The SME sector, which contributes to almost 70 – 80 % of the manufacturing economy, has for long been unorganized as far as IT solutions gone. The conclave raised some hard questions about the cause of inefficiency in the current system of the manufacturing sector and how leveraging IT could benefit the sector. It also highlighted whether the existing services and solutions were relevant, portable, and cost effective to the manufacturing economy system. Among the key speakers were Ramalinga Raju, Founder and Chairman, Satyam Computer Services Limited, Rajesh Gupta, Chief General Manager – IT, Maruti Udyog Limited, Srikant Mokashi, Chief (IT, STEEL) – Tata Steel.

Also present at the event were M Ramamohan Rao, Dean, ISB, Professor N Vishwanadham, Executive Director, Centre for Global Logistics and Manufacturing Strategies, ISB.

In his address, Dean Rao said, “The penetration of IT in the manufacturing sector is very low, we want this conclave to address these challenges. The three Centers of Excellence at the ISB will take forward the findings of the conclave and will set the roadmap for the future.”

“There has been a major shift from China to India as far as the manufacturing Industry is concerned. This transition should be taken advantage of, “ added Rambling Raju. He conveyed that IT solutions in this sector were affordable and dependable. He stressed on the creative use of technology and judicious use of Soft Infrastructure like Human Resources, Customer base, Building Processes etc., which he felt were yardsticks of enterprise evaluation that do not reflect in the balance Sheet.

Mr. Raju maintained that the demarcating lines between large and small enterprises are blurring and that quality, response to stake holders and understanding of the consumer and investor psychology should be on the forefront of any enterprise. He guaranteed that NASSCOM would continue to provide support to the SME’s.

Rajdeep Sharawat, VP, NASSCOM, made some interesting observations. “Unless an SME sees IT solutions as a critical need it will not incorporate the same.“ He said the SME perceived the IT Industry to be arrogant and that they shared a rather adverse relationship. Thus the first step needed is for the two sectors to be more collaborative and for the IT industry to act as the facilitator and enabler.

The Indian School of Business has initiated several activities this year to enhance the interface between academia and industry. The School believes that such interactions will pave the way for an active, research based, solution development for the unique problems that are faced by emerging markets such as India, Asia, and other countries.