Definition of Outsourcing
Outsourcing is a business practice of delegating specific tasks, functions, or processes to another company, usually based on a contractual agreement. The goal of outsourcing is to leverage external expertise, reduce costs, risks, or improve efficiency. Typically, outsourcing involves secondary and support processes and functions. This allows the company to focus on its core business activities while the external provider takes care of the support services..
- Entire functions, operational areas or services are transferred to an external provider.
- Usually managed as a service (SLA)
Examples of outsourcing
- HR functions to a third-party provider (e.g., payroll, recruiting)
- IT Maintenance
- Building cleaning services
Why companies use outsourcing?
- For services that the company does not want to provide on its own
- When they want to focus on their core business.
- When they want to leverage the professional experience of the supplier.
- When they want to transfer risks to the supplier.
How Aptien Helps With Outsourcing
Aptien, as a work management software can significantly enhance the efficiency, organization, and oversight of outsourcing by streamlining communication, task tracking, and resource management between the business and the external service providers. Here’s how it helps:
- Assign and track IT tickets to your vendors
- Monitor the provider’s resolution times against SLAs.
- Share secure system access or documentation
Vendor Relationship Management
- Stores and organizes information about outsourced suppliers, including contracts, SLAs, and activity history.
- Centralized supplier management in one place.
- All supplier information in one location.
- Improved communication with suppliers - a collaboration platform through comments, notifications, and document sharing.
- Eliminates misunderstandings and keeps everyone on the same page without relying on disjointed tools like email.
Automation of orders and tickets with suppliers.
- Automates repetitive processes such as invoice approvals or status update requests.
- Reduces administrative burden and maintains consistent outsourcing workflows.
Document and data sharing via extranet.
- Enables secure sharing of files, contracts, and sensitive information.
- Ensures seamless and secure transfer of necessary resources to external providers without the risk of data breaches.
Performance and contract compliance tracking.
- Monitors key metrics, milestones, and deadlines for outsourced functions.
- Ensures that external providers meet SLAs (Service Level Agreements) and agreed-upon benchmarks.