IT Is All About People, Processes And Technology

Biztech2.com catches up with Ajay Dhir, Group CIO, Lanco Infratech and gets a peek into what plans and vision the veteran CIO has laid out. He delves into his responsibilities and how he’s gearing up for the challenges coming his way and priorities for the year.

What are your key responsibilities in your role as Group CIO of Lanco Infratech?

Lanco is a very large and diversified group with interests in Power (Thermal, Hydro and Solar), Mining, EPC, Construction and Real Estate. The company has a global footprint and is expanding very fast, with over 40 locations in India and abroad. As the Group CIO, I am responsible for Information Technology, Information Security, Governance Risk and Compliance, SAP implementation, creating a Shared Services organisation for IT and SAP, and most importantly, ensuring that the IT Strategy and initiatives are totally aligned with the organisation’s mission and objectives.

What challenges do you foresee in your role?

IT is all about People, Processes and Technology. The biggest challenge and opportunity is to create a world class, technology leveraged organisation within a tight timeframe, with best in class processes, and the right people skills and capabilities. Another challenge, or rather an area of attention is creating the right climate and framework for IT within the organisation, and effective use of the investments made so far.

More from Biztech

Future Group - Reliance Retail Deal approved by CCI RBI ban on cryptocurrencies takes effect; prohibition could force investors to tap the black market

Tell us about your top priorities for the year at Lanco Infratech.

The top priorities for 2011 – 2012 are as follows:

• Create the IT vision and roadmap for the group, across all entities and business verticals.
• Stabilise the existing SAP implementation and drive it in new businesses and regions globally.
• Create a world class technology infrastructure which will help the organisation run in a more agile manner.
• Standardise processes across the group.
• Build a robust framework of Governance, Risk Management and Compliance.
• Create a Shared Services Organisation catering to the group wide requirements for IT Infrastructure Management and SAP.
• Build Corporate Datacentre with DR / BC.
• Build a world class team.

How do you compare your role at Jindal and Lanco Infratech, considering the change in the industry vertical?

The role is quite similar to what I have been doing over last several years, in Jindal and elsewhere. I now look to deliver exceptional value to the organisation with my skills and experience of almost three decades and having worked in diverse industries and environment in India as well as abroad. My passion is to work with people, create best in class systems and help organisations get the maximum ROI from their IT assets. With a large scale of operations and diverse business, it is a very interesting profile and I am very excited about the same.