Basant K Chaturvedi shares the Secret Ingredient to Digital Success

With organizations moving towards digital transformation, the argument of choosing between single-cloud, hybrid or multi-cloud strategies comes into focus. At the confectionery giant Perfetti Van Melle, the regional digital transformation is spearheaded by Basant K Chaturvedi, Regional Director IT for South Asia, Middle East Africa, and LATAM.

I think it is important to ensure data security and compliance across all cloud environments through a proactive approach led by enterprise architecture and cybersecurity teams.

With decades of experience in IT strategy, Basant is at the forefront of leveraging cutting-edge cloud technologies to optimize costs, enhance agility, and drive innovation across diverse regions.

What factors influenced your organization’s decision to adopt a hybrid or multi-cloud strategy instead of relying on a single cloud provider?

Our organization’s decision to adopt a hybrid or multi-cloud strategy is driven by the need to deliver maximum business value while balancing cost-effectiveness, efficiency, quality, and robust cybersecurity standards. We prioritize flexibility and avoid dependency on a single provider to ensure resilience and adaptability in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Key considerations include the alignment of providers’ capabilities with our business objectives, as well as their performance in industry evaluations such as recognized quadrant rankings. Providers with strong market positions and tailored service offerings are particularly valuable to us.

Additionally, we evaluate factors like manageability, workload performance, portability, and provider commitment to innovation. A multi-cloud approach allows us to optimize specific workloads with the best-suited platforms, enhance operational agility, and mitigate risks associated with vendor lock-in, ultimately securing a competitive advantage in achieving our goals.

How do you determine which workloads are best suited for on-premise versus multi-cloud environments?

For workloads involving external stakeholders or operations beyond internal networks, public cloud platforms are typically preferred due to their scalability, accessibility, and ability to support diverse external interactions. Conversely, internal stakeholders benefit more from on-premise or hybrid environments, which ensure greater control, security, and integration with internal systems for day-to-day workflows.

We also consider factors such as cost efficiency, performance requirements, regulatory compliance, and data sensitivity. By evaluating these aspects, we strategically maintain a balanced approach, leveraging the public cloud for flexibility and scalability while utilizing on-premise setups for high-security or latency-sensitive workloads.

Could you share any generative AI capabilities you’re currently using?

While I cannot disclose the specific generative AI platform we’re using, I can share that we’ve adopted a well-recognized and trusted solution that aligns with our business objectives. This platform was selected after thorough evaluation and pilot, ensuring it meets our performance, reliability, and security standards. It also has a proven track record with strong references and successful implementations across the industry, which reinforced its value in driving measurable business outcomes for us.

What have been the biggest challenges you’ve see in managing data and applications across these clouds, and how do you suggest addressing them?

The biggest challenges in managing data and applications across multiple clouds include:

1.  Data Privacy and Security: Ensuring that sensitive data remains protected while complying with both global policies and diverse local regulations across regions. This can be addressed through implementing data classification protocols, encryption standards, and access controls based on roles and responsibilities. Continuous governance and user training help mitigate risks.

2.  Access Control and Identity Management: Balance accessibility with security on cloud platforms by using centralized IAM systems for seamless role-based access control and preventing unauthorized access.

3. Integration and Interoperability: Standardizing APIs, middleware, and multi-cloud orchestration tools ensures seamless data flow and compatibility between cloud environments and on-premise systems.

4. Performance Optimization: Ensure optimal performance by monitoring regularly, distributing workloads, and using scalable infrastructure.

5. Cost Management: Use cost management tools to monitor cloud usage, ensuring efficient resource allocation and budgeting to avoid inefficiencies and unexpected expenses.

6. Regulatory Compliance: Navigating the complexities of multinational compliance requirements thru a robust regulatory framework, periodic audits, and collaboration with legal and compliance teams ensure adherence to regional and industry standards.

How do you suggest to manage data security and compliance across all cloud environments?

I think it is important to ensure data security and compliance across all cloud environments through a proactive approach led by enterprise architecture and cybersecurity teams. Vendors must be evaluated for adherence to minimum standards like ISO 27001, SOC1 Type 2, and applicable regulations such as GDPR. Robust agreements, including SLAs and NDAs, are mandatory before onboarding.

A multi-cloud approach allows us to optimize specific workloads with the best-suited platforms, enhance operational agility, and mitigate risks associated with vendor lock-in, ultimately securing a competitive advantage in achieving our goals.

During deployment, we must monitor data processing, access, and backup protocols for business continuity. Regular audits and continuous monitoring ensure visibility and enable timely improvements, supported by NIST or ISO 27001-certified framework etc.

How do you feel one should approach the challenge of vendor lock-in while balancing cost-effectiveness and agility in the cloud?

To address vendor lock-in, it should be part of designing contracts that prioritize flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and agility. Key strategies include:

•            Flexible Contract Terms: Limiting long-term commitments and including clear exit clauses to enable easier transitions.

•            SLAs and KPIs: Defining measurable performance standards with penalties for non-compliance to ensure accountability.

•            Portability and Interoperability: Prioritizing solutions that support open standards and seamless migration across platforms.

•            Diversification: Adopting a multi-cloud strategy to avoid over-reliance on a single provider.

Have you faced other challenges when implementing new technologies?

Implementing new technologies involves addressing skill gaps and managing change. We identify gaps and determine if internal upskilling or external expertise is needed. Clear KPIs measure progress, while communication, change management, governance, and continuous improvement ensure smooth adoption. Regular feedback aligns team capabilities with evolving tech needs.

What innovations in cloud technology would benefit any organization the most?

I suggest the below advancements collectively improve scalability, efficiency, and overall business productivity, supporting both operational and strategic objectives.

AI and Generative AI: These offer real-time insights into cloud usage, enabling predictive analytics for usage patterns, resource optimization, and cost management.

Automation and Self-healing Systems: Automating routine tasks and deploying self-healing mechanisms can improve system reliability and reduce downtime.

Edge Computing: Enhancing processing power closer to data sources would improve performance and reduce latency, especially for critical applications.

Enhanced Security Tools: AI-driven security solutions can detect and mitigate threats in real-time, strengthening compliance and data protection.

Gartner forecasted an increase in IT spending in 2025. What trends have you observed?

Gartner’s forecast is consistent with trends in IT spending, particularly the increase observed post-pandemic as businesses advance their digital transformation efforts. Key drivers include:

AI and Automation: The adoption of AI, including generative AI, is reshaping business processes, enhancing decision-making, and driving operational efficiencies.

Cloud Investments: Organizations are expanding their multi-cloud and hybrid cloud strategies to improve scalability, agility, and resilience.

Cybersecurity: Increasing spending on advanced security solutions to address evolving threats in view of AI and increase focused on compliance.

Edge Computing and IoT: Growing focus on real-time data processing and connectivity is fueling investments in edge technologies.

To align with these trends, we prioritize optimizing IT platforms to maximize business growth, improve productivity, and achieve cost savings while staying future-ready.

As Regional IT Director, what do you enjoy most about your role?

As Regional IT Director, what excites me the most? Well, I’ve been riding the tech wave since 1993, and let me tell you, it’s been a thrilling ride! From dial-up to 5G, the pace of change is mind-blowing. Today, we have tools that were pure sci-fi back in the day—think real-time monitoring and online training platforms that make us smarter and faster. The best part? Making decisions backed by data, not gut feeling. It’s like having a crystal ball, but way cooler!