CxO of the Week: Anuj Vaid, executive director, CMS IT Services

The IT sector is set for a radical change in the upcoming years after the pandemic reformed the traditional business practices.

Wiser investments in technologies such as low-code platforms and intelligent automation will make it far easier for people across the business to do tasks that would previously have been under scrutiny.

IT leaders’ confidence in their own departments is on shaky ground. More than half of all global senior IT decision makers (51%) are uncertain that their IT teams can enact positive change over the next five years, according to a Pega report.

In a recent chat with Anuj Vaid, executive director, CMS IT Services, CIOL understands where the IT sector is heading and how CMS’s day-to-day practices.

“I had an enjoyable childhood, surrounded by good friends, supported by family, and completely immersed in sports and reading. I dreamt of building cars as a budding engineer, picked up trekking and photography as time progressed,” Anuj said.

Who had the most influence in your life?

When one looks around, there are many sources of inspiration. Real life stories from parents and family, teachers, and role models.

Why did you choose this industry?

The fast pace, rapid changes and the need to adapt to it on an ongoing basis, India emerging on the global scene, innovative business models, and the ability to understand the world of business through the IT lens.

How was your journey as an engineer?

As an Engineer with good field experience and a perspective of business through MBA, I started enjoying the ability to consult customer on their business processes driven through software solutions.

The business process detailing across multiple industries, across multiple geographies, and the ability to build efficiencies through software and solution has been immensely valuable.

Another key area of growth has been in building outcome-driven motivated teams that take big goals head-on and deliver them.

What products do you sell?

We have differentiated solutions, designed for our Indian customers,

• Cloudeverse – an autonomous cloud environment services management platform, providing capability to migrate and manage complex hybrid clouds with exceptional automation & security controls.
• Cognitive Invoice Automation – Ability to automatically transition millions of records to core systems using cognitive and robotic process automation

What is your business framework?

Our business models for most propositions are outcome based, requiring minimal upfront investment, and ‘technology oriented rather than only people driven’ allowing us to deliver rapidly, and our customer to gain value non-linearly.

What type of tech and algorithms do you use?

We use AI/ML, predictive analytics, robotics and a slew of technologies are employed by our engineers. It provides fast-tracked deployments to our clients, spanning cybersecurity, cloud, automation and digital services.

Can you give me some insights on this industry?

Global digital adoption has taken over all intents and purposes, a so-called quantum leap forward since early 2020. Surprisingly or unsurprisingly tech-adoption across industries was hassle-free due to the IT industries quick response and turnaround times, since the onset of the pandemic.

IT service requirements boomed, and companies, vendors, customers and employees all adapted to a post-pandemic scenario quite easily thanks to the convenience brought in by the IT sector, rollout of newer, COVID-ready, remote products and services.

As far as the next few decades are concerned, all major industries including BFSI, Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing, Government and Public Services etc. will all grow and evolve under the watchful eye of tech. Digital tech adoption rates have been accelerated across all sectors as it has been proven beyond doubt that you need technological innovations to survive. Conserve your BAUs and stay competitive in an unpredictable socio-economic environment.

What are the changes you want to bring?

There are many triggers decelerating the growth of IT but primarily I think it is data breach and privacy protection issues. No matter the level of cybersecurity in place more advanced threats especially AI-based ones are making it difficult to keep vital information safe from hackers.

Only 66% of UN Member nations have proper individual regulations in place to nab hackers. The most viable solution would be to have a global policy that is internationally accepted, to ensure compliance, governance and risk assessments, to safeguard data by preventing breaches & nabbing hackers and enforce the law.

What steps have you taken to secure your company?

We have implemented identity management solutions, embedded within our ‘security at the edge’ services and defensible cybersecurity framework.

Our own cybersecurity command centre also provides for threat intelligence and response capabilities, vulnerability assessment, anti-phishing and anti-malware technologies, etc.

What are the steps taken with respect to ESG?

We have always maintained that Corporate Social Responsibility is a major part of our business. Ethical standards are associated with all our services and every step our BAU are along those lines, whether it is timely service-delivery, usage of resources, environmental-friendliness etc.