Revolutionizing Outsourcing Operations in India: A New Wave of Innovation
By Financial Times · 2024-02-21
The outsourcing landscape in India is undergoing a significant transformation, with the emergence of advanced services and innovative solutions. Teleradiology and scan cafe are just the beginning of this revolution.
Revolutionizing Outsourcing Operations in India
- Teleradiology and scan cafe service cater to different markets but both exemplify the burgeoning trend of outsourcing operations to India.
- Established in 2002, teleradiology was a novel concept at the time, especially in India. The company now employs over 50 radiologists in India to support its operations.
- The company's operations involve a rapid daily turnaround of CT scan reports, with shipments from San Francisco to Bangalore.
- The growth of businesses like teleradiology and scan cafe reflects the increasing sophistication of outsourcing operations in India, tapping into the country's talent pool and cost-efficiency.
Revolutionizing Outsourcing Operations in India
Scam Cafe's Expansion and Cost Analysis
- Scam Cafe, initially a class project at Wharton Business School, has evolved from scanning and enhancing old photographs to employing high-end designers for custom-made photo books.
- The founders planned to conduct the work in America, but soon realized the high cost of photo enhancement, which was around $1 per photo in San Francisco.
- The cost differential between the US and a city like Bangalore in India became evident, pushing Scam Cafe to consider expanding its services to less developed places including Africa.
Scam Cafe's Expansion and Cost Analysis
Rising Generation in Indian IT Industry
- India's first generation of IT enthusiasts laid the foundation for the country's thriving IT industry by pioneering the use of call centers and basic software development primarily in cities like Bangalore.
- A new generation is now emerging, engaging in more complex services in cities like Bangalore. This includes smaller organizations involved in medical research, graphic design, as well as established giants like Infosys, with around twenty thousand engineers delivering intricate software products.
- There has been a noticeable shift towards more advanced services in areas such as corporate R&D and financial services, with companies, including undisclosed ones, employing over 20 analysts to work on a performance reporting system for global asset management. The industry originally focused on sell-side research support but has now expanded to encompass a broader spectrum of services.
Rising Generation in Indian IT Industry
Evolving Client Support and Outsourcing 2.0
- Client support has evolved to encompass front office activities, reflecting a shift towards outsourcing 2.0.
- The focus has moved from transaction-oriented processes to knowledge processes that drive revenue, involving a combination of analytical talent from India and experienced professionals returning from global financial hubs like the USA, London, and Singapore.
- This approach integrates the rigor of traditional outsourcing with offshoring, emphasizing the impact of technology and business evolution on client needs and solutions.
Evolving Client Support and Outsourcing 2.0
The Shift of Research and Innovation Functions to India
- Infosys and Amber are moving up the value chain by offering more advanced options for research and innovation to their clients.
- Royal Dutch Shell has shifted some of its research functions to India, making it the global center for research and development in bitumen technology as well as polyurethane Tech Services.
- White-collar jobs in areas like graphic design, medical research, and financial services, which were once protected from outsourcing, are now being increasingly done in India, sparking concerns in the West.
- This marks the second wave of India's outsourcing revolution, and it is expected to accelerate further in the future.
The Shift of Research and Innovation Functions to India
Conclusion:
India's outsourcing revolution is entering a new phase, characterized by advanced services, cost-efficiency, and innovation. The future holds exciting possibilities for the outsourcing industry in India.