Personally Tech with Schneider Electric Country General Manager Nikhil Pathak

Our weekly series takes a look at the men and women at the forefront of the technology industry in India, who tell us about their favourite gadgets and apps. We see how they work and play, and what devices they are dreaming about.

This week, we speak to Nikhil Pathak, Vice President and Country General Manager - IT Business India & SAARC at Schneider Electric India, and find out about the devices he can't live without.

Describe your technology setup - what computer/ phone/ tablet/ camera/ gaming console/ other gadgets do you use?
So normally I have an iPad Air and iPhone 5. I don't depend so heavily on PCs. I also love photography, and think it's a way of life, so I've got a couple of DSLRs from Nikon and Canon, and my favourite camera these days is the [Canon] Eos 550d. Photography is not just a hobby, it's the way you see life. For me photographs are windows to the real world, and a way to express our vision of it, our thoughts and emotions.

What are three apps (mobile/ tablet or PC/ Mac) you couldn't live without?
There are some apps that I totally rely on. Google Maps is one, because I am new to Bangalore, and it helps me immensely in finding my way around the city, and also in discovering new places of interest. Cisco WebEx is a life saver for me, as I can collaborate from anywhere to everywhere; via online meetings, Web conferencing and videoconferencing. It in turn helps me achieve better business results through more productive and engaging web meetings. This technology also has the added benefit of contributing to our business's green initiative by reducing its carbon footprint. I also use Magzter a lot - the digital magazine store and newsstand helps me enjoy my favourite magazines anytime and anywhere, including sports to gadgets to business and technology updates around the world.

What is one gadget (other than your phone) you never travel without?
I travel extensively and there are a few things which need to be part of my travel kit. My iPad and a mobile power bank are essential, because it's critical for me to be connected to my business and my team and this little power bank is a must have gadget for me that keeps my phone charged when I need power the most. Other than that, the one thing I never travel without is my Bose QC15 noise cancelling headphones.

What is your dream gadget/ technology setup?
My dream technology will be homes powered by kinetic energy. With populations growing and electricity demand expected to grow by 4 fold by 2050, our current energy infrastructure is just not enough. Kinetic energy will play a big role in meeting the energy demand.

How has technology changed the way in which you work?
Technology has made us very responsive and independent in a lot of ways. We at Schneider Electric believe in the philosophy of Green IT and now with internet and communication technologies in place we are moving more and more towards paperless office. Social media has become an important tool and a very sophisticated source of customer service, referrals,and business review tools. It has made us come closer to our customers by staying connected 24x7. I believe that technology today has given a face to virtual conversations, as communication and information travels faster and faster, the world seems smaller, and this has a huge effect on the way we conduct business.