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YouDecide Acquires Voluntary Benefits Division of RewardsPlus of America

Acquisition allows YouDecide to offer a complete voluntary benefit program package to employers

Press release

DULUTH, Ga., April 2, 2007 - YouDecide.com, Inc., a leading provider of voluntary employee benefit products and services and a division of Vbenx Corporation, has acquired RewardsPlus of America Insurance Agency, Inc. (the "Agency"), a subsidiary of RealLife HR.

The purchase includes the Agency's SureDeduct/SurePay technology, the company's industry-leading, single-slot payroll deduction technology. The acquisition adds a voluntary customer base of more than 150,000 active employees, including 20 major accounts, averaging 8,000+ employee populations.

"With this acquisition, we combine the unique value propositions of two industry-leading technologies that individually changed the landscape of the voluntary benefits marketplace. Integrating these two programs sets the bar even higher and we will continue to set the pace for the industry over the next several years," said Peter E. Marcia, CEO of Vbenx Corporation.

"Our exceptional communications and delivery platform coupled with the SureDeduct/SurePay payroll technology will provide us with a unique advantage in the marketplace and firmly establish our leadership position in the voluntary employee benefits marketplace," Marcia continued.

"YouDecide has emerged as a superior employee benefits technology resource. Coupled with the acquired voluntary benefit resources of the Agency, we can offer a solution second to none in the marketplace today," said Tony Trani, president of Vbenx Corporation. "We are extremely excited with the reception our new offering is receiving - everyone is anxious for this total voluntary benefit package that creates a comprehensive solution within the marketplace," he added.

Gary Broache, RealLife HR president and CEO, views the consolidation of the voluntary benefits platforms as the natural evolution of the business models. "As RealLife HR continues its focus on the growth of its core health and welfare outsourcing services platform, YouDecide became the natural partner for us in the voluntary benefits arena. This transaction allows us to provide our customers with an enhanced voluntary benefits solution while leveraging our existing SureDeduct/SurePay technology. We look forward to our partnership with YouDecide," he said.

YouDecide's voluntary benefit and discount programs augment an employer's core benefits, providing a means of strengthening an employer's compensation package as well as their corporate image with employees. "Combining YouDecide's breadth of traditional and non-traditional voluntary products and services with the Agency's payroll deduction capabilities allows us to offer a turn-key voluntary benefit delivery solution to employers," Trani said.

YouDecide's complete voluntary benefits platform for employers and associations now includes:

-- Full portfolio of insurance and financial products offered on a group
and individual basis;
-- Real-time policy quoting on a broad portfolio of products including
healthcare, disability, long-term care, automobile and homeowner
insurance, as well as other insurance products and services;
-- Wide selection of more than 75 consumer goods and services discount
programs from quality partners;
-- One-stop shopping via a dedicated toll-free number featuring qualified
advisors, single destination website for all voluntary benefits tools,
resources, information, purchasing and enrollment; and
-- Single slot payroll deduction technology, including premium
reconciliation and remittance to carriers.

"From retirement to healthcare, the trend in providing employee benefits clearly points to a continued shift in individual financial responsibility from the employer to the employee in the management of their personal benefits portfolio," Marcia continued.

"YouDecide is uniquely positioned to take advantage of such market trends with our technology platform delivering a high quality, customizable employee benefits experience in a secure environment for our clients. To that end, we believe this partnership with the Agency will allow us to be a dominate player in the voluntary benefits marketplace," Marcia concluded.

About YouDecide

YouDecide.com, Inc., a division of Vbenx Corporation, is a leading provider of voluntary benefit and discount programs, offering a single destination web site for financial, insurance and employee discount programs. For over a decade, YouDecide has offered a diverse selection of competitive products enabling employees to compare rates; utilize educational and analytical tools; and make purchases at favorable prices through the Internet, corporate Intranet and telephone. YouDecide currently has over three million eligible corporate members and one million affinity and association members. For more information, visit http://www.youdecide.com/ or call 770-291-7500.

About RealLife HR

A nationwide leader in benefits management automation and outsourcing services, RealLife HR simplifies and automates benefits communications, enrollment and administration. Distinguished by an award-winning dedicated service delivery model, extensive US-based call center services compliment the company's technology foundation. Utilizing proprietary tools, most implementations of the RealLife Benefits(R) solution can be completed within 90 days. RealLife HR clients include a wide array of nationally recognized entities including adidas, Magellan Health Systems, Bombardier, US Airways, and the North Carolina Office of State Personnel. For more information, visit http://www.reallifehr.com/.

Website: http://www.youdecide.com/
Website: http://www.reallifehr.com/

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Leading Offshore Recruitment Process Outsourcing (oRPO) Provider, OS2i Expands Reseller/Partner Programs into the US, Canada and Europe

As the inventors of offshore Recruitment Process Outsourcing (oRPO), OS2i has successfully been integrating their oRPO services into some of the most complex US and European recruitment processes for over four years. To expand their hybrid onshore-offshore RPO model they are looking to grow their affiliate and reseller programs to carefully selected Individuals, Organizations, or Associations serving the Recruitment or Human Resourcers industry.

London, UK & New York, USA (PRWeb) March 30, 2007 -- OS2i, the world's largest provider of offshore Recruitment Process Outsourcing (oRPO) services to the US and UK recruitment industry, today announced its Reseller and Affiliate programs. Designed to enhance partners revenue streams and broadens their own current offerings by reselling or referring OS2i to their customers. The partner program is particularly well-suited to US & UK individuals, organizations or associations serving Recruitment or the Human Resourcing industry.

Affiliate & Reseller Partners will be fully supported by a dedicated US or UK sales manager, a research team, marketing collateral, CRM access, web and email leads and the commitment to make the partnership excel. Remuneration compounds month on month to make the financial benefits extremely lucrative.

About OS2i
OS2i was the first company in the world to pioneer the concept of offshore Recruitment Process Outsourcing (oRPO). After four years the concept has turned into a business model which is fundamentally changing the way the world recruits.

As well as their experience in the offshore Recruitment Process Outsourcing (oRPO) space, OS2i is working with over 300 US & UK Staffing Companies and boasts many of the top 100 within their client portfolio.

Operating a hybrid onshore-offshore business model, OS2i's offshore RRO facility is based in India and boasts onshore offices in both the UK and USA. This dual-shore model allows OS2i to deliver outsourced resourcing and recruitment administration services at offshore rates while guaranteeing onshore quality and accountability.

While there are many benefits to outsourcing elements of the recruitment process offshore, cost saving is usually the paramount consideration. When comparing the total cost of employing a onshore Recruiter, Sourcer or an Administrator, using OS2i, clients see savings of 60% to 75%.

Typical Outsourced oRPO Services:

Candidate Generation: Job Board Resume Database Searching, Advertising response, ATS Searching, Talent Pool development, Advanced Online Passive Candidate identification, Intelligent Online Advertising, candidate networking & referrals (email & telephone)

Candidate Screening: Email screening & qualification, telephone screening & qualification, online testing

Recruitment Administration: Interview Co-ordination, Resume Formatting & Processes, Time sheet administration

If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a reseller please contact the Sales Director of OS2i, Robert Drake at 646 429 0905 (US) 08454 666600 (within the UK) or Company website www.OS2i.com and www.os2i.com/us/resellers.php

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ACS Wins Renewed Defined Contribution Outsourcing Contract With Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho

DALLAS, March 27 -- Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. (NYSE: ACS) , a premier provider of business process outsourcing and information technology solutions, announced today that it has been awarded a renewal of its defined contribution outsourcing contract with the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI), a multi-billion dollar retirement plan providing long-term benefits for more than 100,000 members who have had careers in public service. The three-year contract is valued at $4.7 million, with a two-year renewal option.

