“Technology certainly supports the best people flow experience at KONE and we have indeed revolutionized elevator safety and maintenance with cutting-edge solutions.”
KONE has been one of the early adopters of technology and frontrunners in offering customers innovative solutions. Our innovative KONE 24/7 Connected Services, the world’s most intelligent elevator and escalator services that monitor round-the-clock, results in fewer faults, faster repairs and peace of mind for the customer. Using cloud technology, the elevators and escalators can now speak their minds and keep technicians one step ahead of what’s happening. Technology certainly supports the best people flow experience at KONE and we have indeed revolutionized elevator safety and maintenance with cutting-edge solutions, says Amit Gossain, MD, KONE Elevator India. Mr Gossain spoke to CIA World magazine. Excerpts:
Do you see the pandemic making an impact on aspects like the space provided to lift lobbies, the number of elevators and their capacity going forward?
Almost every space that we thus far took for granted, will need to be revisited from a design perspective. Hotels, hospitals, stadiums, malls and apartment complexes are some of the spaces where people assemble. Perhaps vast open offices will be replaced by cosy nooks and open congregation areas! Architects and designers are also looking to rely on technology. Touch-less technology has arrived and is here to stay! From automatic doors, app activated elevators, mobile phone-controlled hotel room locks, and censor activated light switches, it is rapidly evolving and may soon be implemented across the globe.
The need is to ensure less crowding and maintaining physical distance while using public spaces. At KONE, we are confident that our services and solutions will enhance collective health and well-being and have a positive impact on urban spaces and our customers’ premises. For instance, KONE’s Elevator Call Feature allows users to summon an elevator with their mobile device, removing the need to stay longer in lift lobbies and avoid touching possibly contaminated buttons or displays. Physical distancing elevator floor stickers and Elevator full load limit adjustment also ensures less crowding and thereby contributing to a healthier environment.
Could concepts like ‘touchless access’ for buildings and elevators unofficially become the norm in new constructions?
I absolutely agree! In an era when hygiene and physical distancing are vitally important, we will look at our surroundings and our interactions with people in an all new way. In this environment, public spaces are stressful and the way we interact with everyday surroundings has changed. It is important that cities and buildings must be safer and healthier. At KONE, we have been thinking of the safety of our customers and end-users even as the world has been combating the pandemic. Spurred by KONE’s technical expertise and innovative mindset, we have created solutions that will encourage physical distancing while enabling safety. The range of health and well-being solutions have helped recreate safer user journeys and healthy spaces in your buildings. It is by understanding urbanization – focusing on improvements for people and anticipating the needs and opportunities for people – we can develop innovations and breakthroughs which help improve buildings and make our cities a better place to live in.
Do you feel technology will be leveraged to a greater extent when it comes to building management systems and integrating vertical transportation during the year 2021 and beyond?
Technology has certainly changed the way buildings are controlled today – they are a lot smarter and more efficient than before. It is important that we, in the industry, focus on the safety of our customers and end-users, and be ready with solutions for what we believe will aid people to ease into the ‘new normal’. Smart technologies can help support the world as it recovers from the impacts of the pandemic.
KONE has been one of the early adopters of technology and frontrunners in offering customers innovative solutions. Our innovative KONE 24/7 Connected Services, the world’s most intelligent elevator and escalator services that monitor round-the-clock, results in fewer faults, faster repairs and peace of mind for the customer. Using cloud technology, the elevators and escalators can now speak their minds and keep technicians one step ahead of what’s happening. Technology certainly supports the best people flow experience at KONE and we have indeed revolutionized elevator safety and maintenance with cutting-edge solutions.
What has been your experience with real estate clients when it comes to introducing new technology and advanced elevator models for premium or landmark projects?
The response has been very positive. Real Estate clients are clearly emphasising on incorporating technological innovation for elevators. A number of our clients are also keen to install KONE 24/7 Connected Services that ensures the products are better monitored, maintained and repaired before they malfunction. This improves the performance of the products and increases reliability and safety. This demand for 24/7 Connected Services has certainly peaked during this pandemic. We also innovated new capabilities for remote operation, a complete digital transformation including the digital payment system which is the first-ever in our industry. From escalator handrail sanitizers to elevator remote call using WhatsApp, to elevator air purifiers to elevator load adjustment and physical distancing solutions, the focus is on the solutions that support people transition into a new normal.
In Box
Amit Gossain, Managing Director, KONE Elevator India is an Industrial and Production Engineer with Masters in Management and Systems from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) – Delhi, Amit joined KONE India as Managing Director in 2015. Prior to KONE, Amit was the Executive Vice President for JCB India Limited with responsibilities for Sales, Marketing, Business Development, Product Management and Corporate Affairs for India and South Asia. Amit worked with JCB for a decade and under his leadership, brand JCB was awarded amongst India’s most impactful brands twice.
Amit has worked both in India and overseas. After working with L&T Earth Moving and Construction Equipment division in India, he worked for close to 10 years in Sydney, Australia with CNH Global, one of the world leaders in Agricultural and Construction equipment. He worked in various leadership roles, with the final assignment as Head of Sales and Marketing – Construction Equipment Group for Asia Pacific which included Australia, New Zealand, Oceania and South East Asia, before moving back to India to join JCB in 2005.
Amit was the President of Indian Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association and the Chairman of Solid Waste Management Committee for CII. Amit is currently the Chairman of the Urban Development and Smart Cities Committee for CII which has been tasked to bring out a report that ensures further improvement in the speed of reforms in Real Estate which is both consumer friendly and developer friendly to ensure positive growth of the Real Estate Industry as well as introduce world class and environment friendly technologies in India. He is also the Chairman of Finland Chamber of Commerce in India (FINCHAM).
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