Covid looms over industry as biggest tech challenge

11th May 2021
Covid looms over industry as biggest tech challenge

May 11 2021: May 11 marks the anniversary Of the Indian nuclear tests  at Pokhran in 1998 and is observed as National Technology Day to celebrate the achievements of Indians in science and technology.
We bring you some industry thoughts on the occasion:
Pradeep Seshadri, Director, Sales Engineering, India and SAARC, Commvault
Amidst these turbulent times, technology has emerged as the lifeline of human ingenuity and has helped us unite while we brace this invisible enemy Covid-19. Technology has become the catalyst for the transformation of Individuals and businesses alike, nurturing our future for the better.   As India evolves into a digital-first nation, it becomes even more important to develop a robust data management mechanism in this data-driven era. As data becomes the lifeline of organizations across the globe, it also gives rise to vectors like ransomware and other forms of cyberattacks. This is an opportune time to strengthen our Data Management systems and infrastructure and build a secure data ecosystem that will ensure India’s purpose-driven journey into a technologically advanced and secure nation. 
For a fully digital vision, India needs to envisage a digitally empowered society – the country’s strength lies in being a connected nation. We have to make sure that technologies of today transform the future of India into a digitally connected equitable nation. We at Commvault, urge you to also pick up the baton and be data guardians so we can envision a resilient nation, together.   
Ji Hyun, Co-founder & COO, Giftiicon
Covid-19 has highlighted and reiterated the Indian consumer shopping and gifting behaviour. We see India as the next biggest market for all technology-based solutions. The great American dream in our understanding is shifting towards the great Indian dream with so much potential and a market full of tech-savvy consumers who are looking for easy on-the-move solutions.
Particularly in the post-Covid age when people are socially distanced yet want to retain their human connections, our technology offers the perfect low-contact touch base option for anyone with a smartphone. With the pace of technological change, we can be certain that many new such solutions will be available through apps and websites in the coming years.
Ankit Utreja, CTO, WebEngage
Over the years, technology has powered disruptions in the consumer landscape that have improved the quality of life. Technology has been a force for good, creating opportunities for the betterment of society, especially in difficult times. As the future becomes mobile, technology is being leveraged to create hyper-personalized experiences that are available on-demand. Technology has made a lot of what we thought was implausible, plausible and it is just the beginning
Dileep Mangsuli, Head, Development Center, Siemens Healthineers 
COVID-19 has significantly accelerated the adoption of digital technology by businesses globally, including healthcare. The pandemic has shown that the scientific approach of analyzing situations, evaluating options, and methodically developing solutions is more effective than speculation, reiterating that science and technology are the building blocks of medicine. At Siemens Healthineers, we are supporting caregivers globally with a portfolio of solutions to cope with COVID-19, from laboratory diagnostics to medical imaging, including AI algorithms. Our colleagues in India are contributing extensively to the development of these solutions. On this National Technology Day, I would like to recognize and appreciate the research and development community, who have been contributing groundbreaking discoveries and innovations, towards humanity’s fight against COVID-19.
Gurumukh Uttamchandani, Executive Director, Syska Group
Technology and associated innovations have been a game changer for businesses as well as individuals, especially in the times of the pandemic. Since the last few years, technology has been a part of everyone’s lives in some way or the other way, but Covid-19 has led to an inevitable surge in the use of digital technologies for various communication such as paying bills, shopping and much more. With an aim to stay safe and refrain from coming in contact with any surface, there has been an escalating demand from consumers to pursue products and solutions that provide contactless technology which can be accessed through voice control commands or mobile apps. Smart homes, the Internet of Things, and contactless technology are becoming an indelible part of every household and we at Syska have always been striving to develop such technology led products that can usher in convenience and comfort to the lives of our customers. Features such as ease-of-use, security and data privacy, functionality, connectivity and longevity are some of the crucial aspects for the modern consumers when they seek technology led innovations in products.
