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QUESTION 3 1. Normally, a seller can choose any of the three ways given below to sell their products on Amazon.

• FBA (fulfilled by Amazon) - here sellers keep their inventory in Amazon warehouse. When someone buys a fulfilled or prime tag product, Amazon staff or mechanical robots pack the product and ship it themselves. Amazon charges shipping charges from the seller as well as the customer. If a customer wants to get rid of shipping charges, then he must opt for the prime membership or the shopping amount should be higher than a certain amount.

• Easyship: In this case, the Amazon courier guy picks the product from seller shop or warehouse and delivers to the customer. The entire process for FBA and Easyship is outlined over here at AmazonLogistics.

• FBS (fulfilled by Seller): In this case, once the order comes in, a notification is sent to the seller. They have a specified time until the item needs to be marked as shipped, which is relayed to the customer. All of this is done at the discretion of the seller, so they decide on how the product will be shipped (UPS, FedEx, DHL, Post etc.)

GiventheincreasingdemandforFBA,Amazonwantstosetupanewwarehouseataremotelocationwheretheclosestnetworktoweris20milesaway.Themanagementwantsthenewwarehousetobeasautomatedaspossible.Theywant to leverage therecentlyacquiredKivaSystems(nowAmazonRobotics) to the fullest extent. As a consultant, you are required to submit the implementation recommendations and advise ontheworkflowfocusingmainlyonIoT,MachineLearningandBigDataconsiderations.

Answer: The key is to create a centralized Warehouse which acts as a Logistics Command Centre. We will use IOT to have end to end visibility of the entire delivery process which will be both at warehouse and at delivery. The technologies that will be used are : Sensor Technologies (in the various packages / items) Identifications (RFID’s / Barcodes) Communications (WIFI / 4G) Cloud Based Service (this will enable data captured from above sensors to be used to make decisions) All information will be centralized and provided in real time to buyers / suppliers / Amazon team and yard / drivers etc Crates / Shelves / forklifts and warehouse personnel will have sensors that will ensure that items received / stored and dispatched are monitored to ensure efficiencies. Warehouse management will be done to ensure that the Logistics of Amazon are nothavingvehiclesstandingintheiryardsforshipments.Byensuringthatthese3rdpartyvehiclesareloaded/unloadedintimepenaltieshavingtobepaidbyAmazonareavoided.

UsingIoTinthevehiclesyardteamwouldknowwellintiem(1-2hoursor50kmsbeforevehiclearrives.ThisisthroughGeoFencing.OncevehiclecrossestheGeofencethenyardteamwouldbealertedandautomatedworkflowwillactivatetoassignloadingpersonnel

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&itemstobeloadedinspecificvehicle.Thiswillensurevehiclesareturnedaroundandleavetheyardwithmaterialswithoutwastingtime.

Image courtesy: indiamart

Logisticsautomationsystemscompriseavarietyofhardwareandsoftwarecomponents:

• Fixedmachinery• Automatedstorageandretrievalsystems,including:

• Cranesservearackoflocations,• Automatedguidedvehicle

• Conveyors:automatedconveyors.• VerticalCarousels.

• Sortingsystems:usedtodistributehighvolumesofsmallcartonstoalargesetoflocations.

• Industrialrobots: industrialrobots,e.g.palletingrobots,areusedforpalleting,packagingandorderpicking.

• Motioncheckweighersmaybeusedtocheckforunderweightconditionsandrejecttheitem.

• Mobiletechnology• Radiodataterminals:Barcodesallowtheautomaticcaptureofdata

• Software• Integrationsoftware:overallcontroloftheautomationactivity.• Operationalcontrolsoftware:provideslow-leveldecisionmaking,suchaswhere

tostoreandwheretoretrievefrom• Business Control software: identification of incoming deliveries / scheduling

orderfulfillment

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Overallactivitieswillensure:

1. Real time visibility into end to end supply chain operations right from when thesupplierssendshipmentstillitisdeliveredtocustomerusingIoT.PotentialdelayscanbeidentifiedandPlanB/Cifrequiredcanbeinitiated.

