According to Getronics research reveals that CFOs’ predictions on the changing nature of the CIO’s role.
The role of the CIO in its current capacity will not exist in five years’ time according to research findings revealed by Getronics today. The survey of 203 key financial decision makers in companies of 1,000 employees or more, found that almost one in five CFOs (17%) believe that the role of the CIO as it currently stands is in jeopardy. A further 43% of financial decision makers believe that the role will merge more with finance and a third (31%) believe that CIOs will come from a non-technical background.
The changing role of the CIO:
The role of the CIO has already been subject to a number of changes in recent years, with 77% of CFOs and Financial Directors claiming that they have already assumed greater responsibility for IT decisions over the past 1-2 years. Indeed, respondents revealed that 38% of businesses that have rolled out a cloud computing solution had the project initiated directly by the finance department, rather than IT. A further 39% stated that they had been directly involved in cloud projects, but only after the IT department had initiated it. This trend can be attributed, in part, to the attractive utility model of cloud services, where companies avoid long-term contracts and can track ROI and costs far more accurately.
Finance and the cloud:
The research also reveals that CFOs and other financial decision makers are increasing their technology understanding, with only 2% admitting they “were not aware of the term cloud computing”, whilst the majority were able to provide a meaningful description of its use. This reveals the increasing efforts from finance to truly understand technology and can be seen to be creating opportunities for the CIO to gain companywide buy-in for cloud services as business requirements evolve.
CFO and CIO integration:
When it comes to understanding of their own roles, two out of five (38%) CFOs and Financial Directors believe that CIOs do not hold a good level of financial understanding. Surprisingly, 40% also believed that their CIOs need a greater understanding of the IT function itself. Compounding this lack of understanding of both roles, more than half (56%) of the CFOs and Financial Directors surveyed believe that a lack of integration between finance and IT limits the impact on cost savings achievable from IT projects within their business. This reveals the need for greater integration between the two departments which is a growing development in business with nearly half (48%) citing a trend towards closer integration. Simultaneously, however, some businesses are at the opposite end of the scale with 35% of businesses citing a decrease.
CFO concerns for IT spending:
The research also revealed the top IT spending concerns for CFOs and Financial Directors. Maintenance of IT infrastructure was the key concern, with two-thirds (64%) of respondents claiming this was an ongoing challenge for their businesses. A further 48% stated that they were concerned by the level of expenditure paid to consultancies, whilst 47% stated that licence payments for software was a major headache. As the CIO role continues to evolve, it is likely that the consultancy for businesses will be driven internally with outsourced consultancy decreasing.
“The role of the CIO has often been a point of contention within many organisations since its very inception,” says Mark Cook, CEO, Getronics UK. “Some of us in the industry will remember when the first IT roles were created in business and that these were predominately always within finance. It’s only in recent years that we’ve seen IT as a standalone department and we’re now seeing it come full circle, with one crucial difference: the CIO today is responsible for greater levels of innovation than ever before. We’re seeing CIOs moving away from previous years of having to lead on daily IT operations and maintenance into that of a provider of strategic consultancy to finance and the wider business. Only by freeing up CIOs from the day-to-day burden of managing assets will organisations be able to truly realise the value that a CIO can bring to their business.”
The full findings of the research are unveiled today in a new Getronics report, The Changing Role of the CFO, which is available for download at http://getronics-uk.com/. 203 key financial decision makers working in the UK for companies with 1,000 or more employees were interviewed for the survey.
Showing posts with label CIO. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CIO. Show all posts
Monday, February 27, 2012
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Cloud computing helps organization to remain more secure
Today the biggest challenges for CIO’s are managing and securing the exponentially growing information in the IT infrastructure that supports their business and providing centralized access to multiple data centers across the globe, said Manjunath Kashi, Director, Enterprise Computing Group, Unisys. He said a secure cloud, whether private or public, can enable them to do both more effectively. Excerpts of the interview.
1. How does cloud computing help address CIO challenges?
The biggest challenges for CIO’s today are managing and securing the exponentially growing information in the IT infrastructure that supports their business and providing centralized access to multiple data centers across the globe. A secure cloud, whether private or public, can enable them to do both more effectively.
Unisys believes that cloud computing will revolutionize the way enterprises obtain business and IT services and change the kind of payback they get from their IT investments. In a severely constrained global economy, the prospect of de-capitalizing enterprise IT, deferring and avoiding operational costs, fixing the IT bottleneck and more effectively mapping availability of IT resources to fluctuating business demands provide powerful incentives to adopt cloud computing.
The major attributes and benefits of cloud computing are the following:
1. Multi-tenant –the capability to process the needs of multiple users with shared resources, dynamically and transparently;
2. Elastic and scalable –resources can be expanded and contracted as needed;
3. Metered/rented – to a certain extent, “pay only for what you use”;
4. Self-provisioned – “self-check-in,” at least to some degree;
5. Internet-based – accessible by using Internet technology, usually over the public Internet;
6. “X” as a service [with “X” being software or infrastructure, for example] – The details/concerns of implementation are abstracted for the customer.
Clients and prospects consistently tell Unisys that concerns about security is the major impediments to adopting cloud computing for business needs. Secure, then, is the additional benefit that differentiates Unisys’ strategy and solutions for cloud computing from other cloud offerings available in the market. The word “secure” refers to providing an overall reduction in risk due to greater security protocols and tools for data in motion (transiting the infrastructure), data at rest (in storage networks) and data in process. Unisys offers those through the Stealth data protection technology in its Secure Cloud Solution.
2. What kind of applications do you expect enterprises to host on the cloud? Why?
Most enterprises have until now been comfortable moving only test and development suites to the cloud, because they don’t involve transmission of sensitive data outside internal firewalls. Unisys Secure Cloud Solution – a managed public cloud service with an unmatched level of data protection based on unique bit-splitting technology called Stealth – enables enterprise clients to securely move conventional business applications into a managed, shared cloud service without costly, time-consuming rewrites or other alterations. Those applications often include secure or sensitive data, such as human resources, financial, customer and healthcare information. The Unisys Secure Cloud Solution can thus help clients reduce capital and operating expenditures and protect their investment in critical business applications.
3. Benefits of cloud computing to the large and small enterprises?
Cloud computing – especially as embodied in Unisys strategy and solutions portfolio – can benefit organizations of all sizes. The Unisys approach enables clients to choose the type of data center computing services that best meet their business objectives, from self-managed, automated IT infrastructures to Unisys-managed cloud services. Using Unisys services and technologies, organizations can create a private cloud within their data centers, a public cloud through secure Unisys-managed cloud solutions, or a hybrid cloud solution combining the best of both private and Unisys-managed cloud services.
Clients and prospects in organizations of all sizes tell Unisys that they see great operational and economic value in moving enterprise applications and data to the cloud. However, they have lacked the comprehensive security to make them confident in doing so.
Unisys cloud computing strategy and solutions focus on helping clients overcome those security concerns. We like to say that security is in Unisys DNA, data center transformation and application modernization are our heritage, and outsourcing services tailored to the client’s specific business needs are our forté. Unisys cloud computing strategy draws on all those core capabilities to help clients break through the barriers to adoption and gain a full range of options for cloud services while safeguarding their operations and lowering IT costs.
4. How secure are Unisys’s cloud computing offerings? What are the special features that Unisys offers on the cloud?
Most of the current cloud computing solutions lack the comprehensive security that gives clients the confidence in moving enterprise applications and data into the cloud.
Unisys’ cloud computing solutions provide the much-required extra layer of security. Underpinning our strategy is Unisys Stealth security solution, an innovative, patent-pending data protection technology, initially designed for government applications and now available to commercial clients too. The Unisys Stealth technology cloaks data through multiple levels of authentication and encryption, bit-splitting it into multiple packets so it moves invisibly across networks and stays secure in storage environments.
As I mentioned earlier, the Stealth technology also anchors Unisys Secure Cloud Solution, which is designed to provide the highest level of data security possible within a cloud environment today, while reducing clients’ upfront investments and ongoing operational costs for cloud computing. Using Stealth technology, the Unisys Secure Cloud Solution allows different clients in a multi-tenant environment to share the same IT infrastructure without the fear of exposing one client’s data to another.
In addition to the Stealth technology, clients of Unisys Secure Cloud Solution benefit from Unisys’ layered security infrastructure, which includes comprehensive capabilities, including intrusion detection and prevention service, security monitoring, advanced correlation and analytics, firewall management and logging.
