The SSON Daily News: December 19 2013

December 19, 2013 Genpact and AstraZeneca Extend Finance and Accounting Services Agreement Genpact Limited, a global leader in transforming and running business processes and operations, today announced a multi-year contract extension for its global Finance and Accounting (F&A) services agreement with leading pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. iGate wins $80 mn outsourcing contract from French telco Orange Nasdaq-listed software services firm iGate Corp has won a five-year outsourcing contract worth $80 million from France’s biggest telecom firm Orange SA to manage its back-office information technology (IT) infrastructure in Switzerland, at a time when the phone company attempts to reduce costs amid a slump in revenues. AIB to outsource clearing department AIB informed staff yesterday that it plans to outsource its payments clearing department in Dublin to a company called BancTec, ending speculation dating back to September. GardaWorld wins 'game-changing' outsourcing contract from Bank of America GardaWorld has landed what it bills as a transformational contract, with Bank of America agreeing to become the first large financial institution in the United States to fully outsource its cash vault operations. December 18, 2013 Seattle Entrepreneurs Win Free HR Outsourcing Services from ADP Several Seattle entrepreneurs will receive free human resource management, payroll, compliance, and benefits administration services from ADP(R) as part of its sponsorship of an angel investment competition hosted by the Seattle Angel Conference IV. Companies consider outsourcing IT services due to tight human resources Macau’s various industries are lamenting brain drain and underpaid practitioners, with a survey on the city’s demand for IT skill sets showing that more than half of the respondents plan to outsource their IT services. What’s more, the majority of them are from the government sector. December 17, 2013 Serbia looks to develop outsourcing industry Serbia’s growth prospect in 2014 is the attracting of investments in the IT sector and the development of outsourcing industry, said Director of the Center for Advanced Economic Studies Kori Udovicki . At the annual conference of the Economist magazine, she said that this is confirmed by the positive experience of the American company NCR, which has expanded its operations in Serbia this year. TCS likely to bag outsourcing contract from Danish insurer Tryg India's largest information technologies (IT) services company, Tata Consultancy Services is likely to enter into a four-year deal with Dannish insurer Tryg, as the latter has terminated its IT operating agreement with Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) effective August 1, 2014. Outsourcing Malaysia to set up talent council next year Outsourcing Malaysia (OM) plans to set up a talent council next year to attract a more experienced workforce into the outsourcing industry and close the talent requirement gap currently faced by the industry. Business Process Outsourcing Offers Major Benefits to Saudi Economy The Saudi economy has the potential to accelerate in growth by utilizing the services of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) providers such as Kinetic BPO. These are companies that have become popular in many developed countries due to their ability to help a company streamline its most costly business processes and deliver better customer experiences. These companies usually can deliver these benefits because they have developed this service as their core competency. They also need to make a profit so they often have invested in developing operations and technology solutions that are in line with world best practices. Saudi based companies could benefit by utilizing the services of an outsource provider as opposed to making the hefty investments themselves. Companies like Kinetic BPO are now including Saudi as an important part of their emerging market strategy. December 16, 2013 NSW moves to as-a-service model for storage The NSW Government will ditch its ownership model for storage infrastructure in favour of an as-a-service approach, in line with plans to move away from asset ownership under its ICT Strategy. T&T moves toward business outsourcing The T&T International Financial Centre (TTIFC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Quatrro Global Services (QGS) and Caribbean Electronic Payments Systems (CEPS)—a major step toward development of a financial business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in T&T. QGS and CEPS will be working with the TTIFC in a pilot project to launch the card processing aspect of BPO. Bharti Airtel set to reduce IBM’s share in outsourcing deal Bharti Airtel Ltd , which is currently re-negotiating its 10-year information technology (IT) outsourcing contract with International Business Machines Corp. ( IBM ), is set to hand out more business to other technology services vendors led by Tech Mahindra Ltd and reduce IBM’s share of the contract in what will be the biggest overhaul of the landmark outsourcing deal. December 13, 2013 Infosys BPO arm releases customer service platform Infosys McCamish Systems LLC, the BPO arm of IT major Infosys, on Thursday released a transformational customer service platform, VPAS