A Gartner report notes that while other IT services segments feel the impact of the economic downturn, the BPO market will continue to show healthy growth. The study has estimated the worldwide BPO market to grow 10.5 per cent to $122 billion, up from $110 billion in 2002.

With enterprises attempting to focus their investments on core business processes and looking increasingly at outsourcing non-core business processes, the early adopters of such services stand to gain by continually expanding their relationships to include new process areas, new technology and by creating opportunities for outsourcing the entire lines of products and services, such as online payroll, online benefits administration, online order management and online transaction processing.

A growing market underscores recognition of BPO's value. Providers of BPO services report healthy demand and rapid market growth, while almost all leading companies are either using or considering BPO to achieve both tactical and strategic objectives. Much of this growth has been achieved through globalization - with outsourcing services being provided at remote locations virtually anywhere on the globe.

Companies are using BPO to reach a wide range of goals. BPO was once viewed primarily as a way of reducing expenses. Today, enterprises are leveraging BPO services to achieve productivity gains, shorten innovation cycles, enhance customer relationships and enter new markets.

Episource, a US company with global processing centers in India, is rapidly emerging as a trend setter in the BPO space. Episource with its deep industry knowledge and process expertise provides innovative, cost-effective outsourcing solutions based on specific client needs.

Thus, ITES services, as BPO is called today, is an industry which has potential for immense growth over the short, medium and long term, with significant development and career growth opportunities.