Staying competitive through outsourcing. (outsourcing of computer systems operation) (Focus: Computer and Office Systems)

Is outsourcing a process whose time has past, or is it still a viable option in these days of PCs for peanuts?

Outsourcing, by definition, is the turning over of any aspect of technical information operations to an outside company to manage or perform, according to Austin-based Cathie Hargett of EDS, one of the first and largest companies to offer service-based computing.

Several levels of outsourcing exist, she said. On the simplest levels are consulting, systems development and systems integration.

Other levels include systems management -- where the outsource firm is responsible for the management and operation of the software, hardware and sometimes …