There are many places you can look for a new IT provider – would you trust the internet for such a search, or are you better off talking with someone who knows the local marketplace well?
In this article, we’ll discuss some of the sources you should use for drawing up a hit list of new IT providers.
The first suggestion is to have a list of between 3-5 IT companies you plan to interview and provide a [request to tender].
More than 5, and you will not have enough time to interview all companies and make an informed decision – there may well be possibly too much information to sift through. On the other side of this, too few companies—you should aim for at least three IT providers as a minimum so you can get a good feeling for what’s available to your business.
Word of mouth or internet?
If you are purely asking others if they know of a good IT provider, one of the main things to take into consideration is their experience with this provider. Is it firsthand, or are they passing on what someone else has mentioned?
Whatever the answer might be, take into account the size of the company and what type of company they’ve supported with IT. Your company may be completely different.
A small staff of 5 in a manufacturing firm has completely different needs and response requirements when it comes to IT than, for example, a large 50-person professional services firm – their worlds are night and day, and that recommended IT provider might be good for the manufacturing firm, but would they be able to deliver the same quality of service to your company, which may be much more demanding?
When it comes to research on the internet, there are many sources – you could do a general Google search and look at the reviews in your local area, or you could dive into more detail – looking for an IT company that deals specifically with your industry – you’ll find that a lot of IT providers are generalists and take on any business.
If you do find a niche/industry-specific IT provider, one of the main questions you should have on your mind is their local physical presence – if there is one? If not, how do they deliver their IT support service when a physical onsite visit may be required? Do they contract this out, and if so, to whom? What type of service would you be receiving for the “in-person” visits? That can go a long way, especially as you’re looking for a better service delivery experience in the first place.
It’s also worth investigating any case studies, testimonials on the provider’s website as well as background checks on LinkedIn to unearth years of experience these IT providers have. LinkedIn can give you a great understanding of how big an IT provider is and how many engineers with technical capability are on hand to support your business.
If you’d like help navigating which IT provider to choose, get in touch with us.
