There used to be a joke in the business world that went something like this, “What’s the scariest thing you can be for Halloween? An Offshore IT Service Provider!” Today, that joke is no longer relevant, because offshore IT consulting and outsourcing service providers are a proven, valued resource. BUT if you want to be happy with your offshore decision, you must carefully select your service provider. I could talk for hours about the selection process, but since none of us has the time, let me give you some quick tips!Requirements – Before you talk to offshore IT consulting firms and outsource service providers, be sure you understand your requirements. Do you need short-term services for application development or other project related tasks or a long-term partnership for things maintenance, upgrades and support – or both?