New outsourcing consulting firm launches

Consulting firm EquaTerra Inc. has set up a public-sector practice that will focus on government agencies considering outsourcing, the company said Monday.

The new unit, EquaTerra Public Sector LLC, will help public-sector organizations evaluate outsourcing, shared services or blended sourcing for human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, customer relationship management and procurement. Besides government agencies, the unit will target public utilities, educational institutions, public health care systems and non-profit entities.

"There is now demonstrable evidence to suggest public sector organizations are looking very seriously at their sourcing and service delivery options," said Mark Toon, chief executive officer of New York-based EquaTerra. Drivers include budget pressures, the need for modernizing legacy systems and an aging workforce.

In the past, the company has provided advisory services to the Army, Navy, California State University and the New York City Department of Education.

Glenn Davidson will serve as president of EquaTerra Public Sector LLC. Before joining EquaTerra, he was the chief of market strategy and corporate development at Accenture Ltd's HR Services division.