Infosys-Oracle Blog

Knowledge process outsourcing(KPO) may be defined as outsourcing of  high added value process  where the achievement of objectives is dependent on the skills, domain knowledge and experience of the people carrying out the activity. It is being claimed that KPO is one step extension of BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) which is outsourcing of low value added services to a partner company.

Is it possible for a Hi-Tech company to outsource high value added and critical processes like Design, manufacture of critical components, etc. to global outsourced partners to achieve business benefits? Let's look at what are pre requisites for this and the pros and cons of this and evaluate.

Continue reading "Feasibility of "KPO" Outsourcing of High Value Added Manufacturing Processes in Hi-Tech Companies" »

Posted by K N Harilal at 09:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In recent times Hi-Tech companies have increasingly looking to outsource substantial portion of their manufacturing to vendors in developing nations like India, China, ec. to uncover substantial reduction in costs. This outsourcing  helps the companies to improve competitiveness and profitability and to some extent even helps in making the Hi-Tech companies operations viable in the marketplace.

Continue reading "Innovation through Outsourcing in HiTech Companies..Is it Achievable?" »

Posted by K N Harilal at 09:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Further to my earlier post on managing expectation from MDM implementation – we will discuss on some of the best practices for Master Data Management (MDM).

A company decide on going for a MDM program - what are the first steps to be taken to ensure a successful implementation of the program.

Continue reading "MDM Best Practices – The first steps" »

Posted by Krithivasan S at 08:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I read about Oracle’s acquisition of Sun; a move which had been preempted and discussed after IBM’s failed attempt to acquire Sun few months earlier. And then the obvious question “ Why Sun” ?

As per my understanding, Oracle acquired Sun for open standard Java language , a backbone of various applications and mobile phone related software . The second reason is Solaris on which a high number of Oracle database runs. Also a significant chunk of Sun’s revenue comes from maintenance services( around 40%) , a revenue stream which Oracle cannot ignore and which means Sun’s hardware business is still going to remain(though Hardware is considered to be a low margin business). And should we account of Sun’s customer base too..

Continue reading "Oracle's vertical integration - A move towards Cloud Computing ?" »

Posted by Amandeep Singh Syali at 08:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Master Data Management (MDM) helps in managing your product or customer master more effectively and efficiently. MDM ensures data consistency across various disparate systems used in any enterprise. This is not a one-time process but a continuous journey. MDM acts as hub of your product or customer master and all other front-end applications subscribe to this hub. This hub acts as a middleware application for all front- end applications.

Let us start our journey of implementing Master Data Management:

Continue reading "Master Data Management – A Lifelong Journey!" »

Posted by Krithivasan S at 05:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

In the tough recession phase, an upgrade to R12 EBS can reduce cycle times and streamline the core business flows. The core OM features like MOAC help in providing a shared services model. For most of your OM needs, R12 brings ways to bridge those gaps. The complex business processes can be well managed using R12.

Oracle R12 is a major release with large number of enhanced functional capabilities. With significant changes to architecture and technology, this release is recognized as the "global business release".
Thinking of R12 upgrade should no more be a question. Join the R12 journey and feel the difference.

Posted by vikas khurana at 11:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Continue reading "Detail Design phase - Speed to Market Strategy" »

Posted by Krithivasan S at 10:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Continue reading "Speed-to-Market - Get it Right for your Business" »

Posted by Krithivasan S at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Impact due to reducing product lifecycles and the need for speed and collaboration

In this Era of Innovation,the latest gadget becomes obsolete within no time. Better products come to market at cheaper prices and/or with higher value. The result is shorter product lifecycles.

The main effects of shorter lifecycles are:

• Need for New Product Introduction(NPI) at shorter intervals – speed to market is the only way to beat the competition
• Focus on cost effective / high value products
• Innovation in processes

The key enabler to achieve the above is

• More collaboration between stake holders.

Continue reading "Beat the competition with speed to market" »

Posted by Krithivasan S at 08:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today’s global environment has placed increased pressure on Hi-Tech manufacturers to become more competitive and profitable. Global outsourcing activities have increased in importance and have increasingly emerged as a key strategic tool in achieving cost reduction, quality and delivery improvement, cycle time reduction, and improved responsiveness to customer, competitive, and financial market demands. It is estimated that a well planned and executed global outsourcing strategy can result in a cost savings differential of 15 to 25 percent when compared to manufacturing inhouse.