5. How different are your offerings from other players in the same space?
Unisys cloud computing strategy is uniquely flexible. It draws on all the company’s core capabilities of security, data center transformation, application modernization and outsourcing services to help clients break-through the barriers to adoption and gain a full range of options for cloud services, while safeguarding their operations and lowering IT costs. As I said before, the Unisys cloud computing strategy enables clients to choose the type of data center computing services that best meet their business objectives -- from self-managed, automated IT infrastructure to Unisys-managed cloud services. Using Unisys services and technologies, organizations can create a private cloud within their datacenters, a public cloud through secure Unisys-managed cloud solutions, or a hybrid cloud solution, combining the best of both private and Unisys-managed cloud services.
The Unisys Secure Cloud Solution – a core component of Unisys cloud computing strategy – provides a global platform for delivering a full range of highly secure, managed IT infrastructure and application services available “as a service” through the cloud. This innovative solution enables enterprise clients to securely move conventional business applications – including those with secure or sensitive data, such as human resources, financial, customer and healthcare information – into a managed, shared cloud service without costly, time-consuming rewrites or other alterations. The unique Stealth technology, which delivers an unmatched level of data protection for the cloud environment, is a real differentiator for Unisys cloud computing strategy and solutions.
Also, Unisys portfolio of Cloud Transformation Services rounds out our cloud computing solutions. They provide clients a unique way to understand both how cloud computing can benefit them and what are the strategic and financial implications of adopting specific approaches.
6. What segment is Unisys targeting in India and why?
Unisys believes that our cloud computing strategy and solutions – with their unique emphasis on security – will have special appeal in market sectors such as federal government/public sector, healthcare and financial services, where data security, compliance with regulations for data management, and other security concerns are driving forces in decision-making.
In addition, industries or functions – e.g., financial reporting, benefits administration, and secure document management – that have weekly, monthly or even seasonal spikes in demand for IT resources to support business requirements could benefit from Unisys secure cloud solutions.
Unisys launched its cloud computing strategy and solutions on June 30th. We’re in the process of engaging with clients in a range of industries with our Unisys Cloud Transformation Services – a portfolio of advisory and implementation services that help clients assess potential cloud computing options and determine which option best suits their needs or financial objectives – and our Secure Cloud Solution, a managed, public-cloud service that multiple clients can share.
7. How much do you estimate the market size of cloud computing in India? What is the present growth rate?
Gartner says worldwide cloud services revenues are on a pace to surpass $56.3 billion in 2009, a 21.3 per cent increase in revenues from $46.4 billion in 2008. The market is expected to reach $150.1 billion in 2013. The Indian market, according to Springboard Research, will register a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 76 per cent between 2007 and 2011 and reach $260 million (around Rs 1,300 crore) in revenue by 2011. This presents a great opportunity for Unisys cloud computing solutions.
8. Despite being an old concept, why is this space picking up at the time of recession?
In the current economic scenario, the prospects of de-capitalizing enterprise IT, deferring and avoiding operational costs, fixing the IT bottleneck and more effectively mapping availability of IT resources to fluctuating business demands provide powerful incentives for enterprises to adopt cloud computing.
1. How does cloud computing help address CIO challenges?
The biggest challenges for CIO’s today are managing and securing the exponentially growing information in the IT infrastructure that supports their business and providing centralized access to multiple data centers across the globe. A secure cloud, whether private or public, can enable them to do both more effectively.
Unisys believes that cloud computing will revolutionize the way enterprises obtain business and IT services and change the kind of payback they get from their IT investments. In a severely constrained global economy, the prospect of de-capitalizing enterprise IT, deferring and avoiding operational costs, fixing the IT bottleneck and more effectively mapping availability of IT resources to fluctuating business demands provide powerful incentives to adopt cloud computing.
The major attributes and benefits of cloud computing are the following:
1. Multi-tenant –the capability to process the needs of multiple users with shared resources, dynamically and transparently;
2. Elastic and scalable –resources can be expanded and contracted as needed;
3. Metered/rented – to a certain extent, “pay only for what you use”;
4. Self-provisioned – “self-check-in,” at least to some degree;
5. Internet-based – accessible by using Internet technology, usually over the public Internet;
6. “X” as a service [with “X” being software or infrastructure, for example] – The details/concerns of implementation are abstracted for the customer.
Clients and prospects consistently tell Unisys that concerns about security is the major impediments to adopting cloud computing for business needs. Secure, then, is the additional benefit that differentiates Unisys’ strategy and solutions for cloud computing from other cloud offerings available in the market. The word “secure” refers to providing an overall reduction in risk due to greater security protocols and tools for data in motion (transiting the infrastructure), data at rest (in storage networks) and data in process. Unisys offers those through the Stealth data protection technology in its Secure Cloud Solution.
2. What kind of applications do you expect enterprises to host on the cloud? Why?
Most enterprises have until now been comfortable moving only test and development suites to the cloud, because they don’t involve transmission of sensitive data outside internal firewalls. Unisys Secure Cloud Solution – a managed public cloud service with an unmatched level of data protection based on unique bit-splitting technology called Stealth – enables enterprise clients to securely move conventional business applications into a managed, shared cloud service without costly, time-consuming rewrites or other alterations. Those applications often include secure or sensitive data, such as human resources, financial, customer and healthcare information. The Unisys Secure Cloud Solution can thus help clients reduce capital and operating expenditures and protect their investment in critical business applications.
3. Benefits of cloud computing to the large and small enterprises?
Cloud computing – especially as embodied in Unisys strategy and solutions portfolio – can benefit organizations of all sizes. The Unisys approach enables clients to choose the type of data center computing services that best meet their business objectives, from self-managed, automated IT infrastructures to Unisys-managed cloud services. Using Unisys services and technologies, organizations can create a private cloud within their data centers, a public cloud through secure Unisys-managed cloud solutions, or a hybrid cloud solution combining the best of both private and Unisys-managed cloud services.
Clients and prospects in organizations of all sizes tell Unisys that they see great operational and economic value in moving enterprise applications and data to the cloud. However, they have lacked the comprehensive security to make them confident in doing so.
Unisys cloud computing strategy and solutions focus on helping clients overcome those security concerns. We like to say that security is in Unisys DNA, data center transformation and application modernization are our heritage, and outsourcing services tailored to the client’s specific business needs are our forté. Unisys cloud computing strategy draws on all those core capabilities to help clients break through the barriers to adoption and gain a full range of options for cloud services while safeguarding their operations and lowering IT costs.
4. How secure are Unisys’s cloud computing offerings? What are the special features that Unisys offers on the cloud?
Most of the current cloud computing solutions lack the comprehensive security that gives clients the confidence in moving enterprise applications and data into the cloud.
Unisys’ cloud computing solutions provide the much-required extra layer of security. Underpinning our strategy is Unisys Stealth security solution, an innovative, patent-pending data protection technology, initially designed for government applications and now available to commercial clients too. The Unisys Stealth technology cloaks data through multiple levels of authentication and encryption, bit-splitting it into multiple packets so it moves invisibly across networks and stays secure in storage environments.
As I mentioned earlier, the Stealth technology also anchors Unisys Secure Cloud Solution, which is designed to provide the highest level of data security possible within a cloud environment today, while reducing clients’ upfront investments and ongoing operational costs for cloud computing. Using Stealth technology, the Unisys Secure Cloud Solution allows different clients in a multi-tenant environment to share the same IT infrastructure without the fear of exposing one client’s data to another.
In addition to the Stealth technology, clients of Unisys Secure Cloud Solution benefit from Unisys’ layered security infrastructure, which includes comprehensive capabilities, including intrusion detection and prevention service, security monitoring, advanced correlation and analytics, firewall management and logging.
5. How different are your offerings from other players in the same space?
Unisys cloud computing strategy is uniquely flexible. It draws on all the company’s core capabilities of security, data center transformation, application modernization and outsourcing services to help clients break-through the barriers to adoption and gain a full range of options for cloud services, while safeguarding their operations and lowering IT costs. As I said before, the Unisys cloud computing strategy enables clients to choose the type of data center computing services that best meet their business objectives -- from self-managed, automated IT infrastructure to Unisys-managed cloud services. Using Unisys services and technologies, organizations can create a private cloud within their datacenters, a public cloud through secure Unisys-managed cloud solutions, or a hybrid cloud solution, combining the best of both private and Unisys-managed cloud services.