ACS has been providing participant recordkeeping, communications, and compliance services for PERSI members of their supplemental 401(k) plan since 2001. These services will continue under the terms of the renewed agreement, with ACS enhancing its communications services to include consulting services that will promote PERSI's defined contribution plan, which ACS supports. ACS will also manage a state-of-the-art participant website on behalf of PERSI.

ACS won the business despite strong competition, underscoring its successful track record with PERSI, as well as a history of delivering exceptional service in the defined contribution plan arena. The contract is one of a number of recent renewals for ACS in the human resource outsourcing (HRO) and the total benefits outsourcing lines of business.

"ACS delivers expert knowledge of complex issues and a consistent commitment to technical excellence that translates into efficient, accurate, and customer-focused servicing for our members," said Diane Kaiser, Choice Plan 401(k) Manager of PERSI. "With ACS' help, we have measurably enhanced our member services in the 401(k) plan, and at the same time, improved and streamlined efficiencies. We value ACS' partnership approach and flexibility, especially in the somewhat unique environment of a governmental 401(k) plan, which allows us to work closely together to effectively meet the diverse needs of our members."

"Total benefits outsourcing is a core competency of ACS' HRO business," said David Bywater, ACS Senior Managing Director, HRO Solutions. "Paired with our industry-leading consulting capabilities, ACS has distinguished itself globally as a top HRO provider -- offering comprehensive solutions and best-in-class service and results that help our clients improve their overall performance in human resources. We're extremely pleased about continuing to support PERSI and its members under this renewed agreement."

ACS and PERSI support 680 public employers within the PERSI supplemental defined contribution program, including 63,000 active members, 26,000 retirees, and 18,000 inactive members.

ACS offers a full range of integrated, end-to-end HRO services, and is renowned for its pioneering initiatives that have opened a complete spectrum of customized HRO solutions to large-scale clients around the world. ACS provides HRO services for more than three million people around the globe, delivering services from more than 80 locations in more than 60 countries and supporting 20 languages. ACS' comprehensive suite of HRO capabilities includes total benefits outsourcing -- complete employee services and benefits administration -- as well as strategy and consulting to engineer and improve human resources operations and services.

PERSI is a multi-billion dollar retirement plan designed to provide secure, long-term pension benefits for employees who choose careers in public service. The plan provides defined benefit and supplemental defined contribution retirement plans, disability retirement, survivor, and account withdrawal benefits, with some 63,000 active members, 18,000 inactive members and 26,000 retirees or annuitants receiving benefits. Learn more at http://www.persi.state.id.us/.

ACS, a global FORTUNE 500 company with 58,000 people supporting client operations reaching more than 100 countries, provides business process outsourcing and information technology solutions to world-class commercial and government clients. The Company's Class A common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ACS." ACS makes technology work. Visit ACS on the Internet at http://www.acs-inc.com/.

The statements in this news release that do not directly relate to historical facts constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the Company's control. As such, no assurance can be given that the actual events and results will not be materially different than the anticipated results described in the forward-looking statements. Factors could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. For a description of these factors, see the Company's prior filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent filing. ACS disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future event, or otherwise.

Website: http://www.acs-inc.com/
Website: http://www.persi.state.id.us/

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ExcellerateHRO Signs Outsourcing Contracts With KLA-Tencor, GameStop for Relocation and Assignment Services

Press release

New agreements provide services in the U.S. and internationally

Press release

PLANO, Texas, April 5 - ExcellerateHRO today announced it has signed contracts to provide Relocation and Assignment Services to KLA-Tencor Corp., the world leader in yield management and process control solutions for semiconductor manufacturing, and GameStop Corp., the world's largest video game and entertainment software retailer. Financial terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

"ExcellerateHRO Relocation and Assignment teams are dedicated to managing the complexities of transitioning employees to new locations in the U.S. and around the world," said Randy Griffith, ExcellerateHRO client executive. "These outsourcing agreements ensure that KLA-Tencor and GameStop will see enhanced services, lower costs and minimized tax liabilities."

ExcellerateHRO Relocation and Assignment Services assumes management responsibility for an organization's worldwide relocation operations using a high-touch, high-tech approach. Certified relocation professionals act as a single point-of-care for optimum personal interaction. Real-time integration between back-office systems and a Web-based Customer Center provides around- the-clock access to secure and personalized functionality. ExcellerateHRO's experienced relocation consultants, best-in-class suppliers, state-of-the-art technology systems and proven processes take the burden of relocating employees off of HR staff, minimize costs and tax liabilities, and ensure that transferees' lifestyles are preserved.

About ExcellerateHRO

ExcellerateHRO is the jointly owned HR Outsourcing business of EDS (NYSE: EDS) and Towers Perrin, combining the outsourcing experience of EDS with Towers Perrin's HR domain expertise. ExcellerateHRO offers a flexible portfolio of HR Outsourcing services on a global basis to mid-size and large employer organizations. The company provides HR Outsourcing, Benefits Administration, Payroll, and Relocation and Assignment services to more than 400 clients in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific, serving more than 34 million participants from its client organizations. Learn more at http://www.excelleratehro.com/.

CONTACT:
Helen Leflar - ExcellerateHRO
972 605 8232
helen [dot] leflar [at] excelleratehro [dot] com

Website: http://www.excelleratehro.com/
Website: http://www.eds.com/

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Rio Tinto takes in-house control

Dave Friedlos, Computing, 05 Apr 2007

Mining and exploration giant Rio Tinto is overhauling its corporate web site so it can manage content from around the globe in-house, and can deliver up-to-date corporate and financial information from around the world.

Rio Tinto staff in the UK, US and Australia, will be able to manage content in-house to reduce the costs and management overheads of outsourcing.

Read the full news report from here @ IT Week, UK

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Hind Copper set to enter exploration JVs

Rakhi Mazumdar, Times News Network, Apr 4, 2007

Kolkata, India: In a break from its past, the public sector Hindustan Copper has decided to enter into JVs for exploration and prospecting. It has entered into an MoU with Australian mining companies Monrach Gold and Zoom Developers, and also a tieup with two Canadian companies — Cornerstone Resources and Hunter Dickenson.

The effort is aimed at minimising the gap between mine output and thrice-costlier imports of copper concentrates to achieve its smelter capacity.

Read the full news report from here @ Economic Times






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BHP, CSC Australia Sign IT, Software Outsourcing Deal Renewal

Mar 30, 2007

BHP Billiton, THE Anglo-Australian mining company, has awarded a two-year, $81 million IT-services deal renewal to CSC Australia, under which Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) will continue to offer software development and maintenance services to BHP, will support BHP's legacy applications as well as its global enterprise resource planning and enterprise content management systems.

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VoIP and the Emerging-Market Call Center

29 Mar 2007

Many call centers in emerging markets are making the migration from legacy voice and data communications to VoIP platforms as a means of obtaining a much wider range of features that can increase productivity, reduce costs and lead to more efficient and effective management.