Using external suppliers to design, manufacture, ship and service products or components  - has been a growing trend in recent years as Hi-Tech manufacturers have sought, among other things, to divest themselves of production capacity (and the inherent risks associated with owning capital equipment), lower their labor costs and maintain greater flexibility in the face of ever-shrinking product lifecycles.

Continue reading "Importance of Outsourcing to provide flexibility to Hi-Tech Manufacturers" »

Posted by K N Harilal at 08:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Engineering and design occupies an important role in most Hi-Tech companies due to mounting business pressure on R&D and product development functions. This is due to increasing demand for innovative feature-rich products accompanied by shrinking product life cycles and decreasing prices for the improved products. Thus there is a need for the PLM software to collaborate and communicate with a wide range of users beyond the Engineering department within and outside the company.

Continue reading "Need for expansion of Product Life cycle Management (PLM) beyond engineering to users across the company and its extended enterprise" »

Posted by K N Harilal at 05:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (0)

Continue reading "Innovation through Collaboration: Addressing Flat World Challenges in the Hi-Tech Industry" »

Posted by Chandra Shekar Kakal at 06:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Greetings from OOW - SF, USA

 With so much going on - its hard to find time to stop and type:

• Newly announced Oracle business units
• Aggressive solution development plans to address industry whitespace
• Larry's keynote later today...

Last night our own Kakal (ES Head) presented his Hi-Tech Leaders Circle keynote:  "Innovation Through Collaboration" - showcasing Infy thought leadership in what is arguably the most intensely competitive crucible today: the fickle, product-centric hi-tech marketplace.  In the end, hi-tech companies that combine traditional and emergent technologies will be better positioned to create competitive advantage in the flattening world.  Over 100 senior executives (a who's who of hi-tech) were present to hear these key messages - and did you note the big announcement by one of our key Oracle clients, Cisco?  Collaboration tools (Jabber, Webex, etc) are expanding their markets ---immediate proof points that we are riding and defining the front edge of the next wave.

Our leadership hosted over 150 Infy clients, partners, and team members from around the globe to celebrate and thank all for the exceptional dedication and effort that has resulted in a thriving Oracle professional services powerhouse here at Infy and most importantly driven our clients success.  Both Srinath Batni and Kakal warmly welcomed and thanked the group, and we enjoyed a brief respite from the hectic schedule of the conference to reflect on past, present, and future.

Back to Day 3 - the always engaging Larry Ellison will deliver the keynote today - watch for one final show update tomorrow before we pack up and head back to the field.

Chris

Posted by Christopher Spangler at 04:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Greetings from OOW 2008!  We are finally here in SF and the show is underway.

Key Themes

Green - Oracle has gone all out on the Green Theme:  a Marketplace, targeted sessions, a green fashion show (?),  and of course the mandatory green social events.  Reference the earlier blogs on this topic - sustainability and "green" is here to stay on the agenda.

Election - A LOT of people are talking about the election and its potential impact on their business - James Carville and Mary Matalin gave last nights keynote.  Their comments and insights effectively lead to the conclusion that the younger demographic and turnout will likely drive the outcome...but of course anything can happen between now and November.

Economy - in case you missed it this week, the economy is undergoing tectonic plate shifts.  Nearly everyone here wants to know "have you seen anything change".  Interestingly, I met someone from the IMF who is busily working away on a large transformation program...guess THEY don't have a liquidity issue!

Today has US swimming phenom Michael Phelps on tap, and day filled with over 15 Infy-sponsored meetings with customers, prospects, and Oracle.  Time for a quick run and off to Moscone -

Chris

Posted by Christopher Spangler at 02:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Last week when I was in Kansas City presenting a paper at the 2008 APICS International Conference, I had an interesting observation. There was a tremendous emphasis on Sustainability. We talk about Lean Supply Chain but companies were one step ahead discussing Green Supply Chain. Initially I had dismissed it as another fad but I was amazed at the commitment more so in the High Tech Domain.

Continue reading "Going Green" »

Posted by Sandeep Chatterjee at 06:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In his classic best-seller ‘The Goal’, Eliyahu M. Goldratt discusses about the three fundamental ways of making money for a going concern namely,

1. Increase throughput (the rate at which the system generates money through sales)  
2. Reduce Inventory (all the money that system has invested in purchasing things which it intends to sells)
3. Reduce Operational expenses (all the money the system spends in order to turn inventory into throughput)

    

Continue reading "Collaboration: The way forward for High Tech Industry" »

Posted by Sandeep Chatterjee at 06:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)