Innovation is no doubt a key to become cost competitive, and for that technology is very important. With technology innovation can be channelised and used in better ways. It is also useful to improve productivity, of both passive as well as active resources, read machines and men. The implementation of IT tools becomes all the more high-key in a business environment where volumes and business complexity are very high.

 

At JK, IT is a lifeline, and if it goes missing even for some time, it can lead to huge losses. That makes it all the more indispensable in a business environment, where customer is no more loyal. Make him wait a few more minutes if your billing systems are not working, for example, and he will switch over to the next company in no time. IT’s role and impact is great.

 

I won’t call it hype. It’s realistic and a big need of the hour. We have just consolidated many servers across various plants and we are witnessing big savings on power, cooling etc. From sprawled across 160 locations to consolidated to a mere 900 sq ft, in fact, 250 sq ft when we talk about the main servers, the consolidation has generated tangible benefits.

 

Plant maintenance is one area that would be worth exploring. If manufacturing systems are linked well to processes, I can see which machine is down and where immediately. Linking shop floor to the top floor is clearly the next step.