Partial IT outsourcing is being used by healthcare providers

May 21st, 2013 by Rahul Jain Comments »

Healthcare operators are turning to partial IT outsourcing as they seek greater control over their growing IT demands.

A new report – IT Outsourcing 2013: Who Can Help with Rising IT Pressures? – has been released by KLAS. The study looks at the changes being introduced by providers in order to improve efficiency.outsourcing4

Application management and help desk resourcing remain two of the main functions that organisations in the healthcare sector are increasingly outsourcing, but disaster recovery and security are also increasingly being moved.

Vendor performance scores have, however, dropped noticeably in the past two years – demonstrating that providers’ needs are no longer being met, showing outsourcing firms need to do more to increase customer interest.

Erik Westerlind, report author and research director at KLAS, said: “Providers are really looking to IT outsourcing to assist them with their IT strategies, more than they have in the past. Most of the activity is seen in partial IT outsourcing with some movement in extensive IT outsourcing.

“This report will really shed light on which vendors are positioning themselves to help providers navigate the IT demands that stem from the federal government’s initiatives.”

One positive aspect of partial outsourcing is that it allows companies to siphon off certain difficult to manage IT functions to specialists, while at the same time retaining overall control.

It is not just the healthcare sector that recognises the value of outsourcing, with London Gatwick airport also making a push. As it plans to expand, the airport has taken the decision to outsource the company’s IT service desk and service management systems.

It hopes the move will cut down on the problems it has previously experienced had dealing with the disparate nature of in-airport clients, as it seeks to introduce a more centralised structure that will improve efficiency in the long run.

Source:http://www.ihotdesk.co.uk/article/801587471/Partial-IT-outsourcing-is-being-used-by-healthcare-providers#axzz2Tur3KnAY

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Indian IT and outsourcing company opens delivery center in Frisco

May 21st, 2013 by Rahul Jain Comments »

Mumbai, India-based Hexaware Technologies Limited has opened a new center in Frisco to deliver IT, outsourcing and consulting services to clients in North Texas, the company announced today.
outsourcing3
Hexaware said it plans to hire 150 engineers.

Hexaware’s North American operations are based in New Jersey. As part of its growth, the company also opened two similar delivery centers in New Jersey.

At its North Texas center, Hexaware said it will focus on clients in the banking and financial services sectors, which is one of the fastest growing verticals for the company.

Source:http://bizbeatblog.dallasnews.com/2013/05/indian-it-and-outsourcing-company-opens-delivery-center-in-frisco.html/

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Coaliton may embrace IT outsourcing: report

May 21st, 2013 by Rahul Jain Comments »

Tech industry leaders are expecting a Coalition government to embrace IT outsourcing like never before in a bid to reduce operating costs.

According to The Australian Financial Review, the strategy is not new but hasn’t been aggressively pursued by the government. Indian IT companies like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Mahindra Satyam, Infosys, Wipro and HCL have largely missed out on Australian government tenders due to a pervading fear among the public service that they may end up replacing local jobs.outsourcing2

However, this approach may change when it comes into power and attempts to find $75 billion worth in savings.

To this point, the director of Sydney-based outsourcing specialist Mindfields, Mohit Sharma told the AFR that the Australian government spends comparatively more than both the British and US governments due to inability to harness IT outsourcing.

Source:http://www.businessspectator.com.au/news/2013/5/21/technology/coaliton-may-embrace-it-outsourcing-report

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How India’s IT Outsourcing Leaders Can Stay on Top

May 21st, 2013 by Rahul Jain Comments »

The double-digit growth rates of Indian IT service providers have long been the envy of their Western counterparts. But as the offshore outsourcing market matures, India’s outsourcers will have to move beyond the lower level IT work that got them where they are today.

Indian IT service providers grew at a combined annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32 percent between 2005 and 2008 compared to just 7 percent for Western outsourcers, according to outsourcing consultancy and research firm Information Services Group (ISG).outsourcing1

In the last three years, growth has slowed. Between 2009 and 2012, Western providers delivered just a 0.4 percent CAGR while Indian outsourcers fell to 16 percent, according to ISG.

