K K Singh, President, Chairman and CEO, Rolta India Pvt. Ltd.

K K Singh
President
Chairman and CEO, Rolta India Pvt. Ltd.

You have been one of the pioneers in GIS in India? What prompted you to get into the business of GIS ?
Knowledge is the integration of ideas, experience, intuition, skill and lessons learnt. I sensed the advent of knowledge economy 15 years before. Our focused efforts over the past 15 years were initially in pioneering the field of CAD/CAM/GIS and then we moved to promoting comprehensive eBusiness, eSecurity and Internet infrastructure Solutions/Services. I was convinced that India needed such technologies.

Can you tell us how it all started ?
In 1980 I came to Mumbai and set up a computer company. In a place like Mumbai, I felt the need of white-collar industry. Although convinced with the potential and prospect of technologies, the basic issue was how to set up the nucleus. The challenge was to develop a good team. Mr A P Singh with IBM background joined the organization. He is still with the company as Head US operations. A group of 15 to 20 professionals with technical and managerial skills was evolved. We started with a data center. The data center used to import large datasets to provide services. We decided to allow people of ONGC, etc to use our computers. We also started developing special packages for financial accounting and the like. By 1982, we started providing turnkey solutions. We developed software for various banks. We started developing software for various customer needs. In 1984, we started exporting software.

In 1985, again we started thinking about our possible plans and hence hectic brainstorming began. Various options were being considered. We thought of establishing a training center but we realized that it was low end game. Also the idea came to get into PC manufacturing as in those days it was considered a profitable business but we realized that PC is a commodity and in the long run it will not be an advantageous proposition. Then came the idea of CAD/CAM/ GIS. A good idea but a difficult one. I was convinced with the need of such technologies. In India these technologies were not available and we were the pioneers in this field. Once decided, we set up a CAD/CAM/GIS division.

What challenges you faced and how did you manage them ?
There were three key challenges. First to understand the technology per se. The second to get the right professionals with required qualifications and third the lack of awareness about the potential of the technology.

We looked for people retired from Survey of India (SoI). We created a team. We realized that the technology itself is a big issue, as we have to understand it first. We thought of going for technology partnership. We started dialogue with two companies - Computer Vision and Intergraph. After several phases of interaction, we ultimately realized that Intergraph was a better option as it was well versed in both CAD/CAM and in GIS.

Intergraph also found in us a team of dedicated people and we entered in exclusive partnership with them in India. In April 1986, the partnership agreement was signed. Then started technology transfer in the form of equipment, computers and exchange of knowledge through professionals working in the two companies.

In 1985, again we started thinking about our possible plans and hence hectic brainstorming began. the idea came to get into PC manufacturing as in those days it was considered a profitable business but we realized that PC is a commodity and in the long run it will not be an advantageous proposition. Then came the idea of CAD/CAM/GIS. A good idea but a difficult one. I was convinced with the need of such technologies. In India these technologies were not available and we were the pioneers in this field. Once decided, we set up a CAD/CAM/GIS division.

The main issue during those days was to educate market. There were only a few organizations working in this field. SoI was one of them. They knew the surveying but were looking for technology to make their data digital. 1n 1987, Rolta was involved with SoI in setting up a Digital Mapping Centre.

In 1990 we realized that unless we manufacture local workstation, we will not be able to go beyond a point. So investment was made in developing Unix based workstation. In 1995-96 technology was transferred from Intergraph to Rolta. We were in the process of establishing our leadership. Many key organizations in the field like SoI, Forest Survey of India became our customers.

In 1992, we decided to set up development center here itself rather than send people abroad. We started providing AM/FM GIS services worldwide. We specialized in telecom and electrical utilities. We did complete automation of Hong Kong telecom and also of Saudi Arabia. In the last few years we did several successful projects with companies in US, Europe. We also started services in plant design. We started e-services. We married this new technology to our core strength of GIS.

How do you see the trends evolved in the last decade in this industry ?
Initially there was no awareness about the technology and its potential. However, Survey of India is an organization that has given us immense strength. It is because of this organization that we are here today. We, on our part, tried to educate people. If you look at technology trends in the last 50 years, you will find that the technology has not only become user-friendly but also cost effective. Technology like GPS is now being used in day-to-day activities. Let technology reach every individual as it not only benefits the individuals but also expands the market as well. There has been a change in attitude. Now Department of Science and Technology and the Survey of India are talking about joint ventures with private sector to take the technology to the common man. What I foresee is that the change in next decade will be much more drastic and un-measurable than what we have seen in the last few decades.

What, in your opinion, needs to be done to accelerate the GIS market in India and in Asia ?
Mindset needs to be changed and it is changing fast. The government should make spatial data available for the common man. This needs concerted efforts.

How Rolta is coping with the fast changing technologies and market needs ?
We regularly have brain-storming sessions to keep a tab on the changing technologies and changing scenarios. The Rolta, which was there 15 years ago, is not the same today. We sense the pulse of market needs and reorient and update ourselves with the latest technologies.

Where do you like to place GIS market in Asia? Where is it heading for ?
GIS is getting into now the common man's domain. In US, there is a service called 911. You just need to dial 911 in case of emergency. The help will reach you without your giving any details of your location. That is amazing! This is where I see GIS will be heading for. Many such services have a great future.

Let technology reach every individual as it not only benefits the individuals but also expands the market as well. There has been a change in attitude. Technology like GPS is now being used in day-to-day activities. Now Department of Science and Technology and the Survey of India are talking about joint ventures with private sector to take the technology to the common man. What I foresee is that the change in next decade will be much more drastic and un-measurable than what we have seen in the last few decades.

You have overseas operations along with India ? What differences you feel between the Indian market and overseas market ?
The Indian market is very tolerant and patient. You can perfect technology by doing experiments here but you simply cannot afford to commit mistakes in markets like Europe and the US.

Do you offer packages for educational institutes ?
Yes. We do have educational software meant for educational institutions. This program has benefited hundreds of institutions. It is heavily subsidized - almost free.

Interviewed by Bal Krishna

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