Guides

• The CFO Guide to Outsourcing: introduction 15 August 2003

  It's a long time since outsourcing was controversial in most industries. For most businesses, it's just the most efficient way to get things done. Of course, what someone means by outsourcing depends on where the line is drawn between the core business and the supply chain. Few of us would expect a supermarket to grow its own food, make its own detergent and brew its own beer, and yet they are its key products. But when a supermarket outsources the operation of its trucks, its IT or its building maintenance, that becomes a major management issue.

• A moving target that’s easier to hit 15 August 2003

  As the mobile industry becomes more complex, operators are drawing in more partners to carry out vital parts of the operation as outsourcing suppliers, writes Alun Lewis

• A new business model for telecoms 15 August 2003

  Johan Wibergh, vice president of managed and support services at Ericsson Global Services, estimates his team can not only increase business efficiency but simultaneously shave between 15% and 20% off the operating costs of running a network

• Changing the way carriers do business 15 August 2003

  Managed services — or outsourcing — is one of Lucent's key growth areas. But it is more, he says: the company is partnering with carriers around the world and is sharing some of the risks and successes

• Complex systems need expert skills 15 August 2003

  Professional services is becoming increasingly important for Ericsson's business

• End of the spending spree 15 August 2003

  The boom years are over and operators are re-evaluating their business models, redefining core functions and shifting their focus to cutting costs and people, writes Priscilla Awde

• Engineering and operations 15 August 2003

  Outsource operation of the network? Even a year ago, the normal reaction was scepticism, but now operators are seeing it as a valid part of a corporate strategy, says Peter Johnson, director of outsourcing business development at Alcatel. The benefit: a 15% cut in the cost of ownership

• Ericsson’s managed services solution cuts costs and increases flexibility 15 August 2003

  To achieve its goal of world-leading service excellence, Hutchison Australia chose Ericsson to provide the industry's most comprehensive Managed Services solution. This unique end-to-end solution has increased efficiency, reduced costs and given Hutchison the flexibility to adapt to market demands

• Everybody’s doing it 15 August 2003

  Operators are redefining their core activities and looking with renewed interest at proposals from outsourcers, says Priscilla Awde. Cost reduction is still the major impetus

• Global tax outsourcing for telecoms 15 August 2003

  By Dennis McCarthy, partner; Brad Hopton, senior manager; and Karl Moody, partner

• Keeping up with all the taxes 15 August 2003

  Karl Moody, partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, explains how new legislation means the CEO and CFO of telecoms operators have a duty to confirm that they are paying all the right taxes in all the territories in which they operate. What type of controls do they have around the tax provision calculation, the tax return preparation process, tax filings, and the tax audit function? Outsourcing can ensure they keep up with the requirements

• Leveraging managed services to increase your competitive edge 15 August 2003

  Are you efficiently addressing your network and business challenges? Joe Bova, vice president, managed services, at Lucent Worldwide Services, seeks answers for the world's largest operators

• Managing storage 15 August 2003

  David Goulden, executive vice president of global marketing and new business development at EMC Corporation, the world leader in information storage systems, software, networks and services. Goulden is responsible for helping to define and fulfill EMC's marketing initiatives and business strategy to accelerate the worldwide adoption of automated networked storage solutions and advance EMC's market leadership.

• Millions at stake 15 August 2003

  Some operators are enthusiastic about outsourcing their billing operators but others are reluctant to let a contractor handle something so crucial to business success. Priscilla Awde assesses the arguments for and against

• Out in India 15 August 2003

  Why are so many operators and suppliers outsourcing some of their business processes to India? Ashutosh Sinha reports on a booming industry, and looks at the efforts local telecoms providers are making to ensure the infrastructure meets its needs

• Partnering with Lucent helps Telecom New Zealand improve profitability 15 August 2003

  “Globally, telcos want to lower costs, focus on core business and swiftly provide top quality new services to customers. Our agreement with Lucent delivers all this," writes Stephen Crombie, Telecom New Zealand's general manager, network investment

• Priority Telecom reduces operating expenses with outsourcing solution 15 August 2003

  “Outsourcing our network operations to Lucent means we can offer our customers outstanding 24-hour service, while maintaining tight cost control. Lucent is an experienced supplier and already has proven expertise on our systems," writes Brian Burleson, senior vice president of engineering and network operations, Priority Telecom NV

• Sit up and take notice 15 August 2003

  Real telcos run their own networks and outsourcing is a passing fad? Not so, suggests Ian Scales: incumbents and new operators should look at the way it's being done by some successful entrants into the market

• Storage on demand 15 August 2003

  Eric Shepcaro, AT&T's vice president, application networking, and Joe Weinman, the company's strategy and technology director, application networking, discuss the operator's use of EMC storage systems and how it is using this to support customers in the small and mid-sized business marketplace as well as multinational corporations and enterprise customers

• Transforming the customer relationship 15 August 2003

  With lots of lines, and broadband and cellphones, Gary Smith, division president of global managed services at Amdocs, is a great customer for his local phone company. His Mom isn't so profitable. But how does the phone company know that its databases and customer care systems are up to the task of making the best use of the information available. He can help

• Watch for the small print 15 August 2003

  Partners in an outsourcing deal have to ensure that contracts cover all aspects of the operation, warns Alun Lewis, including liabilities, penalties, intellectual property, exit paths and employment. But first you have to define the fundamental principles

• We’ve outsourced you: you’re fired 15 August 2003

  It doesn't quite work like that. When it comes to outsourcing and employment law, what do you need to know? The law varies from country to country, and companies planning to outsource functions need to know where they stand. By Jill Evans

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