Is US new threat to India in BPO sector?

A downturn in worldwide economy, Satyam's fraud case and the terrorist attacks in Mumbai and supply chain and shipping cost issues in China are causing US technology companies to pull back from the two traditional outsourcing locations.

Citing these three global factors, an annual survey by BDO Seidman, LLP, one of America's leading accounting and consulting organizations, suggested several technology firms would choose US as future outsourcing location over India and China.

"While last year may have produced an outsourcing bubble, 2009 will see companies retrench to survive in the face of reduced demand. The US has become a far more viable option for them," said Douglas Sirotta, a Partner in BDO Seidman's Technology Practice.

"This year we are seeing three global factors that are causing US technology companies to pull back from traditional outsourcing locations, led by the recent boom and bust of the worldwide economy.

"Satyam's fraud case and the terrorist attacks in Mumbai are causing a lot of companies to reconsider operating in India. And supply chain and shipping cost issues in China are negatively impacting the attractiveness of outsourcing technology operations to the Far East."

Currently nearly two-thirds (62 per cent) of chief financial officers (CFOs) at leading US technology businesses say that their companies outsource services or manufacturing, it said.

However, the survey results point to a likely decline in international outsourcing in 2009: 22 percent say the United States is the outsourcing destination they are most likely to consider in 2009, compared to 16 per cent for China and 13 per cent for India. Another 19 per cent report no interest in additional outsourcing.

The survey conducted in January 2009 examines the opinions of 100 chief financial officers at leading technology companies located throughout the US. Other major findings:

Less than half (42 per cent) of the CFOs indicate that they have operations outside the US, compared to nearly double that amount (79 per cent) last year.

Nearly a third (29 per cent) of respondents say their primary concern regarding international growth is an uncertain business or political climate.

About a quarter (26 per cent), cite international business and tax regulations, with 21 per cent citing currency risk, 14 per cent intellectual property risk and exploitation, and 10 per cent training of international employees as their primary concern.

Currently the most common non-US locations for outsourcing are India (50 per cent), Southeast Asia, including the Philippines (31 per cent, down from 50 per cent in 2008), China (19 per cent, down from 46 per cent in 2008), and Western Europe (19 per cent).

For future outsourcing, the CFOs most frequently cite the United States (22 per cent), followed by China (16 per cent), India (13 per cent), Southeast Asia, including the Philippines (7 per cent), Latin America (7 per cent), Western Europe (6 per cent), Canada (5 per cent) and Eastern Europe (3 per cent).

Of those outsourcing, the most common functions being off-shored currently are: manufacturing (54 percent), IT services and programming (46 percent), research and development (35 percent), distribution (35 percent) and call centres (35 percent).

Agencies

No job losses in BPO sector, says Nasscom

Software and BPO industry body Nasscom on Wednesday said the business process outsourcing sector is not in the danger of losing jobs due to the ongoing economic downturn rather a net hirer in the current fiscal.

In a statement here Nasscom said, "Media reports suggest that the Indian BPO industry will see 2.5 lakh job losses by the first quarter of 2009, in the wake of downturn in the US and other developed economies. NASSCOM's research
and interaction with its member companies is not in support of this statement.

Our detailed industry performance and forecast for FY09 will be released in the next fortnight. However, on employment the industry will continue to be a net hirer in FY09 as a direct corollary of industry growth and fears of large scale job losses at an industry level are unfounded."

The industry body's comment comes in the wake BPO Industry Association President Samir Chopra stating that "severe job loss is expected because of recession.

We are going to request for a fiscal package from the Government but if that doesn't happen, then there be huge amount of losses in terms of manpower. I think a quarter of a million jobs will go."

The $11-billion BPO sector employs about seven lakh people.

Source: Agencies

2.5 lakh may lose jobs in BPO sector

Business Process Outsourcing firms are likely to see 2.5 lakh job losses by the first quarter of 2009 in the wake of downturn in the US and other developed economies, BPO industry association said.

Though the industry is likely to see thousands of job losses, the silver lining is that the recession would compel more companies in the US and Europe to look at outsourcing as a way to cut costs and improve efficiencies, the Business Process Industry Association of India (BPIAI) President Samir Chopra said.

Praveen Sengar, Head-Software, Services & Industry (Vertical Reserach), IDC India Ltd saidthe slowdown is likely to impact expansion plans of the industry, as the time taken for signing up new clients is taking longer time.

"It will also result in greater consolidation and promote diversification into areas hitherto considered as non-core activities," Sengar said.

Chopra said that urgent government measures are required to boost the industry, specially for the medium and small enterprises.

Both fiscal and administrative measures like extending tax relief for another 5-10 years and export promotion steps, including market development fund is need of the hour, Chopra said.

He further said the terrorist attacks in Mumbai has led to the widespread cancellations of visits and forthcoming international events.

Source: Times of India