"Since 1999, outsourcing has been picking up," Hileman indicated, noting that it was clearly a function of the recession. Corporate real estate executives are farming functions out in order to "decrease expenses and increase shareholder value."

But not all functions are being handed over to real estate service providers. Hileman indicated that those operations touching on strategic planning are typically kept in house while the relatively straight-forward issues of lease administration and portfolio and transaction management are fodder for outsourcing.

A more strategic role for providers might be around the corner, however, given the trend of corporate real estate to play out on the global stage. "Firms are achieving a local presence and a global reach," stated E&Y's Bradley Hall. "But the question becomes how to maintain and manage that local presence." He hinted that technology "will help in that particular area."Hileman agreed: "With the help of technology, providers are gaining more of a partnership with their clients. While they were formerly engaged in the business of figuring out what has happened and reacting to past situations, now provides can act with more agility and provide to their clients more value-added service."