Are you searching for an information technology (IT) provider? It helps to have a plan and know what you should be looking for before starting your search. After all, employment in the IT sector is growing three times faster than the rest of the economy and is estimated to reach $5 trillion by 2019.
If you’re not sure what you need to ask an IT provider, here are eight questions to get you started:
1. What services do you offer?
The first question you should ask any potential IT provider is what services they offer. After all, you want to make sure they can meet your needs. Do they offer support for specific software or hardware? Do they have experience with network security or cloud computing? Be sure to ask about all the services you’re interested in to get a sense of their capabilities.
2. What are your rates?
Next, you’ll want to ask about rates. This will help you budget for your IT needs and ensure that you’re getting a fair price. Be sure to ask about any discounts or promotions that might be available, as well.
3. What are your terms of service?
It’s also important to ask about the provider’s terms of service. This will help you understand what you can expect from the relationship. For example, how long is the contract? What are the cancellation policies? What are the payment terms? Asking these questions up front can help avoid any misunderstandings down the road.
4. What is your experience?
When it comes to information technology providers, experience matters. After all, you want to be confident that they know what they’re doing and can handle any challenges that come up. Be sure to ask about their experience with similar projects or companies. Also, ask for references so you can speak to some of their past clients.
5. What are your policies?
You’ll want to ask about the provider’s policies. This includes things like their privacy policy, data security policy, and backup policy. Asking these questions can help you be confident that your information is safe and secure.
6. What is your availability?
Another important question to ask is about availability. This includes things like their business hours, holidays, and after-hours support. It’s important to know that they’ll be available when you need them.
7. What are your qualifications?
Of course, you’ll want to make sure that the IT provider you’re considering is qualified to do the job. Be sure to ask about their education, training, and certifications. This will help you feel confident that they know what they’re doing.
8. What are your procedures?
Finally, you’ll want to ask about the provider’s procedures. This includes things like their project management process, change management process, and incident management process. Asking these questions can help you understand how they operate and what to expect during the project.
Asking these eight questions can help you narrow down your options and find the right information technology provider for your needs. Be sure to take your time and ask as many questions as you need to feel confident in your decision.