Digital Leader 2018: SANTOSH PARAB: IIM-A

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT AHMEDABAD | EDUCATION

SANTOSH PARAB, HEAD IT

KEY IT SPENDING AREAS FY 2018-19

 Implementation of SAP Hana as the ERP platform with SAP Fiori to provide simple and easy-to-use access across desktops, tablets, and smartphones. ( SAP Hana is already selected as the ERP platform)

 Implementation of Unified Communication Infrastructure

 Setting up of Phase 1 of high-performance computing lab infrastructure

 Redesign & development of integrated IIMA website

 Upgrade of video conferencing infrastructure

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE IT ORGANIZATION

IT organization reports to Head IT who in turn reports to Computer Services

Committee. The support model is the hybrid i.e. mix of in-house and outsourced resources.

5 KEY SOLUTIONS DEPLOYED IN 2017-18

 Upgraded Wired (120 + switches) & Wi-Fi (1150 + Wi-Fi access points) network infrastructure (Software Defined Network) across campus to ensure high throughput & coverage; upgraded network backbone to 40 Gbps and increased internet bandwidth to 1 Gbps for great user experience.

 Setup tier 2 data center facility to ensure high availability for computing and networking resources

 Built scalable and highly available computing infrastructure using Hyper-Converged technology

 Deployment of Cisco ISE to ensure end-user devices are security compliant ( currently, the rollout is in progress and a target is complete it before Jan -18). Setup of tools for single window proactive management of wired and WiFi infrastructure and server infrastructure; Taken number of initiatives and corrective measures to make IIMA network more secure

 Brought in the standardized environment for end-user devices by standardizing on Windows 10 as OS and by rationalizing applications; Standardized on server OS (Linux CentOS), virtualization platform (VMWare) and application development (LAMP platform)

WHAT DOES DIGITAL MEAN FOR YOU?

Digital means end users should able to access/run Information/applications

secured at any time from anywhere form device of his/her choice

(laptop/desktop/tablet/smartphone with OS as Windows/iOS/Android) with

a uniform user-friendly interface at an acceptable speed.

Going digital should add value to a customer, enhance efficiency, increase

collaboration among stakeholders and make the decision-making process faster.

Name 3 Best practices for aligning IT with new normal business demands?

 Restructure IT workforce into a skill-driven, role-based work unit with greater tech

know-how and relevant business skill sets.

 Invest in the right tools and technologies with well-defined processes

 Run IT like a business by demonstrating financial discipline and delivering

measurable values.

WHAT IS THAT ONE KEY MESSAGE YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE TO IT VENDORS?

 Be a partner of your customer whether services, hardware or software by sharing overall accountability to achieve goals

SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES AS CIO (CURRENT AND PAST ROLES)

Driving technology change by partnering with leading technology players in architecting a Digital Transformation Journey to create the SMART CAMPUS.