Businesses should look for a culture fit when seeking managed IT outsourcing providers, it has been claimed.

Ross Taylor, marketing manager at managed services provider Direct Response, said employing a firm with a proven track record is also vital, as outsourcing key functions of the business to a company that cannot deliver will give a customer the impression that the client firm, rather than the outsourcing provider, has failed.

He continued: “Don’t go in with your eyes closed. Know fully what it is that you’re entering into. Typically [for] the company that are looking to outsource, there needs to be a culture fit in terms of the two businesses.”

Mr Taylor went on to say that managed IT outsourcing can bring a company benefits in terms of reducing development costs, using new technologies and processes and adopting new ways of doing things.

Earlier this week, global business advisory firm EquaTerra claimed the urgent need for cost savings in the difficult economic climate is fuelling demand for managed IT outsourcing.