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Chandra Prabhakar, VP, Ramco OnDemand Solutions
Job Profile: Prabhakar heads the OnDemand division, which recently
introduced OnDemand ERP-the software as a service enabling customers to
subscribe to ERP as a service over the Internet. Prior to this, she worked on
client server and e-commerce projects.
Background: This Mathematics Honors graduate completed her PG from IIM
Bangalore, specializing in Computer Management. Today she is a veteran who has
in-depth knowledge about the IT field. Recalling her first job, Prabhakar shared
that she started working in IBM mainframe in CMC and moved on to work in COBOL,
RPG and Microsoft-based systems. Post CMC she worked in Aptech and Advent
Computer Services before joining Ramco. She had been a key member in the design
of the application architecture of the first ERP product developed by Ramco
Systems called 'Marshall'. Her effectiveness to do multiple jobs helped her in
completing ERP implementation projects in Europe and in spearheading the
initiative resulting in CMM Level 4 certification of e-commerce division.
Prabhakar has also made significant contributions to Ramco Systems by heading
the Ramco Decision Works initiative right from its conception in 2001. It was
the first corporate performance management product out of India.
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Challenges: Keeping herself abreast with the latest know-how is a
major challenge she faces today. “I consider this as a major challenge as I have
to keep meeting people from various industries and it would have become
difficult for me to sustain in the industry without updating myself,” shared
Prabhakar. She has been in the industry for so long that heading the business in
OnDemand Solutions has become a cakewalk for her and she does not find it a
challenge anymore. Talking about her initial years, the IT veteran quipped,
“There were only a few women in this field when I started my career but I hardly
faced any challenges while coming up in life. My IIM career had taught me enough
to deal with these challenges.”
Strengths: Time management and her commitment towards work is the
biggest strengths she posses. Talking about her strengths, Prabhakar informed
that applying technology for the business perspective is one of her strengths.
“I find it challenging and rewarding when I am able to tie-up with technology
and come out with business perspective as combining both is a real achievement
for me,” she said. She is extremely firm in handling any situation. She is of
the strong belief that women are good managers as compared to men as they have
the inborn capability within them to manage people better. She also foresees a
lot of women entering the IT industry in future.
Family: Prabhakar stays with her son who is studying at Madras
Institute of Technology. She has mastered the art of managing her family and
work well. “It all depends on how one likes to fix their life. I always wanted
to maintain a balance between my personal and professional life. Fortunately I
had the support from my parents,” she said. Prabhakar believes in the saying
work hard and play harder. “At the end of the day everyone needs to enjoy his or
her work and have a good personal life too,” she asserted.
Hobbies: Prabhakar is an active person and apart from her work, which
she is very passionate about, she equally enjoys gardening, cooking and artwork.
Apart from this, she loves to spend time with her pets. A strong believer in
yoga and naturopathy, she regularly practices and recommends it to others too
for leading a stress free life.
Future Plans: She is very sure what she wants from life. For her life
is a journey, which continues. Prabhakar hopes to take OnDemand Solutions to
great heights. Apart from work, she wants to contribute to the society in
whatever way she can.
NR Sethuraman
(sethuramannr@cybermedia.co.in) Page(s) 1
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