IT-Enabled Services Is The Next Big Business

If you have not looked at IT-enabled services (ITES) as a business

opportunity, it is time that you did. There is going to be a lot of action in

this field in the coming days.

The National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM)

estimates that the country can earn up to Rs 7,500 crores through ITES by

2001-02. This is big money and is an excellent business opportunity for channel

partners to get into.

For those who are new to ITES, this business embraces call centers, medical

transcription, back office operations and animation centers. For market-savvy

channel partners it makes a lot of business sense to diversify into ITES since

their exposure to IT gives them an edge over others.

While the overall revenue that can be generated in ITES looks impressive, the

numbers relating to specific fields look even more promising. NASSCOM is

confident that the country can handle a minimum of one billion calls by 2002

providing jobs to 20,000. In the medical transcription field, the estimates are

that the country can grow from the current Rs 120 crore to Rs 160 crore during

next year.

So, are you ready to take the plunge? What's the first step interested

channel partners should take? Register yourself with the ITES Forum launched by

NASSCOM which plans to meet on 10^th November. The objectives of this

Forum include creating awareness among entrepreneurs about the opportunities

that exist in ITES, organize monthly meetings with the expert panel and organize

venture capital and buyer-seller meetings.

The objectives of ITES Forum look very pragmatic. This kind of handholding is

required for those who want to venture out to newer opportunities. The setting

up of an expert panel is particularly noteworthy because it gives a chance to

novices to interact with those who have already gained experience in the filed.

These objectives should help the country to strategize its position in ITES

at the global level. India has the advantage of skilled manpower that is well

versed in English, the commonly used business language. Hence, building up on

the existing export opportunities looks very much possible.

The Central government too has done its bit to see that there is quick growth

in ITES. It has exempted the ITES revenue from income tax. Now the government

should move to bring the country's telecom infrastructure at par with the global

standards. This is of utmost importance for the success of ITES.

The objectives of the Forum are, thus, eminently relevant to the IT industry

in general and ITES in particular. Those partners who want to diversify from

their current business to ITES need to take full advantage of the Forum to have

a firm foothold in the new business opportunity.

Interested partners should also take advantage of the expert panel that ITES

Forum has put together. The panel's mandate is to help out entrepreneurs with

business plans, marketing initiatives and provide leads with respect to venture

capital firms.

Coming days will see some good action to further the objectives of the ITES

Forum. Delegations are being planned to be taken to the US, Brussels, Berlin and

London. Deals will be struck. Business will be made. There is no time to lose.

Join the Forum and see that you flourish.

sylvesterl@cmil.com