IDC on offshore outsourcing

Lower operation costs will continue to drive the offshore component of their businesses, which is set to rise from 5% in 2003 to 23% in 2007.

Services tasks that may be affected by offshore outsourcing include maintenance and support, implementation and operations--activities that IDC views as requiring low skills and that involve repeatability. Hardcore business work such as planning, IT education and training will remain relatively resilient against the offshore trend.