Utilising high BPO prospects
Wednesday, 7 July 2010
Mostafa Anwar
BUSINESS process outsourcing (BPO) is a form of outsourcing that involves the contracting of the operations and responsibilities of a specific business function (or processes) to a third-party service provider. Originally, this was associated with large manufacturing firms particularly some multinationals that outsourced sizeable segments of their supply chain. In the contemporary context, it is primarily used to refer to the outsourcing of services that can be done through the use of Information technology (IT). That's why some people call it as ITES (Information Technology Enabled Services).
International investment consultancy firm Mckinsey forecasted that, by 2010, the global BPO business will amount US$180 billion. India will be in prime position. China, the Philippines, and Malaysia will follow India. If Bangladesh fixes up a target of grabbing 1.0% of the total market share, then it can experience a large boost to its foreign exchange earnings. This sector is very much lucrative compared to other sectors as all the earnings from this service will be retained within the country.
But what about the current situation of Bangladesh? Are we prepared enough for grabbing such a lucrative sector? BTRC (Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission) has started issuing licenses from last April, 2008. Cost of each license involves a small amount of money, for duration of three to five years. For call center entrepreneurs, BTCL is reportedly willing to give leased internet connection at a discounted rate.
Currently, Bangladesh is noted for doing some software development outsourcing on a limited scale. Foreign investors, directly or with join collaboration, are opening some local offices here and employing local programmers at good salary. Until now, the track record of Bangladesh has otherwise been good. It has been observed that, Bangladeshi programmers are good at problem solving. And software development cost in the country is relatively low compared to other countries. Graphics Design and Animation can also be two more sectors which can be added to BPO basket. Some random information says that, the development of a five-minute animation in the country cost one-third of that of India.
Though it apparently seems that BPO is very much technology driven, highly potential BPO sector requires only 10% of technical expertise, 50% of marketing expertise on international level and the rest is dependent on the ability to perform the contract. Bangladesh has got enough manpower. What we have to do now is to train and prepare this manpower to serve the customers.
BUSINESS process outsourcing (BPO) is a form of outsourcing that involves the contracting of the operations and responsibilities of a specific business function (or processes) to a third-party service provider. Originally, this was associated with large manufacturing firms particularly some multinationals that outsourced sizeable segments of their supply chain. In the contemporary context, it is primarily used to refer to the outsourcing of services that can be done through the use of Information technology (IT). That's why some people call it as ITES (Information Technology Enabled Services).
International investment consultancy firm Mckinsey forecasted that, by 2010, the global BPO business will amount US$180 billion. India will be in prime position. China, the Philippines, and Malaysia will follow India. If Bangladesh fixes up a target of grabbing 1.0% of the total market share, then it can experience a large boost to its foreign exchange earnings. This sector is very much lucrative compared to other sectors as all the earnings from this service will be retained within the country.
But what about the current situation of Bangladesh? Are we prepared enough for grabbing such a lucrative sector? BTRC (Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission) has started issuing licenses from last April, 2008. Cost of each license involves a small amount of money, for duration of three to five years. For call center entrepreneurs, BTCL is reportedly willing to give leased internet connection at a discounted rate.
Currently, Bangladesh is noted for doing some software development outsourcing on a limited scale. Foreign investors, directly or with join collaboration, are opening some local offices here and employing local programmers at good salary. Until now, the track record of Bangladesh has otherwise been good. It has been observed that, Bangladeshi programmers are good at problem solving. And software development cost in the country is relatively low compared to other countries. Graphics Design and Animation can also be two more sectors which can be added to BPO basket. Some random information says that, the development of a five-minute animation in the country cost one-third of that of India.
Though it apparently seems that BPO is very much technology driven, highly potential BPO sector requires only 10% of technical expertise, 50% of marketing expertise on international level and the rest is dependent on the ability to perform the contract. Bangladesh has got enough manpower. What we have to do now is to train and prepare this manpower to serve the customers.