Business does not stop due to non-availability of IT

The seriousness of IT in the real estate industry is still at a nascent stage in India Despite the seriousness of IT in the real estate industry being at a nascent stage, the Mumbai-based Lavasa Corporation Limited, a leading property deveoper undertaking large-scale lifestyle development in India has deveoped a new urbanism principle towards IT. In a discussion with Manu Sharma of CIOL Bureau, Vinod Vyas, Head – Information Systems of Lavasa Corporation Limited spoke about the new communications sytems implemented and also on what are the challenges he forsees in the future.

CIOL: What are the major challenges faced by you in your organization?
Vinod Vyas: The seriousness towards IT in Real Estate industry is still less because of simple reason that business does not stop due to non-availability of IT. However, certain organizational necessities cannot be avoided such as office automation, finance & accounts, sales and MIS. Thus major challenge is to aware users to use IT for automation where traditionally they are completely manual such as construction, projects, land department etc.

CIOL: Does your organization link IT budget with the company's performance/growth? If yes please elobrate?
Vinod Vyas: No. Our management has a strong conviction that IT is critical to the business of Lavasa and hence IT is viewed as a critical investment.

CIOL: Can you cite any specific areas where IT has come up as an accomplishment in your stint?
Vinod Vyas: Introducing integration of conventional communication methodologies with new IP based communication systems such as IPPBX, VoIP etc.

CIOL: Going forward, what are the challenges that you foresee?
Vinod Vyas: Change Management (User's acceptance to automation and revised business processes.)

CIOL: How far have you come as regards to adopting 'Green IT technologies'? Vinod Vyas: We are concerned about the global warming. The initiatives are at planning stage.

CIOL: What will be the IT budget for the new fiscal year? What is the growth rate over last year?
Vinod Vyas: The budget is significantly more than the previous year.

CIOL: Name the top 5 items that you expect to spent during the fiscal year?
Vinod Vyas: Some of the major IT items that we invested during the last fiscal include: Infrastructure & Telecom and also in ERP.

CIOL: Do you feel the amount allocated for IT is sufficient if yes why? If not why not? How much should you be spending?
Vinod Vyas: The amount is decided by Head – IT and COO together and its sufficient as per business need.

CIOL: Has the prices of the IT products (hardware/software) been on the decline due to the current stronger rupee against the US dollar in 2007?
Vinod Vyas: Not much

CIOL: Since the rupee is growing stronger against the dollar in 2007, don't you thing it is the right time to purchase IT products both hardware/software?
Vinod Vyas: It effects when the purchases are huge in quantity.

CIOL: How big is the IT staff in your organization?
Vinod Vyas: The strength in our organization is presently ten.