Outside help: small businesses are farming out tasks from payroll to information services.

Entrepreneurs typically want to work on the key functions of the businesses they launch--whether designing computer networks, selling sports memorabilia or making custom cabinets. They don't want to spend their time keeping up with payroll processing, tracking new labor laws or shopping for health insurance.

Even though the economic downturn the past three years has made small businesses more cautious about spending money, the trend toward farming out work continues.

"The move toward outsourcing non-core functions is just as strong as it has always been," sa