289 total views
As your business grows, its technology requirements change as well. This means you could easily end up with IT that cannot sufficiently meet your business’s current needs. Such a mismatch can cost you thousands of dollars in lost productivity and operational issues. Or worse, it may even lead you to suffer cyberattacks.
To get the right IT advice from the very start, you must leverage IT consulting services. However, not all IT consultants are created equal and you may have difficulty knowing which one you should partner with, especially when there are dozens of them in Orange County.
To help you in your search, we’ll discuss things you should look for when choosing an IT consulting firm.
Expertise
Check whether the IT consultant has expertise in the IT services your business needs. For example, if you’re planning to create your own customer service hotline, then the IT consulting firm must be knowledgeable about Voice over Internet Protocol services. But it would be advantageous if they also have experience deploying different IT solutions in case your company adopts these in the future.
Moreover, to ensure you select a qualified and reputable IT consultant, ask them these questions:
- Are their certifications and licenses up to date?
- Has the company and/or the staff received awards and accreditations that prove their reliability and effectiveness?
- Are they partnered with leading tech companies, such as Cisco, Intel, Datto, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services?
- Do they stay updated on IT trends and advancements by following industry news and joining partner conferences?
Relevant experience
Partner with an IT consulting firm that has a lot of experience working with businesses of the same sector and size as yours. If your sector is subject to certain compliance standards, like those imposed by the SOX Act for the financial services industry, your IT consultant must ensure that your IT systems abide by industry requirements.
Also, the needs of smaller organizations are different from those of large enterprises, and you need an IT consulting firm that can address your unique needs.
When selecting an IT consultant, review the resumes of their employees with relevant experience. Check out reviews and testimonials and request client references from your industry.
Communication skills
Your IT consultant must be able to communicate with you effectively. To gauge their communication skills, schedule a meeting with them and pay attention to how they interact with you. Do they make eye contact? Are they patient in answering your questions? Can they clearly explain tech concepts to your employees from different departments?
Project management skills
An IT consultant must also have excellent project management skills to ensure that every deployment goes smoothly. To test their abilities, ask them how they would approach an IT project similar to what you’re planning. You should also inquire about their experiences with managing projects that encountered problems and what they did to solve these.
Location
If you’re based in Orange County, you’ll want to make sure that the company you choose has a local office. This will make it easier to schedule meetings and get support when you need it.
To get technology solutions that support your business growth, make sure you partner with a capable and reliable IT consulting firm.