[Related: 9 IT Outsourcing Trends to Watch in 2013]

“[Indian provider] growth is now slowing since they have begun to reach high levels of market penetration,” says Sid Pai, partner and president for ISG Asia Pacific, says, “so the onus on them is to find ways to continue progressing by expanding into solutions and industry-focused software products.”

While Indian companies continue to outperform their Western equivalents, a sluggish IT outsourcing market overall could start take its toll one some India providers this year.

“[That will] drive down margins further as competition gets even more intense,” says Phil Fersht, president of IT outsourcing analyst firm HfS Research, which is predicting a slight 3.5 percent growth in IT services deals in 2013. “We may even see one [Indian provider] post negative growth in this slowing market.”

“Ongoing margin pressure and an increasingly competitive environment will make it difficult to maintain even those reduced growth rates,” says John Keppel, partner and president for ISG North Europe. “For India-heritage providers, changes in strategy — some subtle and some not so subtle — are required.”

Firms that continue to focus on transactional low-end, low cost work may miss out on the next wave of IT services investment. “The market trend towards smaller deals and multi-sourcing is moving some business away from commodity offshore-based models, towards niche players as well as onshore-based models,” says Rakesh Bhatia, senior associate of outsourcing consultancy Pace Harmon.

“It’s time for these providers to make the necessary investments to continue their growth journey,” says Fersht, “or they can start to look at some rather interesting case studies of providers in the Western world who failed to keep up with the times.”

Indian IT outsouring service providers should take this six steps to ensure continued growth:

1. Hire IT Expertise Abroad

Indian firms need to up their consulting and domain specific expertise, says Atul Vashistha, CEO of offshoring consultancy Neo Advisory. And they’ll have to look outside India for that.

“The India-heritage Tier 1 [providers] have recognized that growth of some of their highly commoditized services is threatened and they are dealing with it in various ways,” says Bhatia. “They are growing their non-Indian employee base at a faster rate and performing strategic acquisitions outside India to reduce the leakage of their business to smaller onshore competitors.”

“The future is going to be less about selling the low-end work, but the more complex IT-enabled business processes that are specific to industries. Hence, the investments the providers need to make are going to be in more consultative talent and specific technology IP,” says Fersht of HfS Research. “And you can’t find all of that for cheap rates in a third-tier Indian city.”

2. Crack the Public Sector

Protectionist legislation will continue to inhibit India’s growth in public sector IT outsourcing, but some opportunities exist. “Public sector contracts are large, complex deals are expensive to win, but they are also sticky and profitable,” says ISG’s Keppel.

3. Spend That Cash

Some Indian providers are setting aside significant portions of their reserves to invest in newer, less commoditized IT services–those that sit at the intersection of IT and the business or incorporate social, mobile, analytics, or cloud computing, says Bhatia.

4. Embrace Automation

Indian providers must break the mold of linear growth that requires greater investment in full-time employees in order to increase revenues, says Fersht of HfS Research. “This means more investments in automation and business platforms that can increase work volumes without increasing staff numbers.

5. Sell to New CXOs

Indian providers looking for new business ought to look beyond the CIO’s office. “Taking leadership positions in newer trending areas is giving them the ability to expand their footprint at existing clients by selling services outside of the CIO’s organization,” says Bhatia.

6. Go BPO

Business process outsourcing, IT outsourcing’s younger cousin, remains a higher-growth area. India currently holds about 36 percent of the market, according to ISG, leaving plenty more to acquire. “Sustained growth will require not just success but dominance of the BPO market,” says ISG’s Keppel.

Source:http://www.cio.com.au/article/462387/how_india_it_outsourcing_leaders_can_stay_top/?fp=4&fpid=4

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ISoftStone revenues increase 11.0% in Q1

