Tech empowerment in business: Insights from Gaya Dutta Pandey, Poly Medicure

Gaya Dutta Pandey, Head Corporate IT at Poly Medicure Limited has a rich experience in core business information technology and is an expert in digital and business strategy. He also has an immense understanding on how growing IT digital platforms are supporting the evolving business model. In this enlightening conversation, shares his valuable perspectives on the strategic integration of technology for driving growth and success.

As businesses navigate the ever-evolving technological terrain, he emphasizes the pivotal importance of aligning technology with customer value and business objectives. He also underscores the significance of adopting emerging trends and cutting-edge technologies while maintaining a delicate balance between innovation and operational stability. 

DQ: How do you see technology shaping the future of businesses in India?

Gaya Dutta Pandey: In this 21st century, infrastructure technology has taken center stage, driving businesses in our country and beyond. The role of Information Technology (IT) in shaping and propelling businesses cannot be understated. India's prominent position in the global IT landscape highlights its emergence as a knowledge powerhouse. Encompassing a wide spectrum of services, from IT services to e-commerce, online business, software, hardware, and more, the IT industry has become an integral part of our economy.

Coming from a manufacturing sector, my company's strategic focus has shifted towards IT development. Every decision we make is now informed by IT processes, acknowledging the crucial role that technology plays in the growth equation. Technology's significance in shaping a company's trajectory cannot be ignored; it's the driving force behind success. However, this selection of technology demands prudence. An informed choice is paramount, and a deep understanding of the chosen path is essential.

The transformation brought about by technology is evident not only in businesses but also in our daily lives. Government sectors have streamlined their operations, exemplified by my experience of filing my ITR online, eliminating long queues. This ease and efficiency translate into our collective success stories. Technology, indeed, is our partner in progress, enabling us, enriching our lives, and paving the way for personal and national success. The symbiotic relationship between technology and our accomplishments contributes not only to our growth but also to our nation's economic prosperity.

DQ: The technology landscape is ever-evolving. How do you strike a balance between adopting new technologies and ensuring the stability and reliability of existing systems?

Gaya Dutta Pandey: It is evident that maintaining a delicate equilibrium between evolving technologies and existing processes is crucial. The rapid influx of new technologies demands continuous adaptation, especially as companies expand and environments shift. In the context of our healthcare manufacturing company, we recognize the significance of robust chain management. Establishing a dedicated chain management team and process becomes imperative to keep stakeholders informed and aligned with upcoming changes.

To navigate these dynamics effectively, the foundation should be rooted in change management. This strategic approach ensures that the team and stakeholders comprehend the impending shifts and are prepared to embrace them, fostering collective survival and growth. Complementing this is the need for a long-term technological strategy that guides our evolution amidst these changes. Past instances, such as transitioning from legacy systems, underline the challenges of introducing new technologies. The art lies in communicating the benefits of technology to users and providing them with the necessary training to ensure a smooth transition and prevent post-adoption pitfalls.

An all-encompassing strategy entails careful evaluation of prospective technologies, scrutinizing their potential value addition against the current landscape. This extends to prudent vendor selection, opting for partners who not only comprehend our business but also share a long-term alignment. A critical consideration is the synchronization of new processes with existing ones, striking a balance between seamless integration and preserving functional elements that still hold value.

In summary, embracing change necessitates the interplay of several factors. Change management serves as the foundational pillar, while a long-term technological strategy steers our progress. Thorough evaluation, comprehensive training, and strategic vendor selection further refine this process. Ultimately, achieving equilibrium between innovation and continuity emerges as the linchpin of successful technology integration, ensuring that evolution doesn't disrupt functionality but enhances it. 

DQ: As far as the latest technological trends are concerned, how do you continuously evaluate and integrate cutting-edge technologies into your business processes?

Gaya Dutta Pandey: Change is an undeniable constant in life. It's an inevitability that shapes our surroundings and experiences. Acknowledging this, we must navigate emerging trends thoughtfully. The initial step involves understanding these trends, grasping their potential impact on our environment, and how they can be harnessed for the betterment of our company. A pivotal principle is placing customer value at the forefront, evaluating how these trends will enhance the experiences of our end users, customers, and consumers. The rationale behind adopting a new trend should be clear - how it transforms our existing technological landscape and resolves the challenges we face.

