S.V. Kaushik
Tube Investments of India Ltd.
Kaushik holds 35 years of experience in the Industry. He has held senior positions like Head of Treasury, CFO of a Group Company, General Manager Projects, etc. He reorganized multiple divisional IT Departments, into a centralized service and introduced risk based auditing concepts as a CAO.
Challenges in technology to meet enterprise needs in 2013 and expectations
The biggest challenge in technology is the technology providers themselves. We have created systems with large footprints where, maintaining and upgrading them is a huge effort. IT departments spend more time and effort on maintenance, than on genuine development. To make matters worse, Vendors’ Revenue Models are based on creating obsolescence, and forcing upgrades as well as high AMC costs. This is not only a challenge for 2013, but for the future as well.
The areas in business environment where solutions do not yet exist or not up to the mark, and which if existed, would've made job easier
The worries on mind go like this;
Worry 1: Technology is becomingcomplex and adventurers in the cyberspace, are becoming even more adventurous. Business models and processes are changing daily and one small change in configuration; can open a new vulnerability.
Worry 2: Not all business managers understand this (and some of them are otherwise IT savvy), and they may see security procedures as an impediment to smooth business. That is a double whammy! The solution: more education.
Technology trends impacting enterprise business environment
This is a tough call, but let me take a gamble. 1) With more vendors in the tablet market, we will see a move from the household segment to the office/ commercial segment. That may happen sooner than later. 2) BYOD may move from a fad to a reality, but in a way different from what we originally thought. Some corporate applications on a private cloud may be made available on self service mode to multiple devices. 3) And a long, long shot- 3D Printing!
My roles and responsibilities as a CIO
I came to IT not from a technology background, but from business. The company consciously decided that a generalist was needed to head a function that was hitherto, headed by technologists. This would have been unthinkable in the 90’s. Many of my IT team members are business processes experts too; a former CIO of our company now heads an operation! The positioning of the CIO is that, being a good CTO alone is not enough; he has to be a good business manager like the COO, CFO or other CXOs. That is good, because the CIO has more opportunities.
Lessons learned and advice for fellow CIOs
I am not competent to offer generic advice; but can share some thoughts which others may choose to accept or reject. 1)Invest on your people, build a good work-culture 2) You will face some “difficult” internal customers- but, build some allies in their community who will support you in tough times 3) In technology, do not be swayed by the “latest and greatest” version. Usually, the “tried and tested” version “n-1” is more robust and effective. Actively seek the simple solution that meets the business need more effectively than a complex “mother of all inventions” that excites the crowd.
