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Books : Computers & Internet : Programming : Software Design, Testing & Engineering : Outsourcing
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This survival manual for Help Desk managers and staff presents practical strategies and tactics to enable Help Desks to add value to their enterprise. Includes suggestions for staffing, managing and selling a Help Desk, and helpful solutions to the problems of dealing with the changing face of technology and the economic realities of downsizing.
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"A clearly written book that is a useful primer for a very complicated set of topics."
--Capers Jones, Chief Scientist Emeritus, Software Productivity Research LLC
Practical Software Estimation brings together today's most valuable tips, techniques, and best practices for accurately estimating software project efforts, costs, and schedules. Written by a leading expert in the field, it addresses the full spectrum of real-world challenges faced by those who must develop reliable estimates.
M. A. Parthasarathy draws on the immense experience of Infosys, one of the world's largest and most respected providers of IT-enabled business solutions, to bring you the only book with detailed guidance on estimating insourced and outsourced software projects, as well as projects that blend both approaches. He demonstrates how to successfully utilize Function Point (FP) methods, the industry's leading estimation model. Then, using real case studies, he systematically identifies pitfalls that can lead to inaccurate estimates--and offers proven solutions.
Coverage includes
- How to estimate all types of software projects, including "fresh" development, reengineering, and maintenance
- How to incorporate the impact of core project elements on estimates: scope, environment, experience, and tools
- FP analysis from start to finish: data and transaction functions, general system characteristics, and more
- FP methods for any platform or business function
- Innovative re-estimation methods to track progress
- How to quote RFPs and prepare contracts: fixed price, time/material, and project execution lifecycle models
- Alternatives to FP: Delphi, COCOMO II, and COSMIC-FFP
- How to choose the right estimation tools
Practical Software Estimation is the definitive reference for anyone who must estimate software projects accurately: project and IT managers, individual developers, system designers, architects, executives, consultants, and outsourcers alike.
List of Figures
List of Tables
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Role of Estimation in Software Projects
Chapter 3: A Study of Function Point Analysis
Chapter 4: Data Functions
Chapter 5: Transactional Functions
Chapter 6: General System Characteristics
Chapter 7: Size, Effort, and Scheduling of Projects
Chapter 8: Estimation Flavors
Chapter 9: A Sense of Where You Are
Chapter 10: Tips, Tricks, and Traps
Chapter 11: Insourcing versus Outsourcing
Chapter 12: Key Factors in Software Contracts
Chapter 13: Project Estimation and Costing
Chapter 14: Other Estimation Methods
Chapter 15: Estimation Tools
Chapter 16: Estimation Case Study
Appendix A: Reference Tables: Transaction Function Counts
Appendix B: Reference Tables: Data Function Points
Bibliography
Index
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The decision to source software development to an overseas firm (offshoring) is looked at frequently in simple economic terms - it's cheaper, and skilled labor is easier to find. In practice, however, offshoring is fraught with difficulties. As well as the considerable challenge of controlling projects at a distance, there are differences in culture, language, business methods, politics, and many other issues to contend with. Nevertheless, as many firms have discovered, the benefits of getting it right are too great to ignore. This book explains everything you need to know to put offshoring into practice, avoid the pitfalls, and develop effective working relationships. It covers a comprehensive range of the important offshoring issues: from ROI to strategy, from SLA to culture, from country comparisons to provider marketing. Written for CTOs, CIOs, consultants, and other IT executives, this book is also an excellent introduction to sourcing for business students.
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You've already lost your job. You may still be drawing a paycheck, but the job you were hired to do no longer exists. Your company has changed, the technology has changed, the economy has changed, and the ways you can add value have changed. Have you adapted to these changes? Or are you at risk?Architect your career
Economic downturn. Job cuts. Outsourcing. The ever-changing tech landscape. The threats abound. Chad Fowler is here to offer 52 ways to keep your job, despite the vagaries of the market.- It's all about making the right choices. Choosing which technologies to focus on and which business domains to master have at least as much impact on your success as your technical knowledge--don't let those choices be accidental. Chad shows you all aspects of the decision-making process so you can ensure that you're investing your time and energy in the right areas.
