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At first glance, bringing in outside consultants and technical service personnel may seem expensive. However, when you look at the benefits, it may be your best option. Today's information systems departments are operating on tighter budgets and with fewer people. In many cases, shops are operating with the same people for years, while their organization continues to add systems at a blinding pace. As a manager of IS resources, you may find it easier to justify funds for specific needs when your attempts to resource additional personnel fail. Justification for contract personnel is easy when you look at the benefits vs. the cost. Outsourcing allows you to bring the most experienced and talented technicians on board at the right place and time for a fraction of the cost associated with hiring full time personnel. Additionally, when you outsource, you have complete control of the situation and work to be performed. If you are not pleased with the quality and technical know how of a given consultant, you can replace him or her with relative ease. Most importantly, you do not have the same long term commitments to consultants as you do for personnel that you hire. In many cases, if you can forecast requirements, you can negotiate discounted rates with firms that provide consultants when you purchase time on a pre-allocated basis. If you think that outsourcing might be in your future, then follow these guidelines: Considerations and tips at a glance: 1. Look to outsourcing when you need to purchase the precise technical know how for a specific area of need. When you hire full time personnel, you trade specific skill sets for those highest in demand on a regular basis. This will usually leave you with gaps in areas that do not usually require attention, but that can become obstacles when they do. 2. Remember, when you outsource you can purchase the specific skill and only the amount of time required to perform a given task. Once a task is complete, you have no further obligations, for example, insurance, unemployment, or payroll taxes. 3. Request the right to interview any consultant being offered to perform services. Believe it or not, many companies use other consultants belonging to firms they have no previous exposure with to conduct interviews for prospective candidates . 4. When defining outsourcing requirements, look for companies that offer consultant time in block agreements at discounted rates. Most companies offering block agreements will allow you to use different consultants with specific skill sets based on your requirements as they arise. Look for a company that is diverse in their offerings and try to match their skills to your needs on a broad scale. Whichever route you choose, outsourcing or full time personnel, it is important to analyze and forecast your needs. When you can accurately put your finger on technical requirements, you open the door on all options. Additionally, you will be able to better justify your needs and offer comparisons when faced with the need to secure resources for your department's operations.
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