Outsourcing to India has been an old and successful practice for businesses due to the various benefits they have experienced over the years. Outsourcing was at first limited to the fields of IT and software development but gradually expanded to other areas such as accounting, legal process outsourcing (LPO’s), accounting, finance, customer support, and other sectors.
It is common for businesses to choose outsourcing services in India due to two major reasons: cost effectiveness and access to a diverse talent pool. However, every industry has its own specific challenges and needs, and based on that, companies choose to hire from India. Every company whether it is a small/ mid-sized firm or a large organization values outsourcing core functions as well as daily time-consuming tasks to their employees located in India. They acknowledge the benefits of outsourcing from companies which offer them multiple benefits and top-quality services within a budget.
The history of the Indian outsourcing industry goes back to the 1980s. Many multinational corporations back then started setting up their back-office operations in India. However, it was the economic reforms of the 1990s that truly gave the outsourcing industry a needed boost. Post the economic reforms, India outsourcing services started offering services in software development and IT support.
Initially, the Indian outsourcing industry primarily offered low-cost labour for routine IT tasks and back-office functions. However, it gradually evolved to provide more intricate services like research and development, product design, and strategic consulting.
It was during the early 2000s that India started leading globally in the outsourcing sector and became a hub by having many international organizations within its outsourcing umbrella. By the year 2020, pre-pandemic, the industry had grown and was valued at over $200 billion. It has become a source of employment for over 4 million people.
There are some common concerns and setbacks that outsourcing service providers have to encounter, like data security and cultural differences, but despite that, outsourcing to India is a popular choice among international businesses and organizations looking to outsource some of its functions and activities.
The outsourcing industry has also embraced the changing trends of the ever-evolving digital landscape. Some key trends are mentioned below:
- Focus on automation and artificial intelligence: Outsourcing firms in India acknowledge and understand the crucial role of AI and automation in the coming future. Thus, they have already adapted to this trend, and it is expected to grow even more in the next year as firms realize the level of increased efficiency that is achieved via machine learning, chatbots, and other similar tools.
- Growing demand for cybersecurity services: cybersecurity is a major concern among organizations, and they consider it a priority to have a secured network in order to exchange data among employees and clients. In the coming time, Indian outsourcing forms are going to witness a rise in demand for cybersecurity services such as network security, threat intelligence, and incident response.
- Greater focus on sustainability: Sustainability has become a big theme and a critical issue for businesses worldwide. In the coming future, a growing number of Indian outsourcing firms will be inculcating sustainable practices such as renewable energy resources and eco-friendly workstations to reduce their carbon footprint and promote environmental responsibilities among various sectors.
- Expansion of outsourcing services beyond IT: It is a trend already set in motion. Indian outsourcing firms were predominantly catering to the IT sector, but they have started expanding to other fields such as accounting, human resources, legal processes, customer support, etc.
Now that we are aware of the major trends that are taking over the outsourcing industry in India, we must also note the growing opportunities in this sector and how Indian firms can take advantage of the same.
Opportunities for India in the outsourcing industry are as follows:
- In fields that require a strong command of the English language, such as knowledge process outsourcing (KPO), content writing, and medicine, India is a top choice for outsourcing firms as it has made its mark through years of experience working with international clients. Indian resources are fluent in written as well as verbal speaking skills.
- Indian legal professionals are creating a space in the international market as well. They are well acquainted with international legal guidelines and systems and are becoming a part of international legal firms by providing them support through legal process outsourcing. This is an opportunity for the Indian legal outsourcing industry to further expand its reach and collaborate with international firms within their industry.
- Indian chartered accounting firms have been successfully outsourcing professionals to work with many multinational businesses based abroad. They have been able to provide insightful financial information and accurate reports which helps businesses stay on track and avoid tax penalties
- India’s growing pharmaceutical sector provides a significant opportunity in areas of clinical research and manufacturing. India has a pool of available resources that they can offer for high-quality clinical trials and data management. This field holds potential for Indian professionals to work with international firms and establish lasting collaborations.
- Infrastructure management services are another promising sector for India. It includes a wide variety of services like management of IT infrastructure, application operations, IT security, and maintenance.
The prospect of offshoring in India comes with a list of questions and concerns regarding credibility, quality of work, cultural disparities, time zone differences, and other similar issues. It must be noted that India has been in this industry for a fair amount of time to gauge any communication gaps, work-related difficulties, and roadblocks that Indian professionals might come across. Hence, they offer a solution to most of the apprehensions experienced by companies that wish to outsource work to India.
Indian professionals are known for their sense of professionalism and dedication towards employers; they have strong command over the English language, which enables them to communicate with clarity; and they have experience working with international companies, which makes them flexible and adaptable to new work cultures.
The upcoming trends and opportunities that are paving the way for new segments within the outsourcing industry further strengthen India’s position as one of the top outsourcing choices made for companies.