A critical aspect to consider is the ripple effect of change. How will it influence the delivery of services to our customers? Can it simplify our complex architecture, making it more manageable and efficient? This entails assessing the modularity, flexibility, and data functionality of the new technology. Seamlessly integrating the technology into our operations is pivotal; this integration must facilitate a harmonious convergence of data for both customers and vendors.

Furthermore, change goes beyond technology; it extends to our workforce and organizational culture. Aligning these elements is key. Understanding the needs and expectations of our people regarding the new IT is crucial. Guiding them through the forthcoming changes, highlighting how it will address their needs, fosters a smooth transition.

The technology itself must meet our requirements and facilitate a service-oriented mindset. Just as we adhere to service level agreements, adopting a service-oriented approach is paramount. Recognizing that users are at the core, and serving their needs drives the integration of emerging technologies.

In conclusion, the adoption of emerging technologies demands a holistic approach. It necessitates evaluating customer value, the transformational potential, and the ability to seamlessly incorporate into our existing framework. This process extends to cultural alignment and maintaining a service-oriented perspective. By doing so, we harness change as a catalyst for growth and progress.

DQ: What should an enterprise’s strategy be when it comes to cloud computing to enhance scalability and flexibility?

Gaya Dutta Pandey: Indeed, the cloud has emerged as a transformative trend in the contemporary landscape, reshaping industries and enterprises at their core. Dynamic virtualization and the integration of IoT have heralded a new era of business operations. Particularly, cloud computing has assumed a central role in the manufacturing industry's evolution. A significant transition is underway, as we have migrated from intricate, on-premise solutions such as emailing and unified communication, to a comprehensive cloud-based ecosystem encompassing SharePoint and other facets.

The cornerstone of cloud computing lies in its scalability. It is imperative to assess how well the cloud can accommodate our evolving processes. With data volumes fluctuating from one terabyte today to potentially twenty terabytes tomorrow, understanding the cloud's capacity and the capabilities of vendors becomes essential. Equally crucial is the readiness of our workforce and resources to manage this dynamic shift, whether in-house or through outsourcing arrangements.

In the manufacturing sector, two distinct avenues for cloud adoption have emerged, each poised to elevate efficiency. The direct manufacturing adoption entails cloud computing as a pivotal driver, with key areas targeted for transformation. This approach aligns with the industry's growing need for on-demand, scalable solutions. The ability to swiftly access resources in alignment with current requirements, transitioning seamlessly from 10 terabytes today to 20 terabytes tomorrow while maintaining cost-effectiveness, underscores the essence of flexible and adaptable cloud computing.

The cloud's influence reverberates across industries, ushering in an era of flexibility and scalability. The manufacturing sector, specifically, is capitalizing on cloud technology's potential, harnessing its transformative power for direct manufacturing enhancements. The key lies in recognizing the scalability and flexibility inherent to the cloud, and strategically integrating it into operations, thereby shaping a more agile and resilient industry landscape.

DQ: Looking ahead, what are the top priorities for you as far a technology is concerned in driving the company's future growth and success?

Gaya Dutta Pandey: Absolutely, your question touches upon a critical aspect. Over the past six years, my company has experienced a profound shift towards IT-driven processes, where IT serves as the backbone of governance. This implies that decisions made at the top echelons of management are intricately tied to IT perspectives. This alignment has resulted in significant enhancements across our operations. For instance, our adoption of technological solutions like forecasting, operational planning, and material requirement planning have streamlined our workflows. Automation has emerged as a key driver in our manufacturing domain. The introduction of AI-powered automation has not only optimized processes but also improved the quality and safety of our medical device manufacturing. Given the life-critical nature of our products, any mistakes could have dire consequences.

Central to our approach is the strategic selection of technologies that align with our business needs. It's essential to introduce solutions that are embraced by our users and seamlessly integrated into our operations. A prime example of this is the reduction of production steps from twenty to just two, achieved through a backend system that handles various intricacies automatically. This highlights the importance of preparation and gradual implementation, ensuring that the ground is ready to embrace the change.

Moreover, the technology we choose must be a clear enabler of our business objectives. IT's role is pivotal here, shaping and facilitating progress across all facets. Clear communication further bolsters this transformation, ensuring that everyone is aligned and informed. In essence, this journey underscores the symbiotic relationship between technology, business priorities, and effective communication.