Watch: Lingraju Sawkar on how IBM has enabled biz continuity for clients through the Covid-19 crisis

Even as the Covid-19 pandemic has compelled most of the world to shutdown or alter the way it works, IBM has been busy ensuring business continuity for its customers across sectors. The Armonk headquartered technology giant has been able to do so despite 95% of its global workforce operating from their homes.

The firm’s technology processes and systems run some of the world's largest telecommunications, energy and utility, healthcare and transportation companies. Over the past couple of months, it has helped customers move to a higher orbit since even the best-laid business continuity plans could not have prepared enterprises for the prevailing unprecedented scenario. 

In a conversation with TechCircle, Lingraju Sawkar, general manager of the global technology services division for IBM in India and South Asia, said the firm has worked with customers to get requisite permissions and authorisations digitally as well as redesigned workflow practices to ensure that it is business as usual even during Covid-19.

Sawkar said ‘work from home’ (WFH) has made enterprises move to the cloud earlier than planned while digitalising and automating tasks that required a human touch.

According to Sawkar, customers are preparing for a new normal by enhancing cybersecurity postures for a WFH model. The firm is also helping customers conserve cash by extending the lifecycle of several of the company's products and platforms.

Sawkar has been with IBM for over a decade across key executive functions. He is an alumnus of the National Institute of Technology, Karnataka; Boston University and Cornell University.