There is a sea of companies that specialize in IT services, and they often appear to be more or less the same. So what really sets them apart? What makes one a better choice than the other? Here are four essential things to consider when choosing an IT partner for your business. 

1. What can you expect from a proactive IT partner?

IT is constantly evolving, and for many, it can be a job in itself to stay updated on developments. By emphasizing proactivity when looking for your next IT partner, you can ensure that you have a player who detects potential problems before they arise and crises occur. A proactive IT partner regularly optimizes your company's IT environment and acts as a consulting party throughout the customer relationship. Here are some points you can expect from a proactive IT partner:

• Stays updated on new trends, threats, and software to guide you accordingly

• Regularly reviews your company's IT environment, analyzes it, and guides you toward the most suitable solution for your business

• Suggests updates to software, setting up new security solutions, or migrating to the cloud

• Encourages regular meetings to discuss the IT environment in the company to plan and advise on the way forward

2. Does the IT partner have a good focus on security?

We are increasingly living digitally, where data attacks occur more frequently than ever. And it may only now that many are realizing that this could also affect them. There is no doubt that the focus on security in the IT industry has significantly increased lately and most IT partners claim that they prioritize security, but what does that actually mean?

It is not uncommon for us to hear from IT users that the Microsoft license provides good protection, and that other security measures are therefore unnecessary. This is a truth with modifications, where it is first and foremost important that these services are configured and set up correctly. It is not enough to just have the license. Ensure that your next IT partner takes security seriously – you want one who manages your company’s security without taking shortcuts.

Thorough groundwork to prevent security issues from arising is essential, but it is also valuable to have someone who responds when alarms go off. Imagine a home alarm with and without a security response – the best is to have someone who can respond 24 hours a day. Make sure that your IT partner is one who reacts as soon as alerts appear, not a day later.

For example, a SOC (Security Operations Center) can provide the security your company needs. This should be a dedicated security department that can get into your IT environment within minutes and clean up if an attack should occur. Such a department should receive the alerts and immediately know what to do. The efficiency of this process can be crucial, as the consequences of not getting “the intruders kicked out” quickly enough, or letting them “enjoy your home” for several days, can be brutal.

Make sure to clarify with your IT partner who responds if something unusual should occur, for example on a Sunday morning. 

3. Do you get personal service and dedicated customer teams?

The importance of efficient, personal, and dedicated support is often overlooked in the choice of IT partner, which can lead to you as a customer being deprioritized when you need assistance. An essential element to consider in your choice will therefore be how support is managed at the IT partner. It is easy to state on paper that the support is good, but what does the IT partner really mean by good service? Here are some things to evaluate:

• Will you get a dedicated support resource, or will you meet a new person every time you reach out? If you meet a new person for each inquiry, it means that you may also have to spend a lot of time explaining the situation and IT environment countless times. This can also undermine trust and the collaborative form with your IT partner

• Is the partner inclined to act as an extended arm of the business? This is essential for mutual understanding and optimal collaboration

• How quickly does your IT partner guarantee to resolve an issue? Critical problems cannot wait several days to be solved due to slow support. This will result in a loss of both time and money

• Who are the designated resources that will act as employees in your company? It is usually someone other than those who first meet you at the supplier. Evaluate if these are people you would like to work with on a daily basis in the near future

4. Make sure to evaluate price, references, and experiences with the IT provider

In conclusion, there are some general points that are not necessarily unique to choosing an IT partner, but which are still important to take into account. 

Price is always something you should consider, and the scale here is broad. If you find an IT partner who appears cheap, you should ensure that all necessary functions are included and that they do not incur additional costs later. On the other hand, there are many who charge a lot. In this case, make sure that your company needs everything included in this price, so you are not paying for unnecessary IT services.

A place where you can always get honest feedback on whether the IT partner is a good choice for you is from the partner's references. Most suppliers and partners have a list of customers they want to showcase on their websites. You can easily contact these and ask for an unfiltered and honest experience.

Finally, trust your gut feeling in dialogue with the IT partner. If you feel that those you are speaking with are rude, unreliable, or unfriendly, this often reflects the culture of the company.

Good luck!