Aecom a 'sinking ship' as skilled IT staff get pushed out, claims new inside source

Aecom's 'environment is too unique and difficult for cheap labour', insider warns as engineering giant's IT outsourcing mega-deal turns sour

The $2.3 billion IT outsourcing deal between engineering giant Aecom and IBM is 'a sinking ship', which can only be rescued by skilled IT staff, according to a second insider in an interview with Computing, which the company seem determined to get rid of.

Computing was contacted recently by a different insider, who claimed that the deal is 'a mess', and the CIO who set up the deal, Tom Peck, is 'on his way out'.

The new source corroborated the claims made by the first, and added that Peck's desire to outsource the entire IT estate was obvious since 2014.

"Especially in IT, we could see right away Tom Peck's desire to outsource all or segments of IT, starting with service delivery or helpdesk. He immediately hired CompuCom (based in Mexico) to replace many long time very skilled IT helpdesk personnel.

"This is important, because working in the engineering industry, as IT, takes technicians with a very special skillset to be able to understand, in depth, a variety (thousands) of design-related software, and have a unique relation with their local offices. This does not work when outsourced to foreign support groups, especially script-reading call centres.

We could see right away Tom Peck's desire to outsource all or segments of IT, starting with service delivery or helpdesk

"Aecom also has many government contracts across the globe and IT has to be highly skilled to identify the difference between government data and processes and the rest."

The source claimed that the CompuCom outsourcing effort was just the beginning of delays, confusion and broken processes.

"CompuCom adapted and we still had plenty of legacy staff to step in and help work out all the kinks. [But] just as CompuCom was settling into their new role support this contract, Tom Peck and his henchmen decided it would be a great idea to outsource all of global IT staff and operations to IBM."

This was followed by a town hall meeting where Peck informed staff that some would be made redundant, while others would transition to work for IBM.

"Although upset to have to go through another transition, I chose to look at this as a positive, I would work even harder to prove my worth. This outlook quickly changed," said our source.

They continued: "IBM stumbled through all of their on-boarding processes for us 'rebadged' employees, mis-stating many important things like severance, compensation, job roles, etc.

"We all (with all IT staff affected) were forced to sign a four month agreement with nothing after that period being promised, and everything up in the air.

"As time went on, myself and many of my colleagues had no guidance or leadership from IBM or Aecom, so we all took charge of our own leadership and helped each other and simply took the approach to just keep the lights on during the transition, and handle our known responsibilities."

Aecom a 'sinking ship' as skilled IT staff get pushed out, claims new inside source

Aecom's 'environment is too unique and difficult for cheap labour', insider warns as engineering giant's IT outsourcing mega-deal turns sour

"The transition was supposed to be from Feb 1st 2017 - July 31st 2017. Many global, long time employees were laid off during this time, and many quit due to lack of organisation or guidance or transparency. We were all forced to do KT (knowledge transfer) with IBM employees in India, Costa Rica and elsewhere outside of the US, UK, Australia, etc. So, in essence, we had to train our replacements.

"Many did as they were asked as they are true professionals, then conveniently laid off when they were all used up by IBM or Aecom.

"No Aecom 'rebadged' employees received a raise in 2018, even as hard as we worked, we had to retain he same salary we made at Aecom. IBM is just awaiting the day they can lay all of us off too.
It is true, from what I have seen, IBM just continues to downsize IT personnel for less qualified personnel or simply not hiring replacements."

The source alleged that those former Aecom staff left are given little chance to succeed.

"The remaining 're-badged' employees are constantly being set-up to fail, we stand alone on the contract with IBM management and Aecom management providing no guidance, no assistance and no roadmap. The rebadged employees have done an amazing job considering the challenges, but we are fewer by the day.

"The ship currently taking on water will soon sink to the ocean floor if nothing is done. After seeing the way IBM operates, it will never be the answer for Aecom, this environment is much too unique and difficult for cheap labour. Highly skilled IT staff will be the only way to success."

Computing has asked both Aecom and IBM for comment and will update this story with their responses.