Of late, CIOs are transforming to become business strategists. What is your take on that?
The role of a CIO is changing from a technology expert to business strategist. Today, CIOs collaborate with other C-level colleagues to develop business strategies and value. Taking the analogy of a binocular, just as its two lenses form a single vision, Business and IT serve as the two lenses for a CIO. It is expected of the CIO that they should look at Business and IT from a single vision.
On an IT side, the challenge is about generating business outcomes. Hence, unless and until there is some business outcome, there is no sense in adopting the technology. Today the technology initiative or transformation is all about business outcomes and creating business value. We all are devoting most of the time to business strategist activities to help drive innovation, create new business models, and grow revenue opportunities.
How is OCS Group taking digital transformation ahead? Give an overview of emerging technologies such as IoT, cloud, AI, robotics and RPA you are in the process of deploying at OCS Group?
We’re part of the OCS Group – an international facilities management company, based in the UK and trusted by more than 20,000 customers around the globe. In India, OCS Group is one of the largest integrated facility management service providers, offering a comprehensive range of solutions to more than 350 customers every day.
OCS is leveraging digital platforms, automation of Feedback, Audit , Checklist & Tasks, management, automation in energy management, customer experience analytics and transformational predictive maintenance services to offer an integrated solution to clients. IoT and AI are transforming the facilities management industry today. Companies are now recommending alternative mechanisms for success using simple, low-cost sensor devices to provide valuable data in real-time. This acts as a key enabler to provide smart, resilient, sustainable and productive solutions.
These technologies have opened new possibilities for OCS by allowing us to create business cases based on strong, reliable data thereby resulting in a measurable return on investment. With AI and predictive analytics coming into its own, the need of the hour is to use data insights that bring together operations, maintenance and sustainability for smart operations, everyday sustainability performance intelligence, and occupant engagement and productivity.
What are your roles and responsibilities as a CIO?
As the CIO of OCS Group India, I am completely responsible for driving the IT & technology strategy, digital transformation and managing smooth operations of the entire IT system in India where the organization currently employs 18,000 people. Actively promote and implement the Information Security strategy and framework aligned with Global Security Programme, Driving Business Change agenda and Support the winning of new business and retaining of existing clients through the innovation and development of “go to market” solutions with the effective use of IoT, cloud, AI, robotics and RPA.
Since insiders have more access to information, what kind of processes do you have in place to prevent unauthorized use of information? How is OCS Group’s cyber security strategy going forward?
OCS has a strong, dedicated and ethical approach to cyber security and data protection compliance. Our approach to information security is guided by a large framework of key internal policies, procedures, standards and guidelines. All information assets (data) (either owned by OCS or entrusted to OCS by a client under a specific agreement) are subject to the same procedures. This includes information assets held, processed or stored on OCS premises, at approved client locations or at off-site premises and locations. All supporting assets (non-data) (whether by direct or indirect association) are an integral part of ensuring the confidentiality, integrity or availability of the information assets. OCS provides a dedicated team of information security and data protection professionals, including a DPO, with the necessary skillset to monitor and assess compliance throughout the business.
With your experience of steering technology, can you please share some of the unique lessons learned?
Technology jobs which are done hastily will never deliver and help you achieve your business objective. Nowadays, there is tremendous stress on the business and IT to digitally transform an organization and deliver results. As a result, some organizations are (still) undertaking projects without conducting a thorough analysis of business needs and impact.
For successful Digital Transformation, the best way to go ahead in this is to start thinking digital. Digital transformations are more likely to succeed when organization focus on critical dimensions of business process. The key to digital transformation is that ‘it’s not all about technology’. It’s behaviour whether it’s related to customers, employees, values or expectations. Digital transformation comes down to people and every people is a change agent and change agents must make the case to earn executive support, and that takes journey mapping to data what’s best for customer is best for us.