2.Reducedcostof logisticsandwarehouseoperationsby reducingmanual effort andrepetitive reworking. For example jammed routes can be avoided with the help oftrackingGPSdevicesresultinginsavingonthefuelcostsandensuringtimelydelivery

3.Reducingpilferages&improvedoperator&workplacesafetybyusingenvironmentgaugingsensors(gas/temperature)

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QUESTION 4 1. Indian Government has recently learned about the plastic bank initiative

(https://www.plasticbank.org/) where Plastic Bank and IBM are working on blockchain to exchange waste for digital credits, helping the environment and communities in need. The Government would like to implement similar Blockchain based reward system but at a much larger scale to address issues like waste management, food wastage, donation of clothes, toys & books, blood donation, and maintenance of public places. Another proposal is to establish a ‘responsible citizen index’ where based on your score cost of public utility will vary. Everyone will start at the same index but then it will reduce based on fines and penalties charged to an individual by the Government (for instance disobeying traffic rules, spitting, littering, carrying plastic bag, involved in public nuisance, other civil crimes etc) or it can improve if someone does social service, become volunteer in government approved schemes or becomes a catalyst for the change. The Government would like you to provide the report after critically evaluating both the proposals. You are also required to provide the approach to be taken to make the implementation most effective.

Answer: Option A] Plasticbank What does Plasticbank do:

• Xchange of plastic for money, items or Blockchain secured digital tokens. This empowers recycling ecosystems around the world and stops the flow of plastic into our oceans. All while helping people living in poverty build better futures.

• The Plastic Bank creates social and environmental impact in areas with high levels of poverty and plastic pollution by turning plastic waste into a currency.

• The Plastic Bank provides a consistent, above-market rate for plastic waste, thus incentivizing its collection. Individuals who gather plastic can trade it for money, items or services.

• The Plastic Bank also provides the ability for local entrepreneurs to set up and operate a convenience store for the poor, in which plastic waste is the currency. Plastic collected through The Plastic Bank is recycled and sold at a premium as Social Plastic

• Options for subscribing are as under: o GO PLASTIC NEUTRAL – $44 USD / YR o BECOME A PLASTIC POSITIVE HERO – $88 USD / YR o BECOME A PLASTIC POSITIVE OCEAN CHAMPION – $220 USD / YR

• HOW IT WORKS o Your offset is priced at $0.52 per kg and based on an average annual

individual usage of 84 kg. Your contribution flows directly into payments made to our Collectors.

o Traditional market prices in areas where we work are too low to motivate community members to become Collectors. As a result, plastic continues

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its journey to the oceans. By paying a premium on top of the market rate, using your Plastic Neutral pledge, we incentivize Collectors and create a meaningful, dignified, and stable source of income for their families. Once the true value of plastic waste is revealed, it becomes too valuable to leak into the ocean.

o Social Plastic rewards also help lift our Collectors out of poverty. Your Plastic Neutral contribution helps our Collector community increase their income and provides access to life necessities, fresh food, clean water, electricity, and more — using our resources, they can even send their kids to school.

(Reference is https://www.plasticbank.org/go-plastic-neutral/#.W6XQdi2B3-Y) Similar to above options in the field of waste management, food wastage, donation of clothes, toys & books, blood donation, and maintenance of public places Blood Chain - BloodChain's blockchain implementation allows anyone in the world to track any blood donation while Regulatory bodies can easily examine the movement and origin of any blood donation to verify safety. Once inducted, the donation's origin, donor’s history, and every movement is permanently recorded into the Blockchain. Presently 20% of the cost of blood transfusion is related to administrative costs; therefore, the use of BloodChain will allow significant cost savings. One third of the world yet remains without effective access to blood transfusion due to the lack of effective organizational structure. Bloodchain technology allows the creation of sophisticated tracking mechanisms in countries like India with limited organization. (Reference is BloodChain Whitepaper) Option B] Responsible Citizen Index This is about creating a Gamified obedience to the rules of the country. Good behavior gets rewarded while bad gets penalized It is about developing Citizen Score to rate the trustworthiness of citizens.

