DIGITAL LEADER 2018: Neha Kini: Vedanta Limited – Sterlite Copper

Vedanta Limited – Sterlite Copper | Metal & Mining

Neha Kini, HEAD-IT

5 Key Solutions Deployed in 2017-18

GST rollout, SAP MII upgrade, and enhancement, Asset Optimisation related initiatives, Analytical Dashboards for commercial function using Qlik Sense, SAP Solution Manager for change management 

What does Digital mean for you?

Digital is the combination of process, technology, cultural change for improving business efficacy 

NAME 3 BEST PRACTICES FOR ALIGNING IT WITH NEW NORMAL BUSINESS DEMANDS? 

1. Understanding the business imperatives and adopt the agile project management methodology: In-depth knowledge in technology is necessary but not sufficient for any IT organization. It is the thorough business knowledge, along with the capability in technology that helps in designing/deploying appropriate solutions that address the business needs. Adoption of agile project management methodology leads to enhanced quality, efficiency and customer satisfaction.
2. Business Leadership to lead the strategic business projects: Though execution and implementation of the business projects is the purview of the IT team, it is the Business Leadership which should take the responsibility of owning the projects. This leads to smoothening of the wrinkles arising from different departments there by attending issues such as consensus, funding, defining and evaluating outcomes, leading to swift and efficient delivery. 

3. Departmental IT steward: IT stewards, having technology knowledge along with their area of expertise, act as a bridge between their domain and IT. They help in prioritizing the requirements from their respective departments to the IT which helps the IT team to focus on execution and implementation. It is imperative that these IT stewards need to be kept up-to-date on developments in technology. 

WHAT IS THAT ONE KEY MESSAGE YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE TO IT VENDORS? 

The success of any product/service depends on the precise solutions it offers to the customers, not its capability to address myriad of issues. So vendors should focus on what is needed than what they can. In cases where OEMs depend on third-parties for the support of their products, developing a strong and reliable partner ecosystem should be a top priority. Otherwise, it would be very challenging to leverage the features that the product has to offer (akin to driving a formula-1 car at 60kms per hour when it can actually go three times as much). Domain expertise (especially in the manufacturing setup), prompt after-sales support act as catalysts in building a long-term strategic partnership. 

SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES AS CIO (CURRENT AND PAST ROLES): 

Group-wide implementation of SAP EHS module & Insurance management tool, Re-structuring of SAP for Sterlite Copper, SAP MII implementation (one of the earliest full-blown implementation in India), Implementation of GRC Process control and Risk Management, VDI implementation for 700 + user base, ISO 27001:2013 certification for IT and OT systems etc.