MANILA, Philippines -- The shortage of SAP software skills in Europe means good news for London-based Logica?s IT outsourcing business in the Philippines, according to a top executive.

Logica set up its Manila office two years ago and has anchored its IT outsourcing business in providing development and maintenance services for SAP customers, among them Belgium-based inBev, the world?s largest beer manufacturer.

?There is a shortage of SAP talent in Europe right now,? said Jonathan Snowball, Logica's global business development director.

?SAP itself recognizes this and from our end, we would like to get as much talent as possible in other places like the Philippines,? he added.

He noted that SAP?s installed base has expanded from traditional large-enterprise customers to companies that fall within the small and medium business (SMB) segment.

Logica currently employs 220 workers locally, most of them software developers and consultants. The company has a workforce of around 2,500 people in India.

The company is looking to expand its business in the Philippines by adding more back-office services, following key acquisitions of three companies based in France, Nordics and Netherlands.

Snowball said Logica is looking to increase its workforce in the country to no less than 1,000 people. He added: ?The days of going to places with lower costs is over. Now it?s about talent and we go where the talent is.?