2e2 downplays Patni talks

Discussions with Indian outsourcing firm will not necessarily lead to heavy job losses, stresses integrator

Nick Grossman: "Saying it is all done by 2e2 doesn’t tick the box of what people want"

2e2 has played down reports that it could axe up to 150 support roles through an outsourcing arrangement with Patni.

The Register yesterday reported that the integrator is in due diligence with Patni as it explores the potential of hiving off second- and third-line support to the Indian firm.

According to the report, about 150 jobs will eventually be moved to India.

2e2 corporate business development director Nick Grossman stressed the firm was “right at the beginning of the process” and that a number of options were on the table.

For instance, Patni could well end up merely managing 2e2 support staff. Alternatively, the plan may not go ahead at all.

“This has to work for the customer and has to be clear and reasonable for staff,” he said. “Making people redundant is not the overt play.”

Grossman said the process had been driven by customers, who are increasingly placing a premium on their supplier’s ability to scale up and down quickly and breadth of service.

“Saying it is all done by 2e2 doesn’t tick the box of what people want," he said.

2e2’s recent acquisition of Morse throws the integrator into closer contact with IT services giants such as Logica, which have outsourced support for many years, Grossman added.

Grossman also branded rumours that 2e2 will eventually look to slash a total of between 350 and 380 roles as it begins to integrate Morse as “wild exaggeration”.