Felcorp's standard BPO service trials are designed around three financial services specialisations. Financial planning, accounting and insurance each have a dedicated trial product with a fixed set of hours, a defined price and a 3-4 week timeline. For most firms, this structure is the fastest way to assess whether an offshore BPO engagement is the right operational fit.
For enterprise organisations and firms with staffing requirements that fall outside those three areas, a different framework is available. The custom BPO trial is a configurable alternative built around the specific needs of the business. There is no fixed scope, no set price and no standard hour allocation.
This article covers what a custom trial looks like in practice, the types of firms it is designed for, and what the engagement process involves from initial contact through to the trial's conclusion.
What a custom BPO trial involves
A custom trial is not a fixed product. Unlike the standard trials, which are pre-packaged with defined deliverables and pricing, a custom trial is built through a scoping process between Felcorp and the client. Service hours, duration and scope are all negotiated before the trial begins.
Scope and hours. There is no fixed service hour allocation in a custom trial. The hours included are determined during the proposal stage based on what the business needs to test, the complexity of the processes involved and the staffing functions being assessed.
Duration. Standard trials run for 3-4 weeks. A custom trial can extend to 3 months, which is particularly relevant for enterprise firms that need a longer runway to properly assess operational fit before committing to a long-term engagement.
When to consider a custom trial
Enterprise firms transitioning to Pod Engagements. The custom trial is frequently used by larger organisations as a structured entry point into a Pod Engagement. Rather than committing directly to a long-term Pod arrangement, these firms use the trial to establish workflows, test staffing functions and build operational documentation before scaling up.
Businesses outside the standard specialisations. Financial planning, accounting and insurance cover the majority of Felcorp's client base. For firms in adjacent areas of financial services or with broader operational requirements, the custom trial can help create a solution outside of the defined specialisations.
Firms requiring a longer assessment period. Some businesses need more than 3-4 weeks to evaluate whether an offshore BPO model is operationally viable. A custom trial of up to 3 months provides adequate time to gather workflow data and build a realistic view.
Multi-function or complex operations. Where a firm needs to trial more than one staffing function simultaneously, or has workflows that require substantial setup before performance can be assessed, a custom trial provides the flexibility to structure the engagement accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a custom trial run?
The duration is negotiated as part of the scoping process. Standard trials run for 3-4 weeks. Custom trials can extend to 3 months, which is the typical timeframe for enterprise firms using the trial as a transition into a Pod Engagement.
How is a custom trial priced?
Custom trial pricing is quote on application. There is no fixed price. The cost is determined by the scope, hours and duration agreed during the proposal stage.
What service hours are included?
Service hours are negotiated and agreed as part of the custom proposal. There is no fixed allocation. 20 hours of onboarding support and 20 hours of process establishment support are included as standard across all custom trials.
Can a custom trial lead into a Pod Engagement?
Yes. A custom trial is frequently used as the specific starting point for a Pod Engagement. The trial period allows the firm to establish operating procedures, assess staffing fit and build the workflow documentation needed to commence a formal Pod Engagement with confidence.
