Trying to find the right IT Company for your business can be overwhelming. There are many different variables to consider during your search process. In this article, we will break down the main things to look at, in 10 simple and straightforward steps to make your decision easier.
1. Decide On Your Core Requirements
Until you know what your requirements are, it will be difficult to find the right IT Partner. Take the time to consider your scope of work, the specifics your company requires and of course your budget. Some tasks will require IT Companies to be local and some of your work scope may only require remote access which can shift your need for scheduling and the budget required.
2. Do Some Research
Don’t rely solely on Google to find the answers you need in your search for Managed IT. You can ask other people for referrals, including local businesses and your peers instead. Make it clear you’re looking for a reliable IT partner and that this is more important to you than finding the cheapest IT Company to partner with.
3. Experience Level
Rather than simply asking about their level of experience, ensure that it will meet your needs by requesting case studies from your specific industry. This can help to expose specific strengths or weaknesses of the IT Company and it should help you narrow the field. You can also look at possible reviews from who they are already working with, to see if they have partners in a similar field to your company.
4. Security
Your security is probably one of the most critical factors when looking at Managed IT. It’s important to find a company that takes it seriously. You will want to find an IT company that practices strict data protection protocols and can show you a proven history of implementing them. As an example, you could ask them what protocols they use to ensure against data theft.
5. Technology
You will want to match your company with an IT Partner who is familiar with the software and platforms you are currently using for your day to day business. If your company has existing technological gaps such as disconnected cloud tools, look for an IT company that can fill them.
6. Make Sure They Fit Your Organization’s Culture
By this point, you may be left with only a handful of options. If you’re still having trouble deciding on the best fit, you can factor company culture into your decision. You’re looking for a partner to help your company grow and stay secure, not just another vendor.
7. Their Support Model
Support is one of the most important factors in finding a good IT Partner for your company. Make sure you understand their support model and that it will fit your needs. The last thing you want is to require support and not be able to receive it or be charged a significant amount more. The best managed IT companies will proactively provide constant monitoring, all hours of the day. 24/7/365 monitoring. If uptime is important to you, steer clear of “break-fix” companies that may not fit with your company’s requirements. .
8. Pricing
Some companies offer clear and transparent pricing, while others use a complex pricing formula that changes from month to month. Your best bet is definitely a company with a flat monthly fee. That way, it’s simple to predict what you’ll be charged.
9. Understand Their Service Level Agreements
None of the promises made will matter, if there is not a legal Service Letter Agreement. Make sure you have legal help in determining that your requirements are in writing before partnering with any IT Company. Verify that ticket resolution and performance metrics are in line with what your business needs.
10. Check References
The final thing you’ll want to do is check your preferred IT company’s references. If they check out, then you’ve found the IT partner you’ve been looking for! If they don’t, go back to your second choice. Either way, using these 10 steps makes it easy to partner with the right IT company.