Allied Digital sets up HR division to deal with manpower problems

In an industry where getting, training and retaining manpower is the biggest
business challenge, what should a solution provider do to deal with people
problems? Mumbai-based Allied Digital Services (ADS) decided that the best thing
to do was to set up an HR division in-house. The company has also finalized a
big deal with a US-based IT servicing company, for the post-sales support of a
MNC brand's range of laptops and notebooks.

Called 360° HR, this division acts as a recruitment agency for ADS and
gathers a database of candidates from various sources. This is then collated and
categorized based on certain parameters. As per the project requirements, the
prospects are called for interviews.

Said Nitin Shah, MD, ADS, "Attrition is a reality we have learned to
deal with, as people leave for better prospects or for other reasons. Rather
than rely on external agencies to get manpower, we decided to start our own
division." Also, external recruitment agencies were unable to provide the
right of candidates. Since ADS knew the correct profile of people it needed, it
is easier and less time consuming for it to monitor the kind of people called
for interviews.

Now, 360° HR has become a revenue stream for ADS as other solution providers
and IT companies outsource their HR requirements to it. "We already have 12
clients on a retainer basis for whom we are providing people," added Nitin.

Surprisingly, the division is getting queries from customers not for
programmers and engineers, but CIOS and CTOs as well. "Since we are in this
industry, it is easier for us to zero on people higher up in the hierarchy who
might be needed by our clients," Nitin mentioned.

VINITA BHATIA