How Zeiss is turning its India GCC into Data Custodians 

As artificial intelligence (AI) advances at an unprecedented pace, the role of data within organisations has become more strategic than ever. 

While large language models like Claude 3.7 and others can generate code and automate many technical tasks, the complexity and scale of today’s data ecosystems demand a deeper, more strategic involvement from engineers. 

Interestingly, global capability centres(GCCs), being data-centric, are helping centrally govern and transform vast data resources.

Analysts from EY India noted that GCCs, with their established automation centres of excellence (CoEs), are well-positioned to drive the implementation of system-based rules and frameworks that ensure effective data governance.

Kunal Ghatak, partner, global business services, EY India, highlighted that several GCCs today are also functioning as “data custodians and stewards.”

This emphasis on data is echoed across the industry. For instance, ZEISS Group India, part of Carl ZEISS Group, a company operating across medical technologies, vision care, industrial quality solutions (IQS), microscopy, and optics, is undergoing a significant transformation. 

“We are in a transformation phase where we are evolving into a completely data-driven organisation,” said Anupam Chaturvedi, head of ZEISS digital partners India, in an interview with AIM. 

This German optics and optoelectronics leader opened its GCC in Bengaluru in November 2023 and is now moving towards becoming a fully data-driven organisation.

The company revealed that its purpose is to unify its data landscape into a single source of information, empowering informed decision-making across all levels of the organisation.

India as the Digital Nerve Centre

Recognising India’s deep talent pool and scalable workforce, ZEISS has significantly expanded its footprint in the region. 

“ZEISS saw that there is an availability of talent here in India, and we can easily scale. In many areas where you find almost a year to source somebody in Europe, you can easily get it in a couple of months here in India,” Prakash Kumar, head of corporate IT – ZEISS global capability center India, told AIM.

This agility has allowed ZEISS to accelerate delivery in data engineering, cloud excellence, and platform development.

Key enterprise systems such as SAP, Salesforce and Microsoft platforms are now supported and driven from India for ZEISS. 

What other players are doing?

Several GCCs in India are also driving the data consolidation journey from India.

For instance, Walmart Global Tech India is a key part of Walmart’s global tech strategy, driving innovation in retail, supply chain, and e-commerce through advanced data analytics and AI. Similarly, Citi’s Global Services Center in India is pivotal in supporting global IT operations, customer service, and especially data-driven decision-making across the bank’s network.

In an interview with AIM, Josh Everett, CEO of Zinnia India, also highlighted the central role of interpreting data, especially when drawing parallels between aerospace and insurance. This helps bring a fresh perspective to the sector.

Enterprise Data Platform & Cloud Excellence in Bengaluru

In parallel, ZEISS India is building a comprehensive enterprise data platform with the ambitious goal of hosting 80% of its global data in a single environment. 

This unified, cloud-based platform supports everything from strategic decision-making to research and development, particularly in sensitive fields like medical technologies. 

The platform ensures that data is securely governed, well-structured, and available 24/7—facilitating both compliance and innovation.

Kumar stated that much of the platform’s development and ongoing operations are being handled from India, including a dedicated Cloud Excellence Centre based in Bengaluru. 

Guarded AI Adoption and Responsible Governance

Rather than relying on external tools like Microsoft’s or OpenAI’s GPT models, Kumar revealed that  the company has developed ZEISS GPT—a proprietary, secure AI solution. Built as an internal wrapper over GPT technology, ZEISS GPT ensures that no data leaves the company’s ecosystem.

The initial rollout focused on creating a robust governance model. This included data classification protocols (confidential, public, internal), platform usage guidelines, and centralised control by the digital team. The system ensures AI is used ethically and in compliance with both internal standards and external regulations.

Currently,ZEISS India  is also piloting GPT+ and Microsoft Copilot in India, evaluating their impact on efficiency and productivity. 

These trials are part of a larger AI enablement strategy that aims to empower all employees—not just those in IT and digital. 

Chaturvedi mentioned that AI is being introduced at both ends of the spectrum, from sales and marketing to HR and finance: in strategic use cases at the top and everyday tasks like content creation and email drafting at the grassroots.

Hiring and Data Literacy

Beyond technology, ZEISS is investing in building a strong data culture. This means training employees, creating awareness around data quality, and enforcing governance at the point of entry—before data even reaches source systems like SAP or Salesforce. 

Meanwhile, ZEISS India is actively upgrading its functional and technical capabilities. On the technical front, the focus is on hiring skilled developers, engineers, and system configurators. 

There is also a strong push towards building security expertise, with significant recruitment in this area. Infrastructure operations are expanding, especially in network technologies like software defined wide area network  (SD-WAN).

The company is also hiring for key platforms such as Salesforce, driving a surge in lateral hiring to bring in experienced professionals. 

Upcoming ZEISS Facility in Devanahalli

In line with its data-driven and technology-first approach, ZEISS is establishing a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Devenahalli, Bengaluru, which will be inaugurated by next year. 

Kumar highlighted that the facility is designed to function as a global manufacturing hub, with a capacity to handle 95% of exports. “With minimal reliance on manual labour, the facility will be built around intelligent automation,” Kumar said.

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