Companies thinking of introducing IT sales outsourcing should be flexible when negotiating contracts, it has been claimed.

Claudio Da Rold, an analyst from research outfit Gartner, urged businesses and outsourcing suppliers to consider innovative methods - such as cloud computing or pay-as-you-use services - when coming to an agreement, according to Computer Weekly.

He noted that the effects of the economic downturn will change IT outsourcing services in the same manner that the burst of the 'dotcom bubble' in the 1990s did.

"In 2001-02 after the dotcom crash, offshore services grew in the same way we believe the new economic crisis will bring new delivery models," he was quoted as saying.

To avoid a similar situation happening again, Mr Da Rold advised firms and suppliers to embark on flexible, shorter-term deals with provisions for contracts to be enhanced in the mid-term.

Sticking to rigid, old-fashioned methods will "not be enduring value for businesses or suppliers", he commented.

Recently, Tanya Bagchi, a senior manager for professional services firm KPMG, outlined some of the issues surrounding outsourcing at a conference held by the Confederation of British Industry.

"Do you need to develop outsourcing or shared services options? Are there opportunities for outsourcing options?" were questions she suggested businesses should consider.

Written by Julian Poulter and Copyright "Selling People 2009"