Outsourcing Big Data: Are you ready for it?

Big data is being talked about everywhere, but it still remains difficult to figure out if it has become more of a reality than just a hype. Stanton Jones, Technology analyst, ISG, was quoted as saying sometime back that Big data is the least mature of the 'Big four' emerging technologies, so its impact on outsourcing is also the least.

Even though currently in a very nascent stage, its impact on the sourcing industry is expected to gradually soar up. Especially on the back of growing skill requirements and complexities in handling big data operations, that often requires help from an expert service provider.

And to fill in the skill gaps, organizations are more likely to move to outsourcing. Outsourcing providers are thus seriously thinking about strengthening their big data capabilities.

According to Nasscom, Indian service providers have an edge in the big data race because of the vast talent pool that is more suitable to ana. Nasscom has predicted Big data to be worth $ 1.2B by 2015, around six fold of what it is currently. In a recent interaction, Partha De Sarkar, CEO, Hinduja Global Solutions, commented on the current state of big data demand in the industry. "We don't see Big data/analytics being leveraged that much. But that is the opportunity for service providers as interest and adoption is likely to go up. Despite a lot of hype around it, right now there isn't much happening on the analytics part right now. Clients are not asking for it and we are not providing it much."

The point experts are making here is that big data analytics will be based on talent arbitrage rather than cost arbitrage. But there lies another challenge. Because organizations want real time analysis, latency issues can restrict offshoring of big data. At the same time that also means a good opportunity for onshore and nearshore service providers, and Indian service providers with an onshore presence.