India's leading information technology (IT) firms, Infosys and HCL Technologiess, are expanding their offerings in the BPO space. HCL is setting up new delivery centres in the Asia-Pacific region to service clients and win more business. "We were working mainly out of the UK earlier for our BPO business," said Rahul Singh, president, financial services and business services, HCL. "We have recently opened up centres in the US and China as well and will be increasing sites in the Asia-Pacific region in the coming months."

HCL's BPO business, which saw a revenue of $46 million last fiscal year, has seen its profits rise by 700-800 basis points as its expense reorientation process that was initiated last year have started to have an impact. "Though our revenues will remain flat, the BPO business has turned profitable," Singh said.

Infosys BPO Ltd's COO and senior vice-president, Ritesh Idnani, said they have now shifted their focus on solutions that help clients earn money. "It's extremely critical these days that we not only help our clients drive efficiency in their cost structure but also drive revenue growth for them," Idnani said. Infosys BPO's revenue in 2010-11 was $ 427 million and this year they have already done business worth $364 million in the first nine months.

A part of Infosys BPO's growth has been driven by strategic acquisitions of McCamish in the US in 2009 and Portland Group in Australia in 2011. "We are open to acquisitions if they fit our strategy and we are constantly on the lookout," Idnani said.