May 20th, 2013 by Harsimran Pal Singh Comments »
China-based IT services provider iSoftStone said first quarter 2013 net revenues increased 11.0 percent year-over-year to USD 95.9 million from USD 86.3 million. The gross profit increased 11.1 percent to USD 30.9 million from USD 27.8 million. Net income decreased 9.9 percent to USD 3.0 million from USD 3.3 million. Non-GAAP net income decreased 23.8 percent to USD 5.6 million from USD 7.3 million. Diluted earnings per American Depositary Share (ADS) were USD 0.05, down from ADS 0.06. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per ADS were USD 0.10, down from USD 0.12.
Cost of revenues increased 11.0 percent to USD 65.0 million from USD 58.6 million. Operating expenses increased 12.7 percent to USD 26.4 million from USD 23.4 million. Income from operations increased 8.1 percent to USD 4.4 million from USD 4.1 million. Income tax expense was USD 0.3 million, down from USD 0.7 million. On 31 March 2013, the company had a cash balance of USD 99.9 million. Capital expenditures were USD 1.7 million.
Net revenues from IT services declined 0.6 percent to USD 57.5 million from USD 57.9 million. Net revenues from Consulting and Solutions increased 31.5 percent to USD 33.6 million from USD 25.6 million. Net revenues from business process outsourcing (BPO) services increased 61.8 percent to USD 4.7 million from USD 2.9 million.
Net revenues in Greater China increased 27.8 percent to USD 65.8 million from USD 51.4 million. Net revenues from US clients decreased 13.2 percent to USD 19.3 million from USD 22.2 million. Net revenues from European clients decreased 9.5 percent to USD 5.2 million from USD 5.8 million. Net revenues from Japanese clients decreased 23.8 percent.
Net revenues from technology clients declined 6.1 percent to USD 23.4 million from USD 24.9 million. Net revenues from communications clients increased 2.6 percent to USD 33.8 million from USD 32.9 million. Net revenues from BFSI increased 18.7 percent to USD 18.7 million from USD 15.8 million. Net revenues from energy, transportation and public sector clients increased 82.2 percent to USD 14.2 million from USD 7.8 million. Net revenues from all other industries increased to USD 5.8 million from USD 5.0 million.
For the second quarter 2013, the company expects net revenues to be at least USD 108 million. Net income is projected to be a minimum of USD 4.8 million. Non-GAAP net income is expected to be at least USD 8 million and non-GAAP diluted earnings per ADS are to be a minimum of USD 0.14. For the year 2013, the company expects net revenues to be at least USD 467 million. Net income is projected to be at least USD 28 million. Non-GAAP net income is expected to be a minimum of USD 41 million and non-GAAP diluted earnings per ADS are expected to be at least USD 0.68.

China-based IT services provider iSoftStone said first quarter 2013 net revenues increased 11.0 percent year-over-year to USD 95.9 million from USD 86.3 million. The gross profit increased 11.1 percent to USD 30.9 million from USD 27.8 million. Net income decreased 9.9 percent to USD 3.0 million from USD 3.3 million. Non-GAAP net income decreased 23.8 percent to USD 5.6 million from USD 7.3 million. Diluted earnings per American Depositary Share (ADS) were USD 0.05, down from ADS 0.06. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per ADS were USD 0.10, down from USD 0.12.

Cost of revenues increased 11.0 percent to USD 65.0 million from USD 58.6 million. Operating expenses increased 12.7 percent to USD 26.4 million from USD 23.4 million. Income from operations increased 8.1 percent to USD 4.4 million from USD 4.1 million. Income tax expense was USD 0.3 million, down from USD 0.7 million. On 31 March 2013, the company had a cash balance of USD 99.9 million. Capital expenditures were USD 1.7 million.

5

Net revenues from IT services declined 0.6 percent to USD 57.5 million from USD 57.9 million. Net revenues from Consulting and Solutions increased 31.5 percent to USD 33.6 million from USD 25.6 million. Net revenues from business process outsourcing (BPO) services increased 61.8 percent to USD 4.7 million from USD 2.9 million.

Net revenues in Greater China increased 27.8 percent to USD 65.8 million from USD 51.4 million. Net revenues from US clients decreased 13.2 percent to USD 19.3 million from USD 22.2 million. Net revenues from European clients decreased 9.5 percent to USD 5.2 million from USD 5.8 million. Net revenues from Japanese clients decreased 23.8 percent.

Net revenues from technology clients declined 6.1 percent to USD 23.4 million from USD 24.9 million. Net revenues from communications clients increased 2.6 percent to USD 33.8 million from USD 32.9 million. Net revenues from BFSI increased 18.7 percent to USD 18.7 million from USD 15.8 million. Net revenues from energy, transportation and public sector clients increased 82.2 percent to USD 14.2 million from USD 7.8 million. Net revenues from all other industries increased to USD 5.8 million from USD 5.0 million.

