In an industry where getting, training and retaining manpower is the biggest business challenge, what should a solution provider do to deal with people problems? Mumbai-based Allied Digital Services (ADS) decided that the best thing to do was to set up an HR division in-house. The company has also finalized a big deal with a US-based IT servicing company, for the post-sales support of a MNC brand's range of laptops and notebooks. 

Called 360° HR, this division acts as a recruitment agency for ADS and gathers a database of candidates from various sources. This is then collated and categorized based on certain parameters. As per the project requirements, the prospects are called for interviews. 

Said Nitin Shah, MD, ADS, “Attrition is a reality we have learned to deal with, as people leave for better prospects or for other reasons. Rather than rely on external agencies to get manpower, we decided to start our own division.” Also, external recruitment agencies were unable to provide the right of candidates. Since ADS knew the correct profile of people it needed, it is easier and less time consuming for it to monitor the kind of people called for interviews. 

Now, 360° HR has become a revenue stream for ADS as other solution providers and IT companies outsource their HR requirements to it. “We already have 12 clients on a retainer basis for whom we are providing people,” added Nitin. 

Surprisingly, the division is getting queries from customers not for programmers and engineers, but CIOS and CTOs as well. “Since we are in this industry, it is easier for us to zero on people higher up in the hierarchy who might be needed by our clients and negotiate the appointment,” Nitin mentioned.

VINITA BHATIA
MUMBAI

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