Its important for disruption to trigger change

What is your view of the evolution of the industry in context of OPD?

The 1.0 stage was about cost arbitrage and 2.0 was about process
efficiencies. At 3.0 we have design for manufacturing while 4.0 brings original
design and manufacturing. From process efficiencies and CMM, etc, in 1995 to DFM
in 2008, the next ten years would herald ODM. It is hard to change direction for
someone who started at labor arbitrage. Thats why its better to enter directly
at a level, and so new entrants have a better opportunity.

Dr Anand Deshpande, chairman and MD, Persistent Systems

But have we at least come to a stage of standard brakes and systems in
case of the software factory?

Software is amorphous. Its hard to say till the maturity happens. But its
starting to happen. In cars, for eg, even small components are well defined.
Those things wont exist, and it will take time to evolve to a level of common
components.

How challenging are time and distance factors in OPD delivery?

It is a challenge. But we are taking many local decisions on our own. But
theres the issue of the same level of granularity. Once there is some standard
and explanation of requirements, its a different case. Today we can take
instructions because of maturity of the industry. For anything different to take
place, one needs some disruption. People wont change for the heck of it. Its
important for disruption to trigger the change.

Pratima Harigunani

maildqindia@cybermedia.co.in