Outsourcing Times

SBC Workers Threaten Strike Over Outsourcing Issue

From TMCnet:

"Members of the Communications Workers of America working at SBC Communications voted overwhelmingly to give CWA leaders authorization to call a strike if they deem it necessary.

"CWA members are seeking strengthened employment security at SBC, including limits on outsourcing and access by union workers to jobs in the growth areas of the company.

"They include thousands of technical and customer service jobs in growing areas such as high-speed DSL, business data systems, long distance, and WiFi wireless Internet access, with much of the work going to India, the Philippines and other countries." Read More

Outsourcing Works Both Ways

Bill Center of the Seattle Times points out that outsourcing is a two-way street. What goes around, comes around:

"Interestingly, the most dire projections show just over one-half million positions yearly moving overseas. That amounts to between 2 and 3 percent of annual jobs lost. [...]

"Trade — including jobs — is a two-way street. Foreign corporations have already moved more than 6.5 million jobs into the U.S., including many high-tech and manufacturing jobs, and the current rate of inflow actually exceeds the outflow." Read more

PDA Makers Palm, Dell and HP Increase Outsourcing to Taiwan

The Inquirer reports:

"TAIWANESE PDA shipments are growing, as the global market is declining. The big three of PDA production - Palm, Dell and HP have heavily increased outsourcing to Taiwan, in order to control costs, according to the Taiwanese Market Intelligence Centre today."

Parexel, Synchron Enter Agreement to Outsource Biopharmaceuticals to India

From Business News India:

"Boston-based Parexel International Corp., a $615 million biopharmaceutical outsourcing company, said Thursday it has entered into a tie-up with Synchron Research Services of Ahmedabad to tap India's emerging potential in the area of clinical research outsourcing.

"Under the alliance, Nasdaq-listed Parexel will leverage Synchron's capabilities to benefit biopharmaceutical clients with expanded geographic coverage and patient recruitment capabilities in India, the company said in a statement.

"'The collaboration with Synchron expands our global clinical research services into regions that should help expedite the drug development process for our clients,' said Parexel chairman and chief executive Josef H. von Rickenbach. Read More

General Electric Executive Defends Outsourcing Policies

From SFGate.com:

"General Electric chief executive Jeffrey Immelt defended his company's outsourcing of some jobs overseas Wednesday, saying such moves were part of doing business in a global economy.

"'If you want to sell in places like China, India and Europe you've got to employ people there. GE is a global company.'" Read More

Unisys Will Outsource to India

From ZDNet:

"Information technology services company Unisys has announced it will set up a development centre in Bangalore, India.

"The facility will be operational within one year, and employees there will be working on software development and handling tasks such as maintenance and technical helpdesk services, Unisys said.

"A growing number of US technology companies are opting to open development and engineering centres in India, taking advantage of the cheap, skilled labour there -- and this trend is causing concern among technology professionals in the United States." Read More

C&W Secures Group 4 Outsourcing Contract

Silicon.com reports:

"Cable & Wireless has won an £8m communications-outsourcing deal with Global Solutions Limited, which is a subsidiary of Group 4 security.

"The five-year deal is an extension of an existing three-year contract that was signed in 2001.

"C&W will continue to manage the communications infrastructure for GSL, including voice, VPN, fixed-to-mobile integration, managed data network, remote access, internet access and managed PBX services as well as additional security services such as managed firewall, antivirus protection and disaster recovery."

Convergys Buys Out-Smart & i-Benefits

From BusinessWire:

"Convergys Corporation (NYSE:CVG), the global leader in integrated billing, employee care, and customer care services, announced today it is expanding its global payroll and benefits outsourcing capabilities with the acquisition of two companies in Singapore.

"Convergys has closed on a purchase agreement to acquire Out-Smart, an independent provider of HR, payroll, and benefits administration outsourcing solutions to companies operating in the Asia Pacific region, and i-Benefits, a market leader in the Asia Pacific region providing a comprehensive range of flexible HR and benefits services."

JC Penney to Concentrate on Indian Outsourcing

From the Times of India:

"International retailer JC Penney has said it plans to double outsourcing from India once the multi fibre agreement comes to an end next year.

"'We have identified India among countries that we will focus our efforts on,' JC Penney Country Head Adil Raza said at a seminar during the ongoing Lakme India Fashion Week.

"'Retailers want to spread their risks and not rely only on China for sourcing their requirements when the quota regime ends,' Raza said." Read More

Shell Outsourcing 3000 Jobs to India, China

From rediff.com:

"Global oil major Shell will soon outsource almost 3,000 information technology jobs to India, Malaysia and China, according to internal company documents, said a The Register report.

"The cost-saving project, dubbed ITVision, is being overseen by CIO and ex-HP man Mike Rose, and may save the oil giant $850 million per year by outsourcing jobs, said The Register.

"The Register reported that Shell staff are 'deeply unhappy at the proposed changes and question if the new structure will meet Shell's IT requirements.'" Read More