Enterprise-wide solutions

BM. How in demand are business consultancy services in the current economic climate?
R. Shankar. We still see niche opportunities for those operating in this space despite the global recession. It is very clear that companies are dramatically cutting costs and are in no mood to invest or overhaul their processes or infrastructures unless assured cost reductions drive such initiatives. Traditional consultancy firms will of course be challenged. Customers will expect a new phase of knowledge-driven, proven expertise with referenceable implementations from their solution providers. The solution providers should have walked the talk, and should be able to demonstrate that their services have led to distinct business benefits for their customers even in difficult times. However, even in these adverse scenarios there is a silver lining; companies are consolidating their positions and we have already witnessed some major mergers and acquisitions happening across industries. This has opened up a new stream of opportunities in IT-led business consulting. Ramco is a leading player in this domain and has proven experience in providing business process and infrastructure consulting that facilitates better business integration and efficient utilisation of resources.

BM. How can enterprise solutions enable companies to streamline their operations?
RS. Enterprise solutions integrate diverse business processes across departments onto a single enterprise-wide information system. Enterprise solutions help enterprises improve performance and streamline their operations by delivering the intelligence that decision-makers need to review cost and revenue patterns, resource (man, machine, money) optimization and productivity, and customers’ behavior and by enabling change in the way people, processes and technology work together to deliver legendary customer experiences.
Enterprise solutions are must-have tools to run operations efficiently, more than ever, in today’s tough circumstances. Enterprise solutions enable companies to keep their business processes flexible and nimble as per the market needs and at the same time facilitate enhanced profitability. With rich and proven expertise in providing enterprise solutions for over a decade, Ramco has stood by its promise of creating enduring value for its customers. This is evident from its marquee list of global customers.

BM. What are the benefits to companies of contracting outsourcing services companies to carry out back office processes, IT and other parts of their operations?
RS. Companies need to prudently re-assign their resources to address their core business requirements differently in this flux-driven scenario. This is one of the key reasons for outsourcing supporting functions and processes to experts. Other drivers include cost savings, cost restructuring, improving quality, knowledge and operational expertise. Take the example of managed payroll services provided by IT service providers including Ramco. Typically, human capital-intensive organisations find it difficult over time to maintain burgeoning records of their employees, since this requires huge capital and time, apart from large headcount for HR functions like recruitment process, employee queries, statutory compliances, timely full and final settlements, timely reimbursements, leave management, and so on. Many businesses worldwide are turning to payroll outsourcing as a means of improving the accuracy, efficiency and legal compliance of their payroll process.

BM. Does Ramco provide contract outsourcing services in the MENA region?
RS. Yes. Apart from other services, we are rapidly gaining traction in the managed payroll services space. Ramco’s expertise in managed payroll services is the outcome of more than 10 years’ experience in the international HCM Application space. HR Managers by outsourcing the cumbersome, but essential payroll management to Ramco, can benefit from Ramco’s own payroll engine, which is being deployed currently at over 700 locations processing pay slips for in excess of 800,000 customer employees worldwide. Assured of multi-directional, multi-level security, the solution can literally be accessed anytime- anywhere by the authorised users as it is a browser-based application and does not require any component to be installed on users’ machines. Also, Ramco provides help desks using various channels including an onsite helpdesk (after the payslip disbursal on a monthly basis), dedicated phone lines and email support and online support using a web ticket system. Our customers achieve substantial transformation of their business process and cost savings within a very short while of engaging Ramco.

R. Shankar, a post-graduate mechanical engineer from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, is a senior management professional with over 24 years in the industry. Currently, he has P&L responsibility for the Africa and Middle East operations of Ramco Systems. A widely-traveled professional with an international outlook, Shankar has strong leadership skills and is a respected speaker.