Infosys Technologies is looking for acquisition in legal process outsourcing (LPO) business and says it will consider domestic firms with strong client base or US firms with technologies and platforms in the LPO space.

“We are looking for acquisition…We are looking at some LPO players in India for starters. But our major focus is people or firms who have the technology that services the legal industry, including areas such as e-discovery, intellectual property and compliance. Acquisition of technologies or platforms can provide us the transformational potential to impact client businesses,” said Mr Rahul Shah, Associate Vice-President, Principal – Knowledge Services, Infosys Technologies.

The plans for buyout in domestic market would be driven by focus on client base, credential and value play. “These will be more opportunistic… It could be an LPO which has not been able to scale up, is in distress, but has a good track record and strong client base…Only they may not have been able to spread their engagement within client organisations,” Mr Shah said.

A domestic acquisition could entail a 50-100 people firm. For the platform play in LPO, the company could look at the US market. “The US has been a hotbed of innovation and in a sense has a head-start in bringing-in regulations. That has paved the way for innovative products in the US marketplace,” Mr Shah points out.

The LPO operations are a part of Infosys BPO's knowledge services unit.

The company currently offers a full portfolio of legal services to global clients, including contract management services, document review services, intellectual property services, legal research services, litigation and administrative support services and consulting services.

LPO engagements account for 60 per cent of the total knowledge services business of Infosys, with over 500 professionals and $15 million in annual revenue.

Bulk of the work is done from Pune (about 400 professionals), followed by Bangalore (80-100 professionals) and Gurgaon (about 20 professionals).

The company also expects to start LPO service delivery from Manila, Philippines, by the end of next fiscal.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/12/06/stories/2010120650390200.htm