Lack of IT awareness demands additional investment

 Ambika Prakash

BANGALORE, INDIA: Dhoot Transmission Pvt Ltd (DTPL), which is targeting the Indian automotive and appliance markets, provides cost effective and reliable solutions for its customers.

The manufacturing unit has deployed various IT solutions in order to accelerate the business and assure on time delivery of products. Sunanda Bang, IT head of DTPL, focuses on some of the problems that the organization went through while deploying IT.

Excerpts from an interview:

CIOL: What hiccups did your organization face while incorporating IT in its infrastructure?

Sunanda Bang: Generally, IT is seen as a hectic and complex area by SMBs, who are skeptical in deploying IT solutions. Most of the times, SMBs come forward, but will drop out as they come across several problems while deploying those. Firstly, the problem started with licensing. At the first level, our organization didn’t get the license for anti-virus solutions.

Secondly, lack of skilled employees. Awareness of IT among employees was very less. Thus, we are forced to hire a tutor to familiarize the employees with the required skills. This resulted as an additional investment for the organization, which often contemplates at reducing the investment burden.

CIOL: Which are the products that have helped your business to grow?

SB: We have deployed HP’s network printer 1505 n series, IBM server X3400, Intel Xcon quad core 540, anti-virus byMcAfee and ERP by eXensys. With HP’s network printer, the company was able to tackle various problems. The shared printer enables users to access the network from any corner of the globe. While it is also cost-effective, whereas earlier each user had one printer, which in turn had been a burden on investment.

The anti-virus by McAfee has reduced virus attacks, ensured smooth network and prevented data theft. The ERP by Exensys has helped in reducing the manpower too.

CIOL: How much the company spends on IT setup every year? Do you think the investment being made is less or more compare to the other infrastructure?

SB: Initially, IT has driven very less attention in the business. In contradiction, IT is today being seen as an enabler and the investment rate is on rise as and when the business grows.

Though a fixed amount is not set aside, IT comprises spend between 15-20 percent. Comparatively, the IT spend is less and has to be given more emphasis.

CIOL: You have been an IT head for eight years? How do you see IT as an enabler?

SB: Deployment of IT in any setup definitely brings in return on investment (ROI) and lessens the manpower. Internet penetration has enabled the company to have global access, which has helped in scaling up the business.