The stage is set for further growth in Voice over Internet protocol communications with technological advances, telecom market deregulation and a growing web of fiber optic and wireless networks, says this article from Ecommerce Times

Read the full news article from here @ E-commerce Times

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Labels: call-centres, call-centres-it, e-commerce, internet, voip

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See also the following for related categories: Outsourcing updates for: Energy, Utilities

Platts and Capgemini Quantify Top Utility Industry Issues in New Study

Utility Executives’ Key Concerns: Uncertain Regulations, Investments and Price Risks

Press release, March 15, 2007

NEW YORK-- A new Platts/Capgemini study of senior executives at U.S. and Canadian utility companies finds that the most important issues facing the energy industry today are regulation, infrastructure investments and managing the risk associated with commodity price fluctuations.

“This study brings to the forefront the diverse and critical issues facing utilities’ leadership today,” said Victoria Pao, president, Platts. “A complex, ever changing regulatory environment, coupled with volatile commodity will require that the industry is more nimble than ever before in managing risk and seizing opportunities.”

Through more than 100 interviews with chief executive officers, presidents and senior-level executives, the Platts/Capgemini Utilities Executive Study identified and prioritized current industry issues, assessing opinions about the future of the energy industry and measuring the steps utility companies are taking to prepare for the future.

The utility executives’ predictions for the future include increased reliance on information management, continued focus on workforce management issues and increased use of renewable energy. They believe their companies’ risk management function will increase significantly in coming years.

Study results also indicated that over the next five years utilities will increasingly use outsourcing for inventory management, call center, billing and information technology business processes, but will continue to manage outage management, trading, generation, transmission or distribution operations.

“This study verifies that top executives are becoming laser-focused on their core businesses and are considering outsourcing for their day-to-day operations,” said Amin Bishara, vice president, global outsourcing utility sector, Capgemini. “Utilities are just now growing comfortable with letting another organization manage its customers, a key historic concern of most utilities. It’s not surprising that executives want to hold on to functions that are closer to their core business.”

Executives indicated that companies will increase their reliance on technology, including smart grid, smart meter and information management over the next five to 10 years.

“Utility companies are beginning to connect the dots between their need for the most robust information technology and the ability of their organization to manage all the risks they face Concerns for risk should not be limited to operational risks for generation and transmission, but should also include risks associated with customer relationship management or inefficient inventory management,” Bishara added.

For more information regarding the Platts/Capgemini Utilities Executive Study and to receive a copy of the complete results, please visit http://www.us.capgemini.com/PlattsStudy/.

About Platts

Platts, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), is a leading global provider of energy and metals commodities information. With nearly a century of business experience, Platts serves customers across more than 150 countries. From 14 offices worldwide, Platts serves the oil, natural gas, electricity, nuclear power, coal, petrochemical and metals markets. Platts' real time news, pricing, analytical services, and conferences help markets operate with transparency and efficiency. Traders, risk managers, analysts, and industry leaders depend upon Platts to help them make better trading and investment decisions. Additional information is available at http://www.platts.com.

About Capgemini

Capgemini, one of the world's foremost providers of Consulting, Technology and Outsourcing services, enables its clients to transform and perform through technologies. Capgemini provides its clients with insights and capabilities that boost their freedom to achieve superior results through a unique way of working, which it calls the Collaborative Business Experience. Capgemini reported 2006 global revenues of approximately $9.625 billion or EUR 7.7 billion and employs approximately 68,000 people worldwide. More information www.us.capgemini.com.

Contacts
Capgemini:
Lisa Boughner, + 1 312-451-8338
or
Platts:
Kathleen Tanzy, +1 212-904-2860

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See also the following for related categories: China, India, Asia

Chinese outsourcing on the rise

2nd April 2007, By Patrick Wachter

With its low-cost, high-skilled and plentiful labour force, China has been working hard in recent years to put itself on the map as a viable offshore destination for IT services work, says Patrick Wachter.

Chinese firms are still mostly working on the lower end of the services ladder - basic applications, software testing and some R&D - mostly for multinational companies' Chinese operations, not their wider IT concerns. But even if their outsourcing model is not as evolved as their Indian counterparts, Chinese companies are positioning themselves for further growth and more sophisticated project work.

Read the full news report from here @ CBR Online

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Mellon Financial to Provide Managed Accounts Outsourcing for Bear Stearns Asset Management

03 Apr 2007

Source: Mellon Financial Corporation

PressRelease

Boston, April 3 - Mellon Financial Corporation announced that its Asset Servicing group will administer the middle and back office for the managed accounts business of Bear Stearns Asset Management (BSAM). Among the services that Mellon will provide are account opening and maintenance, transaction support, custodian reconciliation, and investor reporting services. Mellon will also be providing BSAM with an imaging and workflow tool.

"What impressed us most was Mellon's long-term industry commitment as a managed accounts outsourcing provider, and the experience of its industry- focused service team," said Stuart Hendry, managing director of investment operations for BSAM. "We needed a partner that brought the same level of quality and expertise to the back office as we bring to the front. Mellon is that partner."

"Asset managers want to focus on what they do best for clients - making excellent investment decisions," said James P. Palermo, Mellon vice chairman and head of asset servicing. "Outsourcing back office functions is a cost- effective solution that enables money managers to do that successfully. We look forward to enhancing the strong relationship Mellon enjoys with Bear Stearns Asset Management and furthering their efforts to better serve clients." Mellon currently administers approximately 65,000 managed accounts, representing $35 billion in assets.

Bear Stearns Asset Management manages more than $42 billion in assets across a spectrum of active investment disciplines, including a selection of U.S. equity and fixed income separate accounts, hedge and private equity funds, and funds of funds.

Mellon's Asset Servicing group develops solution-oriented tools to support the entire investment process for public and private pension funds, endowments and foundations, asset managers, mutual funds, insurance and other financial institutions.

Source: Mellon Financial Corporation

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Keane Announces Adaptive Outsourcing (SM), a New Flexible Approach to Application Outsourcing

Mmar 19 2007

Press release

Keane and The Hanover to present on Adaptive Outsourcing at the Gartner Outsourcing Summit

DALLAS, March 19 -- GARTNER Outsourcing Summit
-- Keane, Inc. (NYSE: KEA), a leading business process and information
technology (IT) services firm, today announced Adaptive Outsourcing (SM),
its flexible approach to application outsourcing. This model provides all
the benefits of traditional outsourcing with more flexible delivery models
tailored to match technology adoption cycles. With Keane's Adaptive
Outsourcing, clients will gain the ability to react swiftly to dynamic
business opportunities and can reduce the cost of current operations,
reengineer application portfolios, and redirect cost savings to fund
strategic initiatives.

Keane's Adaptive Outsourcing approach aligns with Gartner's concept of
disciplined multisourcing and Forrester Research's concept of adaptive
sourcing. According to Gartner, they "introduced the concept of disciplined
multisourcing in response to widespread dissatisfaction and the outright
failure of outsourcing deals." Keane's Adaptive Outsourcing approach is
designed to alleviate the source of much dissatisfaction at the core of the
traditional client-vendor relationship.

