9 IT outsourcing myths, and the outsourcing facts CIOs should consider
Posted by: Rachel Lebeaux
When Deloitte LLP turned to IT outsourcing, “the business case was predicated on saving money,” said Larry Quinlan, CIO at the professional services firm.
“But now we stay for the value,” Quinlan continued. “We think we’re getting more out of the deal than we expected.”
Deloitte now has 40,000 employees in the U.S. and 150,000 people in more than 100 countries around the world. Speaking at this week’s Global Sourcing Forum + Expo in New York, Quinlan shared what he’s learned about outsourcing, including what he called nine global outsourcing myths, and accompanying outsourcing facts CIOs should consider:
Myth: IT offshoring is not successful. “That’s absolutely not true,” Quinlan said – if it were, why would so many U.S.-based companies be pursuing it? In its studies, Deloitte is seeing “a significant uptick in global outsourcing activity,” particularly in the Philippines, Mexico, China and Costa Rica.
Myth: Wage inflation negates the sourcing cost advantage. The global nature of this recession has depressed salaries worldwide. “There are very few things a recession is good for, but one of them is it takes away the whole issue of wage inflation,” he said.
Myth: Offshore labor pools have been exhausted. “There are a whole lot of things [U.S. companies] have to do to attract the labor pool we want,” Quinlan acknowledged. Still, as individual countries refine their outsourcing crafts, more and more up-and-coming professionals are seeking the schooling and training to provide needed IT skills.
Myth: There are only a few suitable locations for IT outsourcing. But different countries do offer outsourcing pros and cons, so if you’re starting out or thinking of changing locales, SearchCIO.com has gathered some information on some outsourcing locations in Asia and Latin America. “You do have to figure out, in a methodical way, where you want to be,” Quinlan said.
Myth: My competitor’s successful location will work for me. “It’s important not just to say someone went to Hyderabad or Sao Paulo, and say ‘That’s where I’ll be,’” Quinlan said. “There are more thoughtful approach factors you should consider.” Conduct your due diligence and really consider your needs as far as pricing and skills sought.
Myth: The risks are too high. The cost savings and skill sets make the case for outsourcing, but it’s certainly important to consider personal safety and the risk of a natural disaster or political instability in the country or countries in which you are considering outsourcing, Quinlan said. You can mitigate accordingly by diversifying your outsourcing base.
Myth: Shared services are difficult to manage. OK, this one might be a little bit true, Quinlan admitted. Time zone differentials, the cost of travel and the quality of staff interaction can be challenging to oversee when outsourcing. But nothing worth having comes easily, he said. “To do this well, you’ve got to put a whole lot of effort in and make sure it’s managed.”
Myth: There’s no need for captive centers – you should outsource everything. “You really have to think about what services you’re providing,” said Quinlan, whose company has two captive centers in Hyderabad and Mumbai, India, facilities that house 7,000 employees. If torn, he recommended considering a hybrid model, whereby firms establish a blend of a captive center (a firm’s own facility abroad) and outsourcing.
Myth: Offshoring is bad for the U.S. economy. Quinlan compared this to a religious debate with no definitive answers, and “religious debates cannot be won.” Yes, outsourcing sends jobs overseas, but it also provides for enterprise growth, which can in turn spur domestic job growth.
Is Quinlan on the mark? Are there any IT outsourcing myths you’d like to dispel? Share your thoughts below!


