Page 171 - BWM Dec 2012

December 2012 | Business World Magazine | 171
Sutherland Global Services, a business process and tech
management firm based in Rochester, New York, has entered an
agreement to acquire Apollo Health Street Limited (AHS), a provider
of IT-solutions that specifically serve healthcare systems throughout
the world. AHS is an affiliate of Apollo Hospitals Group, the
pioneering healthcare system of India which today has more than
8,000 beds throughout 50 hospitals, some 1200 pharmacies, 100
diagnostic clinics, and variety of service centers encompassing
everything from clinical research to health insurance and business process outsourcing (BPO). Healthcare-related BPO services
annually generate some $38 billion in revenues, and Sutherland is considered among the largest, independent BPO companies
of the world. Producers of a wide-range of analytics tools essential to back-office tech solutions, Sutherland has more than 35
operation centers and some 30,000 employees globally. Apollo Health Street has been providing customized strategic support
services to more than 150 healthcare partners throughout the U.S. from its ten global operational centers. All principals assert
the consolidation will better position the firm to achieve industry domination. While full terms have not been reported, the
transaction is anticipated to close by February 2013.
In terms of forming partnerships in tech sectors, shoe manufacturer Nike has been more of a
sprinter than sneaker, but look for the company to make further strides. Nike has announced that
in the first quarter of 2013, it will begin supporting ten start-up companies (providing each with
$200,000) as part of a mentorship program with a tech business incubator. The program will
reportedly lead to the creation of new apps and projects involving data from Nike’s social
network platform. The tech focus follows partnerships Nike has already fostered with companies
like Apple who has routinely partnered in specialty offerings, such as Nike’s recent release of a
wrist-worn activity-tracking tool (the “FuelBand”) which is used in conjunction with specialized
apps designed for the iPhone and iPod touch. In fact, at the close of its fiscal Q1 in August this
year, Nike reportedly saw a 44% increase in sales of what it refers to as “equipment” which
includes technology. Nike spokeswoman Mary Remuzzi has reported that relationships will
continue to expand. She also dissuades terms of Nike as a “tech” company preferring that of
“innovation” company.
VIPs
Among
BPOs