The Pitfalls in Becoming a BPO ASPs have proven they are an efficient and cost effective way to share expensive applications. The most successful ASPs have made customer service a bedrock of their business. So it's natural when a good client asks an ASP to help take on a related business process, the supplier wants to agree. The major requirement is to have real expertise in the area.
ASPs are by definition savvy about technology.
But knowing how to upgrade accounting software and being able to prepare a balance sheet are very different skills. Raysman says ASPs who take on BPO tasks by definition identify themselves as experts in that business process in the marketplace. Should anything go wrong with the contract and the parties end up in court, the ASP will have to prove it is knowledgeable in the area in question. For legal liability issues, Raysman says ASPs should gear up and hire a professional staff for the BPO division. This requires what can become a significant capital investment.