Enhancing Customer Security: New Microsoft Initiatives in the Ongoing Security Effort to Help Customers Microsoft Talks VOIP for New Windows CE Voice Technology Goes Mainstream with Release of Microsoft Speech Server 2004 Microsoft, EMC Set Sights on the Remote Office Microsoft Introduces Major Great Plains Upgrade Gates Issues Security Progress Report Microsoft, Others Publish Metadata-Exchange Standard To provide our clients with a competitive advantage and maximum return on their investments through timely delivery of high quality and cost effective software solutions. Experts believe that outsourcing is essential for companies to prosper in the 21 st century. From entrepreneurs in the home office business segment to small and medium businesses and global businesses are outsourcing part or all of their IT needs. Every business benefits hugely as a result of outsourcing because technology is changing so fast, it has to be leveraged and used to the maximum to deliver competitive advantage to a company. The Outsourcing Institute finds, "Outsourcing is rapidly becoming an accepted management tool for redefining and reenergizing the corporation. It challenges today's executives to rethink the traditional, vertically integrated firm in favor of a more flexible organization structured around core competencies and long-term, outside relationships." Outsourcing has now evolved into a highly sophisticated business strategy, bringing a number of benefits that far exceed the financial. For example, you may choose to outsource to gain access to world-class capabilities, to streamline your organization to focus on one key area, to free up resources, or even to limit risk by sharing it with a partner. In today's globalized and networked economy, outsourcing has never been so easy or made so much business sense. The question is not "Why outsource?" but rather, "Why not?" "Companies around the world have realized that to remain ahead, they need to reduce costs, provide the best quality, use the latest high-tech skills, and most importantly, be reliable and innovative," writes Nandan Nilekani, Deputy Managing Director Infosys Technologies Ltd., One of India's foremost software development companies. The converging technologies of telecommunication, information technology and media have redefined the way we do business, with electronic commerce and enterprise systems becoming a way of life. Correspondingly, there has been a sharp increase in the need for qualified software professionals to manage these functions. Demand exceeds supply, and the dearth of human resources has resulted in increased personnel costs, longer time to market and longer product development cycles. Chances are, you won't find these highly skilled people in your own backyard. Yet you need them more than ever, now that competition is swooping down faster than business opportunities are taking off. And you realize that without them, your big dreams for a flourishing enterprise could rapidly go up in smoke. But you don't have to manage all business functions in-house. Outsourcing provides a neat solution to several of your business problems. According to Dun & Bradstreet's most recent Barometer of Global Outsourcing, outsourcing expenditures will top $1 trillion worldwide by year end 2000. These expenditures have doubled in just the past three years alone. North America leads in outsourcing spending, representing 39 percent of the global total, followed by Asia at 31 percent and Europe at 25 percent. Offshore outsourcing provides all the benefits of local outsourcing and delivers additional value in resource availability, lower cost, higher quality and improved time-to-market. Besides providing more manpower and specialized knowledge for projects, it also helps in accessing additional capacity on demand, quick integration of technologies and speedy application development time. Only a clear vision for IT that relates to the business vision, and a conviction that offshore outsourcing will help in fulfilling that vision, can make it a success. Who should outsource ? Just about everybody: from entrepreneurs in the SOHO (small office home office) segment to small and medium enterprises (SME), to large businesses and empires with diversified interests and varied business processes. Every business benefits hugely through outsourcing because technology is changing so fast, it has to be leveraged and used to the maximum to deliver competitive advantage to a company. "I view outsourcing as part of the transformation strategy" Pat Wallington Xerox. When should I outsource ? When you're losing focus on your core business because you're too busy handling operations When you're facing a time, money and human resource crunch When you have a mission-critical project that needs all your time and energy, plus specialized skills which aren't readily available When you've got to be the first into the market to gain the edge What are the Benefits of Outsourcing? Improved focus on core competencies By outsourcing, instead of acquiring the appropriate resources in-house, an organization can focus on its core business - outsourcing lets companies focus on key activities and strategic goals rather than day to day tasks. Outsourcing non-core areas of the business allows the company to focus its resources on its main business and use that added energy to grow. Reduced operating costs Every organization has limits on the resources available to it. The constant challenge is to ensure that its limited resources are expended in the most valuable areas. Outsourcing frees up financial resources for other purposes. Most often, the resources redirected through outsourcing are people resources. By outsourcing non-core functions, the organization can redirect these people, or at least the staff slots they represent, onto greater value-adding activities. People whose energies are currently focused