June 2023

With the global economy experiencing a wave of inflation, businesses in Australia are feeling the pinch, especially when it comes to managing IT budgets. Inflation can lead to an increase in the cost of goods and services, including technology hardware, software, and IT services. This can make it difficult for IT departments to manage their budgets and invest in innovation. In this post, we will explore how offshoring can help Australian businesses navigate the inflation storm and stay afloat.

The Benefits of Offshoring for IT Departments

Offshoring refers to the practice of outsourcing business processes to a foreign country. There are many benefits to offshoring for IT departments, including:

1. Cost savings: By offshoring certain functions, companies can often achieve significant cost savings. This is because the cost of labour in some countries, such as Sri Lanka, is much lower than in Australia.
2. Access to a larger talent pool: Offshoring can provide access to a wider pool of skilled IT professionals. This can be especially valuable for companies that need to hire specialized or niche skill sets.
3. Focus on core business functions: By offshoring non-core functions, such as Software Development, QA Testing and IT support, companies can free up resources to focus on strategic initiatives that can help drive growth and innovation.

Offshoring Strategies for Managing IT Costs During Inflation

While offshoring can be a powerful tool for managing IT costs during times of inflation, it is important to approach it strategically. Here are some strategies that Australian businesses can use to implement offshoring effectively:

1. Identify cost-effective outsourcing destinations: Some countries, such as India and Sri Lanka, are known for their cost-effective IT services. By carefully evaluating these outsourcing destinations, companies can identify the ones that best align with their budget and requirements.
2. Set clear expectations and metrics for offshore teams: It is important to set clear expectations for offshore teams to ensure that they deliver quality work that meets business requirements. This can include defining project timelines, quality standards, and performance metrics.
3. Ensure effective communication between onshore and offshore teams: Communication is key to the success of offshore projects. Companies should establish effective communication channels between onshore and offshore teams to ensure that everyone is aligned and working towards common goals.

How Offshoring Has Helped Australian Companies Navigate Inflation

Let’s take a look at some examples of how Australian companies have successfully used offshoring to manage IT costs during times of inflation.

Rio Tinto: Rio Tinto, a global mining company, turned to offshoring to manage its IT costs during a period of economic uncertainty. By outsourcing IT support to a provider in South Asia, the company was able to achieve cost savings of up to 50% while maintaining a high level of service quality.

Cochlear: Cochlear, a leading provider of hearing implants, used offshoring to support the development of its software and systems. By leveraging a team of developers in South Asia, the company was able to accelerate its development timeline and reduce costs by up to 30%.

In conclusion, offshoring can be a powerful tool for Australian businesses looking to manage their IT budgets during times of inflation. By leveraging the benefits of offshoring and implementing effective strategies, companies can achieve significant cost savings while maintaining a high level of service quality. As the global economy continues to navigate the inflation storm, offshoring is a strategic tool that businesses should consider to stay afloat. Speak to Webco Talent on how we can assist with your IT offshoring and projects to save you money and the headache of finding the right talent in Australia.