| IT project outsourcing is not about managed hosting or | | | | Look for more than data center outsourcing. And don't |
| simple application development. Any company can set | | | | go for the low ball bid. The IT provider you choose is |
| up shop and do that. This is about protecting your | | | | there to help you grow your business. So don't |
| business assets. | | | | hamstring them by trying to cut corners. |
| Determining the value of that depends on how much | | | | If they are a solid, experienced company, their service |
| your customers data is worth and if being up 100% of | | | | offering is going to be very clear on the benefits to |
| the time is mission critical. | | | | you. |
| As a CIO, CTO or senior technician, sometimes finding | | | | * Following ITIL Best Practices |
| the answers to the value offered by outsourcing is | | | | Any IT project outsourcing agent you go with should |
| elusive. We explain several of the most important | | | | be an active ITIL practitioner. The service management |
| components to keep in mind when outsourcing a | | | | model followed is the best in the industry. |
| specific project. | | | | If you find a company whose plan is to adopt ITIL as a |
| * It Is About Creating More Revenue | | | | holistic approach to servicing your business, start with |
| This is not about eliminating jobs. Most companies think | | | | them. They have spent the time learning the |
| of outsourcing as a bad word. But you are in business | | | | processes that keep your business functioning like a |
| to make money. And to do that, you need growth. The | | | | top performing IT shop. |
| type of IT project outsourcing to consider are those | | | | An outsourcing provider delivers guidance and support |
| components that free up staff to focus on growth. Not | | | | in the management of your IT infrastructure. It is not |
| put out fires. | | | | about knowing the details of your business. That is |
| * Increased Performance, Lower Costs, Enhanced | | | | your responsibility. |
| Quality | | | | However, using an ITIL based approach helps them |
| Most IT staffers are hired to develop products or | | | | streamline your current IT services with a realistic |
| services, not baby-sit. By outsourcing the management | | | | expectation and measurable results. |
| of your mission critical systems to someone else, | | | | The value in IT project outsourcing begins and ends |
| these resources can be redeployed to product | | | | with ROI. |
| development and enhancement. | | | | After you get through working with a solid, credible |
| The outsourcing group is now responsible for keeping | | | | company your ROI should be obvious. Typical results |
| the back end in top performance. Any fires that get | | | | are seen with freed up staff, unnecessary data center |
| started are their responsibility. | | | | construction and building processes. All of which |
| * Strategic Outsourcing | | | | amount to substantial savings. |