ICT (or information communication infrastructure) is the backbone of any successful offshoring model. Without reliable infrastructure, any outsourcing or offshoring project is doomed to fail.
Why is this? Having access to reliable ICT infrastructure allows your offshore employees to interact and communicate with your local team seamlessly. We have discussed just how important it is to communicate and engage with your staff frequently and if your connectivity is not consistent, or high speed, these interactions could be arduous and frustrating which will be an impediment to the success of your program.
We cannot stress enough, how important it is to get this right. With the breakdown in geographical barriers due to rapidly advancing digital communication technologies, businesses of all sizes should be able to leverage the power of offshore workforces.
However, we are starting to see more and more businesses engage offshoring solutions providers who don’t have the ICT infrastructure bit right. They don’t have reliable and efficient systems, they don’t have experienced teams who know how to get things humming, and they don’t know how to roll out successful offshore programs.
With the right infrastructure, businesses can communicate what they need from and also temper their expectations as if their offshore team was right there with them. If you want to get the most out of your offshore team, your business needs to look closely at the locations you want to offshore to.
Keep in mind, picking locations close to key metro hubs is going to give you access to more reliable and advanced infrastructure.
The further out you go, the less likely you are going to experience reliable and efficient infrastructure. Put it this way, businesses in metro areas like Brisbane and Sydney have incredibly advanced infrastructure when compared to rural areas like Gladstone or Townsville.
In the Philippines, Metro Manila is home to the most robust IT infrastructure in the country. Compared to other offshoring locations in the Philippines like Cebu and Davao City, major telecommunications providers base their operations in Metro Manila. Businesses have been able to leverage this to their advantage and enjoy excellent internet speeds and connectivity.
While being connected to the Internet is now a luxury that we often take for granted, it’s good to be reminded why having a constant and robust infrastructure in place will be very beneficial to you and our company.
Manila’s IT Infrastructure
The Philippine government has continued to make strides in improving the Internet connections in the country. Despite the entire country being interconnected, the biggest IT hub still remains Metro Manila.
Major companies such PLDT and Globe have their headquarters located in Manila and compared to other locations in the Philippines, is considered the fastest in the country. As the home of the country’s business hub as well, it was important for these companies to ensure their IT infrastructure was in the strongest where it would be needed most. Although still incomparable to the United States and Australia, Metro Manila offer internet speeds that can peak at 50 Mbps. Compared to other offshoring locations in the Philippines, provincial areas such as Baguio and Davao City reach only to about half that.
Cost Savings
Aside from convenience, a sturdy IT infrastructure will also mean reduced costs for your company. Additionally, by being well equipped to troubleshoot any issues that may rise, it means avoiding any potential loss that may incur due to downtime or disconnection from your offshoring team.
Troubleshooting In An Instant
When you’re at home relaxing, losing your internet connection is just about the worst thing that could happen! If you’re at work however, the effects of being disconnected, even for just a few minutes, are much more severe. In today’s fast paced and interconnected society, companies are relying more and more on a solid IT infrastructure to ensure the flow of the data remains stable for their day-to-day operations. Still, technical problems beyond a company’s control can arise.
That’s why it is important to have a solid IT department that can troubleshoot any potential issues in the quickest time possible.
It is advisable for companies to have two ISPs to minimise redundancy and downtime. That is why HGS has taken steps to ensure that not only does it have two ISPs in its infrastructure, but is also located in areas where power generators can help keep workflow running amidst bigger issues such as blackouts. We understand the importance of staying constantly connected with your offshoring team and have invested in not only having a stable system to ensure things run smoothly on both your and a client’s end but we also have highly skilled technicians that can readily address issues that may arise. If you have been considering hiring an offshore staff for your company, we have taken steps to ensure that will be a seamless experience for you.
