Walkthrough Wizardry

Whatfix’s comprehensive platform serves as a beacon of excellence in the realm of product adoption, user onboarding, employee training, self-service support, and performance support for businesses utilizing enterprise web applications. With our innovative solution, SaaS application users can easily craft interactive walkthroughs and in-app guidance flows that proficiently guide users through specific tasks within the application.

Whatfix is committed to revolutionizing the way businesses optimize their software usage, ensuring a smoother and more efficient user experience.

The name “Whatfix” was carefully chosen to reflect the company’s core focus on problem-solving. This name succinctly encapsulates their primary objective. Whatfix’s overarching mission is to enable organizations to optimize their business outcomes by simplifying technology challenges for their users.

Whatfix has demonstrated a commitment to security and compliance, holding ISO 27001:2013 certification, and aligning with SCORM 1.2 and DITA standards. The platform offers both a paid Business version and a free version to cater to a diverse range of user needs.

Platform Prowess: Whatfix’s Impact on Leading Applications

Whatfix is widely recognized for its effectiveness on leading platforms such as Salesforce, SAP SuccessFactors, Oracle Cloud, Workday, SharePoint, Apttus, and others. Additionally, Whatfix provides a free community version that allows individuals to create interactive walkthroughs for websites and applications, promoting knowledge sharing within the community.

To further bolster their commitment to security and data protection, Whatfix has also secured SOC 2 certification. This comprehensive approach to compliance and versatility underscores Whatfix’s dedication to providing effective solutions and ensuring user-friendly experiences for their clients.

Whatfix : Founders

Whatfix, a prominent technology company, was founded by the dynamic duo of Khadim Batti and Vara Kumar. These visionary entrepreneurs forged their partnership following a successful collaboration at Huawei, where their shared professional synergy became evident, paving the way for their remarkable journey in establishing Whatfix.

Khadim Batti : Architect of Whatfix’s Visionary Leadership Epoch

Khadim Batti, serving as the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Whatfix, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the organization. His impressive career prior to founding Whatfix included overseeing the Deep Packet Inspection and Business Intelligence product portfolio within Huawei’s Central Research Division. With a remarkable track record spanning over two decades, Khadim has consistently excelled in leadership roles within the technology sector, having previously contributed his talents to esteemed companies such as Kenexa, Applabs Technologies, and CMC Limited.

A passionate advocate for nurturing emerging entrepreneurial talent within the technology domain, Khadim has dedicated over a decade to educating and mentoring aspiring individuals. His mentorship has positively impacted the journeys of more than 25 entrepreneurs, further underscoring his commitment to fostering innovation and growth in the tech industry.

Khadim Batti’s educational background is equally impressive, boasting a Master’s degree in Information Technology from the esteemed International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Bombay. These educational achievements, combined with his extensive professional experience, make Khadim Batti a formidable force in the world of technology and entrepreneurship.

Vara Kumar’s Tech Odyssey: Whatfix’s Innovation Maven

Vara Kumar currently holds the esteemed position of Chief Product and Technology Officer (CPTO) and is a co-founder of Whatfix, a prominent technology company. His professional journey is marked by a wealth of experience and expertise in the field of technology and software development.

Before co-founding Whatfix, Vara Kumar dedicated nearly nine years to Huawei, where he held various pivotal roles, beginning as a Software Engineer and progressing to the esteemed position of Systems Architect.

 His career commenced with his invaluable contributions to Network Management solutions for WCDMA devices. Over time, he extended his influence by actively participating in the architectural development of multiple products within the Deep Packet Inspection and Business Intelligence sectors.

Vara Kumar’s academic accomplishments include a Master’s degree in Computer Applications from the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science from NRK and KSR Gupta Degree College.

Vara Kumar’s exceptional background and experience make him a noteworthy figure in the technology and software industry. His work at Whatfix continues to be characterized by innovative solutions and contributions to the advancement of the field.