At the Gartner Outsourcing Summit, Sukant Srivastava, Keane's Global
Vice President & Managing Director of India, will present a session
introducing Keane's Adaptive Outsourcing model. The presentation will be
held on Monday, March 19, at 11:00 a.m. ET at the Gaylord Texan Resort and
Convention Center, in Grapevine D, in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Srivastava will
address how this new approach to application outsourcing gives companies
the agility, speed, and innovation they need to meet their ever-changing
business demands. With Keane's Adaptive Outsourcing Model, clients benefit
from business value, where the success of an application outsourcing
engagement is measured on business outcomes, not just on technical metrics
and SLAs. In addition, Adaptive Outsouricng leverages the insight that
Keane gains about a client's organization over time, resulting in a
more-strategic, more-satisfying client- vendor relationship.

Immediately following, Greg Tranter, CIO of The Hanover Insurance
Group, Inc., one of the country's top providers of property and casualty
products, will present a case study titled, "Flexibility Drives Value:
Keane and The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.," which will explore Keane's
and The Hanover's long-term relationship and will highlight their
achievements in application outsourcing.

Mr. Tranter's case study will detail how The Hanover Insurance Group
has leveraged Keane's flexible outsourcing approach to reduce its
application support costs while advancing its strategic business and
technology initiatives, and realizing solid business value - including
revenue growth, lower costs, improved quality, and faster time to market.

Keane, a Premier Sponsor of the Gartner Outsourcing Summit, can be
visited by attendees at booth #3 in the Sponsor Showcase on Monday, March
19, from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. and from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., and on Tuesday, March
20, from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

About the Gartner Outsourcing Summit

The Gartner Outsourcing Summit is the only event designed to provide a
comprehensive view of the entire outsourcing arena that allows leaders from
both business and IT groups to come together. The event offers a holistic
understanding of all the options, risks, and opportunities available
regarding outsourcing. The Summit provides unbiased, road-tested advice and
best practices necessary for setting outsourcing strategies and objectives,
evaluating and selecting the right services providers, managing
relationships with external partners and delivering profitable outcomes.
Additional information is available at http://www.gartner.com/us/outsourcing.

About The Hanover Insurance

Today, The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE: THG) operates as The
Hanover Insurance Company, except in Michigan, where we do business as
Citizens Insurance Company of America. The Hanover, based in Worcester,
Massachusetts, is a leading regional provider of Property and Casualty
insurance products for individuals, families, and businesses. The Hanover
offers a wide range of Property and Casualty products and services through
an extensive network of Independent Agents. Taken as a group, The Hanover
ranks among the top 35 Property and Casualty insurers in the United States.

About Keane

In business since 1965, Keane, Inc. (NYSE: KEA) is a leading business
process and IT services firm. Keane delivers Application and Business
Process Services to help clients transform their business and IT operations
to achieve demonstrable, measurable, and sustainable business benefit. As a
trusted advisor and partner for its clients, Keane solves real business
issues through the development and implementation of cost-effective,
change-oriented, industry-specific solutions.

Specifically, Keane delivers highly synergistic application and
business process services, including Application Development and
Integration Services, Architecture Services, Application Outsourcing,
Program Management, and Testing, as well as Business Transformation
Services including Business Process Outsourcing. Keane believes that
business and IT improvements are best realized by streamlining and
optimizing business and IT processes, implementing rigorous management
disciplines, and fostering a culture of accountability through meaningful
performance metrics. Based in Boston, Mass., Keane delivers its services
throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, India, and the United
Kingdom. For more information, visit http://www.keane.com.

SOURCE Keane, Inc.

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Secrets of Outsourcing Security

As the outsourcing market grows, so do the security risks. What can you do to decrease the threat?

Today, mitigating outsourcing security risks is more important than ever. In an interview with Associate Online Editor Diann Daniel, Burton Group Analyst Diana Kelley offers tips on determining risk levels, monitoring your vendor and negotiating service level agreements.

Read the full interview here @ CSO Magazine



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Labels: compliance, contractual-terms, intellectual-property, problems, security, sla

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See also the following for related categories: Africa

Africa still has problems, but technology is making inroads

This is an article on the status of outsourcing opportunities in Africa and specifically, Kenya, by Thomas Friedman

Kenya still has all the ills of other African states -- from AIDS to abject poverty. But Kenya also now has a democratically elected government that is learning to get out of the way of Kenya's entrepreneurs and to get them the bandwidth they need to compete globally, and the advances in technology are helping the country too. It's way too early to declare Kenya an economic "African Tiger," but something is stirring - and KenCall, a call center that is thriving and adding excellent value, is emblematic of it, says this interesting article about Kenya's entry into the offshoring and outsourcing bandwagon. Read the full news report from here @ Post Bulletin, Apr 2007

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Labels: africa, alternative-destinations, call-centres-africa, kenya, problems-africa

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See also the following for related categories: UK, Finance & Investment, Banking, Insurance, Europe

UK Co-op Financial Services extends Xansa outsourcing deal

Company announcement, Source: Xansa

Apr 2007

Co-operative Financial Services (CFS) and Xansa, the outsourcing and technology company, are pleased to announce that CFS is extending and expanding its outsourcing partnership with Xansa.

In a contract which could be worth up to £100 million over five years, Xansa will work with CFS to create a unified Application Development and Support (ADS) service across the whole of the business.

Xansa has been working in partnership with CFS since May 1994 when it signed a £22 million seven year agreement to develop and support the Co-operative Bank's applications. This contract was extended in May 1998 and again to May 2007. The new contract represents a broadening of the partnership to encompass the Insurance side of the business in addition to the current banking relationship. As at present, Xansa will provide the service from a blend of locations in the UK and India.

CFS currently faces the twin challenges of a highly competitive market place and an increasing regulatory environment. Creating the unified ADS service will enable CFS to respond to the regulatory pressures in a cost effective, timely manner. In addition the technology enabled business services will allow CFS to expand and enhance its product lines, improving speed to market and thereby respond quickly to competitive challenges. In selecting Xansa, CFS is able to build on the existing Banking service operation and carry out a fast-track transformation to a unified CFS-wide service.

Commenting on the announcement David Anderson, Chief Executive, Co-operative Financial Services, said: "Xansa has been successfully delivering to Co-operative Financial Services for 12 years. Their approach suits us well with their integrated delivery capability. This will support our business change agenda which is driving us towards the vision of becoming the UK's most admired Financial Services business.

"Xansa's commitment to the UK Retail Banking and Insurance sector means that they understand our market and regulatory environment. In addition Xansa's transformation expertise will enable us to create a best in class, unified application development and maintenance service under the controlling direction of our IS department."

Commenting on the announcement Alistair Cox, Chief Executive, Xansa said: "We are delighted that Co-operative Financial Services continues to choose Xansa as its partner for applications management, IS transformation and web based development. CFS represented Xansa's first ever financial services outsourcing contract and our second ever outsourcing deal, and this expansion and renewal is a clear endorsement of our excellent and longstanding relationship. It also demonstrates our commitment to long term relationships which means that CFS can count on Xansa to help deliver its vision for the future."

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Labels: banks, banks-uk, finance, finance-uk, insurance, insurance-uk, it-finance, it-finance-europe, it-finance-uk

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See also the following for related categories: Europe, Computers & Software, Finland

ScienceSoft Became Outsourcing Partner of TietoEnator

Press release

The outsourcing agreement with TietoEnator makes a good start to a successful cooperation and will bring ScienceSoft to a new level of services offered.

