EDITOR ’ S QUESTION
WALID GOMAA , CEO , OMNIX INTERNATIONAL
When selecting an outsourcing partner , CIOs need to carefully consider several key factors to make an informed decision . Firstly , they should look for a partner with a proven track record in outsourcing with the ability to deliver IT services and solutions effectively . This will ensure that the hiring process is in-line with the expectations of the organisation . skills and expertise in managing outsourcing projects . It also helps in understanding their methodologies and approaches to ensure
the success of the project while maintaining resource satisfaction and happiness . In addition , CIOs should consider the partner ’ s ability to scale their services to accommodate the organisation ’ s changing needs over time .
It is also essential for CIOs to assess the partner ’ s expertise in relevant technologies , industries , and the specific areas they intend to outsource . This assessment helps in determining whether the partner has the necessary skills and knowledge to handle the organisation ’ s specific requirements .
Also , CIOs should arrange meetings with the partner representatives . These meetings allow them to assess the partner ’ s
Furthermore , CIOs should evaluate the partner ’ s commitment to Quality of Service , QoS and review the partner ’ s Service Level Agreements , SLAs to ensure that they align with the organisation ’ s expectations for response time , resolution , and overall service performance . It is also important for CIOs to conduct a thorough research on the reputation of the outsourcing company in the market and gather positive client references to gain insights into their previous work , reliability , and customer satisfaction .
Outsourcing for every company is different and distinct . It is usually dependent on many factors such as organisation size , core business offering , investment considerations and therefore the decision to outsource is a significant one . Usually , when people within the organisation are already limited or understaffed , there are significant benefits to outsourcing IT to an external party .
For the company to choose a partner for a specified set of IT services , there are some very important considerations that a company must keep in mind and the major element that leads to this decision is staffing and cost issues . If it frees the core team of extra duties which may aid in excelling in their primary duties , it usually adds up to business growth in such a scenario .
Additionally , outsourcing these tasks can significantly lower overhead expenses due to the elimination of the need to employ a new task force and the investments and overheads associated with it .
Here are some advantages and pitfalls of outsourcing IT services :
• The opportunity to access a big pool of qualified workers .
• Cost benefits as outsourcing is cheaper than building a new competency .
• Drawing on specialised knowledge to solve a company challenge .
• Long-standing know-how and experience of outsourced partner in achieving similar business objectives for its customers .
• Many times two companies are not on the same wavelength of communication which can pose a hurdle in securing the aspired goals .
• Outsourcing means losing control to a part of how processes work .
The chosen outsourcing provider must be adaptable enough to handle needs or issues , especially in different time zones . p
MOUSSALAM DALATI , GENERAL MANAGER AFRICA AND MIDDLE EAST , LIFERAY
www . intelligentcio . com INTELLIGENTCIO AFRICA 29