Information Technology has become such an important part of virtually every business, but a lot of people still aren't comfortable or knowledgeable with it.

With so much information out there and new technologies springing up virtually daily, it makes sense to leave this to experts in the field and leaves you with more time to focus on the aspects of your business you know better than anyone else.

Does that mean you need to hire someone to be on staff and/or on-site 24x7 to handle it for you?

Not necessarily. Let's look at some options.

1. Hire someone to be on staff

This seems to be the obvious choice. Most managers know very little about technology and feel comfortable hiring someone to look after it for them. They like the idea of calling out and having someone at their desk in a minute or two. They don't feel comfortable managing someone who is remote and feel they need to see them to be sure they are working.

This is a viable approach if you have a large company and can justify having more than one person on staff.

But what are the cons to this old school approach to management with this type of "department", particularly in a smaller company?

2. Rely on Another Employee Who Knows About Computers

I know this may seem unlikely these days, but you'd be surprised by how many people still think it's a viable option. Having said that, it might be relevant if you have an employee with a technical background or specialized training. Someone who is performing another role in addition to picking up the IT duties could be a real cost savings.

However, there are still some cons to this approach.

3. Call a Local Computer Store or Consultant for Per Instance Support

Yes, this can be an option but can typically not be in your best interest. Although it can sound enticing to only pay for help when you need it, there are some potential downsides to this approach you should be aware of.

4. Contract an IT Services Company

This is a good option for a lot of companies. Typically, they employ personnel with excellent technical knowledge and offer good levels of support.

But (you knew I'd throw a "but" in there didn't you?), there are cons to this approach as well.

5. Contract an Independent Consultant

Yes, I am talking about people like me here, but hear me out before making your decision.

Get my full guide, "How to Benefit from Information Technology While Reducing Costs" including the honest, unbiased pros AND cons to this option.

So, which of these options do I recommend? Well, obviously #5 -- Contract an Independent Consultant! But seriously, it ultimately depends on:

• the size of your operation
• your comfort level with service interruptions
• availability of connectivity infrastructure for remote support (ie. reliable internet connections)
• comfort level with not having someone down the hall when your batteries die in your wireless keyboard (yeah, that may have sounded like a dig, but you get the idea)
• budget
• comfort level with fluctuations in monthly expenses (ie. fixed contract versus variable/per instance fees)
• specifics of your unique business