COVID19: UDTECHS Focuses on Customer Partnerships for Mutual Survival

Commencing as an IT service provider in 2010, Unified Data-Tech Solutions (UDTECHS) has emerged as a trusted partner for customized solutions and services. Headquarterd in Mumbai with presence in Pune and Ahmedabad, UDTECHS feels this trusted partnership is the future after COVID19. Kunal Katkoria, CTO & Associate Director, UDTECHS prescribes working closely with customers to help each other’s business survive.

During this COVID19 crisis what are the measures UDTECHS has undertaken to continue its own business without disruption?  

We are following the guidance provided by the Government of India and state on COVID-19 guidelines. For the same we have ensured the staff is performing WFH and maintaining social distancing policy.

For continuing business without disruption we have provided the requisite tools to everyone for connecting to mails, Webex, calls and performing their day to day duties from home. In the first step, we have ensured laptop and Internet connectivity to every employee.

What are the initiatives for employees and financially what is the impact on UDTECHS and what are your plans to mitigate them?

For employees, we are trying our best to work as a regular day maintaining the same policy and discipline. There is yet no financial impact on any employee as of now and many lower cadres have been sufficiently compensated. We have also provided all employees with group Mediclaim facility covering personal and family dependents. We are also personally connected with everyone for any urgent monetary and medical help if required. We have also initiated fix 2 hours per day training to most of the employee so that they learn new technologies and skill themselves.

What are the measures and initiatives taken for the uninterrupted service to customers?  

For customers, we are sending out regular communications that there would not be any disruption towards business and support. We have also provided executive escalation matrix for immediate support related cases. We are also following up with our customers on proactive basis to enquire about any service requirement and also for their personal health.

What are Unified Data-Tech’s business and operating models? In light of the COVID19 crisis how has this model got impacted?

For any sales organization like us, the operating model is face to face meeting with customers. This has been badly impacted in light of COVID-19. However, with help of online video calls and conference services, we are trying to mitigate the impact as much as possible.

Which are the sectors you witness maximum traction? How has COVID19 impacted business with the existing customers?

Our marquee clients include BFSI, manufacturing and pharma/medical verticals and the traction for same is maximum.

COVID-19 has triggered slowness in business by delaying the approval mechanism and pre/post processing of the orders. In addition, the finance/account team of most of the customers are unable to process their day to day operations smoothly.

What are the contingency plans you have put in place if this crisis persists or gets escalated?

BCP for such outbreaks were never planned by any business. With the lockdown likely extending beyond 30 days and halting all physical travel, we have to look for activities that were never imagined.

Our contingency plan is to embrace more online tools for performing business and to help our customers for the same. We are suspecting it will be more partnership role to work closely with our customers, so that we can help each other’s business survive.

What sort of business and financial impact you expect for Unified Data-Tech’s business as a result of COVID 19? 

Regarding business impact, we expect major slowness and projects that will be put on hold by many customers. However we also anticipate many customers will also look into BCP and WFH solutions very keenly. Therefore as of now it is prudent to wait and watch.

The financial impact will be major as money outflow for most of the customers will be under too much pressure and hence timely payment will be the biggest worry.