In Dallas today – as in so many metropolitan areas in the country – there’s a rapidly growing pool of managed IT providers. This increasing competition in the marketplace means good things for customers: higher levels of service, additional capabilities, more focus on client satisfaction and other benefits. On the flip side, though, all these IT providers means that identifying the best for your needs takes some time and effort. How do you find a partner with the expertise you need, combined with a service philosophy that aligns with your culture? Here are 3 key things to look for as you conduct a search.
Local Presence
Working with a provider with a strong local presence is essential when you consider the very real possibility that an unanticipated IT need – even an emergency – could arise that requires an on-site technician or consultant. Granted, today much of the work managed IT providers do can be done remotely, but certainly not all. As you evaluate potential partners, ask how many technical staff members they have right in the metro area; if they have a team that can resolve on-site issues quickly, you’ll have greater confidence that you won’t be left high-and-dry should you need their help. Having only sales, admin, or C-level people local means it very unlikely they are the right person or can get onsite quickly in case of an emergency.
Familiarity With Your Industry
The software and hardware your people use, the processes you have in place, and the protocols you follow are all unique to your business and your industry. Every reputable managed IT provider will have generalized knowledge and experience they can leverage to serve you, but not every one of them will have experience resolving the kinds of unique issues you face each day. If you want to save you time, stress and potentially money, choose a tech partner that’s able to demonstrate their ability to quickly deal with issues you’re experiencing.
Onboarding Focus
It’s critical today to attract and retain workers by having top-notch technologies in place – it’s not a “good to have” anymore, it’s a “must have” if you want to stay competitive. And it’s not just important to have the right technologies in place; making workers comfortable with and utilizing technology to its fullest extent is part of keeping them satisfied in their jobs. The best tech companies in Dallas offering IT services do this through a formal approach to technology onboarding. When evaluating potential partners, ask questions about their onboarding process (if they have one), especially as it relates to your industry. Having a partner focused on ensuring that workers embrace the technology you’re using will help you retain and satisfy those employees.
Doing your due diligence when it comes to selecting a tech company that can – and will – provide responsive service and unparalleled expertise may take some time, but it will be worth the effort. Only when you’ve found the right partner will you have confidence that your systems are being monitored and protected aggressively, that issues unique to your industry will be resolved appropriately, and that your people are leveraging your technologies the way you need them to. To learn more about what makes a great IT partner, reach out to us for a free consultation. Simply fill out the form or call us at 855-377-6514 for a one-on-one discussion with a member of our team.