Helsinki, Finland, April 07, 2007 -- On the 14th of March, 2007 at ScienceSoft’s office in Minsk an outsourcing agreement between ScienceSoft and TietoEnator was signed. TietoEnator is one of the largest IT services providers in Europe with about 16 000 experts. Establishing partnership with Eastern European software development services provider, such as ScienceSoft, is one of the steps in realization of TietoEnator’s development strategy toward cost-effective solutions and provision of high-quality services to its customers.

After a 20-months process of candidates’ review and negotiations, ScienceSoft was chosen as TietoEnator's partner in Belarus. ScienceSoft met all requirements as an outsourcing software development center for realization of TietoEnator’s projects.

The Parties were represented by Mr. Nikolay Kurayev, ScienceSoft’s Managing Director, and Mr. Juhani Lano, Senior Executive Advisor of TietoEnator. They expressed their hope and willingness for a long and mutually beneficial cooperation. Mr. Juhani Lano indicated two main business areas of ScienceSoft and TietoEnator’s cooperation: Banking and Insurance, Telecom and Media. These areas are both challenging and highly demanded in the world market.

Mr. Kurayev congratulated ScienceSoft’s personnel on the company’s achievement. He stressed that the company’s success became real thanks to ScienceSoft team’s dedicated work and professionalism.

Currently ScienceSoft expands its staff of highly qualified professionals, particularly of experienced Java developers, to work at European projects of TietoEnator. Detailed requirements towards such candidates can be found at Careers page of ScienceSoft's website.

The outsourcing agreement with TietoEnator makes a good start to a successful cooperation and will bring ScienceSoft to a new level of services offered.

###

TietoEnator is one of the largest IT services providers in Europe, providing consulting, development and hosting services to its customers’ digital businesses. TietoEnator focuses on areas where they have the deepest industry expertise: banking, telecom, healthcare and forest. In these areas, TietoEnator works hand in hand with many of the world’s leading companies and organizations and now active in more than 25 countries.

ScienceSoft has been in the market of offshore software development since 1989, being one of the most mature companies of Eastern Europe. The company specializes in offshore software development, doing software development projects for middle and big companies across the world. If you need more information, you are welcome to contact them.

Contact Information
ScienceSoft Inc.
Tatiana Romanovich
+375 17 293 37 36
http://www.scnsoft.com

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Labels: belarus, eastern-europe, europe, finland, it-europe

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Prospects bright for telesales outsourcing

Charoen Kittikanya, Apr 7, 2007

Driven by growing demand for telemarketing, particularly in the insurance and finance businesses, Teledirect Telecommerce (Thailand) is looking to expand its business locally.

Teledirect provides outsourced call centres for outbound sales calls and customer relationship management. Its core telesales product is insurance. It currently provides services to four insurers and two consumer product firms.

Teledirect in Thailand employs 250 operators, and derives 95% of its revenue from telesales, mainly for insurance companies.

Read the full news report from here @ Bangkok Post

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Labels: call-centres-asia, finance-asia, insurance, insurance-asia, sales-marketing, telemarketing, thailand

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South Africa: State to Offer R1bn Lure for Call Centres

Business Day (Johannesburg), March 16, 2007 - by Mathabo Le Roux

Johannesburg

The South African government has earmarked R1bn in investment incentives over the next five years to lure international business services to SA to boost job creation and increase foreign direct investment. The investment is estimated to translate into 100000 new jobs by 2009 and draw about $175m in foreign direct investment, pushing up the sector's contribution to GDP significantly.

SA has had success with call centres, with the subsector growing 8% a year over the past four years. It now employs 54000 call centre agents and government hopes to emulate that success...

Read the full news report from here @ All Africa

Labels: africa, alternative-destinations, call-centres, call-centres-africa, government-support, south-africa

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NEPC launches Nigeria into global outsourcing industry, targets N1.3trn

By Franklin Alli, March 15, 2007

The Special Adviser to the President/CEO Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mrs. Modupe Sasore, said the Council has created a platform that will enable the country to net $10 billion (about N1.3 trillion ) as revenue annually, from the global Information Technology Business Process Outsourcing (IT BPO).

Sasore said the Council is executing the project through Hudson Consulting Group USA, and Tathya Dot Com India...

Read the full news report from here @ Vanguard Nigeria

Labels: africa, alternative-destinations, nigeria

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VoEx International LLC (TM) Signs a 10 Year $200 Million Joint Venture Contract with Kalimat Telecom to Design Build & Operate Iraq's First National CDMA WLL Network

Press release

VoEx International LLC (TM) and Kalimat Telecom finalized and signed a 10 Year Joint Venture Contract estimated about $200 Million US Dollars to design build and operate Iraq's First National CDMA WLL Network with advanced WiMAX capabilities. This network will be the First Middle East state of the art CDMA Limited Mobility Network with EvDo & WiMAX capability and full iP based voice, video and data offerings.

Santa Monica, CA; Kuwait City, Kuwait (PRWeb) April 4, 2007 -- VoEx International (TM) LLC, a leading communications and telecom engineering innovation company with multiple solutions vendor for wireless fixed, mobile, VoIP and next-generation wireless networks, today announced it has signed a contract with KALIMAT Telecom of Iraq, a newly launched First National Fixed Wireless Local Loop Telephony & Data provider providing services to all 26 million Iraqi citizens. KALIMAT Telecom offers to the Iraqi telecom consumer a combined voice carriage and data exchange scheme under one platform with enhanced IP capabilities. This is the first time this class of service is being licensed by the Iraqi Commission for Media & Communication (CMC) to solve the connectivity challenges facing the Iraqi telecom market and to bring Iraq's capabilities to a much higher standard. Under the terms of the agreement, which strengthens VoEx's position as the dominant player in Iraq's niche telecoms market, KALIMAT Telecom will contract VoEx International (TM) exceptional expertise and global engineering, marketing & operations experience to support its fast-growing IP network operations management systems.

KALIMAT Telecom is a leading telecoms player that handles the voice traffic and data transfer needs of the Iraqi consumer between different regions of the country, ensuring improved call completion rates, prompt bill settlement and increased revenue for its operation. With its innovative, best of breed technology VoEx's management will provide the company with the capability to future-proof its existing and potential service offerings. This level of flexibility is vital to remaining a competitive force in Iraq's fast-growing, billion-dollar telecommunications industry.

VoEx's engineering vision and solutions will enable KALIMAT to cost-effectively manage processes for all its fixed line, wireless, VoWLAN and next generation services & inter-carrier partners.
"Our continued success in Iraq's telecoms market is indisputable proof that we are the market leaders in the highly competitive personal telecoms space," said Wilson Varghese, President of KALIMAT Telecom. "The combined strengths of VoEx's network management capabilities and network operator experience will play a crucial role in supporting KALIMAT Telecom operations as it enters a growing, deregulated telecoms market. By installing their solutions, KALIMAT revenue is maximized through this inter-carrier billing activity, which is usually the first or second source of income for fixed and mobile operators, will provide KALIMAT with the additional income it requires to support new services at competitive prices and to thereby remain a significant player in Iraq's telecoms market."

KALIMAT Telecom is the regional leader for fixed wireless telephony solutions and the telecoms provider of choice for all of Iraq's fixed line customers. It offers a scalable and highly advanced personal telecoms platform that can be easily configured to meet the Iraqi consumer's requirements.

