Three major areas companies outsource
How Do You Compare?
Executives on our network told us areas that they were currently outsourcing, and what they were considering outsourcing in the near future. Sixty percent of the executives were senior executives. Almost every industry was represented, from advertising and brewing through government and healthcare to manufacturing and utilities. The companies ranged from small (under 499 employees) to very large (over 10,000 employees).
Information Technology
This is the fastest growing area for outsourcing today.
Executives are currently outsourcing:
- maintenance/repair
- training
- applications development
- consulting and reengineering
- mainframe data centers
Executives are considering outsourcing:
- client/server
- networks
- desktop systems
- end-user support
- full I/T outsourcing
Operations
Administration
Executives are currently outsourcing:
- printing and reprographics
- mailroom
- consulting and training
Executives are considering outsourcing:
- records management
- administrative information systems
- supply/inventory
- printing and reprographics
Customer Service
Executives are currently outsourcing:
- field service
- field service dispatch
- telephone customer support
Executives are considering outsourcing:
- customer service information systems
- field service dispatch
- telephone customer support
Finance
Executives are currently outsourcing:
- payroll processing
- purchasing
- transaction processing
- general accounting
Executives are considering outsourcing:
- payroll processing
- taxes
Human Resources
Executives are currently outsourcing:
- relocation
- workers' compensation
- recruiting/staffing
Executives are considering outsourcing:
- consulting and training
- human resource information systems
Real Estate & Physical Plants
Executives are currently outsourcing:
- Food and cafeteria services
- facilities maintenance
- security
Executives are considering outsourcing:
- facilities management
- facilities maintenance
- facilities information systems
Sales and Marketing
Executives are currently outsourcing:
- direct mail
- advertising
- telemarketing
Executives are considering outsourcing:
- reservation and sales operations
- field sales
Logistics
For any type of company that requires high level distribution or transportation, outsourcing these functions can show immediate and dramatic return on investment.
Distribution
Executives are currently outsourcing:
- freight audit
- consulting and training
- freight brokering
- leasing
Executives are considering outsourcing:
- warehousing
- distribution and logistics
- information systems
- operations
Transportation
Executives are currently outsourcing:
- fleet management
- fleet operations
- fleet maintenance
Executives are considering outsourcing:
- fleet management
- fleet operations
- fleet maintenance
Source: Survey of Current and Potential Outsourcing End-Users
The Outsourcing Institute Membership, 1998