- It's all about skills. You'll develop a structured plan for keeping your skills up-to-date so that you can compete with both the growing stable of developers in so-called low-cost countries as well as your higher-priced local peers. You'll learn how to shift your skillset up the value chain, from an offshore-ready commodity to one in high demand.
- It's all about marketing. As with any product or service, if nobody knows what you're selling, nobody will buy. Chad shows you how to create a plan for marketing yourself both inside your company and to the industry in general.
About the author Chad Fowler has been a software developer and manager for some of the world's largest corporations. He recently lived and worked in India, setting up and leading an offshore software development center for a large multinational company.
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IT service management (ITSM) is the group of processes and functions that oil the wheels of the IT machine. Without ITSM, every IT project and system would deteriorate over time until failure. ITIL is the recognized best-practice standard for ITSM, and has been around since the late 1980s, with ITIL version 3 published just recently. However, many of today’s IT problems have been around for just as long - so in order to manage IT effectively, organizations must go beyond the ITIL framework.
Rob Addy provides IT service managers and professionals with practical guidance on delivering and managing IT services in an effective and efficient manner by extending the ITIL approach to deliver proactive and pragmatic IT service management. His book is a candid look at the relative merits of currently accepted wisdom regarding the provision of IT services, using the principles of the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) guidance series. It describes IT service management processes related to service delivery and service support (as well as other non-ITIL areas), their objectives, shortcomings, and how these issues can be addressed in real-life situations. In addition, it delivers a workable definition of what exactly an ‘IT service’ is and how it can be defined and used in practice. Overall, he gives an unbiased view of the discipline, its objectives, major processes, and their benefits and shortcomings.
Managing and mitigating IT risk is critical to the survival of every business. Success is an optional extra! Proactive IT service management can be thought of as risk management for IT: Can you afford to ignore it?
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While global sourcing has expanded dramatically in terms of activities, consistent challenges remain for organizations that choose such a business decision. These challenges include maximizing the opportunity afforded by globalization, fully realizing potential gains, and managing the risks inherent to global development. In addition, while companies continue to start or expand their use of global resources, little is being done to help project managers, business analysts, architects, and others succeed in this new environment.Built upon real-world experiences, Managing Global Development Risk provides the tools, techniques, and knowledge necessary to achieve project success with offshore resources. By reading and utilizing the templates within this book, you will acquire the following skills along with the ability to apply the principles to your unique work requirements:
· Knowledge of project management principles and their application
· Understanding of software development processes and their application
· Insight into the diverse personalities within your global development team and the appropriate management and communications style to achieve success
· Awareness of cultural issues and mannerisms that will enhance you ability to guide your team
To fully realize the benefits of global development, a proper mix of local and offshore resources is essential. This book is an important tool that can help you gain the necessary competency and expand your skills in this critical area.
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IT, Software and Services: Outsourcing and Offshoring provides an essential overview of the burgeoning phenomenon of outsourcing. Although some pundits have been critical of the outsourcing trend, author Robin Sood argues that it is simply a fact of the contemporary global marketplace--one that can only be ignored at your own peril. Sood covers the reasons for outsourcing and provides strategies for doing it right. Many companies do not do it right, and the result is a lot of wasted time and money. The information contained in this book can literally save your company millions of dollars.By reading this book, you will be able to develop your own strategic plan, by learning:
* The main advantages of outsourcing
* What work can be outsourced effectively
* Why outsourcing sometimes fails--and how you can avoid such failure
* Which are the most desirable offshore locations and why
* What criteria to use for selecting the vendor that is right for youIT, Software and Services: Outsourcing and Offshoring is essential reading for business leaders in the 21st century who want to "keep up with the Joneses." If you are contemplating outsourcing, already involved in it, or merely want to remain competitive in today's fast-moving and ever-changing marketplace, you cannot afford not to read this book.