"We are delighted to add KALIMAT Telecom to our growing list of influential partners in the Middle East and Iraq," said VoEx Founder, President and Chief Strategy Officer Asaad Yahya Alnajjar. "VoEx's engineering vision and solutions will enable KALIMAT to cost-effectively manage processes for all its fixed line, wireless, VoWLAN and next generation services & inter-carrier partners."

Mr. Alnajjar added, "Over the past four years since early 2003, VoEx International has been very active in the design and implementation of GSM, CDMA and iDen mobile networks in Iraq to support the mobile operators and the Middle East, 3G and UMTS Global upgrades, WCDMA/WLL design and installations, satellite voice and data communications, and WiMax and last mile effective WiFi solutions. In addition, VoEx executives have been extremely involved in the development and growth of wireless products, solutions, connectivity and applications to expedite the deployment of these networks. Our team has presented in many global settings white papers and solutions that helped to achieve our advancements today. Hantel terminals and products will be offered by VoEx in Iraq as part of VoEx cintribution to enhance the quality of life for all the Iraqi people by giving them excellent voice services along with high speed data, internet connectivity and video services to accommodate their every day needs. Our services will for sure expedite the rebuilding of the new Iraq in direct support for the Ministry of Communication and ITPC."

VoEx so far has been leading efforts in many third world countries in engineering support to design, build, operate and then transfer wireless communications centers and wireless networks. For the past four years VoEx has been very active in the design-build of several telecom projects in Iraq and had provided extended services to the many companies working in Iraq.

"This fast deployment of wireless networks will pave the way for our offering of Wireless VoIP (VoWLAN) as an affordable global mobile communications tool," said Mr. Mohamad Shaboot, Chief Commercial Officer of VoEx International (TM). "In addition to our GSM/CDMA and mobile networks design-build projects, we have been working extensively within international forums and organizations to standardize WiMAX and achieve more technology advancement within the entire 802.1xx and 802.Xxx spectrums. It is our intention to deliver all customers with high speed wireless connectivity and break through current limitations. Multiple vendors support fits perfectly within our vision and ongoing effort to provide the most innovative, versatile wireless communications solutions utilizing advanced telecom technologies."

Dr. Alnajjar & VoEx International (TM) Team has been very active in the research and development of wireless communications and information technology over the past ten years. His work has included extensive research in WLL networks, WiMAX development, multilingual Internet and .IQ management, e164/ eNum registries and DNS resolution, IP based products and applications, and the evolution of communications standards and policies.

Last September 2006, among several previous conferences, Mr. Alnajjar chaired and presented in London at the Iraqi Telecom conference VoEx's vision and outlook for Iraq's telecom future and touched on the advanced data capabilities that CDMA & WiMAX will serve the community in a short time.

In conclusion, Dr. Alnajjar stated "We were among the runner ups in the first GSM license bids in 2003 known as 'Zagil' and we are very eager now through Kalimat's National WLL Network to better serve the Iraqi consumer wireless voice and data needs. During the past 3 years the Iraqi consumer did not get the expected wireless services and hopefully VoEx will deliver the best network to be ever built in the region and to expedite the rebuilding of New Iraq."

In addition to VoEx, the list of the allies of KALIMAT TELECOM includes others who are specialized in consultancy, analytical systems, distribution and collection of revenue of communication services from fixed telephone network and the private and public communication networks, and the integrated communication networks and other providers of services from technology companies, and national and governmental authorities and companies.

About VoEx International (TM)

VoEx International LLC (TM) is a leading provider of high-quality wireless communications and technology solutions that enable enterprises and service providers around the world to utilize VoIP, VoWLAN, GSM, CDMA, IDen and additional advanced telecom and wireless technologies for voice, fax, data, video and other value-added IP applications.

By outsourcing international communications services to VoEx, customers are able to obtain lower costs, generate new revenue streams, and extend their business into innovative services quickly, while maintaining service quality comparable to that of traditional voice networks. Since the liberation of Iraq, VoEx International (TM) has played a major role in providing communications channels to the many in Iraq and participated in the ongoing rebuilding effort.

VoEx Wireless (TM) is the mobile division of VoEx International LLC (TM) to serve the expansion and upgrades of Mobile-Data Networks in USA, Europe, the Middle East & Africa and later expanded to include Iraqi mobile market to facilitate Satellite & GSM operations support. Long-distance & Wireless VoIP capability through VoEx termination solutions has in fact enhanced mobile operators business in the Middle East & Europe.

VoEx International LLC (TM) has been very active in the research and development of wireless communications and information technology over the past ten years. Research and work has included extensive research in WLL networks, WiMAX development, multilingual Internet and e164, multilingual eNum registries and DNS resolution, IP based products and applications, and the evolution of communications standards and policies.

http://www.voexwireless.com (TM) http://www.voex.us

Labels: mobile, telecom, telecom-middle-east

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Africa becomes a service outsourcing location

afrol News, 16 March - More and more Western companies discover Africa as a cheap and reliable location for the outsourcing of their services; typically IT, business processes and call centres. While India and China still are the dominant locations, increasing wage costs are opening up possibilities for African skilled labour.

According to a survey by AT Kearney, seven African countries are amongst the world's most competitive locations for outsourcing company services abroad. These seven countries - Egypt, Mauritius, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Morocco and Senegal...

Read the full news report from here @ Afrol News

Labels: africa, alternative-destinations, egypt, ghana, mauritius, morocco, senegal, south-africa, tunisia

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World Bank Loan Could Deliver Offshoring Boost to Africa

April 5 by Richard Edwards

When it comes to offshoring, the majority of African countries lag way behind the leaders. The cost benefits of operating out of Africa have not yet been sufficient to convince companies to shift their attention to the Sub –Sahara.

Recent events, however, suggest this situation could be about to change. The World Bank yesterday announced loans totaling £83.3m (€118m) to improve the communications infrastructure in Kenya, Burundi and Madagascar.

Read more from this post @ European Leaders in Procurement blog

Labels: africa, alternative-destinations, costs, problems-africa, trends

Atos Origin Middle East awarded major SAP Oil and Gas project

Press release

Bahrain: March 07 - 2007

Al-Khafji Joint Operations, the strategic joint venture between Kuwait Gulf Oil Company and Aramco Gulf Operations Company Limited, have awarded a major SAP Oil and Gas project to Atos Origin Middle East (AOME).

The US 5.275 Million (20 Million SAR) project includes the design, build, training and deployment of a state of the art IS-Oil downstream and extended logistics solution, as well as upgrading their landscape to the latest mySAP ERP software version.

AOME VP ERP Peter Hynes said 'It is very pleasing to be invited back by Al Khafji Joint Operations, (KJO), to deliver this second, mission critical phase of work. We have always enjoyed working with the KJO team, their clear vision and strong management has made them a pleasure to work with. We look forward to being on site with them over the next year to fully realize their SAP investment. In addition, we have now completed our comprehensive mySAP ERP upgrade methodology and toolset and we can fully utilize this for the upgrade to ECC 6.0. - we could not be more pleased and excited about the award!'

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Labels: erp, logistics, sap, sap-middle-east, sap-oil-gas

BlogOut provides regular, global outsourcing updates. See BlogOut Directory for the complete list of categories

Halliburton Outsourcing HQ to Dubai

Monday, March 12, 2007

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Oil services giant Halliburton Co. will soon shift its corporate headquarters from Houston to the Mideast financial powerhouse of Dubai, chief executive Dave Lesar announced Sunday.

