Stan Gibson

NEW YORK—Just how a global economic slowdown might affect high-flying Indian outsourcer Satyam was top-of-mind at the companys Analyst Day gathering, held here Sept. 12. Satyam, which posted 35 percent annual growth in its fiscal year ending in March and a 33 percent rise in annual profits, held the conference to celebrate the fifth anniversary […]

NEW YORK—The rollout of IBM Lotus Sametime 7.5 here on Sept. 13 reflected an ongoing battle of collaboration platforms between IBM and archrival Microsoft. The advantage IBM is seeking is clear: While both companies are enlisting partners in the struggle, IBM is claiming to offer an edge through the use of open standards and greater […]

After having its trading floor destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001, the New York Board of Trade is capping five years of solid growth with plans to implement electronic trading for the first time. The current prosperity of the plucky commodities exchange—the value of a seat on the exchange has catapulted from $70,000 in 2001 to […]

After being destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001, the trading floor of New York Board of Trade, at 4 World Trade Center, is capping five years of solid growth with plans to implement electronic trading for the first time. The current prosperity of the plucky commodities exchange—the value of a seat on the exchange has catapulted […]

Surviving a disaster is a lot like carrying out a military operation. Facilities, equipment and planning are important, but when the crisis hits, its all about your people and how they respond. That fact jumped out at me in my recent coverage of Hurricane Katrinas first anniversary. Military experts will tell you that you must […]

For the past couple of years, weve been told that location doesnt matter—the world is flat, and, in a global market, you can be anywhere and do anything, anytime for a customer. With a little perspective, its becoming clear that although there is plenty of truth to the notion of global flatness—the theory has limits. […]

Tom Oreck began shopping for a second manufacturing facility for vacuum cleaner maker Oreck in December. Tulane Universitys Paul Barron now plans for a data center shutdown that lasts weeks, not days. Jan Rideout, of Northrop Grummans Ship Systems Sector, consolidated data centers and made sure they were nowhere near a fault line. These are […]

The IT manager isnt going extinct. Despite boom and bust cycles and ever-susceptibility to being a corporate whipping boy, technology remains essential to successful enterprises large and small, say technology executives. Sure, there are concerns about outsourcing, and new expectations and requirements, but some unexpected opportunities are emerging. It has been a long road. The […]

For indian outsourcers its the problem that just wont go away: wage inflation. Widely acknowledged by the outsourcers themselves and until now kept at bay by strong growth, the continual increase in salaries at top Indian companies such as Wipro, Infosys Technologies and Tata Consultancy Services is changing from annoyance to a present danger. When […]

Its a natural question: Youve sent critical work halfway around the world to get done, and theres a terror bombing. Corporate management calls to ask if you can guarantee that corporate data is secure and your outsourcing relationship—which you painstakingly sold them on—is not in jeopardy. You wonder, if only for a moment: Did you […]

The joint venture between Tata Consultancy Services, Microsoft and three Chinese partners is due to begin operations in September, the CEO of TCS said in an interview. “The CEO is in place, the board is formed, and were starting the recruitment process. Well apply for a business license tomorrow and will be up and running […]

The initial public offering of Indian outsourcer WNS, scheduled for July 25 on the New York Stock Exchange, will test the perception of the Indian outsourcing market, which is under pressure from employee attrition and rising wages. Employee turnover and upwardly spiraling wages are listed as risk factors in the companys SEC filing. Those twin […]