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Business/ManagementAn organized, methodical, real-world approach to the complex process of information technology outsourcing
McDonnell Douglas, Delta, Lufthansa, Hughes Electronics, Hertz, Chase Manhattan, Herman's Sporting Goods, John Wiley & Sons, Procter & Gamble . . . these are just a few of the hundreds of companies that have discovered the advantages of outsourcing information technology services. But turning your IT resources over to an outside vendor can be a complicated and intimidating process, involving software licensing and development agreements, sales of tangible and intangible assets, human resources management, and more.
Information Technology Outsourcing Transactions provides detailed information and expert guidance on outsourcing IT services. Written by the team that put together some of the biggest outsourcing deals of recent years, it walks you through the entire process, from determining requirements, analyzing benefits, and setting objectives, to selecting a vendor, structuring a deal, and managing vendor relations. The authors examine all the relevant technical, financial, strategic, legal, and human resources issues and respond to critical questions with clear, practical solutions. A wealth of forms, checklists, sample documents, and other tools—on an IBM-compatible diskette—makes structuring, negotiating, and closing an outsourcing deal easier than ever.
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"The next five years will be [...] a period of opportunity for China to speed up the growth of software and information services outsourcing. China will continue to generate strong market demand for the global software industry."
-H.E. Bo Xi Lai
Minister, China Central Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM)
Praise for Source Code China The New Global Hub of IT Outsourcing
"Cyrill Eltschinger's Source Code China examines the depths of?a remarkable?shift towards a value-added economy.? After reading this book, you'll?see once again how?China is positioning?itself for leadership in this growing area."
-William G. Parrett
Chief Executive Officer, Deloitte, May 2007
"In his book, Cyrill Eltschinger addresses?an important?perspective: China is not only 'the factory of the world,' it is?also becoming a major technology services hub. For all of us, it is a fascinating experience to participate in this impressive evolution."
-Josef M. Mueller
Chairman & CEO, Nestle (China) Ltd
"Source Code China provides an insightful touch with the reality of how China is reshaping the global market for offshore IT services."
-Prof. Dr. Dr. Klaus Wucherer
Executive Vice President, SIEMENS
"This is a must-read to understand IT outsourcing in China and its impact on the rest of the world."
-Dr. Andrew Lai
VP/GM, Global Delivery China Center, Hewlett-Packard Company;
International Economic Advisor to City Mayor of Chongqing, China;
IT Strategy Advisor, City Mayor of Chengdu, China
"In his book Source Code China, Mr. Eltschinger provides compelling reasons why any company can benefit from IT outsourcing to China, a country that is rapidly becoming the destination of choice for most enterprises."
-Charles Pau
Director, Globalization Architecture and Technology, IBM
"This book demonstrates China's credentials as the new hub of offshore IT services."
-Steve Little
Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, D.S.I., Schneider Electric
"Organizations not sourcing IT services from China are literally missing the boat. Mr. Eltschinger's book takes readers on an intellectual journey explaining how and why China is becoming the premier offshore destination for businesses all over the world. This is a must read for any business executive and I highly recommend you knock this one off your reading list immediately."
