Khuram Rahat is an expert in Online Analytical Processing and Decision Support Systems, both strategic and tactical. His diverse experience spans a number of industries including govt, telecom and banking. Highly focused and result-oriented, his knowledge and understanding of these industries have helped provide thought leadership to a number of organisations. Khuram shares his valued experience with Technology Times
What is your professional background?
Khuram Rahat: I joined NCR in 1989; have over 10 years of management experience starting from role as Branch Manager for Islamabad, then as Solutions General Manager for Networking, Retail Systems and Media functions as well responsible for developing business in new markets including Bangladesh and Afghanistan. In 2006, was made responsible for Teradata Enterprise Data Warehousing Solution business for Pakistan and Bangladesh. When Teradata spun off from NCR as an independent Company in 2007, I was appointed Managing Director for Pakistan with additional responsibility for Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
During my career with NCR and now Teradata spanning almost 22 years, I have been involved in management and consultative selling into, Government, Banking, Manufacturing and Telecommunication Industries, covering sales for Enterprise Data Warehouse Solutions, Self Service Banking Solution, Self Service Retail Solutions, Contact Centre Solutions and Networking Solutions.
I have also been involved in project management function and was President of the Project Management Institute, Islamabad Chapter for 4 years
What motivated you to join IT sector?
It was a pure accident as I always thought computers was too difficult for me to understand (back in 1989 Computers were somewhat a novelty in Pakistan) and after barely managing to complete a couple of mandatory computer courses during my MBA studies, I was quite convinced that it was too complicated for me to understand and to operate.
But as the saying goes ‘man proposes and God disposes’ I ended up joining NCR within a year’s time of completing my MBA and have spend now my ‘life’ in IT industry, that too dealing with high end complex systems and, honestly – ‘loving it’
How is your experience of working in IT in Pakistan and different countries?
My prime experience has been working in Pakistan and Bangladesh. It has its own set of challenges and opportunities. Being part of a multinational company, I can share that the way of doing business in western countries is more organized, more professional approach towards meeting commitments resulting in a relatively high degree of predictability. Though, I believe that there is a greater degree of personal touch and interaction in business dealings in Pakistan and this part of the world.
Though, I must admit the professionalism in Pakistan has improved to a large extent over the years, with much greater emphasis on professional approach, with greater understanding of need for investing and developing human resources, increased focus on professional project management and a tendency to base decisions on facts rather than mere ‘gut feeling’.
What are the services of Teradata and your role in Pakistan?
Teradata is in the business of enabling Organizations establish a ‘regime of informed decision making’ to support their quest for achieving their business objectives. We achieve this by working with the Organizations in understanding their business need for having right information at the right time and place. In order to achieve this, Teradata provides a complete ambit of services to its customers, ranging from business consulting, solution design and development, project management and support services. In addition, Teradata has rich experience in offering manages services to its customers. In addition to operating in the local market, Teradata’s Global Consulting Centre has been providing the above mentioned services to Teradata’s clients in Europe Middle East and Africa region in both ‘off shore’ and ‘on shore’ model.
Thus, Teradata is not only working on creating value for its local customers but it is also supporting international clients. This also enriches the experience and knowhow of the resources in Pakistan and is contributing towards capacity building of the local human resources.
Besides, Teradata has been involved in creating awareness of the latest technology trends through Teradata University Program and Teradata University Network allowing access to both students and faculty members, to hundreds of thousands of articles, and research papers on business and technology.
In addition, Teradata has been recognizing the experience, the talent and hard work of local IT resources by holding highly transparent and nationally recognized Teradata National IT Excellence Awards.
Brief us more about Terada National IT Excellence Awards.
Teradata started making individual awards in 1997, as part of Pakistan’s Golden Jubilee to recognize professionals in IT sector, this year it was the ninth annual award. The IT Excellence Awards will go a long way towards promoting the development of information technology in Pakistan, and more importantly, encouraging professionals to excel in their fields.
The Teradata National IT Excellence Awards are considered to be the most prestigious IT awards in Pakistan. These awards have now become an integral part of the IT industry recognizing various professionals associated in the field of Information Technology – be it software developers, researchers, electronic and print media journalists, youth, university students, exporters, educationalists, pioneers in the disciplines of IT and life time achievers.
What are your potential sectors?
Teradata’s potential usage is across all key sectors, whether it is; Banking & Insurance, Communications, Government, Manufacturing, or it is, Energy, Healthcare and, Retail. While Teradata’s usage has been predominant in Communications, Banking and Retail sectors, there is a growing utilization in the Manufacturing and Government sectors.
What is the secret of success of Teradata in Pakistan?
One of the key reasons for Teradata’s success is its Professional Services Organisation. While Teradata is recognized as the world leader in Data Warehouse technology, it is it professional services organization, which ensures that the customers are able to reap the benefits of its superior technology by ensuring high quality and efficient implementations. It is the recognition of the high caliber of skill sets available in Pakistan that Teradata established a Global Consulting Centre in Pakistan to undertake projects and provide managed services in Europe, Middle East and Africa region.
How different are your products and services quality as against others?
Teradata is focused in Data Warehousing, Business Intelligence and Customer Relationship Management solutions. Since we are quite focused in what we do, we have managed to create a world class solution offering which puts us head and shoulders above our competition. It is this focus of our R&D function and Professional Services that Teradata has continued to hold its leadership position for over a decade.
What challenges you have been facing in Pakistan?
I believe; the biggest challenge being faced in the country is the law & order situation which has impacted the economic and business environment in the country.
What are future plans of your company in Pakistan?
Teradata sees Pakistan as an emerging market with good potential. We plan to continue to serve our customers and grow consistently.
What do you comment on the efforts of weekly Technology Times?
I believe that in recent years a number of quality technology publications have surfaced in Pakistan. I have been reading Technology Times quite regularly because it is quite informative and shares the latest trends and happenings in the industry.
http://www.technologytimes.pk/mag/2011/march11/issue01/thought_laeder_or_pundit_in.php
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