The beating human heart driving the growth of factory tech 

In an exclusive conversation with Marksmen Daily, Sonali Chowdhry, CEO of Officenet, shares how the digital transformation sweeping through India’s manufacturing sector is ultimately a story about people. She highlights that Officenet’s mission goes beyond mere software—it is about bringing efficiency, visibility, and transparency to the hardworking men and women on the factory floor. Chowdhry explains that by mastering complexities like shift management and diverse workforces, Officenet connects corporate strategy with the real, day-to-day needs of plants across the country. Through innovations like Face Recognition Attendance, Officenet is helping Indian industry evolve, positioning the platform as the essential HR backbone for a future-ready Bharat. 

1.As the demand for HR technology in manufacturing surges, what factors do you see driving this shift, and how is Officenet uniquely positioned to support digital transformation on the factory floor? 

The shift toward HR technology in manufacturing is largely driven by the need for efficiency, transparency, and better workforce management on the factory floor. With increasing automation and a more formalized workforce, manufacturers are realizing the importance of digitizing HR processes to keep pace with operational demands. Officenet is uniquely positioned to address this because we understand the nuances of factory environments, from managing multiple shifts to ensuring compliance across diverse teams. Our platform brings all HR functions together in one system, enabling data-led decisions and improving workforce visibility, which ultimately supports smoother and more efficient factory operations. 

2. How are AI-powered features like Face Recognition Attendance and Cascading Org Structures changing traditional HR workflows and improving operational efficiency for industrial clients? 

AI is helping make HR workflows more efficient and transparent. Features like Face Recognition Attendance and Cascading Org Structures are reducing manual effort and improving visibility across teams and sites. They help prevent proxy attendance, simplify reporting structures, and provide real-time workforce data that supports better planning and compliance. For industrial clients, this means smoother coordination between HR and operations, fewer delays, and more consistent workforce management. At Officenet, our approach to AI is focused on enabling smarter and faster decision-making, not replacing people. 

3. With unique challenges such as shift management, contractor oversight, and multilingual support, what innovations has Officenet introduced to address the needs of India’s diverse manufacturing workforce, particularly at the plant and warehouse level? 

Officenet addresses these challenges through configurable shift scheduling, contractor tracking, and multilingual accessibility to make the platform inclusive for all employees. Our mobile-first features enable workers to mark attendance, view payslips, and apply for leave in their preferred language, ensuring ease of use and transparency. For managers, this translates into real-time visibility and smoother coordination. By bridging plant-floor operations with corporate HR, Officenet ensures consistency, compliance, and a better employee experience across diverse manufacturing environments. 

4. In an era of growing digitization, how does Officenet ensure robust data privacy, compliance, and secure access control especially given the sensitive nature of HR data in industrial settings? 

HR data security is a top priority for us. Officenet ensures this through encrypted storage, role-based access, and multi-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized use. Our platform is hosted on secure cloud infrastructure and undergoes regular audits to stay compliant with evolving data protection norms, including India’s DPDP Act. We also support clients in maintaining digital compliance records and ensuring full traceability across HR processes. Data privacy is built into every layer of Officenet, so organizations can operate with confidence that their employee information remains secure and well-governed. 

5. Reflecting on Officenet’s journey, how has the original vision evolved to position the platform as a comprehensive HR backbone for Bharat’s factories, and what future opportunities do you see for transforming workforce management in India’s manufacturing sector? 

Officenet’s journey began with a focus on simplifying HR processes, but it has evolved into a platform that strengthens the entire HR ecosystem for India’s manufacturing sector. What started as process automation has grown into a data-driven system that connects people, productivity, and compliance seamlessly. With the manufacturing sector expanding rapidly, the next phase lies in driving intelligence and interoperability, linking HR with factory systems, IoT, and predictive analytics. Our vision is to make workforce management more agile, transparent, and future-ready for every level of India’s industrial workforce.