Which communication applications your company is using for its business,
operations?
We have a roadmap to standardize on Microsoft platform for all communication
applications. We use exchange server 2007, Microsoft OCS, and LCS. The day is
not far when we may completely use integrated Microsoft technologies for all
communication/collaboration needs.
For your centers/branches in remote areas, how do you manage the
connectivity challenge, and what kind of ICT tools do you use?
We do have operations in very remote locations. For instance, in India, we have
very remote warehouses in the Northeast. Connectivity is the biggest challenge
here. When we operate globally aligned processes with supporting tools without
connectivity, everything stops. The next challenge is to keep experienced
employees on Board. We have dedicated training sessions to ensure proper system
usage within the business community. We also use VSAT for remote sites, though
we prefer wired communication for speed and cost reasons.
 |
| Unnikrishnan Nair, senior
director, Indian subcontinent cluster, Philips IT applications, Philips
Innovation Campus |
What percent of your revenue do you spend on communication
applications/tools annually?
We are not the best-in-class in terms of these spends. However, we acknowledge
the same internally and are working very hard to bring them under control. Of
course, the economic scenario is helping us drive this forward. Driving costs
out of the organization while innovating is always a challenge. However, as a
dedicated organization we are creating proof-points of success. Globally, we are
a large team, of more than 2,500, working towards one objective as set in our
management agenda.
Due to recession, almost all enterprises took consolidation activities.
How did ICT technologies help you to consolidate yourself?
We use Integrated Microsoft technologies to activate VoIP solutions and
telepresence technologies to reduce travel costs. Next to this, emerging global
platforms are aimed at reducing transactional systems to make processes more
efficient.
How are modern communication solutions like videoconferencing helping you?
It helps to be more efficient and at the same time take away the agony of
continuous travel of senior staff members. With latest Internet based
communication solutions, we are able to activate direct communication from the
Board to the lowest levels of the organization parallely at very low costs.
Can you name one ICT technology/application without which no large
enterprises can function today, and why?
Collaboration technologies like email, live meetings and audio/videoconferencing
are inevitable parts of businesses today.
What ICT technologies/applications do you plan to add and invest in India
in the near future?
Primary solution providers are Microsoft in the front-end space; and user
interface, communication and collaboration and SAP in the transactional space.
If 3G and WiMax are rolled out in India, how would you use these
technologies initially?
We would like to see a 3G enabled handheld device which is capable of running
applications like SAP, audio, and videoconferencing. WiMax availability in urban
areas will help enhance connectivity, but its availability is industrial. Tier-2
cities can do real wonders by rapidly expanding connectivity. With 3G and WiMax,
we can activate lots of work flow processes, such as proof-of-delivery
confirmation for billing, service order closure at hospitals after fix is
successfully executed, etc, which takes paper work these days. These solutions
improve efficiency in terms of resolution cycle time and, thereby, improving
overall cash-flow.
 |
| With 3G and WiMax, we can
activate lots of work flow processes, such as proof-of-delivery confirmation
for billing, etc |
What are your expectations from telecom vendors to help run your company
efficiently and smoothly?
We expect that the telecom vendors will provide uninterrupted connectivity, 100%
time with customer driven upgradable and downgradable capacity on demand.
Billing done on actual use rather than capacity installed. That will help many
companies enhance efficiency and run operations smoothly.
What kind of communication products/applications deployment do you feel
will take place in the next five years?
If fiber connectivity was the wonder of the late twentieth century, wireless
connectivity will be the wonder of the twenty-first century. In the next five
years, you will see impact of 3G, WiMax, and exploding computation power in
handheld devices. That should put the power in hands of end-users/consumers.
Is your company planning to opt for mobility based applications and
solutions in the days to come like BlackBerry and others?
We are already using them.
Kannan K
kannan@cybermedia.co.in
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