Customer Service Work Desk (CSWD). Sitel Named a Global BPO Leader on 2013 GS100 List Sitel, a leading global customer care provider, today announced it has been named to the GS100 Top Global BPO Leaders list for 2013. The list, compiled by Global Services, honors companies that define leadership in the global services industry. Sitel was selected for its role as a world leader in outsourced customer care innovation, managing client programs in 23 countries. Outsourcing company to expand in Cebu India-based outsourcing firm Firstsource Solutions Ltd. announced they will be expanding their Philippine operations, particularly in Cebu, in 2015. December 12, 2013 Outsourcer still sees BPO growth in the Philippines An executive of a leading Canadian outsourcing and information technology company said during the weekend that the Philippine business process outsourcing (BPO) industry still has big room for growth. Sutherland Global Services Recognized as Leading Customer Management Services Vendor in the Retail Sector Sutherland Global Services announced today that NelsonHall, a leading Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and outsourcing analyst firm based in London, identified Sutherland as the leading Customer Management Services (CMS) vendor in the retail sector. NelsonHall’s findings were published as part of the NelsonHall Evaluation and Assessment Tool (NEAT), which is designed to evaluate outsourcing vendors. December 11, 2013 UK scraps outsourcing of military equipment buying The British government has scrapped plans to outsource the buying of military equipment due to a lack of bidders for the contract. Davao City emerging outsourcing destination Davao City is emerging as next big destination outside Metro Manila, for Information Technology-Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPO). The city has been named top-rated "Next Wave City" for BPO firms for over three years now by the Department of Science and Technology-Information and Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICTO). Venn continues growth with $1.1m purchase of Northern Irish CRO Venn Life Sciences has purchased Belfast, UK CRO Medevol in its second acquisition in as many months. Insurance, BPO, telecom slow down hiring in November Hiring activity across the country saw a mere one per cent rise in November this year as compared to last month. BPO firm opens, brings 500 new jobs to Cebu THE outsourcing industry in Cebu remains robust with a new player bringing in 500 more new jobs in the market. December 10, 2013 Daimler's new IT shared service center opens in Bangalore German auto maker Daimler will create 800 new IT jobs in the city by 2015 in its new shared service centre, Daimler AG CIO Dr Michael Gorriz today said. "In the new Shared Service Centre, Daimler will create 800 new IT-jobs in Bangalore by 2015. Positive effects on IT suppliers and the IT sector in Bangalore can also be expected," he told reporters here. IBM buys Dexia IT services arm IBM has taken a controlling share in the IT services arm of banking group Dexia, increasing its outsourcing power with European financial market firms. Hexaware Tech hardens as board approves merger of BPO firm Hexaware Technologies gained 3.14% to Rs 121.35 at 12:07 IST on BSE after the company's board of directors approved the merger of a business process outsourcing with itself. December 9, 2013 IBM Acquires Dexia’s IT Arm, Outsourcing Contracts IBM has acquired a controlling share in the IT unit of European financial services company Dexia SA. Big Blue will use the unit, Associated Dexia Technology Services, to provide tech services to Dexia and a number of other financial institutions through outsourcing deals worth $1.3 billion over seven years. December 6, 2013 Accenture Completes Acquisition of Procurian Inc., Expanding Its Leading Capabilities in Procurement Business Process Outsourcing Accenture has completed its acquisition of Procurian, a leading provider of procurement business process solutions. Infosys Awarded Highest LEED Rating for its BPO Building in Pune Infosys, a global leader in consulting, technology and outsourcing, today announced that its BPO building at the Hinjewadi campus in Pune, has been awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) India ‘Platinum’ rating by the Indian Green Building Council, the highest recognition for sustainable building design. With this, Infosys now has a total of eight buildings covering more than 2.5 million square feet of space that have garnered the prestigious Platinum rating. Brink's Regional Services brings Latin American HQ to Miami Brink's Regional Services will establish its Latin American headquarters in Miami-Dade County, adding 105 jobs and $2.56 million in new capital investment within three years, according to a news release. December 5, 2013 Latin America Outsourcing’s Top Eight Secondary Cities Although traditionally drawn to Latin America’s megacities, investors can increasingly find better value destinations by looking beyond the region’s over-saturated primary markets. Secondary markets often offer cheaper labor and real estate, high levels of talent but with less competition, more navigable cities, and more welcoming authorities. Capgemini India unit chasing strategic outsourcing deals European IT and consulting company