NextGen Digital Leader: Ketan Karkhanis: Clariant India

Can you give an overview of emerging technologies you have deployed ? 

Cloud based security & proxy : We implemented a unique threat protection to stop breaches via a unified set of cloud technologies. We also eliminated the hardware firewall appliance and moved our proxy & rules set over Cloud.AR & digital holofans : For our customer day, we used AR technology and digital holofans to showcase product info and other SDS.Mini Skype VC systems : For plant locations, we implemented a Skype Mini Video conferencing system to have better video connectivity of plants with HQ

Which are the functions/departments in your organization that are starting first with the emerging technologies? (50 words)

R&D, Shared services center, manufacturing plants

How will emerging technologies like AI, Machine Learning, IOT, Big Data, Augmented Reality, Analytics etc will change the fabric of IT organizations ?

These emerging technologies if managed and tamed appropriately, it has a great potential for the customers  in improving go-to market, enhancing safety, brand reputation and supply chain. There is no doubt that all this requires a robust, scalable & secure IT infrastructure to support the compute power and storage. I guess IT organizations will need to focus more and more on finding the right offshore/ inshore partners for support and getting in the right contracts with these partners. These emerging technologies require a separate skillset and IT orgs should also focus a on trainings & skillset enhancements.

What are the key factors to be factored (best practices) in an emerging tech deployment strategy? 

• Understand the need for implementing these technologies for business. A thoughtful approach with quantifiable benefits need to be drafted.
• Generate ideas via an open ideation session and unearth the needs & expectations of end-customers.
• Organize demo session to familiarize internal customers with the latest technology to help them acclimatize to these emerging technologies.
• Be flexible with the end customers.
• Foster an innovation culture across the organization
• Spot & fix skillset issues if any.