The Unisys Secure Cloud Solution – a core component of Unisys cloud computing strategy – provides a global platform for delivering a full range of highly secure, managed IT infrastructure and application services available “as a service” through the cloud. This innovative solution enables enterprise clients to securely move conventional business applications – including those with secure or sensitive data, such as human resources, financial, customer and healthcare information – into a managed, shared cloud service without costly, time-consuming rewrites or other alterations. The unique Stealth technology, which delivers an unmatched level of data protection for the cloud environment, is a real differentiator for Unisys cloud computing strategy and solutions.
Also, Unisys portfolio of Cloud Transformation Services rounds out our cloud computing solutions. They provide clients a unique way to understand both how cloud computing can benefit them and what are the strategic and financial implications of adopting specific approaches.
6. What segment is Unisys targeting in India and why?
Unisys believes that our cloud computing strategy and solutions – with their unique emphasis on security – will have special appeal in market sectors such as federal government/public sector, healthcare and financial services, where data security, compliance with regulations for data management, and other security concerns are driving forces in decision-making.
In addition, industries or functions – e.g., financial reporting, benefits administration, and secure document management – that have weekly, monthly or even seasonal spikes in demand for IT resources to support business requirements could benefit from Unisys secure cloud solutions.
Unisys launched its cloud computing strategy and solutions on June 30th. We’re in the process of engaging with clients in a range of industries with our Unisys Cloud Transformation Services – a portfolio of advisory and implementation services that help clients assess potential cloud computing options and determine which option best suits their needs or financial objectives – and our Secure Cloud Solution, a managed, public-cloud service that multiple clients can share.
7. How much do you estimate the market size of cloud computing in India? What is the present growth rate?
Gartner says worldwide cloud services revenues are on a pace to surpass $56.3 billion in 2009, a 21.3 per cent increase in revenues from $46.4 billion in 2008. The market is expected to reach $150.1 billion in 2013. The Indian market, according to Springboard Research, will register a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 76 per cent between 2007 and 2011 and reach $260 million (around Rs 1,300 crore) in revenue by 2011. This presents a great opportunity for Unisys cloud computing solutions.
8. Despite being an old concept, why is this space picking up at the time of recession?
In the current economic scenario, the prospects of de-capitalizing enterprise IT, deferring and avoiding operational costs, fixing the IT bottleneck and more effectively mapping availability of IT resources to fluctuating business demands provide powerful incentives for enterprises to adopt cloud computing.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Have small IT firms outwit the big IT giants?
It is not a secret that are at the lower rung of the competition hierarchy in the European technology market. Indian firms still have a long way to go before they get lucrative contracts from that market. But, they seem to be gradually creeping into European market, with smaller firms taking a clear competitive edge than IT biggies like Infosys and TCS, reports CXO today.
"I find that the big Indian companies are too pragmatic. Not able to take my requests simply...CMM Level 5 etc is of no use to me... all I want is my requirement to be fulfilled," Paul Schewefer, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Continental AG.
It seems that a market like Europe demands a highly aggressive planning and quick implementation of strategies if one wants to make the cut. For small companies with lesser number of people, it is comparatively easier to implement changes without having to go through various processes, making it fast. And many small companies in this market have built capabilities in niche areas unlike some giants.
Moreover, Hannover, Germany, based Continental Group's technology expenditure for this year could be up to $500 million. And a lot of that could go to the smaller companies. "Partnering with smaller Indian firms helps them to invest in manpower and technologies, and that helps us as well," said Schewefer.
For the smaller firms, they are looking at the European market via the partnership model. For instance, Aakit Technologies has just sold 26 percent to Germany-based Aequitas Group. "The deal deepens our access to Europe, and also gives our German partner India capabilities," said Tayeb Barodawla, MD, Aakit Technologies.
Earlier, there were reports that Indian IT firms needed long-term deals if they are to make any gain in Europe. It is true that many Indian IT majors are still finding a major share of their revenue from European market through project services, while most of the MNCs drawing revenue from long-term outsourcing contracts.
IT analysts are still of the opinion that top Indian IT companies like TCS, Infosys and Wipro will have to shift focus on long-term outsourcing in order to make significant gains in the European market. These three companies derive around 25 percent of their revenue from European market.
Agencies
"I find that the big Indian companies are too pragmatic. Not able to take my requests simply...CMM Level 5 etc is of no use to me... all I want is my requirement to be fulfilled," Paul Schewefer, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Continental AG.
It seems that a market like Europe demands a highly aggressive planning and quick implementation of strategies if one wants to make the cut. For small companies with lesser number of people, it is comparatively easier to implement changes without having to go through various processes, making it fast. And many small companies in this market have built capabilities in niche areas unlike some giants.
Moreover, Hannover, Germany, based Continental Group's technology expenditure for this year could be up to $500 million. And a lot of that could go to the smaller companies. "Partnering with smaller Indian firms helps them to invest in manpower and technologies, and that helps us as well," said Schewefer.
For the smaller firms, they are looking at the European market via the partnership model. For instance, Aakit Technologies has just sold 26 percent to Germany-based Aequitas Group. "The deal deepens our access to Europe, and also gives our German partner India capabilities," said Tayeb Barodawla, MD, Aakit Technologies.
Earlier, there were reports that Indian IT firms needed long-term deals if they are to make any gain in Europe. It is true that many Indian IT majors are still finding a major share of their revenue from European market through project services, while most of the MNCs drawing revenue from long-term outsourcing contracts.
IT analysts are still of the opinion that top Indian IT companies like TCS, Infosys and Wipro will have to shift focus on long-term outsourcing in order to make significant gains in the European market. These three companies derive around 25 percent of their revenue from European market.
Agencies
Friday, October 17, 2008
Embrace the right technologies
Putting your neck out, betting and embracing the right technologies to create a differentiator is one of the major challenges that R. Muralidharan, Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Syntel India is facing. In a interview with Manu Sharma of CIOL Bureau, he shares his views of his achievements as a CIO and also on what he wishes to hear from vendors during the next fiscal. Excerpts:
CIOL: What are the major challenges faced by a CIO?
R. Muralidharan: The major challenges faced by the CIO today revolves around
* Reduction in total cost of ownership of running IT
* Ensuring that IT is always driving business value and consistently being perceived as a business enabler.
* Putting his neck out, betting and embracing the right technologies to create a differentiator.
CIOL: Does your organization link IT budget with the company's performance/growth? If yes please elaborate?
RM: Yes. Syntel does link IT budget with the company's performance /growth. The total IT spend is typically pegged as a percentage of revenue.
CIOL: Can you cite any specific areas where IT has come up as an accomplishment in your stint as a CIO?
RM: There have been quite a few major areas of focus for IT over the last two years in my stint as the CIO of Syntel. There have been significant achievements across not just implementation of technologies but the entire aspect of effective deployment of people, process and technology all aimed towards the goal of being valued as a true business enabler. The areas of significant achievements cuts across all areas of infrastructure such as network, storage, systems/servers, security, telecom all supporting critical internal business applications and connectivity needed for providing services to its global customers. Apart from focus on investments in technologies, there has been a significant focus on processes and people competency development all aligned to delivering value to customers.
CIOL: Going forward, what are the challenges which you foresee?
RM: The challenges of the future envisaged revolves around more and more Green IT initiatives thus enabling significant environmental benefits apart from providing a lower cost of ownership for running IT in the organization. The other challenge revolves around betting on the right technologies for the future which will deliver the maximum benefit to the organization.
CIOL: How far have you come as regards adopting 'Green IT technologies'?
RM: Green IT initiative is a moving target and Syntel is investing significantly on ensuring the all the campuses being built to support the growth is enabled using Green It technologies. On a parallel front, there is a large effort on driving investments in terms of time and processes to ensure that Green IT initiatives are inculcated across the organization thus focusing on reducing carbon foot print.
CIOL: What will be the IT budget for the new fiscal year/ What is the growth rate over last year?
RM: Syntel has been consistently growing at around 25-30 percent and hence the IT budget has also been growing to meet these needs of the growth. Apart from the growth of the operating budget, there is also significant amount of investment being done in investing on cutting edge technologies in its campuses.
CIOL: Name the top 5 items that you expect to spent on this fiscal year?
RM: The top five areas of spend is expected to be in the areas of:
* Build out of campuses to support growth
* Business productivity applications
* Security and Compliance
* Network Optimization
* Virtualization
CIOL: Do you feel the amount allocated for IT is sufficient if yes why? If not why not? How much should you be spending?
