So you've looked at India as a potential place to outsource IT services. Why not try Russia? According to Lance Travis, vice president of research with Boston-based AMR Research Inc., the country has several advantages that qualify it for consideration. It boasts a highly educated workforce, which is stable and mature. Russian firms tend to be more pessimistic than Indian providers in their approach to project management, an attitude that might be more appropriate for high-risk projects. And, because Russian firms are mostly located in Moscow and St. Petersburg, they are closer in distance and time zones to Europe. Some have expert speakers in a number of other European languages. Russian providers of outsourced services are far from challenging the dominance of their Indian counterparts, Travis admits in a recent AMR Alert. However, by focusing on specific technology and industry niches, they will continue to grow and offer an intriguing alternative.