What Should I Ask Before Signing Up With An IT Provider?
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If you're a business owner looking to partner with an IT provider, there are a few important questions you need to ask before signing up. In this blog, we'll explore five crucial questions that will help you find the right IT partner for your business.
“Can you tell me about the specific people who’ll be looking after us?”
Many businesses overlook the importance of knowing the actual people they will be working with when partnering with an IT provider. You need to understand how the IT support partner whether or not you'll always be speaking to the same person, who to talk to if you're not happy, and who will be doing your strategic IT reviews and building your technology roadmap. This question is a great way to get to know more about the company and figure out if their people are the right match for yours.
“Can you explain something deeply technical to me?”
You don't need to learn the technical aspects of building an IT infrastructure, but it's crucial to understand whether your IT support partner can explain a complicated technical process to you in English. It's essential to have clear communication without confusion or breakdown.
“How will you keep on top of the constant changes in my business?”
Successful businesses deal with a lot of changes. From adding new staff members to tweaking the product or service you offer, it's likely that your business is forever changing things. Your IT support partner should keep track of these changes and make recommendations based on how you're working. They should suggest better software to use, a smoother network, more appropriate security, etc. Look for a partner that takes an active interest in the changes happening within your business and arranges regular catch-up sessions to ensure they're on top of everything that's going on.
“What do you do proactively, to make sure my team will have fewer interruptions?”
Downtime is a business killer. Your IT support partner should work proactively in the background to ensure that the majority of little blips don't arise. They should assure you that most updates and maintenance will be carried out outside of working hours and provide other solutions that mean your business maintains productivity while essential work is taking place.
“How quickly will problems be fixed?”
You need to know timeframes based on severity. How long will it take your IT support partner to acknowledge your issue in the first place? How long do they expect it'll take to get someone working on the problem? They should have processes and procedures they stick to when issues arise. They should also tell you about the worst problem they've encountered and how they dealt with it. This can tell you a lot about their professionalism, knowledge, and ability to remain calm in a crisis.
These are the five crucial questions you should be asking an IT provider before signing up. Knowing the answers to these questions will help you find the right IT partner for your business, providing you with the support and service you need to achieve your goals. You can find more information from our free download “2023 IT Services Buyer’s Guide” located on our Free Resources page.