For the second quarter 2013, the company expects net revenues to be at least USD 108 million. Net income is projected to be a minimum of USD 4.8 million. Non-GAAP net income is expected to be at least USD 8 million and non-GAAP diluted earnings per ADS are to be a minimum of USD 0.14. For the year 2013, the company expects net revenues to be at least USD 467 million. Net income is projected to be at least USD 28 million. Non-GAAP net income is expected to be a minimum of USD 41 million and non-GAAP diluted earnings per ADS are expected to be at least USD 0.68.

Source:http://www.telecompaper.com/news/isoftstone-revenues-increase-110-in-q1–944219

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Newtown offers lower lease rates

May 20th, 2013 by Harsimran Pal Singh Comments »
AS lease and labor rates rise due to a high demand for office space, an official of a real estate developing firm believes locations outside main city centers will be an attractive prospect for firms seeking to relocate or set up shop to cut costs.
Megaworld Corp. first vice president for business development and leasing Jericho Go said their Mactan Newtown project in Lapu-Lapu City is an ideal alternative, as lease rates are lower than those in Manila and in some areas of Cebu City.
He said many companies are seeking to move out of Manila to cut rent and labor costs.
He pointed out that if office spaces are leased at similar rates with spaces in Manila, it would defeat the purpose of a company choosing Cebu as a potential site.
He said he would not be surprised if companies located in Cebu City decide to transfer to the Mactan Newtown.
Go was in Cebu to show support to their tenants in Mactan Newtown. He announced that their company will hold a job fair on June 1 offering 5,000 positions in sales,
hospitality, administrative, human resources and business process outsourcing.
“The event is part of our commitment to job generation for Lapu-Lapu City and the entire province of Cebu. Along with our corporate partners, we are excited to get the best talents of Cebu to work here and enjoy the township lifestyle that Megaworld has to offer in the Mactan Newtown,” he said.
Among the companies offering positions are their first tenants, Enfra USA and Results Manila, which are both occupying four levels of their first office building, the One World Center. The One World Center’s 6,000 square meters of office space is fully occupied.
They are in the process of completing their second office tower, the Two World Center.
It is due to for completion by the first half of 2014 and will have 7,247 square meters of gross leasable space.
Go said both companies have expressed expansion plans and are aggressive in hiring new and veteran talents in the BPO industry.
Aside from their tenants, Megaworld itself is searching for sales and marketing staff for Cebu. Their partner company Resorts World Manila will also participate in the event to search for hospitality workers to work at their hotels.
Go said workers in this field can “broaden their horizons” in Resorts World Manila and their experience there could pave the way for positions in Cebu. Though no plans have been made yet, Go said they are open to the possibility of opening a Resorts World location Cebu, should the landscape prove favorable for such a venture.
Resorts World Manila will be adding Hilton and Sheraton branches in their complex, as well as condotel brands the Savoy and Belmont.
Another company participating in the job fair is Golden Arches Development Corp., master franchise of McDonald’s Philippines.
Go said the job fair is their way of helping their tenants get the workers they need. It will also help them fill up the office spaces they are leasing.
He added that the Mactan Newtown serves as a way to provide opportunities for BPO work outside of the main city.
To attract more participation for the job fair, Go said they will be providing free shuttle services from Cebu City and from the Marina Mall to the Mactan Newtown.
In Luzon, Megaworld developments hold offices for some 100 BPO tenants. Go said they have been advising big companies of the good potential for expansion in Cebu.
The Mactan Newtown consists of 20 hectares and has been declared a mixed-use special economic zone for technology, tourism and retirement. The P20 billion development is one of two Megaworld projects in the Visayas.
Their P25-billion Iloilo Business Park is 72 hectares and is their largest landholding. Construction of three BPO buildings, hotel and convention center is ongoing, which they expect will “cement their leadership as the country’s top BPO landlord.”

AS lease and labor rates rise due to a high demand for office space, an official of a real estate developing firm believes locations outside main city centers will be an attractive prospect for firms seeking to relocate or set up shop to cut costs.

