Outsourcing - The Next Phase

Industry analysts have been predicting forIndia.
months that India's capacity for taking inRCG Information Technology is another large IT
American outsourcing work is starting to stretchservice provider. They have stated clearly that
its limits. The government has always taken stepsthey do not intend to make India a part of their
to restrain continuing growth, but now we'restrategy for the foreseeable future. Instead they
seeing the American companies taking action.have targeted the Asia Pacific region for further
They are deliberately moving some of theirexpansion and already have a presence in the
outsourcing capacity to the next-step destinations,Philippines. Their analysis revealed that India's
such as the Philippines, China and Vietnam.prices are rising, due to the overcrowding of
India's government was right to try to restrictclients there. Employees are jumping from one
growth, because the resulting rise in costs is nowfirm to another to get better pay. This is causing
being realized and passed on to the Americanoverall prices to increase, while skill levels sink.
companies.They have found English communications skills to
Sykes is a large US-based contract center and ITbe superior in the Philippines.
support organization with operations in both IndiaHewitt has begun hiring for its new BPO facility in
and the Philippines. It has recently announced it willthe Philippines. So has HSBC, the international
move much of its capacity from India to thebanking concern. On the flip side it has been
Philippines. For a company of this size to makereported that Indian nationals working here in the
this drastic of a move means the price differentialUnited States are being wooed to go back to
is substantial.India, where demand for their work is high. They
GXS is another global business-to-business serviceare having trouble doing so, however, because
provider who is moving operations with strongtheir salaries are traditionally so much lower than
customer service components to the Philippines.in the U.S. This, too, is contributing to India's
They have found better economics and resultsincreasing rates, as they start to face the
there. They're leaving their product developmentdownside of fiscal globalization.
operations in India. Overall, they feel that thisBut don't count India out yet. India created the
arrangement minimizes risks.offshore outsourcing model and its continued
A recent investment decision is further evidencemanagerial competency will drive it forward. It still
of the growing interest in the Philippines as andominates and enjoys a fine reputation and
outsourcing destination. Ambergins Solutions, aattractiveness worldwide. Its current growth
large call center operation, just received anslow-down does not indicate weakness but,
investment of $43.5 million from a Canadian-basedrather, great success. If places like the Philippines
global IT solutions provider. A company sourceand Vietnam have not been quite as successful,
said the Asian Pacific region appeared to be thethey are learning from India how to attract their
best long-term opportunity of anywhere, includingshare of quality and sizable outsourcing employers.