NTT Data: The Math of Offshoring
NTT Data's A$677K revenue per employee is the highest of any major Australian MSP. It's also the most misleading number in the industry.
That figure doesn't mean NTT employees are extraordinarily productive. It means NTT has very few Australian employees relative to its revenue — because most of the work is done offshore.
The Numbers
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Revenue (Australia) | A$1.2 billion |
| Employees (Australia) | ~1,800 |
| Revenue per employee | A$677K |
| Glassdoor AU | 3.5/5 (600+ reviews) |
| Global employees | 190,000+ |
| Offshore ratio | ~70% |
| Key clients | Government, financial services, healthcare |
Average salary (Australia): A$95,000-110,000 Glassdoor rating: 3.5/5
The Offshore Model
NTT Data's business model is built on a simple arithmetic:
- Win contracts with competitive pricing (driven by offshore labour)
- Deliver from India where engineers cost A$15,000-30,000/year
- Maintain a thin onshore layer for client relationships and sales
- Collect the margin between what clients pay (Australian rates) and what staff earn (Indian rates)
The A$677K revenue per employee is the result: each Australian employee "supports" a disproportionate amount of revenue because the actual delivery work happens offshore.
What This Means for Onshore Staff
You're a bridge, not a builder. Onshore staff at NTT exist primarily to manage client relationships and bridge the gap between Australian expectations and Indian delivery. The actual technical work increasingly happens offshore.
Career ceiling. When the work moves offshore, career progression slows. There are fewer projects, fewer promotions, and less reason to stay.
Cultural friction. Managing offshore teams requires different skills than doing the work yourself. Some people thrive in this role; others find it frustrating.
Employee Experience
The Good
Competitive salaries. NTT pays better than Datacom and DXC for comparable roles. The average of A$95,000-110,000 is closer to market rate.
Global opportunities. NTT's 190,000+ employee base means potential transfers to other countries. This is a genuine advantage for people who want international experience.
Technology exposure. NTT invests in emerging technologies (AI, cloud, IoT) and offers training programs. Some teams work on genuinely innovative projects.
The Bad
Offshore delivery challenges. "The quality of offshore delivery varies wildly." Client satisfaction issues are common when work is handed off to Indian teams without adequate oversight.
Integration complexity. NTT has grown through acquisition (Dimension Data, Dialog, etc.), and the integration is ongoing. Different teams use different tools, processes, and cultures.
Communication overhead. Managing across time zones and cultures adds significant overhead. "A 5-minute conversation becomes a 2-hour process."
The Ugly
The "bridge" role. Onshore staff often feel like they're managing decline rather than building growth. The strategic direction is clear: more offshore, fewer Australians.
What This Means for You
If you're considering NTT: - Ask about the specific team's offshore ratio - The salary is competitive but the career path may be limited - Global opportunities are real — use them if you want international experience - The "bridge" role isn't for everyone — make sure you understand what's expected
If you're a client: - NTT can deliver at competitive prices because of offshore labour - Quality depends on the specific team and oversight level - Insist on named onshore resources with retention guarantees - The A$677K revenue per employee means thin onshore coverage
Based on Glassdoor (600+ Australian reviews), PayScale, IBISWorld, and NTT's own financial disclosures.
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