SPECIALIST INSIGHT pumps and the trainees needed to know how to operate them . However , due to COVID-19 , they were not able to be taught in person , so we built a Virtual Reality ( VR ) platform . This platform digitally transported the teacher to appear next to the graduates and train them accordingly .
From a transact perspective , retail is very important in the UAE . We worked with one of the largest retailers in the Middle East , who wanted to build one platform to take care of all contracts , renewals , maintenance , etc . This platform was built using blockchain whereby these documents could be tracked in real-time .
In the terms of transform , not much has happened in the real world , but we are seeing more emergence within VR . For example , one of our retailer customers wanted to build a VR platform for customers to buy cosmetics . Multiple inputs were captured to build this VR like demographics , interests , social media handles , etc . During the trial phase , an interesting aspect came into notice where a left-handed woman couldn ’ t relate with the VR experience . Through extensive research we identified the issue that this is because the VR automatically took the customer as right-handed , instead of checking the user ’ s preference . This was a critical contextual information which was later added to the platform .
How can organisations build sustainable business ecosystems within the region ?
I think the most vulnerable piece of business is the supply chain . If we look at countries shutting borders and trade routes due to COVID-19 , or the Suez Canal blockade , it caused a lot of supply chain issues . Typically , supply chains are optimised either by cost or time , but it ’ s important to have some sense of sustainability or an alternative source as it helps to rebalance it . The supply chain is exceptionally important , especially for business systems .
Material finance is also important . Given the volatility of money , you should be in a position to take calls quickly regarding multiple currencies . This is particularly applicable to the Middle East because of high exposure to different currencies , both from demand and supply .
In the long term , business sustainability in the Middle East will depend on how the revenue streams are increased . If you look at Saudi Arabia ’ s Vision 2030 or Vision 2021 Laid Down for UAE , they all allude to green economy and nonhydrocarbon-based economy . There are some interesting things happening . For example , let us look at NEOM or even the UAE ’ s Amal / Hope mission . The journey to Mars is not just about some ‘ wow ’ element . Such initiatives create feeder industries and whole bunch of young Emirati engineers . As the Middle East drive towards the knowledge , the need to attract knowledge workers increases . Why should a young Indian engineer from a top-notch engineering school come to the Middle East and not go to the Silicon Valley , with the dream of becoming CEO of large tech companies ? The quality of life becomes important .
What has been TCS ’ journey with business sustainability ?
We are trying to attract foreign talent and create local talent within the Middle East . We are making constant efforts towards ensuring the talent gap is being closed for future generations , as we channel
I think the most vulnerable piece of business is the supply chain .
young boys , and more importantly girls , towards STEM .
Be it building local skills through educational tie-ups or re-training local talent , like we have done in Saudi Arabia , or inspiring the youth through several tech-focused programs such as our goIT program , or the TCS ITWiz Quiz that was launched in UAE during Expo 2020 , we are building a sustainable future for all . Another example is TCS Sustainathon , which is a global initiative , where we encourage the youth to identify tech-related solutions or policy changes for sustainability-related issues . As we speak , we are in the process of launching TCS Sustainathon in Middle East .
Ultimately , our own journey with business sustainability has kept us true to our purpose : helping customers achieve their objective through with innovative technologies and transformational strategies . � www . intelligentfin . tech
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