Written by Thinc
Most IT providers and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) promise to manage your IT estate and infrastructure – varying from ‘hands-off until needed’ to working as an extension of your team.
In this flooded market, it’s no surprise that many businesses struggle to find the best fit for their business.
So, how do you choose the right partner? You’ve got to consider more than just the technical expertise. You need someone with the right culture and values to work in harmony with your business and ambition.
Generally, we think that there are four types of IT partners to choose from:
1. The Single-Service Expert
This type of provider usually just offers a single product or specific service. They are good at what they do but their capabilities are limited, and they may require guidance in their operations. If you know exactly what you need, this may work for your business. Keep in mind, though, that they will not provide strategic leadership, and your company will need to oversee the entire technology ecosystem.
2. The Strategist
Strategic consultants will give you valid and constructive IT advice but as they are often individuals (CTOs or CIOs), their capability is limited. They can help guide your business, but they won’t get involved in the execution and implementation side of things.
3. The Generalist
These partners will implement the strategy that you provide – they’re the ‘doers’ that make things happen. If you already have a concrete plan in place and don’t need any further input, the generalist may be the best solution for you.
4. The Comprehensive Team
This is where strategy and capability come together – a true partnership to move your business to the next level. At Thinc, we are a comprehensive IT team, allowing businesses to run efficiently and securely while supporting ambitious growth plans. We can help you create the IT strategy you need, formulate the solution, execute the solution, and offer ongoing monitoring and support. If you’re looking for an IT partner that will act as an extension to your business, you need the full comprehensive team behind you.
What to look out for
So, how do you know what to look for when choosing an IT partner? It’s important to find the right level of collaboration, guidance and support for your business. Here’s what to look for:
Communication
From initial contact to further meetings, how well do they communicate and interact with your team? Do they take the time to ask the right questions and get to know what’s really important to your business?
Responsiveness
How accessible is the team? Have the right people been placed on the project? Are you satisfied that the team have the right knowledge and experience to manage your account successfully?
Collaboration
Do you both work collaboratively and have you agreed on mutual priorities? Are you confident that the team that you met during the partner selection will be the same team working with you throughout the contract?
Flexible and creative problem solvers
Can you see evidence of initiative and creativity when looking at problems? Do they show flexibility, and are they able to articulate examples of this?
Superior technology ecosystem
If you’re trusting this provider to be your IT partner, you need to be sure they are running the latest software on the best infrastructure to give you the competitive advantage you desire.
Support
This is a partnership, so you will need to ensure that you get not only strategy and implementation but also ongoing maintenance and support.
Security
With cyber threats on the rise, can your partner demonstrate market-leading levels of security? Can they provide ongoing guidance, training and knowledge on the latest threats and associated exposure levels?
Written by Thinc
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