Freeborders has announced plans to quadruple the size of its Shenzhen facility to accommodate 2,000 workers in response to increased demand for outsourced software projects from retail, manufacturing and financial services institutions.
This follows the completed expansion of the company's Shenzhen facility in January 2006, which grew the office site to 52,000 square feet. The move underscores Freeborders' commitment to the burgeoning Chinese IT outsourcing industry.
The new, world-class development facility will continue to provide global organizations with a full range of application outsourcing, business process, consulting and systems integration services. It will include the latest communications infrastructure to ensure tight collaboration with onshore project managers in both Europe and the US.
The facility will maintain the rigorous data security protocols set by Freeborders, while enhancing the capabilities of its staff. Physical safeguards, such as enclosed programming areas are integrated into the new site. In addition, confidential data and projects are secured through isolated networks, unauthorized file access audit trails and a clear set of internal policies and procedures.
According to recent research by Analysys International, China's software outsourcing services market reached $323 million in the first quarter of 2006, up almost 44% compared with the first quarter of 2005. IDC has forecast that China is expected to account for 24% of IT spending in Asia-Pacific by 2010, making it the largest IT services market in the region.
"Freeborders is dedicated to expanding its resources in China as the region's IT outsourcing market continues to gain traction," said John Cestar, CEO of Freeborders. "Changes to the skills market and infrastructure in China are helping its outsourcing industry grow quickly and emerge as a major competitor to India. With the roll-out of our new 200,000 square foot facility and the fact we're already advanced in our further expansion plans, Freeborders is well positioned to harness China's IT expertise."
In 2005, Freeborders experienced 45% year-over-year revenue growth, and year-over-year bookings grew 30%. The company additionally increased capacity of its Shenzhen, China technology center by 100% to over 700 engineers. Freeborders also became one of the first firms in China to be certified at CMMI Level 5, the highest quality rating offered by the Software Engineering Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. Freeborders is one of 70 CMMI Level 5-certified companies in the world.