Architecture design rides KPO wave
Armed with latest software and growing offshore demands, architectural design KPOs are expanding their client-base in the US, UK and Middle East. Beat realty blues
By Kumar Anand, TNN |
AHMEDABAD: The growth story of Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) industry in the state is witnessing a new sub-plot. Architectural designing outsourcing has seen new players entering the segment. Domestic architectural designing units are also upgrading their facilities and infrastructure, and equipping themselves with the latest technology to join the race.
Armed with the latest software and growing offshore demands, architectural design KPOs are expanding their client-base in the US, UK and the Middle East. Rupee appreciation and crunch of skilled human resources notwithstanding, these firms have been holding up to the difficult times. In the last two years, there have been a few additions in the number of such KPOs in the state, most of them being small-and-medium-enterprises with around 50-plus employees.
What’s more, with the industry estimates predicting architectural design KPOs to become the second largest segment in service industry in the country, they feel a good time is in store for them. The country, as a whole, is expected to contribute two-third of the global KPO by 2011, accounting to $16.7-billion revenue.
According to industry sources, there are already around 40 architecture design firms with 50-plus manpower in the state. Several companies have begun bagging designing projects abroad, although on a small scale. Cost factor coupled with a decreasing pool of professionals abroad are driving this growth, say industry sources. Designing process here costs about one-tenth of what will be in the US.
Burthill Design, a recognised global architectural design unit, opened its India unit in Ahmedabad recently. Most projects handled by the unit are from the US and the Middle East. “Ahmedabad was our first choice because of the skilled pool of architects there. Cost cutting on international projects is another incentive to our Indian venture,” said Nitin Narang, project architect of Burthill in Ahmedabad.
London Infotech, which started operation two years ago in Ahmedabad, has benefited from the outsourcing. However, the company is facing the heat of shortfall in skilled pool of designers. “This field has a good future but the shrinking talent pool coupled with the recent rupee appreciation has upset us. There is no dearth of projects,” said director Gunjan Chag.
Armed with the latest software and growing offshore demands, architectural design KPOs are expanding their client-base in the US, UK and the Middle East. Rupee appreciation and crunch of skilled human resources notwithstanding, these firms have been holding up to the difficult times. In the last two years, there have been a few additions in the number of such KPOs in the state, most of them being small-and-medium-enterprises with around 50-plus employees.
What’s more, with the industry estimates predicting architectural design KPOs to become the second largest segment in service industry in the country, they feel a good time is in store for them. The country, as a whole, is expected to contribute two-third of the global KPO by 2011, accounting to $16.7-billion revenue.
According to industry sources, there are already around 40 architecture design firms with 50-plus manpower in the state. Several companies have begun bagging designing projects abroad, although on a small scale. Cost factor coupled with a decreasing pool of professionals abroad are driving this growth, say industry sources. Designing process here costs about one-tenth of what will be in the US.
Burthill Design, a recognised global architectural design unit, opened its India unit in Ahmedabad recently. Most projects handled by the unit are from the US and the Middle East. “Ahmedabad was our first choice because of the skilled pool of architects there. Cost cutting on international projects is another incentive to our Indian venture,” said Nitin Narang, project architect of Burthill in Ahmedabad.
London Infotech, which started operation two years ago in Ahmedabad, has benefited from the outsourcing. However, the company is facing the heat of shortfall in skilled pool of designers. “This field has a good future but the shrinking talent pool coupled with the recent rupee appreciation has upset us. There is no dearth of projects,” said director Gunjan Chag.
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