The Symposium on Business Services and Operations, organized by SDMIMD, was held on January 24, 2025. The event began with an introduction by Dr. Anand Sasikumar, Assistant Professor, followed by the inaugural address by Dr. S.N. Prasad, Director of SDMIMD. Dr. Prasad emphasized the growing importance of AI in manufacturing and services, highlighting the essential skills that business school students must develop to succeed in a technology-driven corporate landscape.
The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Abhijith M.K., CEO of iiiQ, who provided insights into the evolution of Industry 4.0 and automation. He discussed how technology is transforming companies and the varying levels of automation across different sectors. The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Ellur Anand, Associate Professor.
Following this, a panel discussion on "Industry 4.0 in Business Operations and Services: Opportunities and Challenges" took place. The panel featured industry experts:
- Mr. Hariharamahadevan, Director-Manufacturing, Schneider Electric Ltd.
- Mr. Kochat Narendran, President, Afcom Logistics
- Mr. Rishu Kumar, National Business Manager, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank
The discussion was moderated by Dr. Anand Sasikumar. Panelists explored the role of IoT, AI, and data analytics in driving operational excellence, while also addressing regulatory and compliance challenges in adopting Industry 4.0 technologies. The panel highlighted the increasing focus on sustainability, where technology acts as a catalyst, and emphasized the importance of balancing automation with the human touch in business operations.
The symposium also featured an expert talk by Mr. Naveen Kollatur, COO of Driver Logistics, who examined the concept of the circular supply chain and its relevance across industries. He elaborated on customer perspectives related to the principles of reuse, refurbish, and recycle, emphasizing sustainability in modern business practices.
The event successfully brought together academicians, industry leaders, and students to explore the transformative potential of emerging technologies in business services and operations.
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