Executive Summary (This is a document excerpt)

Firms are outsourcing applications like never before, involving a variety of applications outsourcing service types as well as a broad range of suppliers. Enterprises are increasingly likely to make applications outsourcing a centerpiece of their outsourcing strategies. But the term applications outsourcing actually can refer to a variety of services, ranging from maintenance and enhancement to new development and composite offerings. The different services demand varying strategies and tactics and may entail different suppliers — and even different contractual and service-level agreement (SLA) structures. With applications outsourcing plans on the upswing, potential clients should ensure that they get their houses in order as much as possible.