She Is up for the Tech Challenge To Create Smart Buildings
Spunky and talented, our software engineer based in Pune, Hemlata Tiwari, helmed one of the winning teams in this year’s Tech Challenge.
For the seventh year running, Johnson Controls Tech Challenge showcased future-focused innovations that solve business challenges, tapping the expertise and creativity of more than 1,000 Johnson Controls engineers around the world.
Tell us about your team’s winning innovation.
Our team’s winning innovation solves day-to-day problems that building managers face such as asset location tracking, integrating the Building Management System (BMS) or Building Automation System (BAS) with other enterprise applications, as well as providing intelligent insights by predicting various events.
Our solution is an integration of our flagship OpenBlue Enterprise Management, Digital Twin, and Dynamics 365, providing a single pane of glass with smart analytics to enable smart building operations.
Shyam Sunder, director and general manager, India Engineering Center

(L-R) Vinod Bhoite, Yogesh Titarmare, and Vipul Patil
What were the highlights of Tech Challenge 2020?
Because of the global pandemic, Tech Challenge 2020 was completely virtual for the first time. However, it was so well-organized that I did not feel any disconnect. The four-day event brought together colleagues from different countries despite these trying times to champion innovation and collaboration. I was fully engaged and took away great insights from our business leaders and industry speakers.
Why did you choose technology as a career?
I have always wanted to understand and solve real-life problems. A career in technology allows me to do this. As a software engineer, I use technology every day to solve problems that affect people, businesses, and communities. This is my contribution to society and why I joined Johnson Controls three years ago.
Working in a future-focused company with a level playing field fuels my passion for innovation. I believe in staying motivated and curious, encouraging my colleagues to keep pushing the boundaries together and feeling the satisfaction of contributing to society. It doesn’t even feel like work because this is my passion.
I am inspired by my role model, the late A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, aerospace scientist and former President of India, as well as technology giants like the late Steve Jobs and Microsoft’s Satya Nadella.
Like many accomplished female employees in Johnson Controls, Hemlata wears several hats. She is also a mother of a toddler.

Hemlata with her daughter at the top right corner in this collage for the Tech Challenge 2020 video.
Check out the full video Tech Challenge 2020 here. It’s a fun one.
You may be interested in
Don’t limit women to what we can or can’t do: Saisunee Jommed
Empower young women to advance in the STEM professions by giving them role models and support, says Johnson Controls Thailand’s head of country services Saisunee Jommed.
Johnson Controls recommends: 5 movies featuring inspiring women in STEM roles
Promoting greater gender diversity and equality in STEM is not just about encouraging more young girls to take an interest in science and mathematics.
She is Up for Getting More Girls Interested in Tech
As a data science lead in Johnson Controls, Chloe Li is applying her expertise in machine learning and AI for the next generation of smart and connected building solutions.
Forty Glorious Years and Counting
Graham John Hamill, our diversity and inclusion champion, celebrates his 40th year with the company in 2020.

























