-David Etzler
Chief Executive Officer, OutsourceWorld
If you are not in China, you are really not in the game
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When everything goes right, you end up with high-quality software in half the time for a fraction of the cost. But over 50% of offshore outsourcing projects do not achieve their cost-saving goals or timelines . . . or just fail completely. The mistakes and missteps are costly and painful, but NOW you don't have to go there. This book shows you step-by-step how to make software development outsourcing work, from concept to completion.You'll discover how to:
* Choose the right vendor quickly and confidently
* Stay in control of your outsourced software development projects
* Achieve on-time, on-scope, and on-budget results
* Fiercely protect your intellectual property
* Decide when to create a subsidiary for even greater savings
SPECIAL BONUS: Take the FREE online Outsourcing Readiness Test (Plus many other free goodies, tools, and downloads on the book's website)
Join the thousands already outsourcing offshore. This book will help you every step of the way.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 : Deciding to Outsource
Chapter 2 : Where to Outsource
Chapter 3 : How to Select your Outsourcing Vendor
Chapter 4 : Offshoring, or Creating your Own Offshore Subsidiary
Chapter 5 : Describing your Software for Outsourcing
Chapter 6 : Controlling your Outsourced Software Development
Chapter 7 : Software Outsourcing Metrics
Chapter 8 : Protecting your Intellectual Property
Chapter 9 : Outsourcing your Quality Assurance
Chapter 10 : Five Situations Right for Outsourcing
Chapter 11 : The Future of Global Software Development
Appendix A : The Outsourcing Strategy Decision Matrix
Appendix B : The Outsourcing Readiness Test
Appendix C : Avoiding the Seven Deadly Dangers of Outsourcing
Inside-flaps:
Ready to Do It Right?
Whether the drive to outsource comes
from the top-down or bottom-up, it s
up to you to make it work. So if it s
your first time, or you just want to get it right this
time, look no further. This book is packed with
a fantastic wealth of insight, resources, and
actionable know-how waiting to help you succeed,
starting now.
Ask yourself:
Have I done what it takes
to prepare for offshoring?
If you re not sure, see Chapter 1.
Am I ready to select a vendor?
Before you do, check out Chapters 2 and 3,
and then review 3 Steps to Selecting a Vendor.
Is my software design ready
for outsourcing?
What, precisely, will your software do?
Have you done the architecting required?
What about schedules and a
reliable roadmap for releases?
Get it all together in Chapter 5.
Am I in control of this process?
Is the development process you re using
capable and mature? Got tabs on your team
and vendors? Is your code secure?
See Chapter 6.
Can I measure my results?
Check out the metrics used
by experts in Chapter 7.
And the answers keep coming. Whether you re
looking for technical guidelines, financial
justification, or a development process that will
stand up under pressure, Software without Borders
will save you valuable time.
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Outsourcing Software Development Offshore: Making It Work answers how to successfully evaluate an Offshore solution, how to avoid common pitfalls, how to confront security and geopolitical concerns, and how to handle issues related to displaced workers. The author applies considerable experience in the analysis of the financial growth of the Offshore industry, keys to success in initiating a program, choosing and managing vendors, risk mitigation, and employee impacts. A detailed program checklist outlines the steps for successful Offshore execution, providing real-world exposure and guidance to a movement that has become a fixture in the IT realm.
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In 2003, Goldman Sachs published a startling report on the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) region: These four countries would be larger than the G6 economics within 40 years, muscling their way to economic dominance over the coming decades, and powering past developed countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan. This book focuses on the technology and technology-enabled services that underpin this social and economic revolution. The editor analyses the reasons why these four countries are in a unique position to lead a 21st century growth in international services. He then features 12 chapters written by the most important chief executives from the BRICs service economy. Indian technology leaders, such as Nandan Nilekani (Infosys), Shiv Nadar (HCL), and Rajendra Pawar (NIIT), feature alongside their peers from Brazil, Russia, and China outlining their views on the next decade for offshoring.
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The rapidly developing new economies in China, India, Hungary, Vietnam, Costa Rica, Mexico, Brazil, etc., are at the crossroads of almost all major supply chains. In fact, these emerging economies are in fact growing faster than the established industrial economies of the world. However, given the physical, social and cultural characteristics of the emerging economies, managing supply chains there could be even more challenging than in developed economies. How can we manage supply chains well in emerging economies, coordinate information flows with multiple partners, tackle challenges such as unexpected disruptions, diversify the risks and increase flexibilities, be efficient but at the same time contribute to the social and environmental developments of these economies, and use supply chain concepts and practices to improve the economic welfare of these countries, such as basic infrastructure developments and disaster relief, are the topics and issues of the book.