Whatfix : Inception and Evolution

The origin of Whatfix dates back to 2013, when Khadim Batti and Vara Kumar, who had previously collaborated at Huawei, embarked on a journey to create a transformative marketing DIY product called SearchEnabler, with a specific focus on catering to the needs of Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs).

SearchEnabler operated by meticulously scouring the vast expanse of the internet, gathering essential data points, and applying data analysis to provide actionable marketing recommendations for optimizing online presence. While SearchEnabler quickly gained traction and successfully garnered around 100 customers, Batti and Kumar encountered a novel challenge – a significant portion of their user base expressed a strong desire for extensive guidance and support.

This compelling issue served as the catalyst for the birth of Whatfix. Recognizing the need for a comprehensive solution, the duo set out to redefine the landscape of digital adoption, ultimately leading to the development of Whatfix.

Upon shifting our focus to Whatfix, we encountered a distinct clarity in their strategic approach. Their primary objective was to develop a product tailored to meet the specific needs of the market, rather than investing in a solution and then validating its viability post-development.

The inaugural phase of our growth-hacking strategy for Whatfix involved the establishment of a vibrant community.

 We initiated this process by sending cold emails to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to introduce the Whatfix community. This community was designed to be an open platform for all to access and integrate with, with the only caveat being that the content would be publicly available. 

The underlying intention was to foster ongoing engagement among customers both within the community and on the wider web during the initial 30 days, while the product underwent refinement before its formal launch. The inception of the community and the initial evangelism efforts resulted in the acquisition of Whatfix’s first few paying customers.

Pioneering Digital Adoption: A Transformative Evolution

Every software organization faces the challenge of ensuring product and feature adoption, regardless of their size or global reach. In response to this universal need, our organization has undergone a transformative journey to redefine our product into the sophisticated interactive guidance platform for enterprises that it is today. This evolution has positioned us as a pivotal player in the digital adoption process, enabling our clients to navigate the complexities of digital transformation at their preferred pace.

At present, our primary focus revolves around serving the Enterprise segment, offering our expertise and solutions to a diverse array of Fortune 500 clients across the globe. This strategic alignment underscores our commitment to providing cutting-edge services and support to the most influential players in the business world.

Whatfix – Target Market Size

Whatfix possesses a versatile and adaptable approach, making it an ideal solution for a diverse range of organizations spanning various industries, including but not limited to Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI), High Technology, and the Automotive sector. Essentially, any entity entrusted with the responsibility of software tool utilization and implementation should consider the value of exploring the digital adoption space.

As a recognized leader in the field of Digital Adoption for Enterprises on a global scale, Whatfix plays a pivotal role in supporting organizations worldwide. Enterprises typically maintain an extensive portfolio of web applications, necessitating substantial financial investments to ensure the efficient utilization of these technologies and the training of their workforce. Whatfix, functioning as a Digital Adoption Platform, effectively addresses the demand for seamless onboarding, training, and in-app support, significantly reducing the associated costs.

Whatfix Business Model: A Pinnacle of Success

Whatfix stands as a prominent leader within its niche, consistently charting an impressive trajectory of growth. Despite being a privately-held entity, the company’s financial performance has displayed a remarkable upward trend. Reflecting on the fiscal year 2019, it is evident that Whatfix achieved a substantial surge in its total revenue, recording a remarkable increase of 300%.

This achievement underscores Whatfix’s commitment to excellence and its ability to deliver substantial value to its stakeholders. The organization’s pursuit of innovation and its strategic approach to addressing the needs of its clientele have undoubtedly played a pivotal role in its continued success. As Whatfix continues to ascend, it remains a noteworthy exemplar in the realm of business growth and performance.

Whatfix : Acquisitions & Mergers

In October 2019, Whatfix proudly announced the strategic acquisition of Airim, a distinguished company renowned for its AI-powered Personalization Engine catering to users and customers. 

