In an era where data fuels digital transformation, ZEISS India is strategically positioning itself as a global data custodian. With a bold vision to host 80% of its global data in a unified environment , the optics and optoelectronics giant is transforming its India Global Capability Center (GCC) in Bengaluru into a nerve centre for data engineering, cloud excellence, and responsible AI adoption
A Shift Toward Data-Driven Transformation
“We are in a transformation phase where we are evolving into a completely data-driven organisation,” says Anupam Chaturvedi, Head of ZEISS Digital Partners India.
This transformation is rooted in ZEISS India’s commitment to building a comprehensive enterprise data platform that fuels strategic decision-making across business functions—ranging from R&D in medical technologies to finance, HR, and sales
This transformation is rooted in ZEISS India’s commitment to building a comprehensive enterprise data platform that fuels strategic decision-making across business functions—ranging from R&D in medical technologies to finance, HR, and sales
Why India? Talent, Speed & Scale
According to Prakash Kumar, Head of Corporate IT at ZEISS GCC India:
“In areas where it takes almost a year to source talent in Europe, we can find the right people in India within months.”
This agility is driving ZEISS to accelerate platform development, cloud operations, and AI enablement from India. Bengaluru is also home to the company’s Cloud Excellence Center, powering much of ZEISS’s global digital infrastructure.
“In areas where it takes almost a year to source talent in Europe, we can find the right people in India within months.”
This agility is driving ZEISS to accelerate platform development, cloud operations, and AI enablement from India. Bengaluru is also home to the company’s Cloud Excellence Center, powering much of ZEISS’s global digital infrastructure.
ZEISS GPT: Building AI with Security First
In line with its governance-first approach, ZEISS has developed its own proprietary AI tool—ZEISS GPT, a secure internal wrapper over existing large language models.
Unlike relying entirely on third-party tools, ZEISS GPT ensures:
Unlike relying entirely on third-party tools, ZEISS GPT ensures:
- No sensitive data leaves its ecosystem.
- Compliance with internal protocols
- Classification protocols (public/internal/confidential)
- Centralized usage guidelines and controls
The company is also piloting GPT+ and Microsoft Copilot in India to evaluate their impact on daily operations
Data Governance: From Entry to Execution
What sets ZEISS apart is its emphasis on governance at the point of data entry. Whether it’s SAP, Salesforce, or Microsoft systems, ZEISS is enforcing best practices even before the data enters core platforms
The company is also investing in:
- Hiring across data engineering, cybersecurity, SD-WAN infrastructure, and Salesforce development
- Upskilling employees across departments to promote data literacy
- Creating awareness around the importance of data quality and secure data handling
Bengaluru’s Role in the Global GCC Movement
ZEISS India’s journey aligns with a larger trend—Bengaluru’s emergence as a global hub for data leadership. According to EY India, many Global Capability Centers are now functioning as “data custodians and stewards” , driving digital governance and AI innovation from India
Other key players in this movement include:
- Walmart Global Tech India: Applying AI in retail and supply chain analytics
- Citi Global Services Center: Supporting global financial operations through data insight
- Zinnia India: Redefining data interpretation across sectors like insurance and aerospace
Devanahalli: The Next Big Leap
As part of its long-term vision, ZEISS is also building a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Devanahalli , Bengaluru. Set to open by 2026, this facility will:
- Handle 95% of exports
- Be built around intelligent automation
- Operate with minimal manual intervention, using AI and IoT for efficiency and scalability.
Conclusion
With its India GCC leading the charge, ZEISS is redefining what it means to be a data-driven enterprise. From cloud platforms to AI governance, the Bengaluru center is not just an extension—it is the epicenter of ZEISS’s global digital and data strategy
As the lines between IT and business blur, GCCs like ZEISS India are proving that the future of global enterprises will be written in code, cloud, and data—and much of it will be written in Bengaluru
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