Alliance of DDC HRO and PIPC delivers critical efficiencies and value in Global BPO, merger activity

Partnership Blends DDC Data Processing, Offshore Processing and Customer Care Capabilities with PIPC Innovation, Experience to Deliver Global Solutions with Bottom-Line Impact

DDC HRO, a BPO provider and part of the DDC Group of Companies, and PIPC, a global project management solutions and services provider, announced today a strategic alliance to deliver a comprehensive consulting, project management and business process outsourcing and offshoring solution for companies impacted by the increasingly global economy.

The alliance is aimed at providing a powerful, cost-effective and accessible approach to using BPO for businesses that face global issues such as competition, pressure on margins and a requirement of increased efficiency. The joint venture provides best-of-class process design, deal/post-deal transition management and comprehensive processing power for the effective management of both complex merger & acquisition (M&A) activity and typical corporate back-office support functions.

Both organizations enjoy a global focus and are naturally aligned around the complex issues ñ and significant growth opportunities ñ represented by business process outsourcing and leveraging of offshore capabilities. Both see the key role that well-managed BPO capabilities will play in executing a successful M&A strategy.

The particular success of DDCís hybrid on-and-offshore model, coupled with onshore relationship management, bodes well for future growth in the sector as an increasing number of organizations look to offshore locations such as the Philippines, DDCís main hub, for quality and greater cost savings. DDCís Philippinesí locations already host a staff of 3,500 which provide a variety of BPO services to some of the worldís leading companies.

We’re pleased to partner with DDC HRO to bring this comprehensive solutions approach to the growing number of companies facing the issues of a global economy, said Phil Veal, Managing Director in PIPCís New York office. ìWe see significant growth ahead in 2005 and itís great to be working with innovative companies such as DDC HRO. With PIPCís capability in managing sustainable organizational change, and DDC HROís capability in delivering significant operational efficiencies, we believe we can provide a fresh and independent approach to BPO and leveraging its capabilities post-deal. We see significant opportunities developing for M&A in the mid-market, in particular ñ another reason why DDC HRO is such a good fit.

ìWe are delighted to be partnering with PIPC, especially given our common view on the attractive mid-market opportunity here,î said David Kinnear, CEO of DDC HRO. ìTheir global presence and innovative approach compliments our own, so itís a great fit. BPO is the common denominator ñ we want to help companies adopt, adapt, survive and grow. I know weíll achieve that goal working with PIPC.î

DDC HRO brings substantial management and technology expertise with respect to capture, conversion and formatting of legacy and paper-based data ñ helping clients to quickly, accurately and inexpensively populate their corporate databases and self-service systems for increased effectiveness and efficiency.

ìThe underlying theme across the entire DDC HRO range of capabilities,î adds Kinnear, ìis to find and deliver new and cost-effective ways to empower companies, their employees and their customers ñ helping them get more from their technology investment.î