RM: IT being typically treated as a cost center, it is extremely important that any investment made in IT should be measured by evaluating as to how it has lowered the total cost of ownership to business. As an IT company that is growing, it is not possible to lower the absolute amount of investment. Hence the yardstick for measurement is to primarily focus on reducing the unit cost of providing IT services to the employees of the organization. We have been able to successfully demonstrate this across all domains. The business value delivered in terms of contribution to the bottom line has been apt so far.
CIOL: How big is the IT staff in your organization?
RM: The total IT organization size globally inclusive of outsourced staff is around 160. This team supports the various business entities within the group engaged in the business of IT services and KPO.
CIOL: As a global company how are you networked all the centres?
RM: All the global delivery and sales offices are networked using multiple technologies such as ATM, MPLS, Frame Relay and IPsec VPN's over the Internet cloud. The core network is built over Nortel Passport WAN switches that support data, voice over IP and video traffic. This backbone enables us to seamlessly integrate into our customer networks securely while at the same time providing scalability and high availability to meet varied requirements at an optimum cost.
CIOL: Is it difficult to gets adequate funds for IT implementations?
RM: The biggest challenge for CIO's for getting funds for new IT implementations is to continuously work on reducing operating expenses as a percentage of the total budget for keeping lights ON and meet business expectations of IT availability. It is always a moving target as every CIO would like to get the maximum funds diverted for new implementations.
CIOL: What part of IT implementations plays a more prominent role? Software or hardware or networking? Why?
RM: IT needs to be viewed as a tool and not the end. Hence no individual component whether it is hardware, software or networking is individually more or less important. What business gets in a highly mobile environment in today's context is a function of achievements across all these domains to enhance the user experience level.
CIOL: The success or failure of an IT deployment should be attributed to whom, the CIO or the vendor, or is it a collaborative accountability?
RM: Though any CIO would like to always have a joint accountability or would like to blame it on the vendor to cover up for failure, I firmly believe that it is always the CIO's accountability for the success or failure of an IT deployment. One can't have a situation where the CIO is complemented for success but the stick is on a collaborative accountability or put on the vendor. The CIO is in the best situation to know what fits his business the most and also the prerogative to choose the vendor and partner most suited to be successful for his business environment.
CIOL: What percentage do you outsource a portion of your IT project?RM: To a large extent possible, Syntel works in developing and implementing core technology components internally. What is typically outsourced for BAU support is low end hardware support activities. For any IT project under implementation, Syntel works very closely with its vendor partners to ensure that an optimum solution is implemented while ensuring that internal skills are developed. This helps us leverage our experience in these domains to deliver value and thought leadership to our clients while delivering IT and infrastructure services. CIOL: Has the nature and pattern of IT adoption become more sophisticated? If yes, to what extent?RM: IT has become an integrated tool as every aspect of business relies on IT. To this extent the dependency on IT by the various stakeholders and users has become very high. Some of the complexities or sophistication arises out of the diversified business needs and this coupled with the plethora of vendors providing various technology options. The sophistication of diverse user requirements is translated into sophistication in the need for integration of various technologies to deliver business value to the end user and business. This is making the task more and more difficult for the IT organization in terms of timely delivery of integrated solutions matching the pace of the need by the business.
CIOL: Are some enterprises under the myth that modernization processes such as automation and IT deployment can take place only in large enterprises? Elaborate.
RM: Yes. Today IT is all-prevalent and an enabler for growth. Investment in the right technologies for small and medium enterprises will help them be well prepared for scale up and growth. CIOL: As a CIO what would you wish to hear from vendors during the next fiscal?RM: One of the biggest challenges hearing from vendors is always the gap between what then can deliver vis-Ã -vis what they actually deliver. Secondly, there are a lot of exciting technologies in the areas of virtualization, unified communication etc. which is going to key investment areas. Key areas that I would like to hear from vendors is factual information of what they can deliver which will really help in reduce the time spent on POC's and implementing thus enabling a faster return on investment and maximizing business benefit.
CIOL: With so many vendors pushing their products, how are you able to distinguish what really works in your organization?
RM: We have a very elaborate and rigorous evaluation methodology when it comes to embracing any new technology and product. One of the key aspects of product selection focuses on relevance and adaptability to our work environment and we have been able to do a decent job so far.
CIOL: So many IT products fail after being implemented Why?
RM: There a lot of elements that needs to be addressed for a successful IT implementation. Beyond just simply what the product can do which can be addressed using a one time good evaluation process, there are areas of continuous investments in the right processes and people competency development that needs to be done to sustain the implementation and also keep upgrading it on a periodic basis to meet the changing business requirements as well as technological advancements. These are bigger challenges than the product itself and this also has a longer lifespan. These are areas where most failures occur. Or put differently, this is where competing organizations adopting similar products and technologies also differentiate themselves.
CIOL: What are the major challenges faced by a CIO?
R. Muralidharan: The major challenges faced by the CIO today revolves around
* Reduction in total cost of ownership of running IT
* Ensuring that IT is always driving business value and consistently being perceived as a business enabler.
* Putting his neck out, betting and embracing the right technologies to create a differentiator.
CIOL: Does your organization link IT budget with the company's performance/growth? If yes please elaborate?
RM: Yes. Syntel does link IT budget with the company's performance /growth. The total IT spend is typically pegged as a percentage of revenue.
CIOL: Can you cite any specific areas where IT has come up as an accomplishment in your stint as a CIO?
RM: There have been quite a few major areas of focus for IT over the last two years in my stint as the CIO of Syntel. There have been significant achievements across not just implementation of technologies but the entire aspect of effective deployment of people, process and technology all aimed towards the goal of being valued as a true business enabler. The areas of significant achievements cuts across all areas of infrastructure such as network, storage, systems/servers, security, telecom all supporting critical internal business applications and connectivity needed for providing services to its global customers. Apart from focus on investments in technologies, there has been a significant focus on processes and people competency development all aligned to delivering value to customers.
CIOL: Going forward, what are the challenges which you foresee?
RM: The challenges of the future envisaged revolves around more and more Green IT initiatives thus enabling significant environmental benefits apart from providing a lower cost of ownership for running IT in the organization. The other challenge revolves around betting on the right technologies for the future which will deliver the maximum benefit to the organization.
CIOL: How far have you come as regards adopting 'Green IT technologies'?
RM: Green IT initiative is a moving target and Syntel is investing significantly on ensuring the all the campuses being built to support the growth is enabled using Green It technologies. On a parallel front, there is a large effort on driving investments in terms of time and processes to ensure that Green IT initiatives are inculcated across the organization thus focusing on reducing carbon foot print.
CIOL: What will be the IT budget for the new fiscal year/ What is the growth rate over last year?
RM: Syntel has been consistently growing at around 25-30 percent and hence the IT budget has also been growing to meet these needs of the growth. Apart from the growth of the operating budget, there is also significant amount of investment being done in investing on cutting edge technologies in its campuses.
CIOL: Name the top 5 items that you expect to spent on this fiscal year?
RM: The top five areas of spend is expected to be in the areas of:
* Build out of campuses to support growth
* Business productivity applications
* Security and Compliance
* Network Optimization
* Virtualization
CIOL: Do you feel the amount allocated for IT is sufficient if yes why? If not why not? How much should you be spending?
RM: IT being typically treated as a cost center, it is extremely important that any investment made in IT should be measured by evaluating as to how it has lowered the total cost of ownership to business. As an IT company that is growing, it is not possible to lower the absolute amount of investment. Hence the yardstick for measurement is to primarily focus on reducing the unit cost of providing IT services to the employees of the organization. We have been able to successfully demonstrate this across all domains. The business value delivered in terms of contribution to the bottom line has been apt so far.
CIOL: How big is the IT staff in your organization?
RM: The total IT organization size globally inclusive of outsourced staff is around 160. This team supports the various business entities within the group engaged in the business of IT services and KPO.
CIOL: As a global company how are you networked all the centres?
RM: All the global delivery and sales offices are networked using multiple technologies such as ATM, MPLS, Frame Relay and IPsec VPN's over the Internet cloud. The core network is built over Nortel Passport WAN switches that support data, voice over IP and video traffic. This backbone enables us to seamlessly integrate into our customer networks securely while at the same time providing scalability and high availability to meet varied requirements at an optimum cost.
CIOL: Is it difficult to gets adequate funds for IT implementations?
RM: The biggest challenge for CIO's for getting funds for new IT implementations is to continuously work on reducing operating expenses as a percentage of the total budget for keeping lights ON and meet business expectations of IT availability. It is always a moving target as every CIO would like to get the maximum funds diverted for new implementations.