Halliburton is opening its corporate headquarters in Dubai while maintaining a corporate office in Houston. The chairman, president and CEO will office from and be based in Dubai to run the company from the UAE.

Read the full report from here @ News Max

Labels: middle-east, oil-gas, oil-gas-middle-east, oil-gas-usa

Finance giants defend offshore outsourcing

The UK’s financial giants yesterday defended their Indian call centre operations amid fresh concerns from British customers about data security and declining customer service.

An internal report from insurer Norwich Union found shortcomings in its Indian call centres may potentially lead to losses of more than £10million, and fines from the FSA. There was also an alert from consultant AT Kearney that the cost savings of offshore hotspots have “declined almost universally.”

Read the full news report from here @ Contractor UK

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Labels: banks-uk, call-centres-india, costs, finance, finance-uk, offshore-problems, opposition

U.S. government 'outsourcing its brain'

March 30, 2007, Raw Story

Due to its increasing practice of contracting out to private firms and agencies, the U.S. government is quickly losing its expertise and competence in vital national security and defense programs, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

The federal government's demand for complex technology has soared, but it doesn't have the expertise or resources to take on new high-tech projects. As a resultthe government is increasingly turning to contractors that operate some of the government's most sensitive and important undertakings, says this post quoting the Wall Street Journal report.

Interesting, especially in these days when the US government appears to think every second guy on earth is a threat to America's security!

Read the full post at this Raw Story page

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Labels: defense, usa

Outsourcing Love

Just when I thought there were at least a few things in the world that cannot be outsourced, what should I come across but a blog post at Just Raven titled "Outsourcing Love".

In this interesting post, the author tells us about a matchmaker who is hired by gorgeous & rich guys to find suitable love-mates. And these gorgeous guys pay this lady gorgeous sums of money for her to find the most eligible and suitable mates for the blokes. The lady in the picture appears to think this is a natural thing to do, sort of what a company does when it hires a headhunter when it wishes to find a suitable CEO, but the author does not seem to be in complete agreement.

Interesting post!

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Labels: romance, unique-outsourcing

Trends in IT Outsourcing Prompts New Guidance from The IIA on Considering Risks, Navigating the Process

News Release by the IIA - March 27, 2007

"GTAG® 7" delivers straightforward information for non-technical professionals

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. - Trends in information technology (IT) outsourcing have prompted The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) to focus its seventh Global Technology Audit Guide® (GTAG) on this topic. Written in straightforward business language, GTAG 7 will help C-level executives and boards of directors understand various risks when navigating the complex task of IT outsourcing.

"IT outsourcing has grown in popularity as an efficient and cost-effective way to meet IT management demands such as systems implementation, maintenance, security, and operations," says IIA Manager of Technology Practices Lily Bi. "There are benefits from outsourcing this function, but they come with complexities, risks and challenges. It's important that executive management and boards understand how to conduct a comprehensive review of an organization's outsourced operations, evaluate the risk management process, and comply with applicable laws and regulations. When it comes down to it, those at the top are the ones accountable for ensuring that things are as they should be. Chief audit executives and audit supervisors can use GTAG 7 to help people who have limited technical knowledge to better understand these risks."

GTAG 7 describes some of the most common outsourcing risks and their potential strategic impact on an organization throughout the outsourcing lifecycle. Key issues discussed in this GTAG include: the outsourcing strategy and feasibility; selecting an IT service provider; drafting and managing contractual agreements; ensuring a smooth transition of internal operations to service providers; return on investment; effective frameworks for establishing outsourcing controls; and termination and renegotiation of services. The guidance also stresses the importance of evaluating the service provider's internal controls, and establishing a clear governance structure over the outsourcing activity to ensure accountability and effective project management.

The 30-page document, available in a printed version or for free download on The IIA's Web site, also reviews recent and expected trends in IT outsourcing.

Application development continues to be one of the most outsourced IT activities, followed by application maintenance and support.
Though mega deals in excess of US $1 billion represent a significant share of the total outsourcing contract value, they are set to decline in the near future and will be replaced by an increase in mid- and large deals in the US $100 million to $999 million range.
Contract term lengths are declining. The average length of an IT outsourcing contract declined from 6.2 years to 5.3 years from 2003 to 2005. The trend is for shorter contracts that enable organizations flexibility and don't lock them in a particular service.
Cost savings continues to be the key driver for IT outsourcing, though outsourcing arrangements that have focused solely on delivering savings have failed to meet client and service provider expectations.
Europe will come close to catching up with the U.S. market share of IT outsourcing. India will continue to be the most preferred destination for IT outsourcing, although China is expected to emerge as a formidable competitor in the near future.
The supplier landscape in the IT outsourcing industry will become more competitive as clients seek greater levels of domain experience in potential service providers.
More companies are relying on pilot projects to ensure a good fit between the client organization and service provider. Often, companies will conduct a proof of concept with various service providers to compare results and choose the best service provider.
Multi-sourcing will be one of the most visible trends, resulting in organizations' need to develop the competencies necessary to manage a multi-service provider environment.
IT service providers will evolve their businesses around distinct models including the "global champion model," offering multiple service lines and solutions to large organizations; the "IT specialist model," focusing on three to four major IT industry or cross-industry services; and the "ADM factory model," positioning themselves as low-cost developers of applications and maintenance services.
GTAG 7, Information Technology Outsourcing, was authored in partnership with Parthasarathy Ramaswamy, Mayurakshi Ray, and Jaideep Ganguli, with PricewaterhouseCoopers in India. The authors also received input, review, and comments from 37 IIA members and various affiliates and chapters, professional organizations, universities, professionals, and practitioners working in a wide range of industries and positions all over the world.

Previous GTAGs have focused on IT controls, change and patch management controls, continuous auditing, management of IT auditing, managing and auditing privacy risks, and managing and auditing IT vulnerabilities. To read GTAG 7, Information Technology Outsourcing, visit http://www.theiia.org/guidance/technology/gtag/.

###

Established in 1941, The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) is a global professional association for internal auditors around the world, with headquarters located in Altamonte Springs, Fla., USA. The IIA serves more than 130,000 members from 160 countries by providing professional development, guidance, and certification. The Institute stewards and promulgates The International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing and is the profession's global voice, recognized authority, acknowledged leader, chief advocate, and principal educator.


Media Contact: Scott McCallum, Media Relations
Phone: +1-407-937-1247
Fax: +1-407-937-1101



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Labels: analysis, it, it-trends, research

Outsourcing's Future Holds Major Surprises for Global Providers

Press release

4 Apr 2007

CHICAGO, April 4 -- The ways in which companies evaluate outsourcing performance, the global strategies of outsourcing providers, and even presidential politics will be affected by emerging trends in the outsourcing industry, according to Diamond Management & Technology Consultants, Inc. .

In advance of its annual Global Outsourcing Study, experts in Diamond's Strategic Sourcing Advisory practice offered a forecast of trends that are altering the way corporate clients approach their sourcing decisions and how providers of outsourcing services must adapt to a changing market. Buyers and providers of outsourcing services are invited to participate in Diamond's 2007 Global Outsourcing Study and share their confidential opinions about the current and future state of IT and Business Process outsourcing. The survey is available online at http://www.diamondconsultants.com/.

