External Resources in place of PMO's

I like Navi Radjou's blog on using internal and external IT solutions.
http://discussionleader.hbsp.com/radjou/2008/10/5-reasons-indias-largest-bank-is-thriving.html

He points out the value of the P&G program that builds innovative communities. The communities are leveraged to put products together. The benefit is not having to support a large R&D group that may or may not produce. As well, it can replace the PMO, whose job it is to dole out resources to internal projects. Key to success, as Navi points out, is not protecting the ideas, but rather is fast implementation. It is the producing the solution that has value to the company and customer versus protecting the solution through internal knowledge and patents.