Megaworld Corp. first vice president for business development and leasing Jericho Go said their Mactan Newtown project in Lapu-Lapu City is an ideal alternative, as lease rates are lower than those in Manila and in some areas of Cebu City.

He said many companies are seeking to move out of Manila to cut rent and labor costs.

He pointed out that if office spaces are leased at similar rates with spaces in Manila, it would defeat the purpose of a company choosing Cebu as a potential site.

He said he would not be surprised if companies located in Cebu City decide to transfer to the Mactan Newtown.

Go was in Cebu to show support to their tenants in Mactan Newtown. He announced that their company will hold a job fair on June 1 offering 5,000 positions in sales, hospitality, administrative, human resources and business process outsourcing.

“The event is part of our commitment to job generation for Lapu-Lapu City and the entire province of Cebu. Along with our corporate partners, we are excited to get the best talents of Cebu to work here and enjoy the township lifestyle that Megaworld has to offer in the Mactan Newtown,” he said.

Among the companies offering positions are their first tenants, Enfra USA and Results Manila, which are both occupying four levels of their first office building, the One World Center. The One World Center’s 6,000 square meters of office space is fully occupied.

They are in the process of completing their second office tower, the Two World Center.

It is due to for completion by the first half of 2014 and will have 7,247 square meters of gross leasable space.

Go said both companies have expressed expansion plans and are aggressive in hiring new and veteran talents in the BPO industry.

Aside from their tenants, Megaworld itself is searching for sales and marketing staff for Cebu. Their partner company Resorts World Manila will also participate in the event to search for hospitality workers to work at their hotels.

Go said workers in this field can “broaden their horizons” in Resorts World Manila and their experience there could pave the way for positions in Cebu. Though no plans have been made yet, Go said they are open to the possibility of opening a Resorts World location Cebu, should the landscape prove favorable for such a venture.

Resorts World Manila will be adding Hilton and Sheraton branches in their complex, as well as condotel brands the Savoy and Belmont.

Another company participating in the job fair is Golden Arches Development Corp., master franchise of McDonald’s Philippines.

Go said the job fair is their way of helping their tenants get the workers they need. It will also help them fill up the office spaces they are leasing.

He added that the Mactan Newtown serves as a way to provide opportunities for BPO work outside of the main city.

To attract more participation for the job fair, Go said they will be providing free shuttle services from Cebu City and from the Marina Mall to the Mactan Newtown.

In Luzon, Megaworld developments hold offices for some 100 BPO tenants. Go said they have been advising big companies of the good potential for expansion in Cebu.

The Mactan Newtown consists of 20 hectares and has been declared a mixed-use special economic zone for technology, tourism and retirement. The P20 billion development is one of two Megaworld projects in the Visayas.

Their P25-billion Iloilo Business Park is 72 hectares and is their largest landholding. Construction of three BPO buildings, hotel and convention center is ongoing, which they expect will “cement their leadership as the country’s top BPO landlord.”

Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2013/05/20/newtown-offers-lower-lease-rates-283219

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Accenture to Strengthen Digital Marketing and eCommerce Capabilities with Acquisition of Acquity Group

