Technology-led transformation is reshaping how global enterprises operate, and at Ingram Micro, artificial intelligence is central to that shift. Sanjib Sahoo, President of the company’s Global Platform Group, says AI’s real value lies not in replacing human effort but in reimagining business processes from the ground up. Speaking on episode 406 of DisrupTV, Sahoo explained that AI should be used to redesign systems for a digital-first world, rather than simply accelerating legacy workflows. In a conversation with hosts R “Ray” Wang and Vala Afshar, Sahoo positioned AI as a catalyst for rethinking business processes from the ground up, rather than as a tool for replacing human roles. “AI is not about replacement. AI is about reimagination. It pushes us to reimagine ourselves,” Sahoo said.
From IT Distributor to AI-Powered Platform Company
Sahoo highlighted Ingram Micro’s shift from its traditional role as an IT distributor to what he described as an “AI-powered ecosystem orchestrator and platform company.” This transition, he said, is part of a broader digital transformation strategy aimed at streamlining partner and customer engagement. The most pertinent piece of this strategy is Xvantage, Ingram Micro’s digital experience platform. The platform uses more than 400 AI and machine learning models and leverages several petabytes of data. Its capabilities include:
- Real-time pricing
- Personalized product and service recommendations
- Instant partner integrations into workflows
Processes that previously required weeks or months, such as onboarding or complex pricing agreements, can now be executed in seconds. Sahoo said this shift has made data “the lifeblood” of decision-making within the organization.
AI as a Tool for Rethinking Processes
Sahoo cautioned against what he sees as a narrow approach to AI adoption, which is the one that focuses solely on automating existing tasks. Instead, he urged organizations to ask: “If we built this today, in a digital-first world, how would we design it?” In his view, AI should be embedded into the re-design of processes, enabling entirely new ways of operating rather than simply accelerating outdated workflows.
Three Principles for AI Leadership
During the discussion, Sahoo outlined three guiding principles that have shaped Ingram Micro’s AI transformation:
- Reimagine, Don’t Just Automate
Use AI to fundamentally redesign processes rather than just making them faster. - Data as the Foundation
Build AI capabilities on a large, clean, and well-integrated data set. Ingram Micro’s AI initiatives run on a data foundation exceeding four petabytes. - Ecosystems Over Silos
Treat AI platforms as ecosystem engines that connect partners, customers, and suppliers, creating mutual value rather than benefiting a single player.
Impact on B2B Commerce
According to Sahoo, platforms like Xvantage are changing the way business-to-business commerce operates. By connecting multiple stakeholders through a common digital layer, the company can consolidate fragmented processes, reduce operational costs, and improve speed to market.
He noted that the move from manual, disconnected systems to an AI-powered platform has also increased transparency for partners and suppliers, enabling faster decision-making and more competitive pricing models.
Positioning for the Next Phase of AI Regulation and Competition
Sahoo said that adopting AI at scale requires balancing technological innovation with governance and ethical considerations, particularly as regulations evolve. While DisrupTV did not focus on compliance issues in detail, he acknowledged that building trust in AI-driven decisions is essential for long-term adoption. The company’s AI strategy, he added, is designed to integrate governance measures from the outset, ensuring that both partners and customers can rely on the outcomes generated by the platform.
Industry Recognition for Sanjib Sahoo
Sahoo’s work at Ingram Micro has been recognized by multiple industry outlets, including being featured in CRN’s “Top 25 Disrupters” list and Fortune’s “Unstoppables.” While such titles are often debated, his role in leading one of the largest B2B technology distributors through a data- and AI-led transformation has placed him among the more visible technology executives in the industry.
Future Outlook
As AI adoption accelerates across industries, Sahoo believes the next phase of transformation will depend less on technology itself and more on how organizations choose to reimagine their structures and processes. “AI should push you to question every process,” he reiterated.
For Ingram Micro, the stated goal is to continue evolving Xvantage as a central hub for its global partner ecosystem, with further enhancements in predictive analytics, automation, and integration capabilities expected in the coming years.
To watch the full interview, click here.
