Codestone

Category: Support & Managed Services

More firms are said to be turning to outsourced IT as a way to make savings and improve efficiency in their day-to-day operations.

Martyn Hart, chairman of the National Outsourcing Association, told Computerweekly.com that the rise in popularity is largely the result of retailers turning to the process.

He suggested that high-street stores such as Tesco, Argos and Homebase have all splashed out on outsourced IT in the last year.

The expert noted there has been a 75 per cent hike in outsourcing in the retail sector within Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) over the last 12 months.

"This is due to major retail players seeking competitive advantage by adopting high-tech IT solutions and infrastructure upgrades. They are turning to outsourcing providers as a low risk route to superior technology," Mr Hart stated.

It was recently said by the National Audit Office that a £51 million investment in a platform for seven research councils that includes outsourcing IT work is not yet being managed correctly, but still has the potential to save money.

Posted by Jamie Rees