This tabulation is not something new. We already have a bureau history (CIBIL etc). But this is not only about financial but overall good behaviour.

Given that a majority of India is unbanked / underbanked and Bureau history not being available with the banking regulator a Citizen Score is a good idea.

The entire system will be run around AADHAR

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The objective of the exercise is to get the government to resolve the trust deficit that exists with citizens who do not have records. To start with this should be proposed as voluntary and gradually can be made mandatory. The eventual objective will be to not only rank individuals but also corporations and arrive at their Citizenship Score. Using Algorithms and surveillance of individuals and their behaviour one can collate data to arrive at the Citizen Score. Different companies can be given credit in their CSR requirements to help formulate these mathematical algorithms to arrive at the score. The broad parameters to be considered would be Repayment / Credit History Ability to meet once work commitments (agreement adherences) Civic behavior (no of times jump signal / not clean up after pet etc) Individuals can be graded on a 1000 point score. Those with higher scores will get benefits in terms of lower utility costs. Those with lower scores will not get above benefit but will also have to undergo compulsory training / community service to improve themselves. The broad objective is to ensure Gamified Good Behavior.

I am of the view that Option B is a more workable solution Key points to ensure it happens:

1. Like AADHAR all activities will require that the Citizen Index be quoted 2. While we are proposing utility cost reduction we can also tie up with service

providers to provide instant gratification like – credit into bank a/c / Wallet Credit / Free rides on cab sharing facilities etc

3. Challenges keep coming up so that the desire to go to the next level

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QUESTION 5 1. The outsourcing BPO and KPO trend are, slowly but surely, undergoing a change. After studying various micro-task websites like Mturk, Microwork, Microworkers, and Hivework you realize that people with basic technological skill can work on such micro-tasks. On the other hand, the knowledge driven industry can use services like Flexingit which is a platform to access skilled consultants, experts & project-based resources to drive business priorities. During one of the conversations, your friend mentioned his RemoteYearexperienceandhowitisbecomingmorepopular.Yousuddenlyrealizedthatyoucanofferacombinedservicewherepeoplecantravelandworkremotely.Forthosepeoplewhoseemployersarenotreadytoallowthemtoworkremotely,basedontheirprofile,youcanoffereitherMicrotasksorKPObasedwork.Withthisinmind,youandyourfriendwouldliketostartanewstartupcalledFreeBird. You are required to study the market nuances to validate your business idea and check if the business idea is viable, what should be the revenue model, how can it scale and how the ecosystem will evolve. You are also required to establish a relevant legal entity to operate this business. Based on your customer profile, demographic and location you are required to outline UI/UX considerations, service features, and applicability of various data privacy regulations. You are also required to formulate the strategy for financial and human capital requirements for this project.

Answer: Creation of FreeBird It will have 2 categories of people it will cater to

1) Those who can work remotely

a. Here we will allow people to work in their organizations remotely and provide them the tools needed to work remotely like internet / international SIM cards etc. Also all travel arrangements / accommodation & local interactions will be organised.

b. The same will have packages that can be 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year.

c. Pricing for each will be different and will be a function of the curated vacationing experience offered. (Costing will be based on actual plane / bus tariffs / single accommodation / average internet consumption ). ON all this will be a standard mark up of 15%. To ensure that there is transparency in pricing everything will be quoted at cost and on the total cost FreeBird will charge a markup of 15%

2) Those who cannot work remotely

Main considerations in creating the UI for remote working:

