Outsourcing your information resources
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/eb027082 |
| Pages | 101-113 |
| Published date | 01 February 1995 |
| Date | 01 February 1995 |
| Author | GRAHAM SOUTHWOOD |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management |
Outsourcing your information
resources
GRAHAM SOUTHWOOD
ABSTRACT
The author examines the business practice of outsourcing. He explores the rea-
sons for adopting this approach and the range of types of outsourcing arrange-
ments. The whole process is examined from evaluation of the service to be
outsourced to consolidation. The author concludes by discussing how the records
manager should deal with this potential threat by seeing it as an opportunity.
Introduction
The records management world is undergoing a revolution. The most ob-
vious change is being brought about by technology. The developments in
computers and communications are dramatically altering the way and
speed at which we work. These developments impact on the form in which
records are created, transported, used and held, both within our organisa-
tions and the world outside.
Another development which is changing the environment for the records
manager is outsourcing. Outsourcing is the provision of a service by an
outside service provider, where the service provider manages or operates
facilities previously done in-house. It is not new. You may know the
concept as 'contracting out' or 'facilities management'.
Records managers have always been able to draw upon external resources
to help them develop cost effective records management systems. The
obvious examples are data storage companies and microform bureaux. But
the pressure to contract out records management activities is growing.
The degree to which your organisation contracts out its information serv-
ices will depend upon a number of factors not least the anticipated ben-
Records Management Journal, vol. 5, no. 2, December 1995, pp. 101-113
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