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“Is rapid and smart innovation limited to brilliant individuals and startup companies? No company can succeed alone in a dynamic, networked and competitive world. How can outsourcing become a real innovation partnership?"
Paul Hearns, Editor,
TechPro magazine
TechFire 12, in Dublin on 22nd October, addressed the question: Outsourcing: where next? Can you build strategic partnerships around open innovation?

The traditional form of an outsourcing partnership was the externalization of work in a hierarchical way that caused various forms of limitations. Traditional outsourcing is typically based on long term planning and control which implicitly severely limits autonomy and passion at the supplier side. This in turns kills creativity and innovation, which is so vital in the technology development. In the end there are frustrations on both sides as the generated value is far below expectations.

Is there a better way? Yes there is! The solution is to form a strategic partnership based on the concept of open innovation in which companies empower their suppliers into trusted strategic partners. Stephen Hannon, software development manager at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, spoke about the ways in which HMH works with strategic partners to complement its internal development teams and provide expansion during periods of peak project throughputs. 

Speakers and panel discussion
Stephen Hannon
Software Development Manager,
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

:: Stephen Hannon talked about how HMH develops digital content and the ways in which it works with strategic partners to complement its internal development teams and provide expansion during periods of peak project throughputs. Through different methods of outsourcing, HMH has developed its production processes to cater for several different team structures and outsource models to suit the various different project types its development teams encounter.
Dejan Ćušić
Program Manager,
Comtrade

:: Dejan Cusic presented the results of Comtrade's  survey, taken among IT professionals in Ireland, on the subject ‘Is a new style of technology partnership emerging?
Marko Javornik
Director - Services Europe, Comtrade

:: With more than 20 years of experience in the IT Industry, Marko Javornik’s focus is on solving complex business issues using technology solutions. He has led teams of several hundred engineers to accomplish the most difficult state-of-the-art projects in various industries. Mr. Javornik has a deep understanding of technology processes, as well as the social aspects of software development.