Building Supply-Chain Excellence in Emerging Economies provides some insights on the answers to the above questions and will enable practitioners to gain insights on the developments, challenges and opportunities when operating supply chains in emerging economies. Innovative approaches are outlined and illustrated with examples of real-world experiences by progressive companies and thought leaders. We also hope that this collection will stimulate researchers to gain deeper understanding and develop methods in operating supply chains in emerging economies.
We have organized the book in three key sections. Global Supply Chain: General Strategies and Framework develops the overall framework in managing global supply chains and developing strategies. Supply Chain Management in Emerging Economies: Challenges and Opportunities describes the challenges and opportunities in supply chain management of emerging economies – the infrastructure constraints, the logistics inefficiencies, and limitations in service operations; and discusses how to create opportunities in such adverse conditions. Building Supply Chain Excellence: Innovations and Success Cases is devoted to a number of industrial cases that showcase innovative approaches to gain excellence, and share insights and lessons from such experiences.
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A day does not pass without a newspaper report about yet another company that has started outsourcing technology or other business processes to India. The Senate recently voted 70 to 26 in favor of preventing federal contracts going offshore, yet US managers continue to beat a path to India because it is the global leader for offshore IT-enabled services. Many CEOs seek to reduce their costs or improve service quality, but not many understand India on their first visit and some are confused by the culture.
In this book author Mark Kobayashi-Hillary introduces India and the major players in the Indian service industry. He offers a balanced view on the trend to outsource to India, describing the reasons why a business should utilize India as an offshore outsourcing destination and the steps needed to find and work with a local partner. Not only does the book make a compelling economic case for outsourcing to this region, it also discusses how to manage the entire transition process, including the potential impact on local resources.
Mark Kobayashi-Hillary is a British writer and independent outsourcing consultant based in London. He has worked at a senior level for several leading banking and technology groups and has been involved in managing outsourced relationships in the UK, Singapore and India. He is a regular commentator on India and outsourcing in the European press.
Outsourcing To India is written from personal experience and several years of research. This practical guide will help managers navigate through the offshore outsourcing maze, allowing them to avoid many of the major pitfalls others have faced when setting up shop in India.
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Outsourcing permeates the IT world and has had a profound impact on the work of IS professionals. Nearly all will, at some stage in their careers, work with outsourced services as customer or supplier. Elizabeth Sparrow's insights into the benefits and pitfalls of this complex area will help IS professionals tackle the challenges of outsourcing. Combining relevant background information with practical guidance this book covers the whole outsourcing process, from the initial decision to outsource through to managing the outsourced services on a day-to-day basis.
Successful IT Outsourcing considers:
- The objectives behind outsourcing
- The selection of a service provider
- The management and measurement of the performance of outsourced services
- The role of the outsourcing contract
- Why outsourcing sometimes fails and how to turn failure into successFeatures and Benefits:
- Describes the origins of IT outsourcing, and recent developments
- Examines the way in which an organization might determine whether to outsource and how it can choose a service provider
- Discusses how to develop effective outsourcing relationships
- Provides context and advice to assist IS professionals, whose work is being outsourced, as they consider their future careers and the possibility of transferring to a new employer
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A growing number of companies are opting to perform increasing types of professional services in foreign countries, creating, for some companies, unprecedented opportunities to reduce costs and nucleate strategic relationships, while, for others, representing a major threat to current prosperity. Outsourcing and Offshoring of Professional Services: Business Optimization in a Global Economy discusses the considerations and implications surrounding the outsourcing and offshoring of professional services, such as software development computer-aided design, and healthcare, from multiple global perspectives. This Premier Reference Source, offering industry professionals, policymakers, students, and educators with a balance between a broad overview and detailed analysis of offshore outsourcing, is an invaluable addition to academic, research, and corporate libraries.