CIOL: What part of IT implementations plays a more prominent role? Software or hardware or networking? Why?
RM: IT needs to be viewed as a tool and not the end. Hence no individual component whether it is hardware, software or networking is individually more or less important. What business gets in a highly mobile environment in today's context is a function of achievements across all these domains to enhance the user experience level.
CIOL: The success or failure of an IT deployment should be attributed to whom, the CIO or the vendor, or is it a collaborative accountability?
RM: Though any CIO would like to always have a joint accountability or would like to blame it on the vendor to cover up for failure, I firmly believe that it is always the CIO's accountability for the success or failure of an IT deployment. One can't have a situation where the CIO is complemented for success but the stick is on a collaborative accountability or put on the vendor. The CIO is in the best situation to know what fits his business the most and also the prerogative to choose the vendor and partner most suited to be successful for his business environment.
CIOL: What percentage do you outsource a portion of your IT project?RM: To a large extent possible, Syntel works in developing and implementing core technology components internally. What is typically outsourced for BAU support is low end hardware support activities. For any IT project under implementation, Syntel works very closely with its vendor partners to ensure that an optimum solution is implemented while ensuring that internal skills are developed. This helps us leverage our experience in these domains to deliver value and thought leadership to our clients while delivering IT and infrastructure services. CIOL: Has the nature and pattern of IT adoption become more sophisticated? If yes, to what extent?RM: IT has become an integrated tool as every aspect of business relies on IT. To this extent the dependency on IT by the various stakeholders and users has become very high. Some of the complexities or sophistication arises out of the diversified business needs and this coupled with the plethora of vendors providing various technology options. The sophistication of diverse user requirements is translated into sophistication in the need for integration of various technologies to deliver business value to the end user and business. This is making the task more and more difficult for the IT organization in terms of timely delivery of integrated solutions matching the pace of the need by the business.
CIOL: Are some enterprises under the myth that modernization processes such as automation and IT deployment can take place only in large enterprises? Elaborate.
RM: Yes. Today IT is all-prevalent and an enabler for growth. Investment in the right technologies for small and medium enterprises will help them be well prepared for scale up and growth. CIOL: As a CIO what would you wish to hear from vendors during the next fiscal?RM: One of the biggest challenges hearing from vendors is always the gap between what then can deliver vis-Ã -vis what they actually deliver. Secondly, there are a lot of exciting technologies in the areas of virtualization, unified communication etc. which is going to key investment areas. Key areas that I would like to hear from vendors is factual information of what they can deliver which will really help in reduce the time spent on POC's and implementing thus enabling a faster return on investment and maximizing business benefit.
CIOL: With so many vendors pushing their products, how are you able to distinguish what really works in your organization?
RM: We have a very elaborate and rigorous evaluation methodology when it comes to embracing any new technology and product. One of the key aspects of product selection focuses on relevance and adaptability to our work environment and we have been able to do a decent job so far.
CIOL: So many IT products fail after being implemented Why?
RM: There a lot of elements that needs to be addressed for a successful IT implementation. Beyond just simply what the product can do which can be addressed using a one time good evaluation process, there are areas of continuous investments in the right processes and people competency development that needs to be done to sustain the implementation and also keep upgrading it on a periodic basis to meet the changing business requirements as well as technological advancements. These are bigger challenges than the product itself and this also has a longer lifespan. These are areas where most failures occur. Or put differently, this is where competing organizations adopting similar products and technologies also differentiate themselves.
Steps into green IT technologies
The world leader in removable data storage media is a beginner in implementing 'Green IT technologies' and are taking it forward without a conscious effort Manu Sharma Moser Baer India, a world leader in the development and manufacture of removable data storage media has just made a beginning in implementing 'Green IT technologies' and are taking it forward without a conscious effort. In a interview with Muthukumar V., Senior General Manager – IT of Moser Baer India spoke to Manu Sharma of CIOL Bureau on various challenges faced an a CIO and the way ahead in tackling major issues.
CIOL: What are the major challenges faced by a CIO?
Muthukumar V: I feel that the present challenges faced by a CIO in the areas of Business Process Transformation, Innovating the enterprise, Deliver the best with the optimal resources, Team Engagement, Building service orientation and Improving on service deliveries provided by and through IT.
CIOL: Does your organization link IT budget with the company's performance/growth? If yes please elaborate?
MV: Moser Baer has no such link where in the company's IT budget is linked to the performance of the firm.
CIOL: Can you cite any specific areas where IT has come up as an accomplishment in your stint as a CIO?
MV: We have tried to leverage the ERP utilization by bringing in more processes and controls within the ERP frame work. These are done either by exploiting the existing functionality that was not implemented or by building functionality within and around the ERP. We have ensured that the investment that we had done in the ERP and other application architecture is fully exploited. We have supported the growth of the business both organically (in terms of volume growth) as well as in-organically (additional business coverage like M&ES, ITCE, Entertainment and PV).
CIOL: Going forward, what are the challenges that you foresee?
MV: I feel that the present challenges faced by a CIO will also continue over the years and these include: Business Process Transformation, Innovating the enterprise, Deliver the best with the optimal resources, Team Engagement, Building service orientation and improving on service deliveries provided by and through IT.
CIOL: How far have you come as regards adopting 'Green IT technologies'?
MV: Our company is a beginner in this front and we are taking it forward without a conscious effort.
CIOL: What will be the IT budget for the new fiscal year? What is the growth rate over last year?
MV: I would prefer not to respond to this question. But can only indicate that it runs in crores each year.
CIOL: Do you feel the amount allocated for IT is sufficient if yes why? If not why not? How much should you be spending?
MV: I can do with more funds. Having said that we have been very decent in allocating budget for IT, when there are enough justifications for the investment.
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?
MV: Do they. Don't think so; not because of a stronger rupee. In fact, India should be benefited as biggies turn more towards India as the global spend on IT could shrink.
CIOL: Since the rupee is growing stronger against the dollarin 2007, don't you thing it is the right time to purchase IT products both hardware/software?
MV: It all depends on the business benefits. Rupee appreciation against dollar can't be a critical determining factor; not at least in our case.
CIOL: How big is the IT staff in your organization?
MV: We have atleast 48 working in our department.
CIOL: What are the major challenges faced by a CIO?
Muthukumar V: I feel that the present challenges faced by a CIO in the areas of Business Process Transformation, Innovating the enterprise, Deliver the best with the optimal resources, Team Engagement, Building service orientation and Improving on service deliveries provided by and through IT.
CIOL: Does your organization link IT budget with the company's performance/growth? If yes please elaborate?
MV: Moser Baer has no such link where in the company's IT budget is linked to the performance of the firm.
CIOL: Can you cite any specific areas where IT has come up as an accomplishment in your stint as a CIO?
MV: We have tried to leverage the ERP utilization by bringing in more processes and controls within the ERP frame work. These are done either by exploiting the existing functionality that was not implemented or by building functionality within and around the ERP. We have ensured that the investment that we had done in the ERP and other application architecture is fully exploited. We have supported the growth of the business both organically (in terms of volume growth) as well as in-organically (additional business coverage like M&ES, ITCE, Entertainment and PV).
CIOL: Going forward, what are the challenges that you foresee?
MV: I feel that the present challenges faced by a CIO will also continue over the years and these include: Business Process Transformation, Innovating the enterprise, Deliver the best with the optimal resources, Team Engagement, Building service orientation and improving on service deliveries provided by and through IT.
CIOL: How far have you come as regards adopting 'Green IT technologies'?
MV: Our company is a beginner in this front and we are taking it forward without a conscious effort.
CIOL: What will be the IT budget for the new fiscal year? What is the growth rate over last year?
MV: I would prefer not to respond to this question. But can only indicate that it runs in crores each year.
CIOL: Do you feel the amount allocated for IT is sufficient if yes why? If not why not? How much should you be spending?
MV: I can do with more funds. Having said that we have been very decent in allocating budget for IT, when there are enough justifications for the investment.
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?
MV: Do they. Don't think so; not because of a stronger rupee. In fact, India should be benefited as biggies turn more towards India as the global spend on IT could shrink.
CIOL: Since the rupee is growing stronger against the dollarin 2007, don't you thing it is the right time to purchase IT products both hardware/software?
MV: It all depends on the business benefits. Rupee appreciation against dollar can't be a critical determining factor; not at least in our case.
CIOL: How big is the IT staff in your organization?
MV: We have atleast 48 working in our department.
