| 2008 is expected to be the year when the | | | | clear that outsourcing is being seen as a legitimate |
| outsourcing function or process in a business | | | | and important profession, with the global outsourcing |
| becomes as standardized as other corporate | | | | industry now worth $6trillion - a number that many |
| functions, such as accounting or human resources. | | | | expect to rise as recruitment of new talent |
| The outsourcing function has been an integral part of | | | | intensifies. |
| global business, with a variety of different firms | | | | In the UK, outsourcing of public sector services has |
| offloading their contact centre operations and payroll | | | | seen many companies competing for huge |
| to third party providers. However, outsourcing has | | | | government outsourced contracts, including contracts |
| never been recognised as a corporate function and | | | | worth £500 million each that have been put out |
| profession in its own right; until now, as the function | | | | to tender by the Home Office for the government's |
| become a "mature" practice and gains more leverage | | | | identity card scheme, making them among the most |
| in many business circles. | | | | expensive contracts ever awarded by the UK |
| New trends in the economy and in consumer choice | | | | government. With the contracts running up to ten |
| have added a layer of complexity to the decision | | | | years, a high level of interest is expected from many |
| making process regarding whether and what to | | | | outsourcing companies and IT services giants across |
| outsource - a massive change from the past when | | | | the world such as EDS, IBM and Fujitsu Services. |
| the decision to outsource was mostly based on cost | | | | As outsourcing companies evolve into significant |
| cutting measures. While this means new | | | | employers in their own right, mostly due to the |
| considerations for companies, it also introduces | | | | competition to hire the best talent, outsourcing has |
| greater benefits, particularly in this day and age when | | | | become less of a cost cutting measure, as |
| becoming a global company isn't so much an option | | | | management costs are increasing. However, this |
| as it is an imperative. | | | | competition between firms to employ the finest |
| The International Association of Outsourcing | | | | professionals that they can has led to an increased |
| Professionals (IAOP) have predicted that due to a | | | | selection of service providers being available to |
| backlash against some companies for previous | | | | companies, with foreign companies now seen as |
| outsourcing decisions, we will see many companies | | | | being on the same par as top U.S and European |
| viewing social responsibility as equally as important as | | | | companies - a trend expected to continue for the |
| being globally competitive. The IAOP isn't predicting | | | | foreseeable future, with many India based companies |
| yet, however, that the new corporate title of Chief | | | | rising into the top 10 outsourcing ranks. |
| Outsourcing Officer will be introduced, but it's quite | | | | |