Industry news

DWP have signed a £10m interim contract with Atos only 6 months after buying itself out of the agreement. Atos will provide IT support for 12 months to give DWP enough time to tender for a new hardware provider. Atos was selected as they currently own the physical assets in the current system.

Atos awarded RTE outsourcing contract

IBM is starting to focus more heavily on software and services by exclusively partnering with Apple on selling iphones and ipads loaded with applications. IBM will release more than 100 apps aimed at industry specific issues in retail, healthcare, banking, travel and telco. They will also develop cloud services for iOS Apples mobile operating system. IBM hopes this partnership will contribute half of their total profit by 2015.

IBM wins six-year outsourcing contract

Cloud Industry Forum (CFI) research indicates a lack of in-house skills and experience in managing legacy systems and hardware increases dependence on IT Outsourcing. CIF research found that the skill gap in end user workforce was a deciding factor for 49% of cloud users. CFI research showed there had been a shift towards data information management from the traditional nuts and bolts of IT.

Skills gaps in outsourcing management

The UK Government is to invest £800m on intelligence and surveillance equipment including cyber defence technology, in the aim to equip themselves for the changing threats the armed forces face. ISTAR is in need of significant IT investment, therefore plenty of opportunities will be available to vendors for both platform and back office IT. Other projects include the provision of Terminal Air Traffic Management and data sharing for the Air Command and Control.

Government Commits £650m to Cyber Defence

IBM has recently signed a deal reportedly worth around $100 million with microfinance company Janalakshmi Financial Services Pvt. Ltd.

Although specific details have not been announced, IBM will manage back-office operations such as application development and maintenance and infrastructure management services. IBM will also be building a technology platform and provide mobile, cloud computing and analytics services for Janalakshmi, plus will be responsible for digitalising and automating their operations and processes.

IBM awarded 10 year contract with Banco Popular

In today’s Cabinet reshuffle, there are winners, losers and shifted roles. William Hague remains in the Cabinet, but moves from Foreign Secretary to Leader of the Commons. He will leave Parliament at the next election. Philip Hammond succeeds him as Foreign Secretary. Ken Clarke has left the Cabinet. Michael Fallon is the new Secretary of State for Defence. Liz Truss and Nicky Morgan have been appointed to the Cabinet, increasing the female representation. Nicky Morgan is moving from the Treasury to Education Secretary. Michael Gove is leaving education to become the Commons Chief Whip.

Cabinet Office to replace current PHRF

NHS England will go to open procurement to outsource its £100m primary care support functions, this decision has been made so they have more options to choose from. SSCL, a joint venture between the Cabinet Office and Steria made an unsuccessful bid at the end of 2013. The support functions to be outsourced include database maintenance, coordinating changes for prescriptions and supporting cancer screening programmes.

NHS to privatise cancer care

A study from Freelancer.co.uk surveying 220 small businesses in the U.K revealed the number of SME’s offshoring increased by 35% this year. The survey revealed India, Pakistan and the Philippines as the most popular off-shore destinations. The survey showed the top reasons for off-shoring were cost savings and expertise.

Home Office removes barriers for SME IT suppliers

The European Outsourcing Association (EOA) Awards took place last night (10th July) at etc.venues – St Paul’s in London. Celebrating excellence in pan-European outsourcing, the EOA Awards reward buyers, suppliers, advisors and destinations. The awards were presented by comedian Rhodri Rhys and after the formal proceedings, guests were mesmerised by a magician and partied until midnight.

Kerry Hallard, CEO of the National Outsourcing Association (UK chapter of the EOA) said:

“Once again the EOA Awards has seen a record-breaking year for submissions, featuring a host of best-practice examples from across the European outsourcing industry. We were delighted to see such variety and detail within this year’s entries, which goes to show the level of talent and profes-sionalism that exists within our industry. We’d like to congratulate all the winners, and thank all those that took part. Thanks also go to our sponsors for supporting the event. Without them it would not be possible. “

The winners of the 2014 European Outsourcing Association Awards are:

European BPO Contract of the Year

Conectys

European IT Outsourcing Project of the Year

HCL & AstraZeneca

European Outsourcing Service Provider of the Year

Teleperformance

European Outsourcing Advisory of the Year

Eversheds LLP

Offshoring Destination of the Year

Fiji

Award for Corporate Social Responsibility

SPi Global - SPi for Visayas

Award for Innovation in Pan-European Outsourcing

Teleperformance - CX Lab

Outsourcing Works – Award for Delivering Business Value in European Outsourcing

ITC Infotech & Danske Bank

European Outsourcing Professional of the Year

William Pattison, Chief Executive Officer, Mindpearl BPO

European Outsourcing Buyer of the Year

Ziggo & TechMahindra

Contact details:

National Outsourcing Association

44 Wardour Street London

W1D 6QZ

Email Editorial & Marketing Communications: admin@noa.co.uk

Phone: 020 7292 8696

AGC Holdings, a wholly owned portfolio company of Essar Global Fund has confirmed an agreement with Teleperformance to sell its BPO business in the US, Philippines and Costa Rica to Teleperformance for $610 million. Aegis will continue to hold its BPO business in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Australia, South Africa, Peru, Argentina, Saudi Arabia and UK.

Aegis prepares for £3bn Japanese takeover