Apple's B'lore centre closure sparks BPO debate

Global iPod major and computer maker Apple Computers' decision to shut down its new Bangalore centre has sparked an introspection in the indian BPO industry, which however, for now has shrugged off the move as a one-off incident.

The maker of popular iPod digital music players and sleek iMac computers has been at the forefront of the Indian outsourcing market in the recent past.

The company announced its grand foray into the country a few months ago and has now gone packing within a matter of three months.

Along the way, Apple granted some major outsourcing contracts to Indian companies, including a deal with HCL Infosystems under which the Indian IT firm would provide widerange marketing and service support for iPods.

La-affaire Apple has left the Indian BPO market perplexed and the industry players are groping over possible conclusions - whether Apple is acting as a doomsayer or indicating a further boom in the market.

While the closure of the Bangalore centre, which was estimated to have more than 3,000 employees by next year, has come as a big shock for the industry, Apple's decision to continue with its existing outsourcing contracts to HCL Infosystems and Transworks has provided some solace.