Action Steps to Get the Most from IT Consulting Services
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get a college degree in IT services

Many information technology service firms do not require a college degree from their employees. However, when you have a degree, they are more likely to put your resume at the top of the pile. Look for colleges that offer degrees in IT management or other computer-related fields.

I recommend: Western Governors University offers online Bachelor of Science degrees in information technology. A great way to save money is to start your education at a local community college before advancing to a 4-year college. Search the American Association of Community Colleges to find a college near you.

Obtain certification in information technology services

When companies look for information technology consultants, they often look for ones that have certification. This can show that you have what it takes to design their information architecture.

I recommend: Aim to get the popular Cisco certification. You can also find programs at WorldWideLearn. Before you spend a lot of money on a certification program, however, take a look at this article on the problems associated with IT certifications from InformIT.

Take seminars in IT management to update your skills

A short seminar may be just what you need to bring your knowledge up to date. This is especially true as new technology becomes available.

I recommend: Hands On Technology Transfer has class locations in over 75 cities throughout North America. This is an excellent way to get the experience you need. Learn iT! also has a number of technology courses.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many information technology companies offer reimbursement for employees that want to learn additional skills. Ask your human resources department if they have a program that offers funding for certification or other classes.

Guide to IT Services Outsourcing and IT Consulting

Get the most from your tech budgets with hired brains and professional tech muscle

By Greg Brown

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find and price IT services outsourcing

The business press covered the big deals of late in IT services outsourcing with gusto, but remember that the multi-million dollar deals are, in part, a reflection of a contract covering sometimes thousands of users across several countries -- even globally -- doing security, onsite help, remote help, database administration, training and other key IT duties.

I recommend: Don't assume that even a big-name consultant is uninterested in your business. If it has developed capacity and expertise in your sector for another client, adding your needs isn't reinventing the wheel. Major vendors of IT services including IBM, HP, Accenture, and Computer Associates. Find more on IT outsourcing at the Business.com entry on IT outsourcing.

IT consulting as an alternative to IT services outsourcing

If you what you need is one-off project attention -- like buying and installing a server, establishing a new network or customizing software -- then an IT consultant might do the trick. IT consulting services can also help with training, security, data backup and data transfer issues.

I recommend: Which IT consultant to hire will vary dramatically according to your need and budget. Some examples of IT consulting firms include Bearing Point, Booz Allen Hamilton, Keane, Deloitte and Unisys. See additional resources at the Business.com directory of IT consulting firms.

Consider an international option for IT services outsourcing

If budgets are tight or major vendors can't seem to find a fit for your portfolio of needs, consider a foreign supplier of IT services outsourcing looking to grow. Thanks to the Web, 'nearshore' providers of IT services outsourcing can also handle database administration, security, web development and a host of other projects. Some have even expanded to U.S. locations to do onsite help and IT consulting services.

I recommend: A lot depends on your own willingness to deal with time lags and cultural differences, but no one questions the competitive abilities in IT services outsourcing and IT consulting services of India's Infosys, Tata and Wipro. In Latin America, the nearshore options for IT consulting services include Neoris, Softtek and Sonda. See Business.com for more on "nearshore" or "nearshoring" in IT services outsourcing and IT consulting services.

Small businesses can farm out small jobs in IT services outsourcing

For small to medium sized businesses, there is a middle road, a kind of IT services outsourcing known as managed services. Instead of maintaining a server for e-mail, for example, your company would rent space at a data center and simply connect to it, like Web mail.

I recommend: This is a fast-growing segment in IT services outsourcing, and managed services is a favorite of tech giants, since it allows them an entry into IT services outsourcing for small business with little continuing effort. HP and IBM figure highly into this new model of IT services outsourcing, as does Rackspace. See also the Business.com entry on managed service providers.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Hiring IT services outsourcing or IT consulting services is always a matter of balancing full-time staff with what is need on occasion. Always review in-house talent before hiring an expensive ringer to solve your IT services outsourcing problems.
• •  IT services outsourcing contracts usually stretch over several years, in order to insure a return on investment for the provider. But IT services outsourcing is highly negotiable, so be ready to deal.
• •  If your company is too small or too strapped to hire IT services outsourcing help, consider outsourcing the entire process. Many offshore provider of IT services will manage your e-mail or databases for a monthly fee. But, be ready to have your data distant.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Hire an in-house employee for information system management

For many medium and large sized companies, it's best to hire someone to take care of your systems on a full-time basis. When you do this, you can feel confident that there is always someone on hand to take care of potential problems. A regular employee will also become very familiar with your company's needs, which allows them to think of better solutions.

I recommend: There is a lot of competition in the information technology field, so make sure that you are hiring the best person for the job. Look for websites that specialize in tech-related employment, such as Dice. Alternatively, talk to an IT recruiter, such as TEK Systems about finding your next employee.

Look at the IT services that large companies can provide

If you use hardware created by some of the largest companies, you may want to consider working with their IT services departments. These specialists understand their company's technology and can help you make the most of the systems you have.

I recommend: Sun Microsystems offers a number of different levels of support for their customers. IBM has experience working in various industries. You may also be interested in the services for small and medium businesses offered by HP.

Look for information technology consulting firms for customized solutions

Your business is unique and it may require a unique solution. In such cases, you may want to consider hiring an outside consultant who will listen to your needs and create a system that's right for you.

I recommend: Custom Database Solutions can work with you to design a database system that organizes your data. SoliTech also offers customized solutions.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many people have a hard time understanding the vocabulary that goes along with information technology services. However, it's important for you to understand what's happening with your business' data and networking. Look for a consultant that can explain things to you in layman's terms.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Information technology

Information technology involves using hardware and software to retrieve, store, manipulate, and protect data. IT professionals, which include network engineers, network administrators, and software developers, analyze, design, develop, deploy, and manage information technology systems.

I recommend: Go to Marios Alexandrou to learn more about information technology.

Computer hardware

Computers consist of hardware components, such as the CPU (central processing unit), RAM (random access memory), video and audio cards, hard drives, and CD-ROM drives.

I recommend: The National Institute of Standards and Technology provides information about computers as well as information technology.

Software

Computer software consists of computer data or instructions. Software can be broken down into two categories: applications software and systems software. Applications software consists of database management systems, word processors, and spreadsheets. Systems software, on the other hand, contains operating systems and utilities.

I recommend: Visit ITT to learn how software plays an important role in information technology, and in making businesses productive.

Computer networks

Computer networks are made up of interconnected computers, including personal computers and servers. However, there are other powerful network devices that computer networks use. These are routers and switches. Computer networks use various interconnection technologies, including Ethernet, fiber, and wireless LAN (local access network).

I recommend: Tech-Source talks about the different network topologies in information technology.

Databases

Databases are comprised of collections of data or records. A computer or server stores these records. Database designers construct databases based on database models. The most popular database model is the relational model.

I recommend: Learn more about databases by visiting Encyclopedia.

Security

Network or information technology security involves preventing intruders from breaking into the network. Network security administrators also develop and implement policies and procedures.

I recommend: Check out the description for a degree in Network Secuirty at Education-Portal.com.