IBM UC2 helps people stay connected
Today's organizations are largely global in nature with the workforce being mobile and virtual. In the present environment, it is important for employees to stay connected and collaborate, says Chandru K., Business Manager (Converged Communications Services) at IBM India.
In an interview with Manu Sharma of CIOL Bureau, he spoke on the challenges faced by enterprises and the steps a CIO needs to ensure success of converged communication systems.
CIOL: Role of IBM in Converged Communications?
Chandru K: IBM offers a suite of assessment, design, deployment, integration and managed services to deliver converged communications solutions. IBM offers a uniquely flexible and broad portfolio of services, software and financing capabilities that can be easily customized to address specific needs required to support communications for a diverse and global workforce.
These capabilities are backed by the experience and technical know-how required to provide smooth, successful unified communications and collaboration deployments. Working with a broad network of partners and suppliers (device manufacturers, network equipment vendors, telecommunication service providers and independent software vendors), IBM can offer an extensive range of skills and solutions to meet the client's immediate and long-term business needs for converged communication solutions.
CIOL: What are the present challenges in communication that the enterprises are facing and what does Converged Communications help address/solve?
CK: Organizations are largely global in nature with workforce being mobile and virtual. The focus for organizations is to improve their bottom line that means they are focused on employee productivity. It is important for employees to stay connected and collaborate.
Typical challenges are:
* Communication-caused delay and disruption is a pervasive business problem.
* Communications complexity affects long-term productivity, business process reform, and financial performance.
* Decision support outcomes suffer from the inability to access and collaborate effectively with primary players.
* Resources are improperly used or misallocated because of the complexity of communication.
Converged Communications helps address these challenges and streamline communications.
CIOL: What do you accomplish by deploying Converged Communications, in the short and long terms?
CK: Converged Communications with its emerging class of applications and services helps improve communications. It helps businesses in simplifying communications for their mobile and distributed workforce to improve communication flows, access primary decision makers quickly, enhance collaboration, and improve productivity to positively affect their business. They speed access and improve communication, integrate different device modes and communication applications, and dramatically improve collaboration, allowing organizations to streamline business processes, reach the right resource the first time, and enhance profitability.
CIOL: What are the steps a CIO needs to prioritize to ensure success of Converged Communication systems?
CK: Firstly take a step back and do an assessment of the opportunities What do I spend on tools today? What are my opportunities for savings? And then do a business evaluation. Given those opportunities I uncover, how will I leverage those against my business processes?
Then, a very, very important step and that is to do a network assessment. Is my network ready? And if not, take the step, which is to get the network ready for voice deployments. And when we say network-readiness, we're talking about things such as what sort of network latency do I see in my data network? What are the jitter characteristics of my network? How much bandwidth do I have? And very, very importantly, have I implemented quality of service?
Beyond those steps, customers need to begin to prepare themselves to develop the skills necessary and really to begin to bring together skills between their traditional telephony groups and their data networking groups. And, of course, once you've gotten to that point, then it's time to move into the design and implementation phases.
CIOL: What are the differences between Unified Communications and Unified Messaging?
CK: Unified Communications enables people to find peers or decision makers using a single telephone number or Internet address. It integrates e-mail, instant messaging, and calendaring applications with communications devices and applications—telephony—wired and wireless; voice messaging; and audio, video, and Web conferencing.
Unified Communications applications support advanced presence-sensitivity and find-me capability, and media independence. They are easy to use, with a familiar intuitive interface linked to powerful functions. Finally, they provide voice access to applications and data.
While, Unified Messaging is a subset or one of the Unified Communications applications, Unified Messaging is the integration of different messaging (voice, email and fax) into a single or Unified Message store. They can access this through a variety of devices. Since these are integrated it makes it easier for users to access their message store. For e.g., they can access their voice, fax and email messages through a single touch point, their emails.
CIOL: What are the benefits of using IBM UC2?
CK: IBM offers the essential software, services, strategic alliances and hardware elements that companies need to help people stay connected to applications, data and one another anytime, anywhere. So, users can find an expert, reach out within and beyond business boundaries and collaborate more easily. And, as a result, help organizations improve productivity, speed responsiveness and lower operational costs, while creating a better, more attractive work environment that's easier to manage, extend and enrich.
Unified Communications requires an integrated communications strategy and architecture—enabling the secure combination of voice, video, data, and mobility applications within a robust, intelligent network. IBM, with its industry-leading breadth of solutions, its world-class partnerships, and its understanding of how to map technology to address business challenges, is uniquely able to fulfill the promise of Converged Communications.
CIOL: Why do I need technology from Avaya, AVST or Cisco?
CK: Global Technology Services within IBM focuses on providing infrastructure solution for customers. We work with customers to understand their business problems and check on the best technology to fit this. Working with a broad network of partners and suppliers (device manufacturers, network equipment vendors, telecom service providers and independent software vendors), IBM can offer an extensive range of skills and solutions to meet the client's needs.
CIOL: What is IBM's predictions for Unified Communications?
CK: The Virtual Workplace will become the rule! There will be no need to leave the office. Just bring it [Unified Communications] along. Desk phones and desktop computers will gradually disappear, replaced by mobile devices, including laptops that take on traditional office capabilities. Social networking tools and virtual world meeting experiences will simulate the feeling on being there in-person. Work models will be changed by expanded globalization, and green business initiatives that reduce travel and encourage work at home.
* Instant Messaging and other real-time collaboration tools will become the norm, bypassing e-mail. Just as e-mail became a business necessity, a new generation of workers has a new expectation for Instant Messaging (IM) as the preferred method of business interaction. This will fuel more rapid adoption of Unified Communications as traditional IM becomes the core extension point for multi-modal communications.
* Beyond Phone Calls to Collaborative Business Processes. Companies will go beyond the initial capabilities of IM, like click-to-call and online presence, to deep integration with business processes and line-of-business applications, where they can realize the greatest benefit.
* Interoperability and Open Standards will tear down proprietary walls across business and public domains. Corporate demand for interoperability and maturing of industry standards will force unified communications providers to embrace interoperability. Converged, aggregated, and rich presence will allow businesses and individuals to better find and reach the appropriate resources, removing inefficiencies from business processes and daily lives.
* New meeting models will emerge. Hang up on routine, calendared conference calls. The definition of "meetings" will radically transform and become increasingly adhoc and instantaneous based on context and need. 3-D virtual world and gaming technologies will significantly influence online corporate meeting experiences to deliver more life-like experiences demanded by the next generation workers who will operate more efficiently in this familiar environment.
CIOL: Why is IBM holding this roundtable and what will be the focus? What issues will IBM address at the meet?
CK: IBM in association with CIOL is bringing a live session on Converged Communication. The rountable will focus on the subject, "Enhancing effective business communication". IBM will address issues such as how to communicate and collaborate effectively in today's disparate work environment and how to reduce reliance on external voice, video, date service providers.
The forum will provide an opportunity to discuss the communication challenges organization are facing today and understand how Converged Communication solutions help address these. Customers will have an opportunity to talk to experts and also network with industry peers. IBM will also showcase the actual working of Converged Communication solutions at our customer solution center at Delhi.
In an interview with Manu Sharma of CIOL Bureau, he spoke on the challenges faced by enterprises and the steps a CIO needs to ensure success of converged communication systems.
CIOL: Role of IBM in Converged Communications?
Chandru K: IBM offers a suite of assessment, design, deployment, integration and managed services to deliver converged communications solutions. IBM offers a uniquely flexible and broad portfolio of services, software and financing capabilities that can be easily customized to address specific needs required to support communications for a diverse and global workforce.
These capabilities are backed by the experience and technical know-how required to provide smooth, successful unified communications and collaboration deployments. Working with a broad network of partners and suppliers (device manufacturers, network equipment vendors, telecommunication service providers and independent software vendors), IBM can offer an extensive range of skills and solutions to meet the client's immediate and long-term business needs for converged communication solutions.
CIOL: What are the present challenges in communication that the enterprises are facing and what does Converged Communications help address/solve?
CK: Organizations are largely global in nature with workforce being mobile and virtual. The focus for organizations is to improve their bottom line that means they are focused on employee productivity. It is important for employees to stay connected and collaborate.
Typical challenges are:
* Communication-caused delay and disruption is a pervasive business problem.
* Communications complexity affects long-term productivity, business process reform, and financial performance.
* Decision support outcomes suffer from the inability to access and collaborate effectively with primary players.
* Resources are improperly used or misallocated because of the complexity of communication.
