New Delhi: The Connected Vehicle megatrend has also had an influence on the luggage market as is evident in the luggage major Samsonite which had adopted a brand strategy to make its bags smart. Around 4 years ago, Samsonite decided to develop a smart bag, which can share its location information with the owner.
Pradnya Popade, Marketing Head, Samsonite South Asia, said the next instance of technology adoption for enhancing brand appeal would be the use of fingerprint for locking, and the next would be its integration with the mobile phone.
Technology helps in designing smart marketing strategies too. “Data helps in designing the right consumer communication, in the right place and in the right way,” Popade said.
With the increasing trend of digitalisation in manufacturing plants, the data generated is coming more than just handy. Sriram Paramanand, Director — Partnering, Rockwell Automation, said that digital technology adoption is helping in prediction. He also highlighted that “simplification is key” though.
Technology adoption is allowing manufacturers to have better traceability of their parts and thereby fix problems, if any, in a much shorter time than earlier. This is also helping companies to improve themselves both in terms of quality, and cost competitiveness.
Data helps, but real-time data is what is more valuable. Avinash Dhagat, VP – Supply Chain, Mamaearth said that real time data capturing impacts productivity, processes positively. He also cites an example where using sensor technology fitted in freight containers helped ship Mamaearth products in the right temperature band, thereby fixing a challenge of compromised quality due to unfavourable temperature.
Advanced, smart technologies bring value, but there are some challenges also. Rajiv Tharavanat, COO, ZetTown India, said that the biggest challenge is resistance to change. The solution to that challenge lies in training and raising awareness, he added.
The industry professionals shared their viewpoints in a panel discussion moderated by Vinay Shenoy, MD – Industry X, Accenture India, at the 2nd ET Smart Manufacturing Summit on Tuesday.
