In Conversation With Lokesh Harjani, Founder & CEO, OnSpot Solutions Says Onspot addresses several pain points that arise in the anti-counterfeiting of products for various organizations and brands in the supply chain and distribution industry.

1. Where is the market for anti-counterfeit packaging technologies heading? And how can you keep company at the forefront of the market?

We feel that the market for helping brands in the battle against the grey market in the global marketplace is immense.  Product packaging advancements are important, though these physical attributes can also be duplicated in time because of their physicality in nature.  Therefore, a combination of physical packaging coupled with coding and tracking technologies is ideal.  Advancement in data analytics, AI and such technologies are some of the keys to be at the top of one’s game in this segment.

2. What issue are you attempting to resolve?

For organizations and brands, Onspot addresses several pain points that arise in the supply and distribution chain involving factories, OEM partners, warehouses, distributors, stockists, and retailers. All are linked through the Onspot platform and receive up-to-the-minute information on the progress and locations of items, as well as extra value-added services that alleviate day-to-day difficulties such as breakage and lost or stolen goods along the value chain. Every stage in the supply chain of every product’s schedule may now be known by a brand, allowing problems to be rectified and modifications to be adopted depending on the information that is made accessible. OnSpot Solutions provides a brand with data to assist in analyzing customer behaviour and low-sale regions in order to construct laser-focused marketing campaigns creating customized experiences for end users. Our proprietary technique also aids in the detection of counterfeiting.

3. Counterfeiting is a worldwide ailment. What impact has this had on India?

While counterfeiting is a global problem that has damaged every economy on the planet, recent trends in the Indian economy and lifestyle are worrying. Throughout and after the pandemic, the Indian markets have been consistently tainted by criminals selling counterfeit and substandard products, endangering the lives of our society at large by capitalizing on the high demand for medicines, health supplements, safety products, hygiene products, and other necessities. Serial fraudsters are now imitating finishes, printing boxes, labels, codes, and packaging that appear to be just like legitimate items utilizing cutting-edge manufacturing and printing technologies. The global pandemic and the expansion of e-commerce sales led to a surge in counterfeit goods in 2020. For example, in the cosmetics and personal care industries, there has been a 56% increase in counterfeit items supplied through internet platforms. More severely, worries of medication, pharmaceutical, and even vaccine shortages in many countries have increased the penetration of counterfeit goods, which customers must defend themselves against. This scenario has resulted in a rise in the usage of anti-counterfeiting systems, as well as track and trace programs among brands.

4. How are IoT/Big Data/AI/Robotics progressing in the industry as a whole today?

Organizations are currently extensively investing in supply chain technologies to solve issues such as data quality, compliance, risk management, integrating silos, comprehending rapidly changing markets, costing, and supplier relationships. Companies may better plan for the risks of supply chain management, product development, and sales lifecycles by implementing technology-driven models across their supply chain activities. Onspot’s technology has been successfully deployed in a variety of industries, including electrical hardware, automotive, pharmaceutical, oil and lubricants, cosmetics and personal care, and the spirits market.

5. How do QR codes help to avoid counterfeit drug packaging?

QR codes are an invaluable technology because of the depth of information that can be carried through them.  This may include the point of manufacture of a drug, batch information, a full array of logistical information from creation to point of sale and many details for the consumer, as some examples.  The fact that QR codes may be individualized as a unique identity for each particular item is the strongest appeal.  In other words, each individual unit of a particular product can be uniquely identified through an unique QR code, making it highly proficient in comparison to standard barcodes that remain constant for a product and are limited on information offered, are not consumer friendly nor uniquely informative.

6. Governments appear to accept responsibility for reducing counterfeiting. Do you think the customer has a role to play in this?

In more recent times, especially during the Covid era, governments, brands and consumers were brought up to speed on the manifestation and pervasiveness of counterfeit goods throughout the world.  Since then, governments have been advocating for better measures to combat counterfeiting through technology, at times making it mandatory for industries to comply.  With measures now helping the fight against fakes, it is to the benefit of the consumer to take advantage of these simple measures and scan products they purchase to ensure their safety, as well as that they are getting their hard earned money’s worth.  Onspot helps the buyer finally be ware.

7. What are your expansion and growth plans for the future?

OnSpot presently works with over 20 organizations, including significant global companies, as well as Indian based multi-nationals. During the pandemic, the firm experienced significant growth, with companies from all categories attempting to reach out to more end-users. Onspot is increasing its workforce and product while also trying to extend operations across India with future foreign locations. OnSpot Solutions will focus on aggressive core product expansion, research and development, talent acquisition, and a comprehensive suite of products for all business segments, with a specific focus on the Pharma, FMCG industries, electrical, and automotive (lubricants and spares) segments as part of its expansion and future goals. The firm anticipates significant growth in this active category and is committed to bridging the gap between brand and customer. It seems not just the need of the hour, but a long-term business and living approach for brands and individuals alike.