Global sourcing for any IT solution or service requires careful planning as part of an holistic, sustainable and value-added approach underpinned by a deep understanding of the culture and nature of each individual customer environment.

There is not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ specification for global sourcing – each solution is as unique as the organisation for which it is designed, therefore, our approach fully embraces flexibility. We first gauge each customer’s level of maturity in using global sourcing and assess how teams, working environments and systems operate to determine how front and back-office processes can best be integrated.

We consider all the available offshoring, nearshoring and onshoring options to develop a tailored, fit-for-purpose solution. From here, a structured approach ensures a logical and timely progression through the key stages, enabling customers to get the best return from their investment.

Our approach

1. Agree the global sourcing strategy:

• We first assess the requirements and map our customers’ global sourcing level of maturity
• We agree the critical success factors
• Agree the global sourcing strategy.

2. Produce the business case:

• Identify potential global sourcing projects / applications
• Agree the optimal global sourcing operating model
• Agree the appropriate mix of offshore, nearshore and onshore resources
• Produce the business case.

3. Produce the delivery plan:

• Establish the global sourcing governance model
• Agree global sourcing processes / tools
• Produce the risk mitigation plan
• Produce the communications plan
• Produce the delivery plan.

4. Implement the project:

• Roll-out the project
• Review the lessons learnt
• Update the global sourcing methodology as required.

Benefits

By applying a strong transition model and proven processes and procedures, the application of global sourcing methodologies brings major benefits.

Offshoring is often quoted as delivering 50% savings to IT costs. While this a very compelling figure, in our experience, it is not feasible to use it as a generalised blanket statement. It is, however, realistic to apply this expectation to specific service types or areas, understanding that each area will realise different benefit levels. The following chart shows illustrative cost savings over time for some of Atos Origin’s key global sourcing services. 

Renault – Atos Origin is managing a complex global solution for Europe’s leading car brand, Renault, to radically reduce IT costs over five years and rationalise IT applications from 2000 to 500.

CPG – Our global sourcing solution for Fortune 100 consumer goods group CPG enabled roll-out and support for a SAP Global ERP Solution Centre, leading to cost reductions of 30% and significant business processes improvements.