1. Trust: There has to be a trust between the employee and the employer.

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2. Measurement of work & effectiveness – We need to find ways to showcase actual engagement at work by employee

3. In Person Meeting – even during the remote working a couple of remote meetings need to be held.

4. Accountability and availability: Telecommuting to ensure that productivity is achieved

5. Communication is the key – ensure that communication between employee and employer are always open

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QUESTION 1 1. SantanderBankwouldliketoexpandtheirmarket inAsia.AfterevaluatingIndiaandChinapopulation

demographicstheyhavedecidedtolaunchtheInternetonlyBank(IoB)inthesetwocountriesandtheyhavesecuredrelevant regulatoryapprovals.While talking to thepress,CEOof theSantanderBankhasindicated that theyareplanning to launchavarietyofproducts suitableacrossvariousagegroupanddemographics.Theyaregoingtoinvestheavilyon technology and establish strong B2B & B2B2C network to generate leads and distribute the products.

Internallytheimmediatemandateistostartworkingonthefollowingroadmap:

• identifyvariousAPIs(bothintermsoftypesandcategories)thatmightberequired• identify various categories of partners (on both demand and supply side)• develop various products with relevant features in line with CEO’s vision• identifyFinTechtechnologypartnersinRobo-AdvisoryandRealtimeVoiceInteractionthroughChatbot

You are required to assume any two roles out of the given roles and outline theroadmapbased on theinformationgivenabove:5. Product Head6. Chief Technology Officer (CTO)7. Chief Innovation Officer (CIO)8. Head of Strategic Partnerships (HSP)9. Chief Operating Officer (COO)10. Chief Financial Officer (CFO)11. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)12. Head of Compliance/ Chief Compliance Officer (CCO)13. Business Analyst (BA)14. FounderoftheFinTechStartup(whoisapproachedbythebankforRoboAdvisoryorChatbot)

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The products offered by Santander are as under:

Role Selected: FounderoftheFinTechStartup(whoisapproachedbythebankforRoboAdvisoryorChatbot)

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• IdentifyFinTechtechnologypartnersinRobo-AdvisoryandRealtimeVoiceInteractionthroughChatbot

The elements required to build a chatbot are:

Backend: Will use Microsoft BOT Framework to handle the messages from different channels and use NLP services .

Channels: Facebook Messenger would be the channel used. This will ensure that multiple channel integration is not required. The UI can be determined by using visual elements and dropdowns to guide the entire journey.

NLP: we will use an SDK to figure out intent of the messages from users. LUIS is a good SDK to do this. Along with intent we will need to have business validations in place to determine rules to enable correct responses.

Conversation UI: An algorithm will be developed for each conversation. Various workflows will lead from these and will also involve a lot of deep learning. The UI will need to incorporate visual elements like buttons / dropdown etc. Since we are using FB Messenger the look and feel will be the same. Obviously in China we will not use FB but will use Weibo. We will also focus on the conversation flow. The objective would be to enable the user to navigate through the chatbot seamlessly.

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(reference from Mitul Makadia) Timelines & Costing:

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Creation of business logic from scratch on average will take 160-192 hours for each

product we need to create a chatbot for.

The approximate cost to build a chatbot from scratch can be anywhere from 20-30

lacs per chatbot. This will cover all licencing requirements also with FB / Weibo.

16. Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) role in ensuring start-up of the IOB:

Digital is a core value:

• The business model has to be only digital • The culture of the bank should be digital. • Dedicated “lean” IT

To execute the digital Strategy: Build a robust date center Built in house engineering strength Have a NOC Desk at 3 different locations Put in place an Application stack using government and available API’s: Channels – Teller / Internet & mobile banking / CRM Products / Services – CASA / FD / Auto / PL Enablers – Finance / Credit Approval Key 3 elements are : Shifting from “project” to “platform” Developing Agile team Automating every activity Need to create insourcing. 75 – 80% activities should be insourced These are the main considerations of the CIO.