ARI Simulation “Customization is Our Strength”
What was the inspiration behind the evolution of ARI simulation as the industry in the mid 90s in India was labor oriented and such technologies were not in discussion?
ARI had identified the use of simulation technology much earlier and has been responsible for a series of first indigenous simulators for various industry verticals. The company has always had a wide reach in training and our long association with this domain had given us early signs that traditional training methods are inadequate to meet the rigours of the industries we were operating in. ARI always believed that the technology used by Aerospace and Defence (A & D) would be used across all verticals at different levels and will become more accessible and affordable, and the perception of value addition is either driven by legislation or otherwise.
ARI started over 2 decades ago and now is a global player. Our clients include industry leaders in markets they are operating in. We had decided right at the beginning of our journey, to move slowly but surely, solidifying our base at every stage. It was a strategic decision to ensure that every new product and variant and feature we introduce in the market will withstand scrutiny at the highest level.
Today, our portfolio is deep and wide and with multiple products across a range of industries, meeting all the established standards for simulators including governmental and industry specific standards. The entire technology stack including visualization, resources, and immersive environments / worlds belong to ARI.
What are the segments currently being catered to with your offerings? What about simulation technology for infrastructure construction projects?
We specialise in operation and process simulation of large cranes, heavy equipment and other similar machinery that pose significant hazards in routine operation and also provide an opportunity for trained operators to improve their productivity dramatically. From Tower cranes, Mobile cranes and Crawler cranes to Backhoe loaders, Dumpers and Dozers, we are confident we have an ideal product to offer to cover every aspect of operational efficiency in this industry.
Today, we simply have a very large range of products to offer in such varied and diversified industries as Defense, Infrastructure, Oil & Gas, Airports, Marine and several others. Within the infrastructure vertical alone, our product platforms are used by a number of sectors like ports, airports, construction, mining, roads, etc.
Are you also providing customized solutions?
Indeed, customisation is our strength and we have invested heavily in accomplishing high quality rapid customisation.
There is a distinct shift in the level of customers' expectation – the savvy user is moving from being satisfied with generic systems to increasing calls for 'my equipment, my location, my processes'.
We have recognised this demand for customised products and we are fully geared to meet any level of request from any customer. Our technology, our people, our processes are fully aligned towards providing customised yet cost-effective solutions across the entire range of our product portfolio.
ARI's name is followed by the words "Your world, Our World". Our world embraces customization of equipment, process, and environments.
What about your export market?
As much as 80% of our revenues come from international exports. Our products are in use in more than 50 countries worldwide and our geographical reach spans across all continents (except Antarctica). All our products are built and certified to major international standards.
India has so far not been a large consumer of this technology, though it's heartening to note that the usage of simulator system is now rising in the domestic market. We believe that with the new 'Digital India', 'Skill India' and 'Make in India' campaigns for defence and private projects, the markets in India will also grow.
How do you see the simulation market in India evolving over the years? What are the major growth drivers and emerging industries using simulations?
We see a tremendous untapped potential in the Indian market for high technology systems such as ours. Indian companies have been somewhat slow in adapting new technological systems for training and development. Though, it is changing now, with the cost of technological systems coming down with increased usage, and probably senior managers in Indian companies becoming increasingly tech savvy.
We expect rapid growth with these tools becoming affordable and accessible. Markets are going to be driven by infrastructure, ports and logistics, and smart cities projects. With these, the requirements of skilled expertise will present itself as a big potential for simulator-based training solution.
What are the major challenges of this sector?
The major challenges are the overall cost and management of people. The large government organization will end-up seeing value in training and will be the first adopters of technology, whereas, smaller training providers normally perceive the value in terms of profits that can be made after an initial investment. The lack of legislations and enforcement of legislations remains a major challenge.
How vital is the role of simulation techn- ology for meeting industrial growth and infrastructural development?
Technology is a key driver for industrial growth and infrastructural development. For every operation that contains a risk element, simulation can assist to lower such risks. It saves cost as people use equipment better and overall results in better efficiency for the whole operation (less LTI, less accidents, better results etc.). Incidents with mobile telescopic cranes during execution of large infrastructure projects demands an enhanced training program for operation of such equipment. Equipment will become more automated and sophisticated with time and this will drive the training needs. As the project sizes increase and the potential margins of error constantly shrink, the complexity and inherent uncertainty of success can be better managed and controlled with the use of Simulators early in the project. The Sagarmala Project of the Govt. of India, is a good example of large infrastructure project that stands to gain hugely from adopting simulation technology.
NBM&CW November 2016