Converged Communications helps address these challenges and streamline communications.
CIOL: What do you accomplish by deploying Converged Communications, in the short and long terms?
CK: Converged Communications with its emerging class of applications and services helps improve communications. It helps businesses in simplifying communications for their mobile and distributed workforce to improve communication flows, access primary decision makers quickly, enhance collaboration, and improve productivity to positively affect their business. They speed access and improve communication, integrate different device modes and communication applications, and dramatically improve collaboration, allowing organizations to streamline business processes, reach the right resource the first time, and enhance profitability.
CIOL: What are the steps a CIO needs to prioritize to ensure success of Converged Communication systems?
CK: Firstly take a step back and do an assessment of the opportunities What do I spend on tools today? What are my opportunities for savings? And then do a business evaluation. Given those opportunities I uncover, how will I leverage those against my business processes?
Then, a very, very important step and that is to do a network assessment. Is my network ready? And if not, take the step, which is to get the network ready for voice deployments. And when we say network-readiness, we're talking about things such as what sort of network latency do I see in my data network? What are the jitter characteristics of my network? How much bandwidth do I have? And very, very importantly, have I implemented quality of service?
Beyond those steps, customers need to begin to prepare themselves to develop the skills necessary and really to begin to bring together skills between their traditional telephony groups and their data networking groups. And, of course, once you've gotten to that point, then it's time to move into the design and implementation phases.
CIOL: What are the differences between Unified Communications and Unified Messaging?
CK: Unified Communications enables people to find peers or decision makers using a single telephone number or Internet address. It integrates e-mail, instant messaging, and calendaring applications with communications devices and applications—telephony—wired and wireless; voice messaging; and audio, video, and Web conferencing.
Unified Communications applications support advanced presence-sensitivity and find-me capability, and media independence. They are easy to use, with a familiar intuitive interface linked to powerful functions. Finally, they provide voice access to applications and data.
While, Unified Messaging is a subset or one of the Unified Communications applications, Unified Messaging is the integration of different messaging (voice, email and fax) into a single or Unified Message store. They can access this through a variety of devices. Since these are integrated it makes it easier for users to access their message store. For e.g., they can access their voice, fax and email messages through a single touch point, their emails.
CIOL: What are the benefits of using IBM UC2?
CK: IBM offers the essential software, services, strategic alliances and hardware elements that companies need to help people stay connected to applications, data and one another anytime, anywhere. So, users can find an expert, reach out within and beyond business boundaries and collaborate more easily. And, as a result, help organizations improve productivity, speed responsiveness and lower operational costs, while creating a better, more attractive work environment that's easier to manage, extend and enrich.
Unified Communications requires an integrated communications strategy and architecture—enabling the secure combination of voice, video, data, and mobility applications within a robust, intelligent network. IBM, with its industry-leading breadth of solutions, its world-class partnerships, and its understanding of how to map technology to address business challenges, is uniquely able to fulfill the promise of Converged Communications.
CIOL: Why do I need technology from Avaya, AVST or Cisco?
CK: Global Technology Services within IBM focuses on providing infrastructure solution for customers. We work with customers to understand their business problems and check on the best technology to fit this. Working with a broad network of partners and suppliers (device manufacturers, network equipment vendors, telecom service providers and independent software vendors), IBM can offer an extensive range of skills and solutions to meet the client's needs.
CIOL: What is IBM's predictions for Unified Communications?
CK: The Virtual Workplace will become the rule! There will be no need to leave the office. Just bring it [Unified Communications] along. Desk phones and desktop computers will gradually disappear, replaced by mobile devices, including laptops that take on traditional office capabilities. Social networking tools and virtual world meeting experiences will simulate the feeling on being there in-person. Work models will be changed by expanded globalization, and green business initiatives that reduce travel and encourage work at home.
* Instant Messaging and other real-time collaboration tools will become the norm, bypassing e-mail. Just as e-mail became a business necessity, a new generation of workers has a new expectation for Instant Messaging (IM) as the preferred method of business interaction. This will fuel more rapid adoption of Unified Communications as traditional IM becomes the core extension point for multi-modal communications.
* Beyond Phone Calls to Collaborative Business Processes. Companies will go beyond the initial capabilities of IM, like click-to-call and online presence, to deep integration with business processes and line-of-business applications, where they can realize the greatest benefit.
* Interoperability and Open Standards will tear down proprietary walls across business and public domains. Corporate demand for interoperability and maturing of industry standards will force unified communications providers to embrace interoperability. Converged, aggregated, and rich presence will allow businesses and individuals to better find and reach the appropriate resources, removing inefficiencies from business processes and daily lives.
* New meeting models will emerge. Hang up on routine, calendared conference calls. The definition of "meetings" will radically transform and become increasingly adhoc and instantaneous based on context and need. 3-D virtual world and gaming technologies will significantly influence online corporate meeting experiences to deliver more life-like experiences demanded by the next generation workers who will operate more efficiently in this familiar environment.
CIOL: Why is IBM holding this roundtable and what will be the focus? What issues will IBM address at the meet?
CK: IBM in association with CIOL is bringing a live session on Converged Communication. The rountable will focus on the subject, "Enhancing effective business communication". IBM will address issues such as how to communicate and collaborate effectively in today's disparate work environment and how to reduce reliance on external voice, video, date service providers.
The forum will provide an opportunity to discuss the communication challenges organization are facing today and understand how Converged Communication solutions help address these. Customers will have an opportunity to talk to experts and also network with industry peers. IBM will also showcase the actual working of Converged Communication solutions at our customer solution center at Delhi.
Leading service provider completes energy audits of data centres
As part of the Green IT project, Adventity BPO India Pvt Ltd, a leading provider of fully integrated strategic KPO and BPO services to a diverse global business community has completed energy audits of all its data centers and also made changes to reduce the carbon footprint. In a interview with Manu Sharma, Associate Editor at CIOL, Rajendra Sawant, CIO of Adventity talks about switching off any servers when it is not required and also on how hard it is to get the right IT manpower in an organization.
CIOL: What are the major challenges faced by you in your organization?
Rajendra Sawant: Some of the major challenges we face in our organization include:
* Getting the right manpower
* Unrealistic expectations from IT
* To convince top level management about importance of IT
CIOL: Does your organization link IT budget with the company's performance or growth? If yes please elaborate?
RS: No, our organization does not link IT budget with the company's performance or growth
CIOL: Can you cite any specific areas where IT has come up as an accomplishment in your stint? RS: One of our major accomplishments has been that we converted most of the IT Infrastructure projects from Capex into Opex. The other include major cost reduction on almost all aspects of IT Infrastructure and also creating a Wi-Fi and Mobile savvy IT climate.
CIOL: Going forward, what are the challenges that you foresee?
RS: Going forward the challenges we forsee include:
* Retaining good talent pool
* Protect IT investments
* To delivery more for less cost
CIOL: How far have you come as regards to adopting 'Green IT technologies'?
RS: We have done an energy audit of all our data centers and made changes to reduce carbon footprint. We also switch off any servers when it is not required.
CIOL: What has been the hike in the IT budget for the new fiscal year? What has been the growth rate over last year?
RS: IT budget has increased by almost 100 percent and same has happened over last year.
CIOL: Name the top 5 items that you expect to spent on this fiscal year?
RS: * Storage solution
* Server virtualization
* MPLS
* Voice solution upgrade
CIOL: Do you feel the amount allocated for IT is sufficient if yes why? If not why not? How much should you be spending?
RS: We have sufficient allocation for IT. Currently IT being integral part of our service offerings, IT budget allocation gets priority.
CIOL: How big is the IT staff in your organization?
RS: The current strength of IT in our organization is over 150 employees.
CIOL: What are the major challenges faced by you in your organization?
Rajendra Sawant: Some of the major challenges we face in our organization include:
* Getting the right manpower
* Unrealistic expectations from IT
* To convince top level management about importance of IT
CIOL: Does your organization link IT budget with the company's performance or growth? If yes please elaborate?
RS: No, our organization does not link IT budget with the company's performance or growth
CIOL: Can you cite any specific areas where IT has come up as an accomplishment in your stint? RS: One of our major accomplishments has been that we converted most of the IT Infrastructure projects from Capex into Opex. The other include major cost reduction on almost all aspects of IT Infrastructure and also creating a Wi-Fi and Mobile savvy IT climate.
CIOL: Going forward, what are the challenges that you foresee?
