What Functions are Best Suited for Business?

Updated April 24, 2024

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With over 40 years in tech, we at Cambria get the constant challenge many companies face: driving growth, boosting efficiency and slashing costs. Business process outsourcing (BPO) has emerged as a go-to solution. By outsourcing non-core functions to specialized providers, companies can zero in on their core competencies while tapping external know-how and cost savings. In this piece, we'll walk you through the functions that are ripe for BPO and how it can revolutionize your business operations.

The Heart of Business Process Outsourcing

Infographic displaying the streamlined flow of tasks from a company to an efficient outsourcing provider

Before we jump into the specific functions perfect for outsourcing, let's make sure we're on the same page about what BPO is and why it matters in today's business world.

BPO means hiring external service providers to handle specific business functions. These providers have the infrastructure, resources and expertise to execute these functions efficiently. BPO providers have advantages in running successful automation initiatives, including economies of scale, large volumes of transactional data and global access to digital talent like software engineers and data scientists.

The main value of BPO? It frees up companies to focus on their core business activities. By offloading non-core functions to specialized partners, organizations can tap external expertise while easing the burden of managing these processes internally. We've seen this firsthand with clients like Cornestech. We developed an Order Tracking System using Angular and ASP.NET Core. By outsourcing this project, Cornestech focused on their core business while we delivered a solution that increased on-time delivery and improved operational efficiency. Talk about a win-win!

Key Functions Primed for Outsourcing

Now that we've got a solid grasp of BPO, let's explore some of the key business functions that are perfect candidates for outsourcing.

Checklist of key business functions that are ideal for outsourcing: HR, IT, customer service, finance

Human Resources and Payroll

Keeping pace with ever-changing labor laws and regulations? Daunting for any organization. By outsourcing HR and payroll functions, companies can ensure compliance while freeing up internal resources to focus on strategic initiatives like talent acquisition, development and employee engagement. We experienced this ourselves when one of our pharmaceutical industry client, outsourced their HR functions during a period of rapid growth. This allowed them to focus on their core business while ensuring their HR processes were handled effectively.

IT Services and Support

The rapid pace of technological advancements makes it challenging for businesses to stay ahead of the curve. Outsourcing IT services and support allows companies to leverage the expertise of experienced professionals who can manage hardware, software and network infrastructure. This ensures smooth operations and increased efficiency. The urge to outsource while transitioning to cloud-based delivery is stronger than ever. We've seen this trend in many of our projects, like our work with ECO-X. We developed a digital technology platform using C#, ASP.NET Core MVC and MySQL. By outsourcing this project, ECO-X leveraged our expertise to enhance logistics efficiency and drive customer onboarding.

Customer Service and Support

Providing exceptional customer service is crucial for building strong, long-lasting relationships with clients. By outsourcing customer service and support to specialized providers, companies can tap their expertise in handling customer inquiries and complaints. This ultimately enhances customer satisfaction and loyalty. We've seen the impact of this firsthand in our work with clients like Flying Boba. We developed a web application using C# and ASP.NET Core to streamline their online ordering and customer loyalty program. By outsourcing this project, Flying Boba improved their customer experience and boosted repeat business. A sweet deal indeed!

Finance and Accounting

Ensuring accurate financial reporting and maintaining strict financial controls are essential for any business. Outsourcing finance and accounting functions provides access to professionals who possess comprehensive knowledge in this domain. They can handle tasks such as bookkeeping, tax compliance and financial analysis. This allows companies to focus on strategic financial planning and decision-making. By 2025, 60% of finance and accounting outsourcing contracts will not be renewed because of outdated pricing models that do not drive digitization and process improvement. This highlights the importance of choosing the right outsourcing partner and ensuring their services align with your business goals and objectives.

The Perks of Outsourcing

Now that we've explored some of the key functions ideal for outsourcing, let's dig into the major benefits it can bring to your business.

Chart highlighting the key benefits of outsourcing: cost savings, access to expertise, focus on core business

Cost Savings and Efficiency

One of the primary advantages of outsourcing is cost savings. By outsourcing non-core functions, companies can eliminate the need for substantial investments in infrastructure, technology and specialized personnel. Plus, outsourcing partners often operate in countries with lower labor costs. This results in significant cost reductions for the company. Completely outsourcing indirect procurement captures only about a quarter of the full savings opportunity. This highlights the importance of taking a strategic approach to outsourcing and ensuring you're outsourcing the right functions to the right partners.

