Ashis Obedanand

5Head Retail IT

• Managed Nationwide & International (UAE, US, Singapore) retail IT operations covering Software, Infrastructure, Networks, and Servers
• Oversaw daily IT operations, ensuring stability, security, and performance of systems, network, and network devices.
• Managed and supported 500+ company outlets. 4 regional offices, 10 area offices, 34 C&FAs, 3 Lens Lab, 5 Sourcing offices across India. Supported 7000+ IT infrastructure including Switches, Firewall, SD-WAN, APs, IOT devices, Internet, etc. 5000+ end users.
• Managed and supported 20+ outlets in UAE, US & Singapore.
• Constantly looking for IT innovations, newer Technologies in Retail space.
• Evaluate new technologies, business benefits, enhance customer experience.
• Managed IT procurement, hardware, software, and peripherals, tracked IT assets, consumables, and software licenses. Constantly monitoring expenditure (capex, revenue). Ensuring cost-effectiveness and ROI.
• Preparing & presenting IT budget to business heads. Seek approval.
• Managed IT infrastructure budgets (10-12cr).
• Collaborated with vendors, service providers, and partners for cost effective solutions and to ensure effective delivery and deployment of IT infrastructure & services.
• Lead and managed a team of 35+ engineers and technicians (on-role & off-role).
• Held regular review with Regional IT Heads, providing constructive feedback and highlighting areas for improvement.
• Collaborated with Senior Managements, Business Heads, HODs to implement best practices for operational efficiency across departments.
• Enhanced team productivity by implementing efficient workflow processes and prioritizing tasks.
• Drove organizational change initiatives that resulted in streamlined operations., improved efficiencies throughout the group.

Achievements:

• Setting up IT infrastructure remotely in the very 1st store opened in UAE which was during covid (identifying and shortlisting vendor, cost negotiation, procurement, overseeing installations, training to store staff, etc.)
• Implemented of ILL, SD-WAN solution and Access points across company owned Tanishq stores (51) & watch stores(81). Ensuring security, Enabling reliable and high availability of internet.
• Implemented customer analytic in Tanishq stores The solution uses exiting store cameras. Helped business run various campaigns more effectively.

• Successfully managed EPT 5.2 POS application, EPOS environment, and integrations with SAP and third-party applications
• Regularly met business users, stakeholders, store staffs to understand pain points, and requirements.
• Responsible for development, testing, deployment of new features, change requests, bug fixes, etc.
• Led cross-functional teams in migrating from EPT 5.2 to EPT 5.5, ensuring seamless transitions and minimal disruptions.
• Defined project scope, timelines, and costs, ensuring successful project delivery.
• Managing new statutory requirements in ETP 5.2 and ETP 5.5 (build in parallel)
• Held daily reviews to monitor the progress and give directions to the team.
• Communicated project status, progress, and concerns to stakeholders, ensuring transparency and trust.
• Incorporated Omni & e-commerce billing in POS billing application.
• Overseeing the deployment and configuration of UAT and Production environments.
• Ensured high-quality project delivery, conducting thorough testing, and validation.
• Communication to stores & stakeholders on rollout plan and strategy.
• Migrated to ETP 5.5 with minimal business disruption.
• Implemented operational standards, policies, and SOPs to enhance support team productivity and efficiency.
• Provided strong leadership to enhance team productivity and morale.
• Mentored team members for skill development and career progression within the organization.
• Helped team members in setting challenging goals and guided them to achieve the same..
• Demonstrated exceptional adaptability in navigating complex situations with ease.

Achievements:
• Designed Omni & e-commerce solution POS billing application.

POS Application Replacement Project

• Collaborated with the project team to evaluate and select a new POS application (ETP) to replace the existing one.
• Created a comprehensive requirements specification document, incorporating inputs from all stakeholders.
• Evaluated shortlisted products against the requirement document, solution architecture, and design.
• Contributed to the development of the project plan and schedules.
• Provided functional and technical inputs to the development team as needed.
• Set up test environments, including systems and servers.
• Oversaw the creation,deployment and configuration of UAT and Production environments.
• Created use cases and test data for testing.
• Reviewed test results with the testing team and shared outcomes with the development team to address defects and bugs.
• Validated data uploaded in UAT and production servers.
• Conducted performance testing, load testing and user acceptance testing.
• Prepared and conducted training sessions for store staff on the new POS billing application.
• Managed the rollout by providing necessary support to the rollout team.
• Provided support to stores on day to day issues.
• Managed ongoing change requests and new requirements.

Achievements:

• Spearheaded developed and standardized Loyalty point and discount coupon redemption logic, adopted across all POS applications.
• Designed and built a reporting tool for store personnel's daily use.
• Received an award for outstanding contributions to the new POS application.

Managed and supported retail applications for the Watches & Wearable Division, ensuring seamless operations and statutory compliance.

