24/7 Customer allots $15 m for India

BANGALORE: 24/7 Customer, a third party and independent BPO service provider, has earmarked $15 million this year for its operations, wherein it foresees an increase in employee strength to 7,000 by the year end. Its current workforce is 4,200, spread across contact centers in Bangalore and Hyderabad.

In line with its plans, the company has inaugurated a 1000-seat facility at Infantry Road in Bangalore with an investment of $6 million, which is part of the total $15 million this year. The company is also setting up a 6000-seat campus on Airport Road in Bangalore, to be operational by the end of this year.

"Through our in-house survey, it was learnt that most of the employees opined to have their work place in the city, instead of outskirts. This could also reduce the average 45-minute commuting time. Hence, we have opened a office in the heart of the city and have another coming up on airport road," said PV Kannan, CEO, 24/7 Customer.

Los Gatos, California headquartered 24/7 Customer is contemplating an overseas operations and possible acquisition. Recently inducted, Brian Reid is overlooking the initiatives as the Vice President, International Operations. "We should be making some announcement of overseas operations either in Eastern Europe or Canada by the year end," added Kannan.

The company had garnered $22 million from Sequoia Capital in June 2003. Although, the investment was primarily to fund acquisition, Kannan said he was not very keen on the "over-valued" 20 possible candidates in India.

The company services 18 clients, out of which 12 are in the BFSI segment.

CIOL Bureau