Ratul Banerjee Vice-President, Corporate Sales,
Pinkcity Logistics Limited
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?
We have two critical functional areas – freight forwarding and transportation (logistics), and customs interaction and clearance. Both these activities are highly IT interactive and require high bandwidth support to carry huge volumes of data. Moreover, since our operations span various time zones, the company requires a robust IT infrastructure and round-the-clock connectivity with the least downtime.
At Pinkcity Logistics, we depend on a WAN, which helps the company achieve real-time connectivity across offices. Depending upon the location, size and volume of work, our regional offices are connected through either leased lines or broadband. The company’s network has a bandwidth of 10 Mbps, which is sourced from different service providers.
We have also deployed several applications and software solutions for streamlining business practices. In the early days, we handled customer data through stand-alone office networks, which were connected through email systems. However, with the growth in the business, we have developed an in-house enterprise resource planning (ERP) system called “Pinkcity Web”, which serves as the backbone of all corporate customer transactions. Each corporate relationship and transaction is recorded from the time of enquiry till the delivery of shipments. Pinkcity Web helps generate management information system reports for customers. It also provides an overview of various functions to help the management look at key areas and map out the future course of action.
The ERP system also supports the customs clearance process through an interactive platform, Visual Impex. In addition to Pinkcity Web, the company has a stand-alone IT system for accounting.
Being in the logistics industry, tracking cargo is a priority for us and we depend on the global positioning system (GPS) to track vehicle and cargo movement. Each vehicle is equipped with a GPS-enabled system, which sends regular data feeds to our logistics team and fleet managers. The data acts as a basis for preempting impediments on the route and identifying a safer on-road approach to the designated place. This decreases the turnaround time for deliveries and helps the company improve efficiency. Further, to ensure a high level of security, our entire network is IP protected. We have also deployed anti-virus packages and firewalls for securing the telecom infrastructure from internal as well as external security threats.
What are the company’s plans regarding telecom and IT network upgrades?
In the early days of our operations, we operated through stand-alone office networks, which were primarily connected through email systems. However, with an expanding footprint we realised the advantages offered by technology. Over the years, by deploying cutting-edge technology, we have been able to bring in efficiency across functions and carry out our day-to-day operations at a faster pace.
Going forward, we plan to upgrade our stand-alone accounting system and integrate it with our ERP system, Pinkcity Web, for greater visibility. In addition, we are committed to increase our IT spend significantly with the aim of meeting our current as well as future business requirements.
Further, we plan to create an IT platform, which will not only be connected to GPS-enabled vehicles for monitoring, quicker turnaround and efficiency, but also have intelligence to plan deployment at our customer factories based on intelligent monitoring. It will be rolled out in the next six months.
