The ASP industry is young, and it's still got a lot of kinks. You can't always tell when you're about to be bamboozled or marooned. But some common traps have doomed a disproportionate number of partnerships. Here's how to avoid getting burned.
The ASP Trap
Like many technology sectors, the ASP industry is in perpetual turmoil. And for far too many companies it has become a pit of deception, exaggerated claims, and unfulfilled promises.
Bait and switch
In the race to build their customer bases, ASPs often oversell what they can do, promising easy access to the most desired applications for cents on the dollar.
Here today, gone tomorrow
And the only way to avoid these costs is to screen your ASP with keener scrutiny than you'd apply to any other business partner.
Not my job, Boss
Even when you've found an ideal ASP, can you trust its partners? Virtually all ASPs promise secure servers, bulletproof uptime, and 24-hour instant customer service. But often, a third party is responsible for making good on this sweet talk.
Bad marriage
To avoid the greatest trip-up of all, imagine the terms for divorcing your ASP while standing at the altar.
What to look for
Don't get caught in the ASP trap. Here are five ways to make sure you get what you pay for with a service provider before you sign a long-term contract.
Spot the survivors
1,800 ASPs want your business. Fewer than half of them will survive this year. As a potential ASP customer, how do you spot the survivors?
