It’s easy to find an outsourced IT partner to work with if you aren’t particular about things like technical expertise, responsiveness, and pricing. However, that’s exactly why it can be so hard to find the perfect fit in a crowded marketplace.
In our first article in this series, we gave some tips you can use to start building a list of potential IT companies to work with. In this follow-up post we want to tell you what you can do to sift through candidates and find the technology team that’s perfect for your business, needs, and budget.
Let’s look at how you can find the right firm for the job…
How to Narrow Your List of Outsourced IT Companies
While some outsourced IT companies are better than others, when you’re deciding between quality firms with good reputations it’s largely a matter of finding the right fit.
For instance, you might want to work with a company that’s in your same geographic area so that you don’t have to overcome language barriers or get help from someone in a distant time zone. Or, you might put a premium on hiring a firm that will familiarize themselves with your hardware, software, and business goals.
It’s a good idea to think about what your decision criteria will be before you start narrowing down your list. That way, you can compare proposals based on the factors that matter to you and won’t be swayed by offers or pitches that aren’t that relevant to your work.
By following that kind of approach, you can probably eliminate most of the companies on your list because a few will stand out above the others. That’s when it’s time to start meeting with different vendors to see what they can do to benefit your specific business.
You’ll want to ask questions about their technical backgrounds of course, but also their track records for responsiveness in dealing with emergencies. You should also ask to see sample agreements and talk with current clients to learn about their experiences. All of these can help you get a better sense of what it’s going to be like to actually work with the vendor once you sign on the dotted line.
The goal of these conversations, in the end, is to know which firm makes you feel most comfortable about signing an agreement. It lets you get beyond glossy brochures and slick sales pitches, getting instead to facts and details that will be more relevant after you start paying monthly invoices.
It’s not always easy to choose the right outsourced IT company to work with, but the process of choosing one doesn’t have to be impossible, either. Just follow our advice for finding the right fit… or let us help you to get a great deal without a lengthy search.
Want to Skip the Hard Part and Work with the Best?
At Fantastic IT in Southern California, we have an unmatched reputation for fast service, clear pricing, and knowledgeable technology assistance. If you’re sick of shopping around and want to work with the very best in the business, our team is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about what we can do for you!