Virtusa Corporation stands at the forefront of digital transformation, offering innovative digital business strategies, engineering solutions, and IT services. Shehan Warusavithana, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Enterprise Applications at Virtusa emphasizes the pivotal role of innovation in driving organizational success. He highlights the importance of staying relevant through creative, sustainable, and continuous improvement.
Can you tell us about your journey with Virtusa over the years?
Joining Virtusa over two decades ago my journey here has been both rewarding and transformative. I have had the privilege of witnessing and contributing to the organization’s significant growth and evolution. Starting as an architect I was given opportunities to work on diverse projects that challenged and honed my skills.
Over the years, I’ve moved through various positions, each offering new responsibilities and learning experiences. What stands out most is the collaborative culture and the emphasis on innovation. We’ve always been at the forefront of technological advancements, and it’s exciting to be part of a team that constantly strives for excellence. Virtusa’s commitment to employee growth and client success has made my journey here truly fulfilling.
What are the key challenges that organizations face today in managing enterprise applications, and how does Virtusa address these challenges?
Organizations today face several key challenges in managing enterprise applications, including legacy modernization with new technologies, ensuring robust security, and maintaining seamless user experiences. Scalability and agility are also significant concerns as businesses need to quickly adapt to changing market demands.
At Virtusa, we address these challenges by leveraging our expertise in intelligent automation, cloud-based solutions, and cybersecurity. We help clients modernize their IT infrastructure, making it more resilient and adaptable. Our solutions focus on enhancing user experiences while ensuring data security and compliance. By employing agile methodologies, we enable businesses to scale efficiently and stay ahead of technological trends, ensuring they remain competitive in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
How is Virtusa leveraging emerging technologies within enterprise applications?
Innovation isn’t just about using the latest technology; it’s about finding creative solutions to problems. Let me give you an example from our recent work with AI. We introduced an AI-powered chat assistant for our employees, making it easier to access policy information and perform transactions. Virtusa operates in over 20 countries, managing hundreds of policy documents on HR, finance, security, and more. Employees often struggle to find specific answers within this vast collection.
Our AI assistant allows employees to ask questions in natural language. It searches the documents, identifies the relevant ones, and provides the exact answer along with references to the original document. This saves time, reduces frustration, and is incredibly efficient. For instance, when applying for leave, employees no longer need to navigate through a complex HR application. They can simply say, “Please apply for casual leave next Friday,” and AI handles the rest. This innovation has been very well received. Employees can quickly complete tasks and get back to their work instead of spending unnecessary time on administrative tasks. Their job is to work efficiently, not to navigate applications.
User experience, data, and AI will be crucial for enterprise applications. While AI is still early in the hype cycle, it can significantly improve user experience and data accessibility. For example, as I mentioned earlier, AI can streamline tasks by providing timely and relevant data to frontline staff, salespeople, operational teams, and leaders. This ability to quickly surface important information will be key to future success and is hard to beat.
What are your thoughts on the future of enterprise applications, and how do you see the landscape evolving over the next five years?
I believe the future of enterprise applications is exciting and full of potential. Over the next five years, we’ll see a major shift towards intelligent automation, making processes more efficient and reducing the need for manual intervention.
User experiences will become more intuitive and personalized, driven by advancements in AI and machine learning. Security will remain a top priority, with robust measures integrated seamlessly into applications. Additionally, the adoption of agile, cloud-based solutions will accelerate, allowing businesses to adapt quickly to changing demands. Companies that embrace these trends will not only stay relevant but also thrive in an increasingly competitive and dynamic landscape.
What role does innovation play in the future of work and in driving efficient organizations towards success?
Innovation plays a crucial role in shaping the future of work and driving organizational success. In an ever-evolving business landscape, staying ahead means continually finding new and better ways to operate. Innovation fuels this by introducing cutting-edge technologies and processes that enhance efficiency, productivity, and adaptability.
For instance, the integration of AI and machine learning into everyday workflows automates routine tasks, freeing up employees to focus on more strategic initiatives. This not only increases efficiency but also boosts job satisfaction as employees can engage in more meaningful work. Similarly, advanced data analytics provides deep insights that help organizations make informed decisions swiftly and accurately.
Moreover, innovation fosters a culture of continuous improvement. By encouraging creative thinking and experimentation, companies can discover unique solutions to challenges and seize new opportunities. This mindset is vital for maintaining relevance in a competitive market.
Innovation also ensures organizations are better equipped to handle disruptions. The recent global shift towards remote work, driven by necessity, was made possible through innovative technologies like cloud computing and collaborative tools. These advancements not only sustained business continuity but also opened new possibilities for flexible work arrangements.