New Delhi, May 1 -- India's rise as a global technology hub is fueling innovation and digitalisation for companies worldwide. German technology conglomerate Siemens is leveraging its India-based unit, Siemens Technology and Services Private Limited (STSPL), to spearhead this innovation within its ecosystem. In an interview with TechCircle, STSPL's CEO and MD, Pankaj Vyas, explains how the company is using AI, cloud, edge computing, and data-driven insights to address challenges in manufacturing, smart infrastructure, digital industries, and mobility, outlining the company's future strategy for the Indian market. Edited excerpts.
Which areas in technology will be your focus this year and why?
Our technology focus this year centres on driving digital transformation through AI, intelligent systems, and sustainable technology solutions. We aim to shape future-ready, efficient, adaptive, and resilient industries by integrating domain expertise with cutting-edge innovation. A major focus is strengthening our Community of Experts (CoEs) in cloud, edge, AI, and generative AI, crucial for innovation and addressing technological challenges. Cybersecurity remains a priority as we enhance cloud integration and transition to open-system technology models. We focus on industry-specific solutions like 'Electrification X,' 'Building X,' and 'Industrial Copilot to drive efficiency, sustainability, and operational excellence. 'Rail Agent Xplore' optimizes rail operations. Our CoEs in cloud, edge, AI, and cybersecurity enable integrated, future-ready solutions. We are accelerating innovation and efficiency by improving software development practices, prioritizing co-creation, shortening development cycles, and fostering deeper collaboration between domain and technology experts. Sustainability and efficiency are core strategic pillars, driving our efforts to develop environmentally sustainable and operationally efficient technologies. These efforts bridge the real and digital worlds, fostering innovation and solving complex industry challenges.
What is Siemens Technology and Services' role in driving innovation from India and how does it fit into the overall strategy of Siemens AG?
Siemens Technology and Services, India, is a key driver of global innovation, developing solutions for Smart Infrastructure, Digital Industries, and Mobility. Evolving from a cost centre to a strategic enabler, we are shaping product roadmaps and driving technological breakthroughs, aligning with Siemens AG's goal of connecting the real and digital worlds. Today, it is the largest technology development arm of Siemens globally. We've built platforms such as IdeaScope out of this centre to foster collaboration, combining domain and technology expertise to bring innovative solutions. We have over 10,000 employees, with around 6,000 engaged in engineering, research and development, with nearly 30% women, some departments reaching 37%.
Considering advanced cyber-attacks in the smart manufacturing industry, what kind of measures has the company taken?
We proactively embed cybersecurity into every stage of product development, prioritizing data security. As one of Siemens' core technologies, cybersecurity is integral to building secure, resilient solutions. It is incorporated at every phase of the product lifecycle, with a dedicated Product Safety and Security Officer overseeing development. We also help customers secure their manufacturing environments with configuration tools and real-time monitoring, ensuring compliance with industry-specific security standards.
Can you cite any recent technology initiatives that led to an increase in RoI or customer experience or any other success?
We continuously develop AI-driven solutions that enhance efficiency, sustainability, and customer experience. An AI-powered predictive model for sand displacement, developed in Bengaluru, predicts sand accumulations with over 70% accuracy, enabling proactive resource allocation and cutting clean-up costs by over 20%. As I said earlier, technologies such as 'Building X' and 'Electrification X' also enhance customer experience. These innovations demonstrate how our AI and sustainability-driven solutions create tangible business impact and cost savings.
On a scale of 1-10 how much would he rank the company's digital transformation efforts and why?
We assess our digital transformation progress in preparedness and impact. We score a perfect 10 in preparedness, backed by extensive upskilling, cloud and solution architecture certifications, and strong integration of technology and domain expertise. The impact is ongoing, with solutions like Circularity 360 showcasing substantial progress. We continuously work to push boundaries in AI, manufacturing, and industrial automation. Innovations like Circularity 360 and the sand accumulation prediction tool enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs.
When looking at competitor benchmarking, which key technology areas do you see a need to improve?
We identify key technology areas for improvement based on customer feedback, industry trends, and our domain expertise, focusing on targeted enhancements that drive meaningful impact. We prioritize customer-centric innovation, domain-driven insights, and technology differentiation, tailoring solutions to specific vertical nuances. Strengthening product management and ownership allows us to develop more targeted and impactful solutions, aligning our advancements with industry shifts and customer expectations.
What are your expansion plans in India for the next 12-18 months?
Upskilling is a key facet of our culture. Over 95% of our employees have invested over 3 lakh learning hours focused on technology, market trends, leadership skills, and self-development. We bridge academic learning with real-world application through collaborations with universities and research institutions, such as our MTech program with BITS Pilani. We also attract top talent through strategic hiring and actively recruiting from premier institutions like IITs and IISc. Our hiring approach has evolved to domain plus technology-specific recruitment, reflecting our commitment to building a technologically adept and industry-ready workforce.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from TechCircle.