Outsourcing the IT function looks attractive. It can offer you greater flexibility and cost savings, and enable you to focus on your core business. At the same time, outsourcing IT has its problems. It can involve extra risks and hidden costs. Your company’s relationship with the IT supplier will not just run itself. You will need to manage the relationship to obtain the services your business requires. Whether outsourcing your IT is the right decision for you depends on the needs of your business. This is why you should be clear in your own mind what you expect from your IT. That way, if you do decide on outsourcing, you will then be able to find the best supplier. Finding the best supplier of IT services is not just a matter of the cheapest deal. You want to be sure you are using a supplier with real technological expertise who understands the specific requirements of your industry. Because your business relies on IT, negotiating the contract with the supplier is of vital importance. You need to be aware of matters such as liability, data protection and intellectual property. If you want outsourcing IT to work for you, you need to negotiate a contract that takes these issues into account.