We're focused on AI-powered tech to build a secure and sustainable ecosystem: Berger Paints' CIO

Berger Paints, the second-largest paints company in India with a market share of nearly 20%, is actively advancing its artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and other digital initiatives. In an interview with TechCircle, Partha Protim Mondal, the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Kolkata-based company, discusses how these digital efforts are driving revenue growth, optimizing costs, enhancing customer experience, and creating a secure ecosystem. Edited excerpts.

What technologies are you currently focusing on for your organisation?

In today’s fast-changing digital landscape, leveraging technology is crucial for business success. The digital transformation initiative of Berger Paints has been driven by four key technology drivers: revenue generation, cost management, customer experience, and operational efficiency. For instance, we utilize Salesforce solutions to boost sales revenue through improved customer relationship management (CRM), streamlined workflows, enhanced lead tracking, and personalized marketing. We’ve also migrated our Oracle eBusiness suite from on-premises to cloud-based solutions, viz., Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) to optimize processes, automate routine tasks, and reduce operational costs by enabling ‘Elastic Resource Provisioning’ based on demand. Additionally, advanced business analytics help us gain insights into customer behaviour, creating a seamless experience by intuitive dashboards.  

Is your company's tech budget growing this year compared to previous years?

This year, we are fortunate to have a substantial technology budget, which has enabled us to embark on numerous digitalization initiatives. We are focusing on modernizing our applications, integrating technology for revenue enhancement, and leveraging Generative AI to improve customer experiences. Through ‘Berger My Colour’ app, users can visualize their creative ideas and simulate how their homes would appear, considering regional colour preferences. Additionally, we are exploring many technology initiatives like creating a Data Lakehouse which can collate the data from the disparate systems and create a unified view of the data, process the data effectively and generate business insights to improve revenue, reduce cost etc. We’re also evaluating how AIOps can further strengthen our security posture.

How is Berger Paints leveraging AI and ML in its various operations?

At Berger Paints, we’re leveraging AI and machine learning (ML) in the domain of cybersecurity, we’ve recently implemented a Managed Detection and Response (MDR) solution with AI-led advanced threat-hunting capabilities. Our network security incorporates AI and ML extensively. Besides, as we explore to create a Data Lakehouse architecture (Medallion data architecture), AI and large language models (LLMs) are integral to this, which organises data into various stages. This structure supports real-time analytics for targeted insights. Additionally, AI and LLMs enhance network optimization and security through AIOps, improving network visibility, reducing false positives, and optimizing performance via predictive analysis.

Do you have a separate budget for information security?

We have implemented strong security protocols to protect our data centre, cloud infrastructure, and endpoints from cyber threats, recognizing that security is a continuous process. Our adoption of a zero-trust architecture has significantly mitigated supply chain risks. Our 'Secure Web Gateway' ensures safe internet access, while the 'Cloud Access Security Broker' secures our cloud applications. We also deploy 'Zero Trust Network Access' to guarantee that only authorized personnel access sensitive information. For secure email communication, we use Cisco IronPort. We have a dedicated person in the team to ensure a robust security posture and we prioritize ongoing staff training on the latest cyber threats to promote vigilance across the organization.

Would you like to highlight any recent use cases that have led to an increase in RoI and process optimisation?

We’ve optimised SD-WAN connectivity across 130+ locations throughout India enhancing network performance and reliability, ensuring that employees can collaborate effectively regardless of their location. This improved connectivity supports real-time communication and data sharing, driving operational efficiency and resulted in substantial reduction in operational cost.

What is the size and composition of your technology team, specifically in terms of skillsets?

Our team comprises around 30 individuals with diverse functional and technical skills. We emphasize skills enhancement through comprehensive training and certification programs, particularly via LinkedIn Learning. We have specialists in Oracle eBusiness suite, mobility, web development, generative AI, and robotic process automation, with a strong focus on integration, particularly in Oracle Integration Cloud (OIC).  

When looking at competitor benchmarking, which key technology areas do you see a need to improve?

As we continue to explore the myriad capabilities of AI, we have a considerable journey ahead. The integration of generative AI into our security framework, particularly in areas such as AI powered operations, endpoint protection, and network security, remains a significant focus.  

What is your tech vision for the next 2-3 years?

Digital transformation will be critical in the paint industry, compelling manufacturers to invest in AI tools, IoT devices, and other technologies to remain competitive. Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Unified Data Platform like Data Lakehouse will continue to play vital roles. We're fostering an ecosystem of Dealers, Distributors, Key Contractors, Painters, and Consumers, providing ongoing training and resources to harness technology’s potential for a more secure and sustainable ecosystem.