Outsourcing
Outsourcing non-core business functions is a growing trend as companies seek to focus on building core competencies and reduce operational costs. The development, support and maintenance of your business processes are no different and initially can be considered as a non-core business function. Once established however, business messaging has a key strategic importance to the business and as soon as important trade partners are engaged in business messaging, it becomes the lifeblood of a company.
Reasons for outsourcing business messaging
- Shortage of relevant skills within the company
- Lack of general IT skills within the company
- A need to reduce costs generated by an existing business messaging operational base
- A desire for a rapid reaction to a major trading partner request or business directive
Managing the outsourcer
A business considering outsourcing must manage the relationship with the outsourcer very closely to ensure seamless and uninterrupted service for operational success. A consistent approach to the contractual period is paramount and can be achieved through a comprehensive Service Level Agreement (SLA). The SLA will require regular updating as the company business requirements change.
Establishing the outsourcing level
This will vary according to the needs of the business and those of the trading partners. They may include:
- Business messaging project management from concept to live operations
- Managed service for business messaging data transformation and physical communication
- Support for application and operations, including application integration
- Creation and maintenance of data transformation tables
Internal project management
Irrespective of the level of outsourcing, a company will need to project manage the implementation of business messaging. This includes identifying and delivering the required changes in operational and work processes.