While cost saving is a key driver for outsourcing, it is also a new way of driving innovation, and should be regarded as much more than a cost-saving exercise, say industry experts ahead of the Arab Outsourcing Conference (AOC) 2009.

AOC 2009 will be held from April 26 to 29 at the Moevenpick Hotel in Dubai.

Industry resources estimate that successful outsourcing engagements can yield up to 40 per cent savings on the cost of support functions, but the next generation thinking within the industry is that outsourcing is not about exporting jobs, but importing competitiveness and innovation.

And as in any major transformation, outsourcing requires a high degree of leadership and senior management commitment, a systematic and comprehensive approach, and a good deal of change management, said a statement.

In the face of economic crisis, organisations in the Middle East including those from the government sector, are considering to outsource non-core business functions such as IT, finance, legal, human resources, customer care, procurement, facilities maintenance etc. to third party organisations, as they compare the cost advantages, manpower resources, and innovative services provided by outsourcing suppliers with unmanageable problems of doing jobs in-house.

Experts believe that outsourcing is the only option to lead them through the turbulent financial storm.

AOC 2009 promises an unparalleled learning experience for those wishing to embark on an outsourcing journey or who have already implemented such a model.

The conference features introductory level pre- and post-conference master classes on outsourcing contracts. – TradeArabia News Service