Interview: Firoze Zia Hussain, Chief Security Officer, Delhivery
Delhivery’s Transport Management System promotes efficiency across all transportation modes. Its customized solutions are designed to accelerate the deployment process while saving time and money. With reliable 24/7 monitoring services, its customers gain immediate visibility and access to a network of 12,000+ pin codes across 1200+ cities with over 1 million sq ft of infrastructure. The company processes over 10 million orders a month with 99%+ fidelity and fulfilment timelines between 30 minutes and 72 hours.
Delhivery’s specialized warehousing solutions are integrated into optimizing supply chain operations. The company operates 24 fulfilment centers across the country carrying over 3 million products in inventory.
Mr. Firoze Zia Hussain, Chief Security Officer, Delhivery is a forward thinking and energetic industry leader currently engaged in e-commerce logistics with diverse experience of 30+ years in change management, quality leadership, double digit growth strategies,social media architect for change.
A former Superintendent of Police from Pondicherry with expertise in trafficking investigation, drug enforcement, electronic surveillance, fraud and risk analytics, financial frauds Mr Hussain has tasted success in all his ventures. SECURITY TODAY interacted with Mr Hussain to track what kept the wheels of Delhivery moving in the challenging Covid 19 times
About himself
I am basically an engineer and in 1988, I started a venture in manufacturing electronic ware. Being from Bihar, a target of civil services was always there so after five years in manufacturing, I decided to head towards civil services. Basically I always backed diversity so a career in policing was the choice for me. Deputed in Pondicherry, I used my electronics interest and launched a website for Pondicherry police…which was a new facet in those days. The concept of community policing, now common was first initiated in Pondicherry police by me.
After 9 years of policing a desire for change drove me towards the corporate world, as variety was something that I liked. I was also involved for a short period of time in a business endeavour where we used to supply security equipment to end users. Flexibility and scalability were my mantras which eventually got me into the corporate world, and in my present position.
Challenges in managing the massive workforce in Delhivery
We have a tech platform and a filtration system. We have a huge amount of data of people, goods, and trucks that are on the move, so it is essential to have a filtering system which can tell us what we need. For this we have a radicalised database management system which is used effectively for the massive challenge. There is also a need for constant manpower security but here too we have technology as our back bone.
We had 1500 guards some five years back. We still have 1500 because now we have a smart guard management system which ensures excess manpower is not needed if the manpower on hand can be utilised effectively. As far as guards are concerned we give our requirements to the agency as to what we need the guard to do and what is the basic talent we would like them to possess. Then we periodically give them refresher training to ensure they are able to multitask and perform effectively. Plus we also keep a close collaboration with local police in all matters for an effective security management.
Use of X ray machines
It is essential to confirm that the product is what was ordered. We have 24 X-Ray machines all over the country which are involved in this task. The scanning is done carefully and our trained operators can confirm the type of product in the packet that has been ordered. We have around 2300 warehouses around the country for supplies and we have a system wherein it is easy for the staff at the warehouse to identify what products are kept in the expanse of the warehouses. Even guards get involved in this and this proves very helpful. During the Covid 19 times, it was essential to use technology to manage movement and keep track of this movement.
Use of drones
Well I think drone technology is something that will develop eventually. We have carried out testing and are still carrying out these experiments to check their actual utility. But there are several governing issues as far as drones are concerned. So I believe that the time is not ripe yet. Possibly a few years down the line this technology will be more common and ripe for usage but not yet.
Vaccine distribution
That is an issue that has been discussed for weeks but we believe that there are too many challenges there. The temperature of storage of the vaccine and how it is to be kept and moved. I guess as of now that’s something that the government will handle.
Farmer’s agitation
Actually this agitation has not become a bottleneck in our operations. But it did need logistics planning as far as movement of our trucks was concerned. We adopted what we called a flexible architecture to keep the wheels moving. We also have a concept of constant feedback which allowed us to plan ahead and carry out diversions if necessary.
This required a steady intelligence input where thousands of our own men on the move played a key role plus there were other sources of gathering intelligence to ensure that when the trucks moved, they were not suddenly confronted with a roadblock created by the ongoing agitation. It is all about planning ahead and thus it hasn’t been a major issue for us so far.
C-suite
We believe in constantly encouraging staff to enhance their knowledge. Refreshing your knowledge of technology is of great importance in current times. But we also have to be cautious because excess digital dealings will eventually give rise to cyber security issues as has already been seen in recent times. So knowledge must include the concept of being cautious when using technology.
I have always believed that life is a constant learning curve, something that I learnt in my earlier business stint, in police service and eventually in the corporate world as well. The way ahead is to keep a constant positive outlook. That’s what I believe is the way to success.
