BANGALORE: Continuous innovation in IT is needed for manufacturing companies to be ahead of others, opined Rajesh Uppal, chief general manager – IT and CIO, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd.

Speaking at a session titled GenNext Manufacturing, Uppal predicted that the focus would change from technology to information in the future. Generation change, added Uppal, has to be a continuous process.

The session was held on the first conference day of Computer Society of India's (CSI) 42nd Annual Convention.

Giving his presentation at the same session, Shekhar Kulkarni spoke about the coming together of IT and business. Shreekant Mokashi, chief – IT, Tata Steel, who was also the speaker at the session, said, "the manufacturing industry can learn a lot from the IT and ITeS industry in India.''

The proceedings started with a session, which highlighted the contribution made by late Professor R. Narasimhan to computing in India. Narasimhan designed the country's first general purpose digital computer.

Eminent personalities speaking at the inaugural session were Fakir Chand Kohli and Retd. Maj Gen Balakrishnan, founder secretary, CSI and Narasimhan's friend from schooldays.