Cork BPO player invests €1m in IBM workflow technology

7 Sep 2009

One of Ireland’s largest indigenous business process outsourcing (BPO) providers, Abtran, is to invest €1m in IBM technology and with big four consultancy BearingPoint to boost its capabilities.

The company has invested in IBM’s latest generation workflow, imaging and document management technology to generate savings of up to 30pc for clients and has hired management technology consultants, BearingPoint, to oversee the project’s implementation.

Abtran will use IBM’s FileNet P8 platform to automate and streamline high-volume paper-based business processes, such as the processing of grants, licences, loan applications, payments and insurance claims.

Through the use of optical character recognition technology, Abtran will be able to significantly increase the efficiency of their client’s business processes, further reducing their costs and providing better service.

“Abtran is continuously seeking out new and innovative ways to optimise efficiencies and deliver value-add services that further our clients’ long-term needs,” said Michael Fitzgerald, Managing Director of Abtran.

“This €1m investment will significantly strengthen our existing expertise whilst enhancing our ability to deliver more flexible and scalable services.

“The investment will allow our existing clients to access cutting-edge technology in a cost-effective manner. It also means that new clients can work with us to integrate the latest technology without the burden of up-front capital expenditure or the in-house expertise to run it.”

In selecting the solution, Fitzgerald emphasised that Abtran focused on industry-leading solution providers with proven track records and expertise.

“Having evaluated a number of solutions, we identified the IBM platform, implemented by BearingPoint, as the ideal fit for our rapidly expanding suite of end-to-end business process services.”

“The IBM FileNet P8 platform addresses demanding compliance, content and process management needs,” Gary Mullane, Manager Financial Services, BearingPoint in Ireland, explained.

“It creates an agile enterprise content management environment to support a dynamic organisation like Abtran” added Mick Ryder, IBM Software Sales. “In addition, the robust, scalable and flexible IBM solution Abtran are putting in place will be a great catalyst for their continued fast-paced growth.”

In April, Abtran announced an investment of €6m in research and development, along with the creation of 250 graduate-level jobs by 2010.

By John Kennedy

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com