Reliable remote access: do you go it alone or partner?

Before you decide to go it alone, consider:

• The significant effort by your IT staff;
• The opportunity costs of other projects on which your IT staff could focus; and
• The cost effectiveness of outsourcing, since it can reduce IT expenses in certain areas, like hardware.

After careful consideration, many organizations opt to go with an outsourced partner. Let's discuss what a good partner looks like.

Vendor selection

With every business relationship, you're looking for not just a vendor, but some sort of partnership. This is even more imperative when you depend on the supplier for operational continuity.

Before making your initial inquiry, gather the following information to help narrow down your options: length of time in business, proper accreditation, and customer support reputation. Avoid the lowest bidder. You will usually get what you pay for. Also avoid vendors on the cutting edge of technology. Look for staff with architect-level titles and certifications on technology such as MCSE, Cisco, and SAIC.