There’s a growing demand for sustainable solutions
Customers are looking at products that are geared towards efficiency whilst providing environmentally responsible features,
Old and crumbling infrastructure is a big challenge in Indian cities like Mumbai and Kolkata and one hears of lift-related accidents quite often these days. What are the challenges that any modernisation/overhaul drive is likely to face?
One of the biggest challenges to modernisation is that there is no uniform national code that makes it compulsory for the users to upgrade their elevators to the contemporary safety standards. Some states do have up-to-date safety codes but a lot of them are non-compulsory. Moreover, traditionally the India user prefers to stay committed to a product for as long as they can. However, that is now changing as people are realising that it can sometimes be detrimental and counterproductive.
Otis is pursuing a modernisation drive for older elevators in India. Implementing that won’t be easy...
We have introduced a green modernisation package for the India elevator market based on the technology of the flagship product, the Gen2 elevator family. Apart from upgrading the elevator, the Gen2 MOD package will bring elevators in need of renovation up to date with the latest technology in safety, comfort and environmental standards as well as enhance the passenger experience. The Gen2 MOD will be provided from Otis’ India factory in Bengaluru.
The Gen2 MOD package employs a smart retention programme where reusable parts from the older system are retained in the new system. This further aids in minimal interference with the structural part of the building, reduces the downtime period and minimises the inconvenience to residents. Considering that elevators have been around in India for a while now, there are and will be units that will be in need of modernisation. What is also relevant is that customers are now looking to products that are geared towards efficiency whilst providing environmentally responsible features and benefits.
You operate in a low involvement category and you have to stay top of mind with your tech-led initiatives. What are the key business areas where you are leading with digital deployments?
Otis engineers are working to develop the next generation of elevators which will for the first time connect manufacturing to installation to service allowing us to deliver to the customer a unique holistic offering. We are taking huge strides in transforming our service business at a global level to incorporate smart, connected technology that delivers proactive, quick and effective diagnostics and repair.
Across the organisation, Otis has developed and is accelerating additional efforts to expand the use of internal service apps. These innovative new tools will enable our on-field employees to be greatly efficient, source information faster, and see a problem before it becomes one. We have expanded our relationship with Microsoft to develop state- of-the-art connectivity and analytics solutions and remote monitoring. At the back of our investment in IoT and mobility solutions, we are building connected elevators that give our customers transparency, access to the right information and a streamlined process to access Otis’ services.