CICT uses IBM model in growing BPO industry
Posted on August 4th, 2008 | by Philippine Accounting Jobs |MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) is adopting an IBM framework in building further capability in service-oriented industries starting with business process outsourcing (BPO).
CICT secretary Ray Anthony Roxas-Chua III earlier said in an industry forum that the commission will adopt IBM’s service science management and engineering (or SSME) in developing high-value BPO services.
IBM defines SSME as a multi-disciplinary academic and research approach that integrates more established areas like computer science, operations research, engineering, business and management.
In the context of BPO, the goal is to group together stakeholders such as business and government with the research and academic community.
It isn’t a novel approach — and one that is already pursued by the CICT — but what IBM wants to achieve includes doing research work that would give the industry insights about best practices or what other processes it can deliver as outsourced services.
CICT will also pilot an SSME course designed by IBM and likewise endorse it to other universities. IBM, meanwhile, will be sending academic experts to teach “master classes” in the country.
The concept of SSME was originated by IBM three years ago, and the curriculum saw contribution from a hundred partner universities worldwide, according to Alejandro Melchor III, IBM Philippines governmental programs executive.
“What seems to be emerging is that CICT wants to create scholarship programs around SSME and have enough funding that should be able to make it a prestigious program that allow further research studies overseas,” Melchor said in an interview with INQUIRER.net.
Basically, he said IBM wants to transfer best practices in its research and development or R&D capabilities when it comes to technology, to service-oriented industries like outsourcing. The Philippines is a logical choice for IBM since the US giant runs offshore BPO operations from here.
By adopting SSME, Melchor believes it will help the country cultivate existing advantages over outsourcing rivals India and China. “We have the opportunity to do this now and to do it right,” he said.