May 20th, 2013 by Harsimran Pal Singh Comments »
Accenture and Acquity Group Ltd. (NYSE MKT: AQ) have entered into a definitive agreement under which Accenture will acquire Acquity Group, a leading digital marketing and eCommerce company. The acquisition will further strengthen and expand the broad range of digital marketing services that Accenture provides to clients.
“The acquisition of Acquity Group will expand our capabilities in key areas of digital marketing and eCommerce, complementing our strengths in strategy, analytics, scaled technology enablement and marketing operations.”
Accenture has agreed to pay $13.00 per outstanding American Depositary Share, each of which represents two ordinary shares ($6.50 per ordinary share), or a total of approximately $316 million, in cash for Acquity Group. The acquisition is subject to Acquity Group shareholder approval as well as other customary closing conditions.
Acquity Group provides strategy, digital marketing, and technical services to hundreds of companies to enhance their brand experiences and eCommerce performance. The acquisition will broaden Accenture’s own services in these areas, which the company provides through Accenture Interactive, its group that offers chief marketing officers (CMOs) and brand leaders a comprehensive suite of marketing, technology and analytics solutions to help them improve their marketing performance.
The addition of Acquity Group’s skills and capabilities in eCommerce and leading digital platforms such as Adobe and hybris, supported by Accenture’s industry depth and global delivery capability, will help Accenture Interactive further address the most pressing needs of today’s CMO in the midst of a digital transformation in marketing.
Acquity Group is the second-largest independent digital marketing company in the United States. It has grown rapidly in recent years, with revenues of $141 million for 2012, an increase of 32 percent over 2011. Once the acquisition is complete, Acquity Group’s more than 600 employees are expected to join Accenture Interactive.
“Chief marketing officers and brand leaders are looking for a new type of service provider that can blend the creative process with analytics and enabling technologies to engage consumers and deliver compelling user experiences across channels,�?? said Brian Whipple, global managing director of Accenture Interactive. “The acquisition of Acquity Group will expand our capabilities in key areas of digital marketing and eCommerce, complementing our strengths in strategy, analytics, scaled technology enablement and marketing operations.�??
Chris Dalton, CEO of Acquity Group, said, “As one of the pioneers in eCommerce and digital marketing services, Acquity Group is pleased to be joining forces with Accenture, one of the largest and most successful consulting, technology and outsourcing companies in the world. Our combined expertise will allow us to deliver transformational ebusiness solutions for our clients at scale and attract the best talent in the industry.�??
Kirkland & Ellis LLP is acting as Accenture’s legal adviser with regard to the transaction. Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C. is acting as financial adviser to Acquity Group and Shearman & Sterling LLP is acting as its legal adviser with regard to the transaction

Accenture and Acquity Group Ltd.  have entered into a definitive agreement under which Accenture will acquire Acquity Group, a leading digital marketing and eCommerce company. The acquisition will further strengthen and expand the broad range of digital marketing services that Accenture provides to clients.

“The acquisition of Acquity Group will expand our capabilities in key areas of digital marketing and eCommerce, complementing our strengths in strategy, analytics, scaled technology enablement and marketing operations.”

8

Accenture has agreed to pay $13.00 per outstanding American Depositary Share, each of which represents two ordinary shares ($6.50 per ordinary share), or a total of approximately $316 million, in cash for Acquity Group. The acquisition is subject to Acquity Group shareholder approval as well as other customary closing conditions.

Acquity Group provides strategy, digital marketing, and technical services to hundreds of companies to enhance their brand experiences and eCommerce performance. The acquisition will broaden Accenture’s own services in these areas, which the company provides through Accenture Interactive, its group that offers chief marketing officers (CMOs) and brand leaders a comprehensive suite of marketing, technology and analytics solutions to help them improve their marketing performance.

The addition of Acquity Group’s skills and capabilities in eCommerce and leading digital platforms such as Adobe and hybris, supported by Accenture’s industry depth and global delivery capability, will help Accenture Interactive further address the most pressing needs of today’s CMO in the midst of a digital transformation in marketing.

Acquity Group is the second-largest independent digital marketing company in the United States. It has grown rapidly in recent years, with revenues of $141 million for 2012, an increase of 32Â percent over 2011. Once the acquisition is complete, Acquity Group’s more than 600 employees are expected to join Accenture Interactive.

Chief marketing officers and brand leaders are looking for a new type of service provider that can blend the creative process with analytics and enabling technologies to engage consumers and deliver compelling user experiences across channels, said Brian Whipple, global managing director of Accenture Interactive. The acquisition of Acquity Group will expand our capabilities in key areas of digital marketing and eCommerce, complementing our strengths in strategy, analytics, scaled technology enablement and marketing operations.

Chris Dalton, CEO of Acquity Group, said, As one of the pioneers in eCommerce and digital marketing services, Acquity Group is pleased to be joining forces with Accenture, one of the largest and most successful consulting, technology and outsourcing companies in the world. Our combined expertise will allow us to deliver transformational ebusiness solutions for our clients at scale and attract the best talent in the industry.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is acting as Accenture’s legal adviser with regard to the transaction. Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C. is acting as financial adviser to Acquity Group and Shearman & Sterling LLP is acting as its legal adviser with regard to the transaction

Source:http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2013/05/18/076692-accenture-to-strengthen-digital-marketing-and-ecommerce-capabilities-with-acquisition.html

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