Buyers trying new ways of improving outsourcing effectiveness

Diamond's 2006 IT Outsourcing Study found that forty-seven percent of buyers had experienced an abnormal contract termination in the past year while only two percent stated that their outsourcing expectations were exceeded.

"Optimizing outsourcing effectiveness is becoming a high priority for C- level executives," said Tom Weakland, who leads Diamond's Strategic Sourcing Advisory practice. "We are going to see companies scramble to find advisors who not only have the skills to review contractual agreements, but who also are willing to provide hands-on management of offshore resources at remote locations, and who can design and track meaningful measures of provider performance."

Weakland points to Cisco's December 2006 appointment of a new executive position, the Chief Globalization Officer, as a sign of things to come as companies dedicate more staff on a full-time basis to lead and manage sourcing and global expansion initiatives.

Charlie Gavin, a Partner in Diamond's Sourcing practice, adds, "Clients are placing more emphasis on improving their day-to-day vendor management capabilities along several dimensions -- knowledge management and market understanding, contract/performance management, and relationship management. Some buyers are even sending employees to their providers' offshore training centers for extended periods of time to establish tighter partnerships and better working relationships."

Buyers will quietly re-insource work

As buyers continue to be disappointed in some of their outsourcing results and re-assess their activities, more companies will quietly bring some outsourced work back in-house even as they continue to invest in other areas on an outsourced basis.

"In some cases, internal IT employees will be asked to shift gears and retake ownership of functions that they previously helped transition to an outsourcer," said Brian Tumpowsky, a senior member of Diamond's Sourcing practice. "We think the trend we've seen in past studies, where companies are outsourcing commodity activities to redirect IT staff toward more strategic work, will continue. But internal IT departments will also be re-tasked with functions that had previously been outsourced. It's a balancing act; companies are trying to calibrate their sourcing portfolios to achieve the optimal mix of resources."

This is by no means the death knell for outsourcing as Diamond sees continued growth for both IT and Business Process outsourcing. Buyers of the future, however, will be more prone to re-insource when their expectations are not consistently met.

Negative publicity about outsourcing will re-emerge with the run up to the 2008 U.S. Presidential election

With Democrats taking majority control in Congress and presidential campaigning well underway, the topic of outsourcing and its impact on U.S. jobs will once again become a significant campaign issue. Offshore outsourcing providers experienced a slow down of growth amongst a wave of backlash in conjunction with the 2004 presidential election, and the potential is there for a similar occurrence in 2007 and 2008. Even though outsourcing has become a mainstream activity and organizations are better prepared to handle employee backlash and public outcry, Diamond believes that many organizations may begin to delay major outsourcing decisions as the election nears.

More buyers will look to outsourcing as a growth play.

The announcement by Wipro and Motorola last summer of a joint venture to host a global network operation center is representative of a movement in the market for buyers and providers to establish what Weakland calls "cooperative captives."

"Look for companies trying to enter India or China to form joint ventures with outsourcing companies. It's a way to leverage established relationships with the government and associate with an established local brand," Weakland said. "These joint ventures can jump-start business efforts and bring tax advantages, and can also accelerate market presence by reducing the navigational hurdles of setting up a business overseas.

They can accelerate a company's efforts on the revenue side in local markets as well. More U.S. and European-based companies recognize the potential of changing consumer demographics among the 1.1 billion citizens in India and 1.3 billion in China. India already hosts a middle-class population of 300-400 million while China's middle class is expected to grow from 130 million to approximately 600 million (twice the size of today's U.S. population) in the next 15 years. And so accordingly U.S. and European firms will craft outsourcing strategies not only to leverage additional capabilities and cost savings, but also to become exposed to these growing markets in terms of knowledge, brand, suppliers, and eventually customers.

Rates will rise as second-tier providers invest in additional global
operations to balance their onshore and offshore presence

As large multinational offshore players battle for global outsourcing supremacy, balancing the need for low-cost operations with customer demands for more high-touch service will alter provider global delivery models and cause them to readjust their rate structures. Second-tier providers will be forced to follow the lead of the larger firms and increase investments to expand their global reach and get closer to their customers. As a result, providers will seek to increase their prices to offset their expansion costs.

"As costs rise, sourcing implementation and management become even more critical, particularly if the goal is cost-savings," said Weakland. "More companies will try to bring structured management discipline to their outsourcing relationships. The risk is they will end up negotiating adversarial relationships and we'll see even more abnormal contract terminations."

China will leverage the 2008 Beijing Olympics to increase its status among
outsourcing destinations

Expecting more than 20,000 journalists, China will take advantage of the 2008 Summer Olympics to promote its position as an outsourcing super-power, highlighting its increased focus on English education, a booming economy, and a growing pool of highly qualified software engineers.

"According to Diamond's annual global IT outsourcing studies, the number of buyers that expect to outsource IT functions to China has soared 48 percent between 2004 and 2006," Weakland said. "The Olympics are the perfect platform for Chinese outsourcers to begin to convert those expectations into real market share, and establish their reputations as capable, high-quality providers."

While China is poised to capture significant mindshare, Diamond believes it will still be several years before the Chinese outsourcing industry captures significant market share.

Greater demands for outsourcing employee security checks

After a multinational bank discovered in 2005 that call center employees at an Indian outsourcing firm had stolen more than $300,000 from its customers' accounts NASSCOM established a National Skills Registry of employees working at Indian outsourcing firms. However, the latest estimates are that only 30 percent of the industry's employees have undergone independent background checks and been added to the database.

"Customers are anxious to verify the qualifications and backgrounds of specific employees," said Gavin. "Outsourcers have done a good job in the areas of physical and information security but this is the year they need to focus on their employee base. We'll see outsourcers carefully screening employees, verifying work histories and backgrounds, and using the issue of employee screening as a competitive edge."

About Diamond

Diamond is a management and technology consulting firm. Recognizing that information and technology shape market dynamics, Diamond's small teams of experts work across functional and organizational boundaries to improve growth and profitability. Since the greatest value in a strategy, and its highest risk, resides in its implementation, Diamond also provides proven execution capabilities. We deliver three critical elements to every project: fact-based objectivity, spirited collaboration, and sustainable results. To learn more visit http://www.diamondconsultants.com/.

Contacts:
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Media Relations
+1.312.255.4560

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Investor Relations
+1.312.255.5784

Source: Diamond Management & Technology Consultants

BlogOut provides global outsourcing updates across industries & business functions. See BlogOut Directory for the complete list of categories

Labels: china, trends, trends-2007

Outsourcing Moves Up the Value Chain

4 Apr 2007

Recently, auto supplier Delphi announced that it was sending hundreds of corporate accounting jobs to India’s Genpact to consolidate some of its finance workforce in a more lower-cost environment.

A New York Times article notes that the stereotype that outsourcing necessarily involves lower-end “backoffice” jobs is no longer valid

The author of the post says tongue-in-cheek: "I would suggest that law firms representing blue-chip companies (such as those mentioned above) watch this trend closely. When your clients are moving work offshore, they may ask how you are integrating global sourcing into the service mix...The answer “Huh?” may not be a relationship-extending one"...

Read this full outsourcing analysis article from here @ the Wired GC

BlogOut provides global outsourcing updates across industries & business functions. See BlogOut Directory for the complete list of categories

Labels: analysis, auto-components, offshore-trends, trends, value-added-services