Re: OT: Offshoring of IT Jobs Expected to Accelerate

From: Don Sykes (anonymous_at_pacbell.net)
Date: 11/18/03 

Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2003 20:48:40 GMT

Rob Young wrote:
>
> In article <bNtub.34832$j1d.15996@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com>, "John Smith" <a@nonymous.com> writes:
> > Offshoring of IT Jobs Expected to Accelerate
> >
> > Analysts at Computer Digital Expo in Las Vegas predict that, despite any
> > social and
> > political outcry, IT jobs increasingly will move offshore.
> > http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/career/article.php/3110511
> >
> >
> > Pretty soon HP's biggest markets for VMS will be the software development
> > sweatshops of India, China, and Vietnam. And the apps will all be delivered
> > as ASP.
> >
>
> Inevitable.
>
> If you would have caught NBR about 3 weeks ago you would have
> seen a nice story about Taiwan and business there. Manufacturing
> is at the bottom of the smiley curve. The idea is to head towards
> value propositions. Since IT proper is losing its valuation
> everywhere, other things move in to fill the void. There are still
> pockets of innovation and value add - IT isn't going away. The dumb
> stuff is and things that can, offshore code jockeys, offshore
> support.
>
> Take textiles. Textiles have shifted all over the world and have
> mostly found a home in the cheapest labor pool in the world - China.
> There is no value proposition in textiles. Back to Taiwan.
> China is building fabs. CPU manufacturing will be losing its
> value proposition. Repeat:
>
> CPU manufacturing will be losing its value proposition
>
> Taiwan recognizes this fact.
>
> What to do? Taiwainese government isn't stupid and in conjunction
> with business is actively involved in finding top spots on that
> smiley curve. The example that was highlighted is that Taiwan
> proper has 500 million invested in nanotechnology research. They
> expect to build nanotech to 10-12 billion in business in the next
> 5 years.
>
> What about this country? Huge areas of research and development.
> Remember back in the day (early 80s) when Japan was going to take
> over the world?
>
> Point here is business is a very fluid thing and America has been
> surprisngly innovative over the last 300 hundred years. I don't
> see innovation vanishing here, I'm surrounded by creative individuals.
>

Some good points, Rob. Business and economics in general are about as
predictable as winning lottery numbers. What seems like the current tide
today has an odd way of changing direction tomorrow.

John's point about more IT jobs leaving US is of valid concern, however.
Foremost, because it effects me personally;) and of course many other
COV'ers. Second problem is the impact on the overall economy on all
these good paying jobs leaving. There are a lot of us whose income has
been significantly reduced over the past few years, in part, because of
this offshore flow. One way to fight back of course is to lower your
expectations and charge fees that can compete with the offshore
companies. I know that's a big drop, but I think a programmer can be
competitive with anyone at say ~$20/hr... or I guess we could drive
taxis and code on our laptops, while we're waiting for our next fare;) 

-- 
Have VMS, Will Travel
Wire paladin, San Francisco
(paladinATalphaseDOTcom)

Relevant Pages

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  • Re: Does the certificate helps in finding a job?
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