IT professionals are the people who organize and manage your firm’s mission critical functions; everything from computer equipment and networks, to web sites and databases. So, if you think you may need such help, here are two possible solutions:

1) Hire a full time IT worker with the skills your company requires.

2) Contract services from a company that provides technical consulting; in other words, outsource the work.

Hire a full time IT worker.

Now that you have decided you need to manage your information systems more efficiently, you will need to find an IT worker with the necessary skills. While this may sound daunting, it really isn’t. In fact you’re in luck. Since the decline of the once-hot dotcoms, demand for high tech workers is down. Therefore, be heartened, there are quality workers out there….at a price.

Did I say price? Yes, highly skilled IT workers can often demand upwards of $75,000 to $150,000 a year, including benefits. It is not cheap, but their services will help you sleep nights. To properly fill such a position, you must clearly define your organization’s IT needs.

The job description should be carefully crafted to ensure that the necessary skill sets are covered. Then, determine the salary level necessary to meet your objectives. Also, consider the Internet; computerjobs.com is one of several web sites that supply a regionalized salary survey — very helpful in determining the size of your investment. A good rule of thumb: Kitsap County salaries are likely to run 10 to 15 percent less than those in the Seattle market.

How will you validate the qualifications of the applicant?

Although you may get by without a certified professional, the old adage is usually true — you get what you pay for. For instance, the Microsoft Certified Professional has demonstrated a measurable level of knowledge; information technology is an ever-changing environment, skills can quickly become outdated. Also, make sure you learn your candidate’s certification dates to ensure current knowledge.

Why is this important?

In the early years, IT only required workers to have the most basic of skills; those necessary to keep the company running efficiently. Just watching over your company’s back office systems was deemed sufficient. In this day and age as information technology has evolved — in essence into a competitive weapon — staffing needs have become much more complex. The typical IT staff has moved far beyond just keeping data processing and accounting systems functional. Therefore when you take into account how intrinsic IT is to the overall mission of the company, you need people who understand your business and everything it involves.

Where are you most likely to locate this talent pool?

The truth is they may be looking for you. Consider utilizing some of these resources:
• Internet Job Sites and Bulletin Board
• High Tech Career Fairs
• T Placement Services
• Employee Referrals
• Internship opportunities with local schools

Outsource the Work

Small to medium size companies can take their cues from many of the top corporations, such as Microsoft, American Express, or Aetna. These firms, and countless others, employ outsourcing to help them maintain their competitive advantage.

Not all outsourcing agreements are necessarily lifetime commitments.

Should your organization experience surges in its IT needs, there are a variety of available short-term options. Say your company is running the Novell Operating System with Windows 95 as the desktop operating system. You are being told that both of these products will lose their vendor support, and the time has come for you to choose a new solution; or possibly update the existing technology. Rather than hiring full time staff to deal with this issue, you could seek outside assistance — i.e. outsource. A reputable consulting firm would not only assist in planning and implementing the migration, but also mentor your existing staff on the maintenance of the new technology.

Other reasons for outsourcing — emergencies.

Nothing strikes fear in the heart of the business professional quite like the news that his company’s database has crashed; a computer glitch has wiped out his server or network, and his IT systems have become compromised. On-call service providers can offer a rapid, continuing response — 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year — staffing your needs day and night, until your problem is solved.

Some IT services that might also be outsourced include the forensic work of recovering data from a damaged hard drive; IT audits and documentation; capacity planning or scaling assessments; intrusion detection and security evaluation; as well as creating customized small business solutions. There are many recurring services that can be successfully outsourced to a competent service provider, such as backing up files, applying service packs or hot fixes, or performance and optimization evaluations.

Many business owners appreciate the distinct advantages between outsourcing and hiring your own workers. With outsourcing you can access people from a large talent pool; those with the specific skills you require. You need only pay them for the hours they work.

And, there are no vacations to consider, sick leave or benefits to fund, or additional training expenses — you have qualified personnel available to you 24x7x365.

So now if you are considering outsourcing some of your IT services, what do you do? Here are a few helpful tips:
• Look for a reputable, bonded high tech consulting firm.
• Remember that companies which boast partnerships with large technology firms such as Microsoft, Oracle, Intel or Cisco, have met stringent requirements, proving their competence.
• Always ask for references, demonstrating experience in the areas where you have identified a need.
Finally, whether you decide to hire an IT professional or to outsource these functions, one thing is clear, as your company grows, expands services and product offerings, or initiates new strategies and tactics, your IT requirements will change. As a business owner, the most important action you can take is to surround yourself with talented but affordable people; those with the proven skills and track record to accomplish your company specific objectives.