A fewer number of Information Technology Outsourcing (ITO) mega-deals will occur in 2008, according to the Everest Research Institute, part of the Everest Group. A decline in the number and size of mega-deals, defined as contracts of $1 billion or more in total contract value, will instead result in a focus on existing mega-deal renewals and an increase in price competition by suppliers.

“A decline in mega-deals is likely irreversible any time soon as few Fortune 100 companies remain that could sign new mega contracts, said Ross Tisnovsky, Vice President of ITO Research at Everest Research Institute.

“Next year, we expect buyers will gain pricing benefits due to the pressure suppliers will have to grow signings and contend with increased competition for contract renewals. In the large enterprise market segment, comprised of Fortune 1000 companies, we also foresee long-term price decline in the Infrastructure Outsourcing (IO) market due to an influx of new suppliers and increased competition where the most opportunities for ITO exist,” continued Tisnovsky.

The Institute analyzed the market from the client point of view, to study how buyer-driven structural changes will affect the ITO market. The analysis examined the three basic ITO market segments: mega-deals, large enterprises, and small and medium business (SMB).

In addition to conclusions about a mega-deal decline, key findings of the study include:

• Relationship consolidation in large enterprises segment will present multiple improvement opportunities to buyers, enabling them to benefit from lower governance overhead and better prices.
• Labor arbitrage will continue to be a significant driver of value in ADM (application development and maintenance) and will continue penetrating Infrastructure Outsourcing (IO), resulting in increased competitive intensity and price pressure
• Increased market velocity (i.e., shorter durations and faster contract renewal cycles) will present buyers with more opportunities to renegotiate contracts and consider alternative suppliers.
• Despite multiple initiatives by numerous suppliers to expand into the SMB market, this market segment is likely to remain underserved and continue to be serviced by smaller suppliers with limited capabilities.

About this study

Find more on the Everest Research Institute report, "Information Technology Outsourcing Market", in an extract of the report at the Institute's outsourcing portal, the Outsoucing Center.

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