Access to Global Talent and Expertise

Outsourcing opens the door to a vast pool of global talent and expertise. By partnering with specialized service providers, companies can tap the best minds from around the world. This access to global talent not only enhances the quality of operations but also fosters a culture of innovation within the organization. Nine Philippine cities are included in Tholons 2016 ranking of top global IT-BPM destinations: Manila (NCR) at #2, Cebu City at #7, Davao City at #66, Santa Rosa Laguna at #81, Bacolod City at #85, Iloilo City at #90, Dumaguete at #93, Baguio City at #94, and Metro Clark at #97. This is a testament to the growing talent pool in the Philippines and the potential for companies to access world-class expertise through outsourcing.

Focus on Core Business Activities

By entrusting non-core functions to external partners, companies can redirect their focus and resources towards key strategic initiatives. This increased focus on core business activities enables organizations to drive growth, innovation and market expansion. This leads to a sustainable competitive advantage. In our experience, outsourcing has been a game-changer for many of our clients. It allows them to focus on what they do best while we handle the rest.

In 2022, the Philippine IT-BPM industry's revenue was projected to reach $38.9 billion, driven by rising outsourcing demand and the country's talent pool, with the Contact Center and BPO subsector expected to contribute $20.4 billion or 52% of the total revenue.

Harness the Power of Outsourcing

Business process outsourcing has become a game-changer for companies of all sizes. It enables them to optimize operations, increase efficiency and gain a competitive edge. By identifying the right functions to outsource and partnering with reliable service providers, businesses can unlock numerous benefits while keeping their eyes firmly on their core competencies. Are you ready to harness the power of outsourcing and propel your business towards unprecedented success?

Partner with Cambria for Expert Outsourcing Solutions

As you embark on your journey to enhance your business efficiency and focus on core activities, Cambria stands ready to propel you towards success with our 40 years of expertise in outsourcing. Whether you're a startup or a large company looking to drive growth and innovation, our solutions are designed to meet your unique needs. Seize the opportunity to save 60-80% on costs and address your needs by leveraging our three models of cooperation. Request a Free Quote today to hire expert developers and transform your business operations.

This article is part of the Outsourcing series. Read more on how we craft tailored Outsourcing solutions - driving efficient growth, hassle-free:

Frequently Ask Questions (FAQ)

What are the most commonly outsourced business functions?

The most commonly outsourced business functions include human resources and payroll, customer service and support, IT services and support and finance and accounting. These non-core functions are often entrusted to specialized providers who possess the necessary expertise and resources to execute them efficiently.

Outsourcing can help businesses save costs by eliminating the need for substantial investments in infrastructure, technology and specialized personnel. Outsourcing partners often operate in countries with lower labor costs, resulting in significant cost savings for the company. Additionally, outsourcing allows businesses to leverage economies of scale and the expertise of service providers to streamline operations and reduce costs further.

Some of the risks associated with outsourcing business functions include loss of control over the outsourced processes, potential communication and cultural barriers and data security concerns. However, these risks can be mitigated by carefully selecting reliable outsourcing partners, establishing clear communication channels and implementing robust data security measures.

To ensure the quality of outsourced services, businesses should establish clear performance metrics and service level agreements (SLAs) with their outsourcing partners. Regular communication, monitoring and feedback mechanisms should be in place to track the progress and quality of the outsourced functions. Additionally, businesses should conduct thorough due diligence when selecting outsourcing partners to ensure they have the necessary expertise, resources and track record to deliver high-quality services.

When choosing an outsourcing partner, businesses should consider factors such as the provider's expertise and experience in the specific function being outsourced, their reputation and track record, their communication and project management processes, their data security and privacy measures and their cost structure and pricing models. It's also important to ensure that the outsourcing partner's values and culture align with those of the business to foster a successful long-term partnership.

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About Cambria Software

We have been providing custom software development services since 1984, offering expert programming in multiple languages to build high-performance websites and applications for our clients.

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