One reason companies continue sending tasks overseas is because they are satisfied with the results.

Despite the challenges of moving IT, business process and contact center services to India, China and other

overseas locations, companies are satisfied with their offshore outsourcing initiatives, according to a new study by the Weissman Center for International Business at Baruch College and The Paaras Group.

The joint study was based on surveys and interviews with 38 global companies, mostly based in North America.

The survey found that momentum for offshoring is continuing unabated, especially as companies gain confidence and experience in their ability to manage offshore operations. The survey also found that offshoring delivered significant benefits to pioneers as well as newcomers in 2003, with companies able to improve quality while cutting costs.

"Despite protectionist backlash in the US and Europe, the offshoring wave has turned into a Tsunami - an inevitable outcome of globalization and economic integration," said Suresh Gupta, Managing Partner of The Paaras Group. "In fact, the leaders in offshoring are no longer focused solely on offshore opportunities. They have graduated to a broader model of 'global' or 'smart' sourcing, which combines multi-location, multi-vendor and both in-house as well as outsourced solutions for IT and business processing."

Key findings from the 2003 offshore outsourcing survey include:

* Satisfaction Levels are High The vast majority of companies (89%) moving IT, business       processes and contact center work offshore reported that they are satisfied with their       offshoring initiatives.

* It's Not Easy Knowledge transfer (76%) and internal commitment (76%) were identified as the       major challenges in launching offshore initiatives, which companies said need to be addressed       early on to ensure success. Many of the survey participants recommended hiring outside       services providers to help build consensus and bring 'best practice' experience.

* Cost Isn't the Only Driver Companies cited cost savings (94%) as the main goal of offshoring       in 2003, followed by accessing skilled resources (63%) and improving quality (51%).

* Program and Change Management are Keys to Success Most of the companies surveyed (85%) believe    that the establishment of a Program Management Office (PMO) provides the foundation for       offshoring success, with two-thirds (67%) stressing the importance of proactive communications       programs.

* 'Best Practice' Companies Prefer Global Sourcing to Offshoring Companies with significant       outsourcing experience have moved or are moving toward a strategy of multiple locations,             multiple vendors and a judicious blend of both in-sourced and outsourced models to minimize       risks and maximize flexibility.