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Top 5 Questions to Ask Your IT Provider |
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Unfortunately, not all IT providers are created equal. There are some really solid professional
IT organizations and there are some companies that provide less than stellar service. Not all small businesses are the same, but most of them have the same basic
IT needs. Some businesses are not sure when it is time to get an IT provider but if it is that time here are 5 topics to ask when searching around.
- Recovery
This sounds simple, but it is surprising how many small businesses run without adequate backups. Understand what in your environment needs to be backed up. Just because you are removing a tape every night doesn’t mean that the data on the tape is complete or what you will need to bring back your business. There are many innovative ways to restore data, but believe me, there are many other “innovative” ways to have it lost forever! Ask your
IT provider in detail what is being backed up, when, to what, is there enough room on the media, and how long will a full restore take?
Certifications
Another question that some may discount as unimportant is do they hold the latest industry certifications. It does prove that they are at the minimum plugged into the latest technologies and systems and will likely be able to back their certifications with solid support. The alternative is even more of an unknown. Do you want to trust an uncertified engineer to get his hands on your data?
Do you understand my business?
Many industries have uniques and specific IT needs. Do you work in the law industry? Do you work retail? Each industry has its own set of applications and work differently. It is important to know what vertical markets your provider specializes in. If they have no experience in your vertical it may make sense to look elsewhere for someone who has that experience.
What is covered?
It is important to know what is covered and what the limitations are of your provider. With the proper understanding and accurate expectations you can ensure that your
IT is completely covered. The technical expertise and comfort level of each IT
provider will vary. Some will be able to cover a wider range of services while others will not. A company that knows its limits is more likely to responsible and careful with you systems where one that tries to do too much can border on reckless and could potentially cause problems.
What is my strategy?
It is extremely important to understand the business and to build the appropriate strategy. Time and money can be wasted going in the wrong direction, sometimes leaving the business in a worse position than when it started.
This list of questions to ask your current or potential IT providers will provide a good baseline for additional questions that you should ask when conducting your meetings and discussions. Be specific with your business' needs and understand what the company can feasibly afford and sustain on their own.
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