Kishan Jain, Director, Goldmedal Electricals
During this ongoing pandemic, technology has helped us educate, prepare, and empower people to deal with the situation and drive business continuity seamlessly around the world. Consumer electrical companies have witnessed a spike in the consumption of products that offer contactless technology and smart solutions. At Goldmedal, we try our best in delivering technology-led products for our target audience. As smart products are enabled with technology, they are designed to allow customers to manage their electrical products through touch and voice commands. We are always striving to adopt advanced technologies in our system which can support us to efficiently operate our manufacturing and accounting processes as well as in communicating with our stakeholders seamlessly.
Niraj Hutheesing, Founder and Managing Director of Cygnet Infotech
Over the course of the last one year, technology has played a critical role in keeping people connected whether in business or personal settings. Undoubtedly, the pandemic has increased digital demands, and technology leaders are forced to advance their roadmap for leveraging technologies such as Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Hyper-automation. By understanding the impact of these technologies, leaders can better prioritize decisions around digital transformation. Unquestionably, hyper-automation is the future of digitization and will transform businesses across industries, thereby supporting the country further in its digital journey.” 
Manisha Raisinghani, Co-founder & CTO, LogiNext
Technology has dramatically changed life, especially in the past decade since the arrival of the smartphone. New revolutions in mobility, the internet, and artificial intelligence have given entirely new ways of doing things- from how a child studies to how goods are moved through the global supply chain! All industries are adopting technology and especially during the times of the pandemic, the importance of touchless systems and digitisation came to the forefront. At LogiNext, since our inception in 2014, we've been making the most of machine learning and artificial intelligence to help enterprises digitise, optimise and automate their logistics operations to help save on fuel, cost and achieve operational excellence.
Sahil Chopra, Founder & CEO, iCubesWire
 Amidst pandemic, technology undoubtedly is acting as both an enabler and a saviour globally. The world is going through a seismic shift ever since the pandemic began. With innovation being a primary subject for tech-enabled companies, they are focussing more on R&D and security & safety of the people. The companies are now realising the benefits of getting everything done virtually rather than being onsite. Technology, at some point of time began eroding the wall between home and work, dividing the employees into two segments. However, the pandemic has supercharged the trend.
Parag Naik, Co-Founder & CEO, Saankhya Labs
Technology development can be a great enabler for the progress of  any business or nation and should be nurtured with focus towards innovation. We at Saankhya Labs have been at the forefront of bringing innovative solutions for the next-gen wireless communication technologies. Saankhya has been investing in building cutting edge products for 5G, satellite communications and broadcast applications.
Gaurva Burman, APAC President, 75F
The COVID 19 crisis has made us all see technology in a new light. Technology is being considered as the key tool for economic development, crisis management and resource distribution in this current situation. Everywhere various applications of technology are being used to manage many critical situations. The pandemic has forced offices worldwide to remain shut. As an IoT powered Building Automation Solution provider, we wanted to address this problem with a new sequence, The 75F Epidemic Mode. The mode is designed to maximize ventilation and outside air to maintain a healthy and safe indoor environment during the pandemic.As more businesses now reopen for on-premises operations, ensuring a safe and healthy work environment for employees is paramount. 
Prem Kumar, Founder & CEO, Snapbizz
On National Technology Day, we renew our commitment to democratizing technology's power down to the smallest merchant level. This will enable them to transform by leveraging their core strengths, which include proximity, convenience, and hyperlocal assortment, to not only survive but to thrive.
In terms of MSMEs' digitisation, the consumer retail sector has seen strong growth in the last year. This was fueled primarily by the current Covid scenario, especially for the kiranas. A national infrastructure of over 10 million Kirana stores serves India's 1.3 billion heterogeneous population, which has enormous socioeconomic and ethnic diversity. India is also a country where nearly 70% of shopping baskets are less than 200 rupees. The Kiranas' survival is more concerned with the vacuum it will create in serving the population than with the stores themselves. SnapBizz has had a lot of success leapfrogging retailers from the calculator to the cloud in order to achieve digital financial and ecosystem convergence. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to brands, banks, and philanthropy for assisting us in achieving our goal of inclusive change and bringing technology to the bottom of the pyramid.