• Successfully handled billing software from Polaris (2003-2006) and managed backend integration with EPOS (Oracle database) and Financial posting in SAP.
• Assisted in planning, executing, and delivering IT projects, providing technical expertise and support for store applications and services.
• Identified bugs and issues in existing applications, coordinating with the Polaris team for bug fixes and new features.
• Managed backed integration with EPOS (Oracle database) and Financial posting in SAP.
• Coordinate with Polaris team for bug fixes and new features.
• Testing & releasing of new patches for bug fixing, version upgrade, new features..
• Responsible for smooth rollout of new patches & version releases.
• Spearheaded POS integration with the loyalty program (Signet).
• Ensure application meets statutory compliance.
• Coordinated IT operations activities with regional IT team to deliver smooth flow of daily business needs.
• Conducted testing and released new patches for bug fixing, version upgrades, and new features.

• Spearheaded IT support across South India, covering Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Goa, ensuring seamless IT infrastructure operations at all Retail Outlets, Regional Office, Area Offices, C&FAs and RS locations.
• Troubleshooted computer workstations, peripherals, printers, scanners, monitors, servers, and networks.
• Upgraded servers and workstations to meet industry standards and business requirements.
• Created and deleted users, managed group policies, DHCP, data sharing, and rights management.
• Procured IT hardware, software, and peripherals, tracked IT assets, consumables, and software licenses.
• Fostered vendor relationships for hardware and software procurement, ensuring cost-effective investments.
• Addressed internal audit queries and ensured compliance with company norms.
• Managed IT Assets. Keeping track of active IT assets, Consumables, Software licenses and scrapping of old assets as per company norms.
• Managed all IT-related AMC's. Keeping track of out of warranty assets.
• Aligned with business teams to identify and implement IT requirements for new store launches and renovation projects.
• Conducted monthly reviews with key stakeholders, including Business Heads and HODs, to discuss team accomplishments, identify business requirements, and address operational pain points.
• Collected, analyzed, and acted upon customer feedback to enhance satisfaction levels.
• Provide support for the closure of non-conformity.
• Ensured store data upload into SAP on daily basis.
• Organize training to store staff on in-store billing application and new version releases.
• Defined teams KRA.

Achievements:

• On time procurement and deployment of IT infrastructure for new store opening.
• 100% month end closure on the last day of every month and data upload in SAP.
• Ensured over 90% of support calls resolved on the same day.
• Increased customer satisfaction level.

Technical Support: Infrastructure, Software and Network

• Installed, upgraded, supported, and troubleshot Windows OS (XP, 7, 8) and authorized desktop applications, hardware, and peripherals.
• Configured and set up network printers on LAN.
• Resolved TCP/IP setting and network connectivity issues.
• Troubleshooted network and local printer-related problems.
• Managed workgroup and domain network troubleshooting.
• Ensured network stability and security.
• Installed and managed anti-virus software (McAfee) on Windows desktops.
• Conducted regular virus scans and patch updates on Windows.
• Provided technical support for in-store applications (Watches, Jewellery, Service Center) across 150+ stores.
• Supported ERP application (SAP) installed at 15+ C&FA and RS locations.

• Designed and developed internal applications to meet organizational needs.
• Collaborated with diverse stakeholders to gather requirements, design, and deploy tailored solutions
• Developed applications for multi-user environments (LAN), ensuring seamless functionality and performance.
• Implemented necessary modifications in existing applications to enable it to work effectively in multi-user settings.
• Did small projects in C++ for scientist working in Indian Institute of Science & Central Power Research Institute (Freelance)

Achievement:

• Undertook freelance projects for scientists at prestigious institutions, including the Indian Institute of Science and Central Power Research Institute, developing applications in C++.

• Designed, developed, and delivered customized software applications using FoxPro and C++.
• Conducted meetings with stakeholder and site visits to gather requirements and create user requirement documents.
• Prepared functional and technical specification documents for new and ongoing projects.
• Monitored and reviewed development work to ensure timely completion.
• Provided technical guidance and support to developers to minimize delays.
• Created test cases and conducted user acceptance testing to ensure software quality.
  Reviewed and optimized code to enhance software performance.

Achievements:

• Proficient in FoxPro, Visual Basic and C++
• Developed complex application like Financial accounting and Payroll for Raman Research Institute.
• Meeting 80% of timelines by preparing robust test cases and user acceptance testing.

• Develop customized software application in FoxPro, Visual Basic & C++
• Troubleshooting and resolving coding issues.
• Identified and fixed bugs post go live.
• Gathered customer feedback and implemented enhancements to existing features.
• Provided application support.
• Trained junior developers on coding best practices, promoting skill development and team growth.

Achievements:

• Developed in-house software for customer billing.
• Taught computer science for high school students in ICSE, CBSE schools across Bangalore.
• Improved software efficiency by troubleshooting and resolving coding issues.