As the sub-continent's economy continues its explosive growth, the price advantage that its businesses exploit is eroding. And Indian suppliers are increasingly facing the same issues as top-tier technology consultancies across the world.



Some big-name HCL customers are already endorsing the shift in focus.

Carphone Warehouse operations director Pete Schofield said major organisations are already looking at their outsourcing deals as an opportunity for innovation as well as expenditure reduction.

?Our contract with HCL has been an initiative to improve our IT capability rather than just strip cost,? he said.

For Deutsche Bank, the offshoring decision was largely the result of the availability of appropriate skills, according to global head of investment banking Tony McCarthy.

?We have expanded in India because it is the largest resource pool in the world,? said McCarthy.

?And forces such as power consumption and the sub-prime mortgage crisis have made us look at collaboration to minimise the disruption of these events,? he said.