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Global Information Technology Outsourcing In Search of Business Advantage Mary C. Lacity & Leslie P. Willcocks 'Lacity, and Willcocks have shown us again why they are the world's leading IT outsourcing gurus... the most comprehensive work on IT outsourcing to date.' Sara Cullen, National Partner, Australia Business Process Management, Deloitte Touche, Tohmatsu 'a valuable collection... readers will find here advice that premier consultants would deliver for a very large multiple of the price of this book.' Paul A. Strassmann, former CIO of General Foods, Kraft, Xerox and the US Department of Defense '(a). "must read" for anyone in search of a clear understanding of what information technology outsourcing is all about... absolutely no one should jump into outsourcing prior to taking advantage of the outstanding case studies outlined in this book.' Emmett Paige, President, OAO Corporation 'an excellent guide to successful outsourcing, the best I have read on the topic. It should be mandatory reading for any senior executive.' Gail Burke, Executive Director & CIO, Macquarie Bank, Australia 'crisp and concise. The studies selected for detailed presentation are excellent and the analysis... rings with credibility.' Rob Westcott, Vice President and CIO, General Motors Acceptance Corporation International Operations, UK 'Lacity and Willcocks have... unrivalled access to outsourcing deals across the globe... their new book... is a powerful synthesis of their learning (and) their chapter on risk management is a groundbreaking contribution. A vitally important business guide.' Richard Sykes, Chairman Morgan Chambers plc. - Europe's largest independent consultancy in IT services & business process sourcing 'Lacity and Willcocks tell it like it is and pull no punches... A must read for any organization contemplating outsourcing or trying to fix a broken outsourcing relationship... Planning for outsourcing, negotiating the deal, making the relationship work - it's all here.' Bob Young, Executive Director, South Australian Government Account, EDS (Electronic Data Systems) 'For those of us with a deep knowledge and experience of outsourcing, this book is required reading. For those who are just starting out on the journey, it is essential reading.' Robert White, CEO, Lucidus Management Technologies
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Information technology is one of the most common management functions to be outsourced. It is also one of the most complex. It is important to have a properly negotiated formal contract between yourself and the other party if you are entering into an outsourcing arrangement. A good contract needs careful planning and this book aims to provide a comprehensive guide to the whole process. It starts with structuring the contract and then covers services required, staff, location, software, costs, management liaison, allowing for change, security, duration, termination and other vital provisions. There is also advice relating to public procurement and choosing a supplier.
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Increasing numbers of businesses and Information Technology firms are outsourcing their software and Web development tasks. It is has been estimated that currently half of the Fortune 500 companies have utilized outsourcing for their development needs and estimates that by the end of 2008, 40% of U.S. companies will either develop, test, support, or store software overseas, with another 40% considering doing the same. Several industries, from computer software to telemarketing, have begun aggressively shifting white-collar work out of the United States. The United States currently accounts for more than half of worldwide spending on IT outsourcing, with a growing portion of this spending going to countries such as India, Russia, and the Philippines, and this trend will continue. Research has indicated that the primary problem is language because of idiomatic expressions and subtle cultural nuances associated with the use of particular words. Thus communication frequently breaks down when dealing with overseas companies.
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A global services revolution is taking the business world by storm, as India becomes the world’s back office provider. From call centers and claims processing to human resources, accounting and even legal operations, service jobs are migrating from the West to India by the thousand each year. While cost reduction is often the initial goal of "offshoring," What’s This India Business? clearly demonstrates its real value: increased quality and greater effectiveness. Rich in examples and expert advice, this nuts-and-bolts guide shows what it takes to surge ahead of market trends, build a sustainable new business model, and unleash the power of Indian businesspeople to gain an advantage. This is a practical guide to a dynamic country of a billion people with a complex culture and vibrant business environment, offering proven strategies for working positively with Indian businesses. Paul Davies takes you behind the scenes to show you how to select the right business partner from the myriad of Indian companies that all seem to present a similar face to the West. He takes you step-by-step through the planning and implementation stages, exposing the hidden costs and benefits, and carefully steering you away from the inherent dangers in offshoring. This straightforward insider’s guide is an entertaining introduction to the dynamic cultures of India as well as a challenging book for the new century.