subject: Three Main Secretes Of Outsourcing It Projects [print this page] Tips for Choosing Quality Outsourcing Partners
As the economy stay unstable companies are working hard to cut costs and find ways to improve their competitive advantage. One of the best options to cut cost for any size company is outsourcing their IT projects. Although more and more companies are outsourcing their IT projects, there are many that do not know how to start searching for the right outsourcing partner.
The following three steps should help companies that are currently outsourcing their IT projects to find better partners and those who want to gain some information about it.
1.)Conduct and internal analysis to determine your company goals and project needs. This will enable you to look for specific skill sets or technologies. Knowing what you need in will help you narrow your search and will help you save time and money during your research.
2.)There are different types of IT outsourcing service providers. Start by searching using general keywords such as IT outsourcing, outsourcing IT project, IT outsourcing services and other keywords that are general. The reason I recommend starting by general search is that I want you to see all of the different types of services offered.
3.)After conducting your research generally speaking, you will come across three types of companies.
-The vast majority of IT outsourcing companies are what I call order takers. They want the project scope from you and want to start the design and development. These companies normally do not have a good customer service system in place and lack sound business knowledge. They are a group of technical people.
-The second type of companies usually would like to receive the project requirement ask some questions and establish the milestones for the project and start the design and development process. Their customer service is a little better and they have a little more business knowledge than the first group.
-The third group and much smaller part of the industry are companies that take a consultative approach and want to develop a strategic partnership by learning about your business, systems and processes. They will also help you in further clarifying your business goals and objectives and will assist in developing a balance between IT services and business. These types of companies will produce much more value. Their consultants usually have sound business knowledge and they have highly experienced technical team to support your organization almost the same or some times better than an in house IT department. The consultants usually will work with you on all projects and provide alternative solutions so you can pick the best solution for your business.
-The last group of IT outsourcing companies are the ones that take a consultative approach and they have created a methodology or a unique system to not only help you cut cost but to improve market share and improve competitive advantage. These types of companies are rare and are focused on providing business solutions. These types of companies normally are specializing in a few different areas of business. Therefore, providing a one stop shop for most of your business needs. Utilizing such companies will help you design systems that support and benefit your entire business rather than just a department. Even if the project is design for one function of your business, these types of companies will analyze and ensure that the new system will integrate with the rest of the technologies in your organization.
Selecting a company that has a developed a unique business solutions program will help you both in the short and long term. Since change is inevitable in business, having a strong resource that can provide the right type of service at the right time will help you raise the bar for your competitors.
