What is Business Process Outsourcing?
People usually equate a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company to a call center. Although they are relative in a sense, BPO companies and call centers are not the same. Even using the two terms interchangeably would be erroneous. What remains a fact, though, is that a call center is just one of the few services BPO companies provide their clients.
So, what really is BPO? Let’s get you started with the definitions.
These subcategories include:
1.Front-Office BPO
2.Back-Office BPO
3.Offshore BPO
4.Nearshore BPO
5.Onshore/Domestic BPO
Business Process Outsourcing Types: Supply Chain and Services
Back-Office BPO
Back-office business process outsourcing involves contracting services that are not customer-facing. These services include IT, accounting, business process automation, human resources, quality assurance, and more. Subtypes of BPO have emerged, including IT-Enabled Services (ITES) BPO, such as IT analysts, Legal Process Outsourcing (LPO), such as paralegals or advisors, and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO), such as outsourcing an individual who understands and can implement/manage a specific program. By outsourcing these tasks, businesses can focus on their core mission rather than engaging in time-consuming and expensive internal training and onboarding.
Front-Office BPO
This term refers to customer-facing services, including tech support, customer service, sales, and marketing. These services are frequently outsourced due to technical knowledge requirements and can be accomplished off-premises. By outsourcing web development, customer support lines, or any front office services, businesses can benefit from specialized talent with unique knowledge and cut costs.
Business Process Outsourcing Types: Location of Vendor
Offshore BPO
Offshore outsourcing happens when your company hires a company located overseas to fulfill certain work requirements. One example is a company based in the United States outsourcing to a company in India.
Nearshore BPO
Nearshore outsourcing happens when you contract work to a neighboring country. An example of this is if your company is in the USA and you outsource to Mexico.
Onshore/Domestic BPO
Onshore outsourcing is when you outsource work to another company within your own country. An example is when a USA-based company hires a USA-based outsourcing firm.











