IT plays a crucial role in many organisations, and some might be reluctant to outsource it, which is perfectly understandable. Some may not have the choice, however, and might be facing roadblocks that force them to transfer some or all of their IT functions to a third party. While there are plenty of fine teams out there, finding the best for your business might be a challenge, and making a mistake here could have disastrous consequences. Here are some of our tips for finding the perfect outsourced IT provider.
This is probably the most important part when working with an outsourced IT team. Many projects have failed because organisations didn’t have clear goals. You want to know exactly what type of solutions you need, and the scope of service you need as well.
In some cases, you might be able to keep some of the functions in-house and have an IT team work on the security aspect only. Or, you might want them to take control of your whole database while controlling access. These will be two completely different sets of responsibilities, and they demand a different level of engagement. Some teams might also work better in an advisory or support role, while others will have a more hands-on approach. These are all things you’ll have to take into consideration when making your choice of teams and preparing for enquiries.
One of the things you should consider is going for a provider that is close to you. This is especially important if you have physical offices in the area, as you may need them to come to your premises from time to time. If you live in Kent, for instance, then it would make sense that you work with an IT Support Kent company if you want better and faster service.
If you happen to be based in Kent, teams like Impreza IT are recognised as one of the best teams in the region, and have a solid track record in the community. They will be able to help you build custom solutions made especially for your organisation. But, more importantly, they have a pro-active 24/7 support team that will be there to assist you anytime you need – and fast.
References will be very important here, so make sure that you get enough and double-check them. You want to talk to people they’ve been working with over the years, and ask what they liked about working with them. Ask about specific situations they were able to help with, and what solutions they implemented. It’s very important that you go with clients with whom they’ve had an extensive relationship with, as new clients might still be in their honeymoon stage.
Finding a great outsourced IT provider is not always easy, but it can be done when you take your time and know what you’re looking for. Follow these instructions, and you will increase your chances of finding a great team that will understand your needs and come up with real solutions.