Nariman Karimi, CIO, DHL Express Asia-Pacific
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| The risk [in IT management] is to try and spread thin to do a bit of everyone's requirements. | ||
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Q: What was the biggest industry trend that affected your company last year?
We benefited from three different elements, most important of which were the Business to Consumer and Business to Business systems.
We found that although this activity is not entirely new, the possibilities and approach were different; in 2008, the emphasis was on more standard protocols, converging around existing ERP standards and a shift away from niche and very be-spoke interfaces. Following this, there was a definite preference by the customers for simplicity--simpler business rules which reflected wider adoption of their standard ERP solutions.
Second, the modernization and migration of our legacy systems based on Linux and open standards was another trend that we benefited from greatly. Migrating to Linux in many of our systems lowered the costs and provided an easier support environment.
The third trend was the continuation of the process of moving toward central and standard systems and solutions, which made for faster to market processes and higher efficiencies.
What technology innovation or product are you looking forward to next year?
Further use and integration of global maps into commercial applications. They are becoming more sophisticated in terms of mapping the granularity of addresses, and we are excited about the possibilities that this offers for our customers and internal planning.
Also, further Web 2.0 applications developments for interacting with the outside world and facilitating workgroups.
Was there a technology release which disappointed you this year?
Video conferencing and tools for remote team working. Although there have been advancements in this area but compared to the overall pace of technology development, it is still with some anxiety that you start a video session. Would have liked to have seen attractive applications that would make it possible to have a trouble-free eight-way remote meeting.
What is the biggest challenge facing your IT department?
Maintaining focus at the time when the funds are tight and the demands are growing: the risk is to try and spread thin to do a bit of everyone's requirements--this will be a mistake as you will have to achieve 100 percent solutions.
Keeping the team motivated and energized: when you have been riding a series of waves to shore in terms of innovation, have had great wins on connecting with your market and customers and colleagues, and then the economy slows like it has, it takes real leadership on behalf of management and true grit on behalf of the team to get excited and enthused about more cost reductions--but I suppose this is where true mettle is shown.
Do you expect it to be business as usual, in light of the recession?
Yes and no, yes that this is a slow down and not a stoppage! There are still goods being produced, shipments to go from place to place, so this will not be different to our business.
No to business being as usual in terms of having to choose carefully where to spend the energy and resources on, so that you can be sure of taking it all the way to a worthwhile end.
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