Hexaware Buys SMC Squared to Power Next-Gen GCCs With AI + Human Synergy
Hexaware Technologies just made a calculated move in the global IT services chess game. The India-headquartered firm has acquired SMC Squared, a U.S.-based leader in building and operating Global Capability Centers (GCCs)—an increasingly critical model for global companies looking to scale innovation without inflating cost or complexity.
This isn’t just another tuck-in acquisition. It’s a strategic shot across the bow for competitors still stuck on GCCs as cost-saving delivery hubs. With the launch of its GCC 2.01 service line, Hexaware is pitching a smarter, AI-enabled model that blends human capital, automation, and digital agents into a unified workforce for enterprise clients.
What’s GCC 2.01 and Why It Matters
Global Capability Centers (GCCs) have evolved far beyond back-office cost centers. Today, they’re expected to drive R&D, innovation, data strategy, and enterprise agility. Hexaware’s GCC 2.01 model is purpose-built for this new mandate. It fuses SMC Squared’s “build-optimize-transfer” playbook with Hexaware’s platform-led, AI-first IT delivery to offer:
- Future-proofed global delivery hubs with built-in scalability
- Outcome-based models that share risk and reward with clients
- AI-infused workflows that increase operational resilience and velocity
“Clients aren’t just looking for staffing anymore. They want execution strength and long-term value,” said Amrinder Singh, President of EMEA & APAC at Hexaware. “With SMC Squared, we’re bringing just that—along with governance, scale, and digital-first delivery.”
More Than a Lift-and-Shift
SMC Squared isn’t your average services vendor. Over the past decade, it has helped enterprises—from healthcare to QSR chains like Papa John’s—build fully integrated GCCs with capabilities across finance, IT, HR, infra, and analytics. What distinguishes SMC is its institutional maturity and ability to deliver seamless, embedded teams that act like true extensions of their clients’ operations.
“We don’t just build GCCs. We build IP in the form of digital employees,” said Patricia Connolly, CEO of SMC Squared. “Joining Hexaware allows us to scale that vision globally, backed by serious AI and cloud transformation horsepower.”
Timing the Market Just Right
The acquisition couldn’t come at a more opportune moment. The GCC sector in India is projected to surpass $100 billion by 2030, according to NASSCOM, as more global firms transition from headcount-heavy offshore models to AI-enhanced, platform-based ecosystems.
With enterprises now leaning hard into cloud, analytics, and hyper-automation, Hexaware’s combined GCC 2.01 stack aims to simplify complexity while unlocking compounding enterprise value. It offers a full-stack service—from advisory to execution—with zero-capex entry options, a shared KPI model, and captive-grade execution quality.
“With Hexaware’s tools and SMC’s blueprint, we’re not just reducing cost—we’re elevating enterprise value through scalable IP,” added Santhosh Ananthakrishnan, Chief Business Officer at Hexaware.
Papa John’s: A Case Study in Modern GCC Success
Papa John’s is one brand already reaping the benefits of this hybrid approach. Working with SMC, the pizza giant modernized its ERP and Workday systems, stood up a robust data foundation, and drastically streamlined its enterprise systems—all through a custom-built GCC team in India.
“Our GCC team is deeply aligned to our vision and has delivered tangible value,” said Michael Wyant, VP of Corporate Systems at Papa Johns. “With Hexaware joining the mix, we expect even faster innovation.”
With this acquisition, Hexaware is joining a growing league of IT services players reimagining GCCs not just as operational extensions—but as strategic innovation hubs that create intellectual property and accelerate digital transformation. But what sets Hexaware apart is its sharp focus on blending digital agents and human capital into one cohesive unit—a vision that competitors are only starting to explore.
Whether it’s a self-funded, zero-risk deployment or a long-term co-investment model, GCC 2.01 promises to reshape how enterprises think about building and scaling their tech infrastructure. And with Hexaware + SMC Squared, the platform and playbook are already in place.
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