Capgemini which started selling its services in Indian domestic market almost five years ago is now graduating to the next phase of growth by participating in large strategic outsourcing deals. Exclusive: Over a Dozen Capgemini Execs Depart to Join Sutherland In what has to be considered one of the more remarkable executive recruitment coups in Latin America BPO, over a dozen Capgemini executives have defected to join rival BPO firm, Sutherland Global Services (with centers in Colombia, Jamaica and Mexico) over the last several weeks and month. Qualfon Guyana to Build BPO Facility in New York Caribbean outsourcing giant Qualfon Guyana has unveiled its plans to build a new contact center and back-office processing facility in Hancock, New York, promising to create more than 400 jobs. The new delivery center will be operated by Qualfon Data Services Group (DSG), formerly known as Data Control Group before it was acquired by Qualfon. Philippine startup Kalibrr raises $1.9 million, creates recruitment platform for outsourcing industry Kalibrr launched last year with the aim of teaching Filipinos the right skills for an outsourced job usually as a customer service representative. Today, the startup announces that it has raised $1.9 million from global investors Omidyar Network (co-founder of eBay), Siemer Ventures, Learn Capital, Kickstart Ventures, and several other angel investors. December 4, 2013 Legal developments in the BPO industry In recent years, the Philippines has emerged as a global leader in the business process outsourcing (BPO) or off-shoring and outsourcing (O&O). Establishments in these industries are commonly known as "call centers" in the Philippines, even though the primary business of these BPOs covers both "voice" and "non-voice" services or back office operations (i.e. finance, accounting, or programming). Jamaican Firm to Build Huge Tech Park for BPO Operations Real estate firm Mark Kerr-Jarrett is gearing up to construct a huge commercial block at its tech park in Montego Bay for BPO companies looking to set up operations in Jamaica. According to the plan unveiled last week, Kerr-Jarrett will develop 50,000 square feet of office space by the end of 2014, putting in place all the necessary amenities for BPO operations, such as high-speed Internet and a round-the-clock electricity supply. Wipro set to acquire Opus CMC for Rs 465 crore; move to boost mortgage BPO business in America Wipro will buy American mortgage services company Opus Capital Market Consultants for $75 million (Rs465 crore), bolstering its presence in the financial services space where it has lagged rivals. For Global IT and BPO Customers, Captives are No Longer the Choice Option Customers are keeping high value, engineering and R&D services in-house, while other tasks are deemed better for outsourcing, says Eric Simonson, managing partner at Everest Research. December 3, 2013 Wipro to acquire US BPO company for $75 million India's fourth largest IT services exporter Wipro Ltd on Monday said it would acquire Opus Capital Markets Consultants LLC (Opus CMC), a US-based BPO provider of mortgage due diligence and risk management services for $75 million - the company's 20th acquisition since the year 2000. SM Investments acquires 5 BPO buildings in the Philippines SM Investments Corp (SMIC) has completed the acquisition of five business process outsourcing (BPO) infrastructures in Bonifacio Global City. In a disclosure, the mall and banking conglomerate said the deal marked the biggest office space acquisition so far for the company. This was according to a report published by ABS-CBN News. Cognizant to Hire 10,000 U.S. Workers Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. (CTSH), one of the largest providers of outsourcing services, plans to hire about 10,000 U.S. workers, potentially soothing concerns that the industry is harming the domestic job market. December 2 2013 Private equity majors bid for $1bn SourceHOV Private equity majors Apax Partners, Carlyle Group and Baring Asia are among the bidders who have placed initial bids to acquire business process outsourcing company SourceHOV, jointly owned by Citigroup Venture Capital International and Mumbai-listed HOV Services, said banking sources aware of the matter. Everest Group Recognizes HCL as a Leader and Star Performer in the Life Sciences IT Outsourcing Market HCL Technologies Ltd has been recognized as a "Leader" and "Star Performer" category in life sciences IT outsourcing by leading advisory and research firm Everest Group in its report, "IT Outsourcing in Life Sciences Industry Service Provider Landscape with PEAK Matrix™ Assessment and Profile Compendium 2013. Infosys Expands Presence in Sydney; Premier of New South Wales Inaugurates New Office Infosys, a global leader in consulting, technology and outsourcing, opened a new Sydney branch office this week to keep pace with the business growth of more than 500 percent in New South Wales (NSW) over the past five years. The Honorable Barry O'Farrell MP, Premier of New South Wales, and Infosys Founder and Executive Chairman, N.R. Narayana Murthy, were present for the inauguration.

The SSON Daily News: December 19 2013

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The SSON Daily News: December 19 2013

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