Companies That Outsource IT Abroad and Why You Should Too!

Around the world, hundreds, if not thousands, of companies outsource IT operations. Businesses of all sizes benefit from it — startups, small and medium enterprises, and multinational companies.

Today, many of the most well-known technology companies have outsourced development tasks during their early stages. The more established ones leverage the available infrastructure and high-skilled manpower of third-party contractors. Instead of forming another team to take care of short-term projects, they have seen IT outsourcing as a better option to meet demands while minimizing overhead costs.

Here are world-renowned companies that outsource IT abroad. Let’s dig into what they outsource and why they do it!

1. Microsoft

This Washington-based tech giant has a long history of outsourcing. It’s one of the companies that outsource core business processes. Its comprehensive outsourcing policy aims to maximize computing resources and budgets. Not to mention lowering administrative overhead and maintaining focus on core competencies. Among the services it outsources include network management tasks, PC procurement and repair, and IT helpdesk.

2. Google

Specializing in search engines and other internet-related services, the company outsources several functions. This includes software maintenance and development and IT infrastructure management.

Aside from technical tasks, Google also outsources customer service, email support for AdWords, and virtual assistant jobs. It also capitalizes on a solid stream of contractors to cover spikes in work.

3. Alibaba

A startup entrepreneur with limited funds and skillsets onboard can take advantage of the expertise provided by outsourcing companies. This is the story of Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba — a Chinese multinational technology company providing e-commerce, retail, and technology services.

Ma outsourced website design and development work to US programmers during the site’s early development. At that time, China enforced strict internet restrictions, making developers rare.

Today, Alibaba is one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world, and it has popular subsidiaries like Lazada Group and UCWeb.

4. Mastercard

Mastercard Inc. offshored its payment technology development to create solutions that address the needs of emerging markets. This project aims to improve online transactions and develop mobile and contactless payment innovations.

5. Anheuser-Busch InBev

Anheuser-Busch InBev is a global brewing company located in Belgium. The company has over 500 brands and six operational zones. AB InBev outsourced its IT operations to international outsourcing providers.

6. Royal Dutch Shell

Commonly known as Shell, this oil and gas company was named the world’s third-largest company in 2018. With over a century of operations, it explores and transports crude oil and natural gas. It also manufactures, supplies, distributes, and markets oil products and chemicals, alternative energy, and manages carbon dioxide.

To simplify its structures and lower costs, Shell outsourced almost all its IT functions, creating over 3,000 jobs.

7. SeatGeek

SeatGeek is a mobile-focused ticket platform. Like Alibaba, it was built with the help of an outsourced development team. Until today, the company continues to work with contractors from different geographical regions, including the Philippines and Colorado.

8. Slack

Thanks to the exceptional features of the business communication platform Slack, remote work has become more accessible. Like Alibaba, Slack is another company that started with outsourcing. The founder, Stewart Butterfield, worked with the user interface specialists at MetaLab to design the app, including its logo and website.

9. Amcor

Amcor is an international packaging company that develops and produces packaging for different products. It has 250 sites in more than 40 countries. It outsourced domestic information technology services to a third-party contractor.

10. Unilever

Unilever is a consumer goods company that produces food, beverages, beauty products, personal care products, and cleaning agents. Its headquarters are in London and Rotterdam. This British-Dutch company once signed an IT outsourcing contract with a multinational information technology company. It has also outsourced its human resources operation.

11. BP PLC

Formerly British Petroleum, BP PLC is one of the world’s oil and gas “supermajors”. This London-based giant has a market value of $152.6 billion and employs around 73,000 people.

Like other companies, BP views outsourcing as a competitive approach. BP began outsourcing part of its IT operations back to the 1980s.

In 1993, BP outsourced its entire information technology operations to cut costs. Not to mention access better quality IT resources and redirect the focus of its internal IT department to value-generating activities. This petroleum refining company partners with several service providers to meet its IT demands.

12. Citi

Citi is a multinational investment bank headquartered in New York. The financial institution started to outsource its tech operations in 1992. Since then, the financial institution has explored other outsourcing options.

The majority of Citi’s third-party contractors came from the Philippines, Poland, and India. Its operations in the Philippines are attributed to the country’s skilled workforce and good fundamentals in macroeconomics.

13. Commonwealth Bank Of Australia

Named the largest bank in Australia, CBA offers different banking and financial services to individuals and businesses. It has partnered with a global outsourcing company to implement a payment solution. It operates across Asia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.

14. Cisco

Cisco is an IT and networking conglomerate based in San Jose, California. Developing, manufacturing, and selling networking hardware and software, telecommunications equipment, and other high-tech services transforms how people connect, communicate, and collaborate.

Outsourcing its network monitoring and management activities to trusted providers has helped this company by giving its IT staff more time to focus on strategic projects.

15. Rio Tinto

Meeting ever-changing clients’ expectations is one way of surviving in business. And this is what Rio Tinto does. Thanks to the technology and application management service provided by its 30-year-long outsourcing partner, it delivered personalized products and digital services to its clients.

The company also outsourced its IT service desk. It also plans to get the support of third-party contractors for other back-office functions such as human resources and finance.

Rio Tinto is one of the pioneers in the mining industry. With over 140 years of experience, it became the second-largest mining company in the world.

Why Do Companies Outsource Their IT?

As the world becomes more digitized, so should the companies seeking to grow in this generation. However, keeping up with constant changes can leave the company astray. This is where outsourcing company providers come into play. Below are the main reasons why companies outsource their IT:

Access To The Services Of Global Talents

You can have an idea that will again change the world. However, without the skills to transform it into an actual product, it will remain an idea until someone thinks of the same concept and seeks ways to produce it.

Startups and even decade or century-old companies can benefit from the fresh perspective and new ideas of outsourced IT teams.

Young and talented developers are scattered all around the globe. Hence, exploring this business activity might be the best way to bring them into your company. Additionally, the outsourced team can start even without training, with only clear instructions about the project.

Readily-Available Infrastructure

Investing in high-tech infrastructure and implementing your system can cost your company a lot. It also takes time for your internal IT team — and support departments — to get the hang of using it. Instead of wasting money and time on new technology, it is better to entrust it to someone who can provide and manage it.

Prevents Overhead

For short-term projects such as software development, outsourcing is the better option. It lets you fulfill sudden demands without the long-term costs of hiring and equipment. You can also sign a short-term or a long-term deal, giving you the flexibility you need.

Focus On Core Functions

Outsourcing gives companies more time and freedom to focus on their core business. By freeing up your internal IT team of ‘extra’ tasks, they can focus more on supporting your in-house employees to ensure smoother daily business operations.

Cost-Effective

Everybody wants to save money. Lower expenses mean higher income for businesses, which can be used in other key areas. With the labor market rate and available talent and infrastructure in offshore locations, outsourcing is much cheaper than hiring additional in-house employees.

Outsource Your IT to Magellan Today!

As it shows, companies that outsource IT do not simply choose this business activity to cut costs. Aspiring entrepreneurs employ this strategy as a means of being resourceful. It’s an effective and efficient solution to get things done. After all, it’s about working smarter, not just harder, right?

Are you planning to outsource your IT and software development functions? Partner with us! Get a free 60-minute consultation to find out what solution fits you best. Fill out the form below to get started.