Nitin Behl Senior General Manager, CFS, Allcargo Logistics
Enterprises across business verticals are leveraging information and communications technology (ICT) to achieve greater efficiencies in their day-to-day operations. A robust IT and telecom infrastructure is required to communicate not only with customers but also within the organisation. To ensure effective communication, manage operations, improve productivity and increase efficiency, logistics enterprises are stepping up their investments in their ICT infrastructure. Leading enterprises in the logistics industry discuss their IT strategies, emerging technology trends and future plans for IT infrastructure upgradation…
What is the company’s telecom and IT blueprint? Please mention the wide area network (WAN) components, last mile access technologies, and enterprise, mobility, security and software applications?
Allcargo’s IT infrastructure comprises a mix of platforms that create an additional layer of redundancy. In addition, the IT set-up includes an active Reliance data centre in Mumbai and a disaster recovery CtrlS data centre in Hyderabad. The data centres are equipped with application layer redundancy and hardware layer redundancy for business-critical applications. Some of the applications are co-hosted on the cloud as per the business requirement. All our offices across India are connected via multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) virtual private network (VPN). All the locations have a backup MPLS link in case of a failover. Apart from the centralised firewall, the offices are protected by a local firewall. We have a centralised domain controller set-up and for communication we use Microsoft Exchange technology. Meanwhile, the telecom infrastructure set-up is placed in active and standby modes across different geographies. Most of the locations have private rate interface lines with vendor-managed EPABX.
What new IT initiatives has the company taken recently? What advantages has it derived and what were the implementation challenges faced by the company?
Being a prominent global company with different business verticals, Allcargo Logistics is required to constantly maintain and manage its existing infrastructure. We keep improvising our IT infrastructure; however, in such a huge environment, any change in the existing infrastructure is unwarranted as it entails huge capex and risks. Being in the service industry, it is important that our existing infrastructure supports our business continuity planning (BCP). Also, while implementing any new technology it is important to cut short its implementation cycle and integration process. Faster implementation ensures that the technology does not become obsolete in a fast evolving backdrop. However, its adoption is constrained by various factors. We have recently implemented the global Human Resource Management System package, which helps employees to connect with their colleagues anywhere in the world. It helps them in tracking their colleagues to access information about their location, designation, department and organisation. In addition, in our container freight stations (CFS) and inland container depot (ICD) verticals, we have deployed a mobile app called Allcargo, which is available on the Google Play Store. It helps our customers track their shipments on a real-time basis.
What is the level of adoption of applications such as customer relationship management (CRM), supply chain management and sales force automation in the logistics industry?
These applications are already being deployed in the industry. For instance, we are using CRM as a tool to obtain real-time visibility of our sales force. CRM is essential for our organisation, irrespective of the business vertical.
What are the company’s plans regarding telecom and IT network upgrades?
Allcargo’s infrastructure is being upgraded constantly. The company recently bought mobility solutions. We have launched a mobile application called Allcargo. Being in the service industry, we are also focused on exploring analytics to manage and analyse the huge amount of customer data available as this will help us enhance our services. We are going to focus on adding an extra layer of security to our multilayer security architecture. We are also going to build security architecture from the physical layer to the upper node of the IT infrastructure set-up. In addition, the company will strengthen BCP and disaster recovery by building an additional cloud environment and creating a virtual platform. Apart from moving to the cloud and desktop virtualisation, we are looking to globally deploying ERP solutions in our non-vessel operating common carrier vertical. We are currently focusing on our e-commerce business and managing the warehouse facility for them under our vertical contract logistics. In addition, new ICDs and CFSs are coming up on some other strategic locations worldwide.
