Helpdesk operations take a backseat to emerging infrastructure management

Hardware maintenance including upgrade projects and application development are the most likely candidates for outsourcing according to research carried out by Vanson Bourne for global IT services provider HCL Technologies (HCL).

Over two thirds of UK IT directors (67%) put equipment maintenance and upgrade projects top of their outsourcing hit lists.  This was followed by 57% identifying software development as the most likely candidate.

The research also contradicts many previously held beliefs as helpdesk operations were only ranked most likely by just under a third (32%).

The research also suggests that the emerging market of infrastructure management and remote infrastructure management is set to continue growing at a healthy rate, with 39% of IT directors saying it was most likely to be outsourced.

Vineet Nayar, CEO, HCL Technologies, explained what this means for organisations throughout the UK: "It is no surprise that application development still rates highly in the outsourcing stakes, but many businesses are now seeing real benefits from developing a co-sourcing relationship with suppliers who are able to handle infrastructure issues as well.

"There is a real, additional benefit available to organisations that link their application development / management work with process outsourcing and infrastructure management - the savings from the links between these activities can significantly improve a company's competitive advantage."

100 UK IT directors were interviewed by Vanson Bourne, via telephone, in March 2006.