For many small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), building a solid technology infrastructure means a lot. And you know that technology can make the difference between business success and failure. Investing in technology is often challenging because of the numerous vendors and solutions available. But technology is crucial to any company's success, and SMBs in particular need the expertise of IT consultants in setting up and maintaining their IT.
In 2018, spending on IT services is expected to amount to around US$1,003 billion worldwide from $933 billion.
USWired knows how daunting choosing the right managed IT services provider (MSP) can be for businesses in San Jose and the San Francisco Bay Area.
To help you choose the right IT consultant, here are some tips you should consider.
#1 Look for good communication skills - The right IT consultant should take the time to understand your business's unique pain points and clearly explain the solutions that can help -- that means little-to-no geek speak.
#2 Read feedback from previous clients - Keep an eye out for negative reviews from their past clients is a must before allowing an IT consultant team to access your business's critical systems. And if you're planning to hire a team that was referred by someone you know, reading about other clients' first-hand experiences can provide greater insight as to the level of service quality that you can expect from the provider.
#3 Check credentials and affiliations - IT certifications are a good indicator of an MSP's credibility. Many software vendors require IT technicians to pass ongoing exams on the latest versions in order to remain certified. If the company hasn't pursued such recognition, how deep can their expertise really be?
#4 Find out the relationship with relevant vendors - During your initial consultation with a prospective IT provider, it's also important to ask what sort of vendor affiliations they have. Most experts tend to be biased when it comes to the types of tech they prefer.
For instance, some consultants favor Microsoft Windows over Linux (and vice versa). Ideally, the team you hire will have experience working with multiple platforms and can truly offer you an objective opinion on what is best for your organization.
#5 Make sure the team has experience in your industry - For businesses in highly regulated industries, it's critical to work with an IT consultant who has extensive experience in your industry. For example, healthcare organizations need an IT partner who knows the ins and outs of healthcare regulations like HIPAA. Non-compliance with industry regulations could result in huge penalties and worse, business closure.
A good IT consultant for your business will be well-versed in the needs of your industry and business size. You could ask them to provide specific examples of problems they've dealt with and how they solved them, and determine whether their solutions are aligned with your business IT issues.
Implementing the right IT solutions can be complex, and it’s our goal to make it as accessible and straightforward as possible.The USWired IT consulting team can work closely with you and provide you with expertise and recommendations about the best technology available.
If you have any questions about what to look for when hiring an IT consultant, contact us now.
