Mar

16

Analysts forecast that we still have a long way to work through before we rise out of recession, so companies and enterprises face economic challenges by optimizing operational efficiency as well as reducing costs.

Here are the Top Ten ways companies can get the most of their IT functions and requirements that ripe for outsourcing.

#10 Business Process and Knowledge Process Outsourcing

BPO, or “back office” outsourcing, is the farming out of internal business functions such as documentation, human resources or finance and accounting, and front office customer-related services to a third-party service provider.

KPO is the outsourcing or knowledge-related and information-related work, such as market research, business intelligence and customer profiling activities, by employees in a different company.

BPO and KPO are steaming in the past decade  with CIOs are being tapped to oversee these types of outsourcing due to most of them have related extensive experience.

#9 Infrastructure Management

Infrastructure Asset Management is the discipline of managing infrastructure assets that forms a company’s physical “body”, such as office space and facilities, utilities, IT and communication equipment, recreational and other assets.

This has been a popular option to outsource over the last decade, but wholesale commitment is not for the faint of heart. A company’s infrastructure management could be best served by an outsourcer who offers combined off-shore/on-shore delivery.

#8 Systems Integration

In information technology, systems integration is the process of linking together different, discrete computing systems and software applications, physically or functionally, in order to function as subsystems or  together as a whole, larger system.

These days, companies are going bust and being sold at bargains. As mergers and acquisitions pick up, system integration has become an important activity. The fusion of on-shore and off-shore outsourcing is useful as onsite work is necessary during integration.

#7 PC Maintenance

For maintenance of your company’s PC office equipment, there is a debate between acquiring the services of an on-shore or off-shore provider.  Best to compromise and hire a provider who offers a hybrid approach, bringing local maintenance personnel on site when called for.

#6 Help Desk

A Help Desk is an information and assistance resource that troubleshoots problems with computers, peripheral equipment, software, or services.

Outsourcing Help Desk can streamline an organization, though more complex support can be hampered by language barriers if this function is off-shored.

#5 Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

ERP is a company-wide information system designed to coordinate all the resources, information, and activities needed to complete business processes, like billing and fulfilling orders.

Since ERP experts, those who specialize in SAP AG enterprise software in particular, can be costly when hired in-house for full-time– off-shore or on-shore providers could be more able to cost-efficiently handle ERP Management.

#4 Database Management

Database management is a computer software system that manages a company’s information databases, allowing authorized users and other software to store and retrieve data in a structured, secure process.

This is a particularly attractive management function for an outsourcing vendor retains expert database and data management experts than the typical enterprise for a fraction of the industry standard rates.

#3 Application Management

Application Management comes in two forms: Performance where the use of related IT tools to detect, diagnose, remedy and report an application’s performance to ensure that it meets or exceeds business’ and end-consumers’ expectations; and Service in which the focus is on monitoring and managing the performance and quality of complex business transactions.

If you want to lighten the load of your development team, application management outsourcing can help. Creative control, innovation stays in-house while maintenance and management can be farmed out.

#2 Software/Systems Testing and QA Analysis

Software testing empirically investigates the performance quality of the tested product or service, to confirm if it is market-ready. This includes, but is not limited to, the execution of a program or application in order to locate defects or “bugs”.

If a company is trying out outsourcing for the first time, farming out the testing functions should be the best start, with less risks.

#1 Software Application Development

Software development involves research, new development, modification, reuse, re-engineering, maintenance, documentation or any other activities that result in the creation of software products, such as marketing and product management

Traditionally this is the IT function of choice for off-shoring, since offerings are mature and well-managed, free from risks. It is the expert recommendation to start with small, pilot projects and work your way up.

Outsourcing Solutions, Inc. – your outsourcing partner!

Reference:

“10 Functions Ripe For Outsourcing”. CIO Insight. 11 March 2009. Accessed 14 March 2009. Link Here


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