Three Out Of Ten CAD/CAM Users Outsource
January 9 2002
According to recent research conducted by The Business Advantage Group, three out of ten UK CAD/CAM sites are currently outsourcing some part of the product design and development process.
The findings concerning current and planned usage of outsourcing services came from telephone interviews conducted in November/December 2001 with managers responsible for CAD/CAM functions at 259 UK-based mechanical engineering sites. The sample was taken from Business Advantage's database of 20,000 UK CAD/CAM user sites.
The research also found that:
- Design and drafting jobs done offsite are the major task outsourced with 12% of sites currently outsourcing this activity, followed by hiring CAD operators to work on site at 7%.
- It is almost entirely those who are currently outsourcing who would consider outsourcing in future. Of the 72% of sites who are not currently outsourcing any elements of the design/product development process, there is no sign that any change in habits is imminent. No activity is being actively considered for outsourcing by more than 1% of these sites, with the exception of the hiring of CAD operators to work on-site - 3% of this group are looking into this option.
- Only 4% of the sample said they would consider outsourcing their entire departmental CAD function in future.
According to Chris Turner, Managing Director of The Business Advantage Group, 'Three out of ten sites are outsourcing elements of the design process; we can't tell however from these findings whether this group has fully embraced outsourcing as a means to boost productivity and competitiveness, or has simply hit on a way to cope with a crisis. Understanding these attitudes will be important for suppliers seeking to persuade companies to do more than just farm out tasks when the pressure is on.'
The full report entitled 'Outsourcing By Design', including colour charts, can be read free of charge at:
www.businessadvantage.co.uk/Spaghetti/outsourcing_design.htm
All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.