RS: Going forward the challenges we forsee include:
* Retaining good talent pool
* Protect IT investments
* To delivery more for less cost
CIOL: How far have you come as regards to adopting 'Green IT technologies'?
RS: We have done an energy audit of all our data centers and made changes to reduce carbon footprint. We also switch off any servers when it is not required.
CIOL: What has been the hike in the IT budget for the new fiscal year? What has been the growth rate over last year?
RS: IT budget has increased by almost 100 percent and same has happened over last year.
CIOL: Name the top 5 items that you expect to spent on this fiscal year?
RS: * Storage solution
* Server virtualization
* MPLS
* Voice solution upgrade
CIOL: Do you feel the amount allocated for IT is sufficient if yes why? If not why not? How much should you be spending?
RS: We have sufficient allocation for IT. Currently IT being integral part of our service offerings, IT budget allocation gets priority.
CIOL: How big is the IT staff in your organization?
RS: The current strength of IT in our organization is over 150 employees.
ERP SAP implemented to dispose off deadly chemicals
Gujarat Industries Power Company Ltd (GIPC), a leading company engaged in business of generation of electrical power has implemented ERP SAP that has helped in disposing off dead inventory of hazardous Neptha Chemical worth of Rs 0.5 crore in one month complying fully with all regulations. In an interview with Lt. Col. Shankar Gurkha, Chief Manager – IT of GIPC talked to Manu Sharma of CIOL Bureau about his achievements as a CIO and what he foresee as the major challenges in the coming years.
CIOL: What are the major challenges faced by a CIO?
Shankar Gurkha: Some of the major challenges faced by a CIO include:
* Aligning IT with business
* Business process improvements
* Create robust integrated IT platform enabling business
CIOL: Does your organization link IT budget with the company's performance/growth? If yes please elaborate?
SG: Yes. However the formal system is now being put in place.
CIOL: Can you cite any specific areas where IT has come up as an accomplishment in your stint as a CIO?
SG: The main accomplishment during my stint as a CIO include the ERP SAP implementations that has helped us in disposing off dead inventory of hazardous Neptha Chemical worth of Rs 0.5 crore in one month complying fully all regulations.
CIOL: Going forward, what are the challenges that you foresee?
SG: Deployment of cost effective IT solutions enabling business, Optimum utilization of existing IT assets.
CIOL: How far have you come as regards adopting 'Green IT technologies'?
SG: We are at an initial stage but are taking few steps in the next financial year.
CIOL: What will be the IT budget for the new fiscal year/ What is the growth rate over last year?
SG: Our budget for the next financial year will be about Rs 2.5 to 3 crore. That will be a 200 percent growth compared to the previous year.
CIOL: Name the top 5 items that you expect to spend on this fiscal year?
SC: Some of the top items we expect to spend our budget include:
* Upgrade and enhancement of ERP SAP,
* Enterprise Document Management Sys,
* Unified Communications,
* DR Plan
* Green IT.
CIOL: Do you feel the amount allocated for IT is sufficient if yes why? If not why not? How much should you be spending?
SG: The amount allocated for IT is sufficient for projects as planned.
CIOL: Has the prices of the IT products (hardware/software) been on the decline due to the current stronger rupee against the US dollar (2007)?
SG: Yes, It has somewhat declined due to the current stronger rupee against the US dollar.
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?
SG: Yes, If found useful for the organization.
CIOL: How big is the IT staff in your organization?
SG: We presently have a team of 20 in our organization.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
'Implement the right technology'
With so many new technologies available in the market, which is the right technology for your own optimization is going to be a major challenge
Each day new technology floods the market. So which is the right technology for your own optimization and what is the right time to invest is going to the major challenges ahead, says N. Kailsanathan, Vice-President & CIO of Titan Group. In an interview with Manu Sharma of CIOL Bureau, spoke on some of his major accomplishments as a CIO to what he would like to hear from the vendors in the coming fiscal.
CIOL: There has been a lot of noise on IT spending and breakthrough implementations? How much of this mere tom-tomming and how much of this makes an impact on the ground?
KN: I would not like to term it as breakthrough. IT has improved the processes and simplified them to make things more robust and reliable. Innovations happen the way IT is managed.
CIOL: A lot of organizations link IT budget with the company's growth? What do you have to say about it?KN: Can you say that by investing in an ERP your turnover will grow? But what will happen is your ability to analyze the data will become much better. Certain areas like supply chain, we also have to link directly with the alignment in the field.
CIOL: What are some of the challenges faced by you as a CIO?
KN: Getting more and more money out of the system by investing in IT is a major challenge. Once you have set up the base like ERP, Planning, Networking in order, getting funds to upgrade the system is another challenge. Management asks why do you need to upgrade when things are running smoothly?
Security is another big thing that needs constant upgradation but getting funds again and again is not easy.
CIOL: Does your enterprise consider spending money on the latest IT implementation as a burden or do they feel it is an investment and mandatory for any organization?
KN: Long term investment can create a problem but now every one looks at investment with quick returns.
CIOL: Can you site any specific area where IT has come as an accomplishment in your stint as a CIO?
KN: We have done some advanced planning and optimization of a software, that has really helped the business. It was optimization of not only the products but also the deliveries.
CIOL: What would you like to hear from the vendors during the next fiscal?
KN: Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) is going forward will play a major role in the way you integrate the system. A lot of integration is through home grown applications they will come under a standard platform of SOA.
Since a lot is happening on the retailing front, a lot of technologies will come into the market like RFID. Besides CRM is another major area to identify the customers' needs.
CIOL: What has your organization doing on the IT green front?
KN: Our organization is not a major consumer of power but what every one is talking about today is how to save on electricity. Green technology is a very big subject from green buildings to green computers and a lot of works needs to be done.
CIOL: What are the challenges you foresee during the coming years?
KN: More challenges are about running the business than IT. When things begin to work well, getting funds for improving/enhancing is a major challenge. Security is another challenge since it is a perennial problem.
Implementing new technologies at the right time is another challenge. But since all technologies don't work and you have to be very careful about the products that are flooding the market.
Each day new technology floods the market. So which is the right technology for your own optimization and what is the right time to invest is going to the major challenges ahead, says N. Kailsanathan, Vice-President & CIO of Titan Group. In an interview with Manu Sharma of CIOL Bureau, spoke on some of his major accomplishments as a CIO to what he would like to hear from the vendors in the coming fiscal.
CIOL: There has been a lot of noise on IT spending and breakthrough implementations? How much of this mere tom-tomming and how much of this makes an impact on the ground?
KN: I would not like to term it as breakthrough. IT has improved the processes and simplified them to make things more robust and reliable. Innovations happen the way IT is managed.
CIOL: A lot of organizations link IT budget with the company's growth? What do you have to say about it?KN: Can you say that by investing in an ERP your turnover will grow? But what will happen is your ability to analyze the data will become much better. Certain areas like supply chain, we also have to link directly with the alignment in the field.
CIOL: What are some of the challenges faced by you as a CIO?
KN: Getting more and more money out of the system by investing in IT is a major challenge. Once you have set up the base like ERP, Planning, Networking in order, getting funds to upgrade the system is another challenge. Management asks why do you need to upgrade when things are running smoothly?
Security is another big thing that needs constant upgradation but getting funds again and again is not easy.
CIOL: Does your enterprise consider spending money on the latest IT implementation as a burden or do they feel it is an investment and mandatory for any organization?
KN: Long term investment can create a problem but now every one looks at investment with quick returns.
CIOL: Can you site any specific area where IT has come as an accomplishment in your stint as a CIO?
KN: We have done some advanced planning and optimization of a software, that has really helped the business. It was optimization of not only the products but also the deliveries.
CIOL: What would you like to hear from the vendors during the next fiscal?
KN: Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) is going forward will play a major role in the way you integrate the system. A lot of integration is through home grown applications they will come under a standard platform of SOA.
Since a lot is happening on the retailing front, a lot of technologies will come into the market like RFID. Besides CRM is another major area to identify the customers' needs.
CIOL: What has your organization doing on the IT green front?
KN: Our organization is not a major consumer of power but what every one is talking about today is how to save on electricity. Green technology is a very big subject from green buildings to green computers and a lot of works needs to be done.
CIOL: What are the challenges you foresee during the coming years?
KN: More challenges are about running the business than IT. When things begin to work well, getting funds for improving/enhancing is a major challenge. Security is another challenge since it is a perennial problem.
Implementing new technologies at the right time is another challenge. But since all technologies don't work and you have to be very careful about the products that are flooding the market.
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