This acquisition signified a pivotal step forward in Whatfix’s commitment to enhancing the user experience by delivering hyper-personalized in-app guidance precisely when it is most needed. The integration of Airim’s capabilities empowered Whatfix to perform comprehensive analyses of user interactions, including clickstreams, thereby enabling the identification of bottlenecks, process abandonment points, and the duration of each step. These insights proved invaluable in further tailoring and customizing in-app guidance. Administrators were now equipped with the data needed to make data-driven adjustments, even in an automated fashion, ensuring users successfully complete tasks.

Employee-Centric Milestone: Whatfix’s ESOP Program in 2021

On July 6, 2021, Whatfix marked a momentous occasion by launching its inaugural Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). With a generous ESOP buyback program worth $4.3 million (Rs 32 crores) dedicated to its dedicated workforce, the company underlined its commitment to employee well-being and shared success.

 Additionally, Whatfix granted its employees the opportunity to liquidate up to 35% of their vested ESOPs, offering a meaningful financial benefit. Notably, of the 175 eligible employees, over 80% chose to retain their vested shares, reaffirming their unwavering confidence in the company’s future. Importantly, the valuation of these shares was determined at the non-discounted Series D level, ensuring equitable and transparent treatment for both current and former employees.

Another milestone in Whatfix’s journey occurred on August 10, 2021, with the acquisition of Nittio Learn, a prominent learning management system. This strategic move was motivated by the dynamic and diverse training needs of organizations. Nittio Learn offered an array of content options, robust assessment capabilities, and an efficient training course allocation system, all of which enriched Whatfix’s application training capabilities. 

This addition transformed the learning experience into a more personalized, adaptive, and content-rich endeavor, contributing to the evolution of Whatfix into a comprehensive digital adoption platform for organizations. With Nittio Learn in the fold, Whatfix could now guarantee significantly reduced ramp-up times for learning, a vital benefit for organizations navigating the digital transformation landscape.

Pivotal Moments: Whatfix’s Journey in Digital Adoption

Expressing his enthusiasm about this acquisition, Whatfix’s CEO and co-founder, Khadim Batti, highlighted how it would empower the company to equip customers with the essential tools for executing large-scale digital transformation efforts. He emphasized, “We are continually reimagining Digital Adoption alongside our customers as we grow and expand into new markets over the next year and beyond.”

Nittio Learn’s proven track record in serving leading e-commerce and retail companies in South Asia made the acquisition particularly compelling. The co-founders of Nittio, Gagandeep and Aravindan, along with their expert team, have joined Whatfix to leverage their profound knowledge and expertise in the learning domain, enhancing the company’s capabilities and expanding its impact.

These acquisitions and initiatives mark pivotal moments in Whatfix’s journey, strengthening its position as a leader in the digital adoption space and reinforcing its commitment to enhancing the user experience and supporting its dedicated workforce.

Conclusion : 

Incorporated in 2014 by visionary founders Khadim Batti and Vara Kumar, Whatfix has established itself as a frontrunner in the digital adoption domain, with a pronounced emphasis on the Software as a Service (SaaS) model. The company’s pioneering platform is centered around delivering in-app guidance and performance support for diverse web applications and software products, presenting businesses with a powerful tool to optimize their software utilization.

Rooted in the founders’ extensive technological and software development backgrounds, Whatfix originated from a discerning identification of the market’s demand for comprehensive guidance and support. The company’s evolution from the inception of SearchEnabler to the maturation of Whatfix underscores its unwavering commitment to addressing distinct market needs through a strategic growth-hacking approach.

Distinguishing itself through an unwavering commitment to security, compliance, and innovation, Whatfix boasts certifications such as ISO 27001:2013 and SOC 2. These certifications underscore the platform’s dedication to providing a secure and compliant environment for its users. Furthermore, Whatfix’s impact on prominent applications and industries, spanning BFSI, High Technology, and Automotive sectors, underscores its versatility and adaptability.