Finding the right IT firm that puts your priorities first can help keep your business moving smoothly.
When looking to invest in an IT firm for your business, it can be overwhelming. There are hundreds of firms out there and they all offer something a little different — how are you supposed to know which one is best?
Well, you’ll want to take your time with the decision and consider a number of different things. But one of the biggest and most important things to remember during this process is you’re looking for a partner who will help your business run smoothly.
The better partner you find, the more your business can benefit from hiring an IT firm. They should become part of the team and want to see you succeed year over year.
In an effort to help you find that perfect partner, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help get you started on your search.
Here’s a quick look at what we’ll cover:
- Understand their previous experiences and how that applies to your needs
- Make sure they can fulfill the needs of your business based on size
- Find a company that allows you to pay for only the services you need and nothing more
- Know what to expect when it comes to ticket and call response times
Before signing on with an IT firm, you’ll want to understand what their previous experience looks like. Make sure they know your industry and software needs and can help you solve the problem you’ll be running into. Image courtesy of Pexels.
Do they have experience with the things you need help with?
One of the most important things you need to consider when looking into different IT firms is their experience. You want to work with a firm that has knowledge and understanding of the things you’ll need from them.
There are two types of experiences you’ll want to make sure you know more about before selecting an IT firm:
- Industry experience: Does this firm understand your industry? Have they worked with companies similar to yours in the past? This is important to understand because there could be regulatory considerations or specific industry needs that they will need to assist you with.
- Software experience: What software does this firm have previous experience and knowledge of? Are they familiar with all of the different systems and software that you currently use? If not, they may not be the best option when it comes to IT firms. They will have to spend time learning the new systems rather than jumping right in and helping improve your day-to-day needs.
If an IT firm has the experience you need, they will know how to quickly and more efficiently resolve any issues you run into. Without the right experience, you could be wasting your time and money with a firm that doesn’t understand your needs.
Big or small, you need an IT firm that can handle the needs of your company. Make sure to ask questions around the needs based on your business size and don’t forget to think about future growth potential. Image courtesy of Pexels.
Are they designed to help companies of your size?
The next tip on the list is to ensure that the firm can handle the needs of your company based on size. While it may seem like this would only apply to larger companies, it’s true for small companies also.
Here are a few things you should consider when determining if an IT firm can meet the need of your company size:
- Large companies: Can the firm handle the number of calls that may come in from your business? Are they equipped to address software issues that affect a large number of people, possibly in various locations?
- Small companies: Will the firm be able to provide more one-on-one service when issues arise and you need additional assistance? Can the firm adjust if your business begins to grow and you take on more work than previously before?
No matter if you work for a large or small company, your goal is to continue to grow your business and return profits. Make sure that you have goals in mind and talk with firms about where you expect to see your numbers in the coming years.
Does the IT firm you’re talking to provide you with levels of service? Don’t get stuck paying for a plan that has services you’ll never use. Image courtesy of Pexels.
Can you choose your level of service to get what you truly need?
Your IT needs are specific to your company. It’s important to work with a firm that realizes this. Maybe you don’t need the full product offering they provide, but just a specific portion of it. Why pay extra for services you’ll never take advantage of?
Find a company that offers different levels of service and find the one that best fits your needs. Take the time to really understand what each level provides you with and determine what services are most important to you and don’t feel obligated to purchase something you won’t use.
Here are a few examples of different levels of support that IT firms may offer:
- Simple system monitoring and alerts in the case of a breach
- Network setups, software installations, and program monitoring
- Day-to-day and 24-hour support for remote locations
Knowing exactly what you need going into the process will help you avoid paying for extra services.
Understanding what their support teams look like and how quickly they can resolve your issues is a huge factor when selecting an IT firm. Image courtesy of Pexels.
What does their response time look like?
Last but not least — what does their response time look like?
This is very important to understand before choosing the IT firm you’re going to partner with. If they cannot provide you with quick response times, what are you paying them for? The point of having a firm to handle your needs is to help minimize downtime and resolve issues quicker.
This should be one of the first questions you ask when you start conversations with firms. All firms have a different process, so it’s important to bring this up with each potential firm.
Ask the following questions to help understand what their response times will be:
- How long does it take for them to respond?
- How fast are issues typically resolved?
- How long will it take if you require onsite support?
All of these questions will help you identify if their response times and measures will meet your business needs. If they don’t, don’t waste your time on additional conversations and move on to the next firm on your list.
Find the Right IT Firm For Your Business
Although every business is different, these tips will help you get started when it comes to finding the right IT firm. The biggest thing to remember is to take all the time you need and ask tons of questions. The more educated you are on the different firms and their processes, the more likely you are to make the right choice.
