There are a lot of IT companies out there, but they’re not all created equal. The level of service and the quality of personal attention you get from these companies can vary pretty dramatically—so before making the decision to outsource your IT needs to a particular team, it’s smart to do some due diligence. One way to do so is to be thorough in asking questions, and seeking the information you need to feel confident proceeding.
Here are a few questions we recommend asking, though feel free to augment them with any other questions that matter to you.
- What kind of technical experience does the company offer? Find out how long they’ve been in IT, and how long they’ve worked in your industry, in particular.
- Has the company worked with businesses similar to yours? Don’t hesitate to ask for references or referrals!
- What kinds of certifications does the company hold? Look for a company that is certified in the technology you actually use; for example, an Apple certification doesn’t matter if you’re in an all-Windows office.
- How does the company stay abreast of new technologies? What do they do to ensure early adoption of important new practices?
- What does the company offer in terms of maintenance? How proactive are they in preventing IT problems, as opposed to just reacting to them?
- Who is the point person for any IT problems? How can you contact them? What sort of response time should you expect?
- What’s offered by way of security? What expectations are there in terms of system up-times, etc.?
You can and should ask probing questions to better understand the IT company you’re choosing to work with—and hopefully, these quick inquiries will provide you with some good conversation starters!