internally can not be focused externally - on the customer. More time to market: In the intensely competitive software industry, companies have only a small window of opportunity in which to deliver products to market. The earliest entrants to the market can often reap significant financial rewards as well as the dominant market share. An organization can achieve faster time-to-market by leveraging to Outsourcing. Higher level of Experience IT consulting companies have a higher level of experience than what the company might be able to afford in full-time employee. Owners of most consulting firms have worked for many years in the IT field and have decided to be their own boss, focus on projects they like and have more control over their environments. A company can take advantage of that experience without budgeting for a full-time employee. Access to new skills and technology Outsourcing gives a company access to resources not available internally, such as modern, up-to-date technology and skilled human capital. Greater flexibility The flexibility gained through outsourcing helps a company react quickly to changing market conditions, fluctuating demand cycles, and increased competition. Staff Reallocation for IT related companies Personnel whose job responsibilities are reduced or eliminated by outsourcing can be reassigned to other, more strategic tasks. Outsourcing frees up the staff to pursue new business opportunities. Improved Predictability of costs Outsourcing provides a company with predictable yearly costs for the maintenance of all or part of the IS infrastructure. Assistance with organizational changes (Growth) A third-party IT service firm can help build new infrastructures or merge two existing infrastructures during or shortly after a merger, acquisition, or joint venture. I f an organization is expanding its customer base and does not have the equipment or personnel to support the growing demand, outsourcing is the answer for them. Rapid growth or expansion of operations is often a strong indicator that outsourcing may be right for a company. Assistance with globalization A company looking to move into international markets can rely on a global outsourcer for assistance in broadening infrastructure and operational reach. In conclusion, by placing IT systems in the care of a trusted third-party service provider, a company is assured of a scalable, secure, up-to-date computing architecture at a predictable cost. 25 reasons why outsourcing makes business sense When you consider the advantages of outsourcing, you'll realize there's a lot to gain by using it as an intrinsic part of your business strategy. By outsourcing, you can: Reduce overheads, free up resources Avoid capital expenditure Improve efficiency Offload non-core functions Get access to specialized skills Save on manpower and training costs Reduce operating costs Improve speed and service Establish long-term, strategic relationships with world-class service providers to gain a competitive edge Enhance tactical and strategic advantages Focus on strategic thinking, process reengineering and managing trading partner relationships Spread your risks Provide the best quality services, products and people Be reliable and innovative Provide value-added services Increase customer satisfaction Avoid the cost of chasing technology Leverage the provider's extensive investments in technology, methodologies and people Benefit from the provider's expertise in solving problems for a variety of clients with similar requirements. Focus scarce resources on time-critical projects such as application reengineering Obtain needed project management and implementation consulting expertise, along with access to best practices and proven methodologies Reduce the risk of technological obsolescence and increase efficiency by consolidating and centralizing functions Keep pace and minimize the impact of rapid changes in applications and standards Extend the reach to more trading partners quickly and efficiently Reduce the overall IT management burden while retaining control of strategic decision making. Highlights: Global giants such as IBM, Microsoft, Novell, Oracle, AT&T, Fujitsu, Motorola, Digital, Hewlett-Packard Philips, General Electric, IBM, Reebok, Fujitsu, British Aerospace, General Motors and Sears are keeping ahead of their rivals thanks to the competitive advantage conferred on them by some of the best software companies in India . You too can benefit immensely from a successful outsourcing strategy. Several convergent forces like an exponential increase of technology in the workplace, electronic commerce, enterprise systems and a sharp increase in internet related new entities are resulting in an increased demand for software professionals. The need is further compounded by the lack of trained programmers in the developed countries, especially United States , Western Europe and Japan . Demand exceeds supply, which has led to increased labor costs, longer product development and even longer time to market. A recent Wall Street Journal article related a greater willingness on the part of CIOs to outsource software work that is not mission critical. Reduce your marketing and software delivery costs Gain access to global buyer base needing software development Manage your projects online with buyer participation Neutral marketplace with global choices Economies of 24 hour X 7 days a week low-cost software development with access to global consulting firms. For instance, Advanced communication technology has allowed global software teams to become commonplace. Some software companies are organizing global software teams to employ the best talent in the world. Home || Company || Engagement Model || Solutions || Technology || Product || Projects || Contact Us || Sitemap Copyright © 2003 Sofra Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd. All Rights Reserved.