HFS PODCASTS

The IT services industry is at a crossroads. As traditional labor arbitrage models face disruption, challenger brands like SLK are leading the charge with AI-driven innovation and technology-led operating models. In this episode of HFS Unfiltered, Saurabh Gupta sits down with Ajay Kumar, CEO of SLK, to discuss:

• The slowdown in IT services and the rise of challenger brands.
• How enterprises are shifting focus from legacy giants to niche, outcome-driven providers.
• The transformation from people-led to AI-powered operating models.
• Why IT service companies must rethink talent strategies in an AI-driven world.
• The bold moves required to navigate this industry shake-up.

Ajay shares his unique perspective on why businesses need to be bold in embracing this change and how SLK is challenging the status quo to redefine IT services. Tune in for an insightful and unfiltered discussion on the industry's future.

Join us for an exclusive Fireside Chat featuring HFS Research CEO and Chief Analyst Phil Fersht, who speaks with Klarity’s Founder and CEO, Andrew Antos. They discuss the platform's mission to automate documentation of work processes, the challenges of transformation in enterprises, the critical role of documentation, and future trends in automation and business understanding. Andrew also emphasizes the need for a deep knowledge of work processes and the shift toward continuous testing and documentation.

Don’t miss this compelling discussion.

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The use of low-code has grown significantly and has been boosted by GenAI tools. These tools allow companies to work with partners to accelerate software development and rapidly bring new solutions to market. In this episode of HFS Unfiltered Stories, Joel Martin, Executive Research Leader at HFS Research, talks with SP Singh, SVP, Service Offering Head at Infosys.

Find out how Infosys enables its customers to accelerate the SDLC with low-code and GenAI frameworks.

Read the related research titled “The low-code imperative is crucial to bring speed and agility to software-driven outcomes” here: https://www.hfsresearch.com/research/the-low-code-imperative-is-crucial-to-bring-speed-and-agility-to-software-driven-outcomes/

HFS dives into why Softtek’s model for nearshore IT services is an advantage for it and its clients. In this episode of HFS Unfiltered Stories, Joel Martin, Executive Research Leader at HFS Research, talks with Stephanie Moore, SVP US Marketing at Softtek.

Companies embracing technology-led change and IT services that can deliver change quickly while sharing time zones and engaging in cultural and business-savvy collaboration should consider a nearshore provider like Softtek as a potential partner.

Also, read the associated Point of View titled “The nearshore advantage in the age of technology arbitrage” here: https://www.hfsresearch.com/research/nearshore-technology-arbitrage/

While GenAI has gotten all the attention, the capabilities of quantum computing are also bringing new experiences and capabilities to market. Quantum City, an initiative by the University of Calgary and Government of Alberta, Canada along with its anchor business partner Mphasis are working with global energy, transportation, and technology firms to find innovative new solutions. In this conversation, Joel Martin, Executive Research Leader at HFS Research, talks with Dr. Barry Sander, University of Calgary, Scientific Director of Quantum City, and Rohit Kumar Patel, AVP & Lead Data Science and QC at Mphasis.

You will learn:

• Learn how a partnership to deliver quantum computing and quantum-as-a-service creates new value, innovation, and ecosystem partnerships

In this edition, HFS Elena Christopher and Cognizant's Nageswar Cherukupalli, Meena Athinathan, and Manan Gauba discuss the findings of HFS' Horizons report "The Best Service Providers for Commercial Banks, 2025." They discuss the top trends in commercial banking, including macroeconomic impacts, the unique nature of CX in commercial banking, the trends toward build AND buy, and how Cognizant is approaching these challenges with its clients.

You will learn:

For more insights on commercial banking, HFS Horizons: The Best Service Providers for Commercial Banks, 2025 is a must-read - https://www.hfsresearch.com/research/hfs-horizons-the-best-service-providers-for-commercial-banks-2025/

Discover Hyundai Mobis's growth journey in the automotive industry through its Global Capability Center (GCC) in Hyderabad, India. In this episode of HFS Unfiltered, we explore how Mobis started its journey and expanded its capabilities. We discuss how this GCC attracts talent and supports its parent company, Hyundai. Tune in to hear unfiltered stories from HFS, featuring Saurabh Gupta, President of Research and Advisory at HFS Research, in conversation with Pradeep Kumar Kondabattini, Head of R&D Strategy at Hyundai Mobis.

In this episode, you will learn about:

Enterprises can benefit from the Indian talent pool and automotive ecosystem for their R&D and manufacturing needs.

Discover how Global Capability Centers (GCCs) can unlock the full potential of AI and Generative AI by transforming talent strategies. Join Jasmine Ahmed and Saurabh Gupta as they discuss breaking silos, building diverse skill sets, and fostering innovation to drive competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving AI-driven world.

Key takeaways include:

In this episode of HFS Unfiltered, Saurabh Gupta interviews Mohua Sengupta, Head of Novartis Corporate Center, India, on the evolution of Global Capability Centers (GCCs). Mohua discusses key milestones, including remotely establishing GCCs in Pakistan and Egypt, driving high-end roles in GCCs, and adapting to remote operations during COVID-19. She highlights the shift from GCC-IT services competition to collaboration and the integration of GCCs into core organizational decision-making. The conversation touches on AI and blockchain, balancing their transformative potential with ethical and security concerns, and explores challenges in attracting younger talent. Mohua advocates rebranding GCCs and changing mindsets to position them as integral parts of global organizations.

Key takeaways include:

Eclypses, an HFS Hot Tech, has radically reimagined how to secure data in transit without the IT overhead and complex staff training. Its MTE solution is cloud-native and is being adopted by leading companies as a game-changing tech. In this episode of HFS Unfiltered Stories, Joel Martin, Executive Research Leader at HFS Research, is in conversation with David Gomes, Chief Executive Officer at Eclypses.

Topics covered include:

Data is a firm's most valuable asset, so it must be protected. With its MTE technologies, Eclypses offers a cloud-native solution that is easy to deploy and offers immediate benefits.

Also, read the associated Hot Tech Report titled “HFS OneEcosystem™ Hot Vendor: Eclypses”, here: https://www.hfsresearch.com/research/hfs-oneecosystem-hot-vendor-eclypses/