How to Choose an IT Company

One thing is for certain. There is no shortage of companies claiming to be the right one to handle all your computer and IT needs.

Yet there's another thing you can be certain about. There truly is a shortage of companies that can handle your computer and IT needs properly, efficiently, and cost-effectively.

In our experience working with companies both large and small, as technology has continued to evolve and improve information flow and management, we have discovered some things that can help companies in a decision that, all too often, winds up being made largely on faith.

Buy on value, rather than on price.

It is a simple truth that you get what you pay for. And while any IT company can re-work its fee structure to become more attractive to potential clients, experience and knowledge come at a price. A company that's just starting out, or a consultant who doesn't really know what he or she is doing, will naturally come in offering a deal. But the true cost of working with someone like that will be felt when things run amuck. That lack of experience can be aggravating. And expensive.

Experience, competence, and knowledge are worth every penny you pay, and then some.

Your computers have backup. So should the people working on them.

A small or one-person operation can be an attractive option. There are no layers of bureaucracy. When you pick up the phone, you get the head of the company. And the price is usually a simple, hourly rate.

But what happens when the one-man band goes on vacation? Or happens to be working on a long and complicated project that leaves no time for your emergency? That's why it's important to work with a shop that has enough hands to cover what you need. Every moment your network is down is lost time and, in turn, lost money. Without a second source within your computer consultant's operation, you could be down much longer than you can afford to be.

Even a small consultancy can have relationships with colleagues or agreements through professional associations that would enable a project to be finished in the event that something happens to the consultant.

Do they speak "geek" or English?

It's easy to impress some people with technical jargon. It's even easier to confuse people with it. Any company's engineers and technicians should be able to communicate clearly. By the same token, they should be able to understand your business and your objectives. Many times, engineers, consultants, and technicians try to cover up what they don't know by trying to convince you of how much they do know.

Listening is equally important. If in a get-acquainted meeting or an information gathering session, you don't feel as though the engineer or technician is really listening and hearing what you're saying, consider cutting them loose. It's not so much a matter of good business manners. The more critical issue can be wasted time and money. If a technician doesn't understand the objectives or the tasks at hand, they can go off on a direction that may take weeks to repair.

Are they working for you or one of their vendors?

On one hand, if a consultant has close ties to a vendor or manufacturer, that can mean better access to technical support, better prices, and a higher level of training.

On the other hand, it can mean the company you looked to as a consultant has financial incentives to push a particular manufacturer's product - a product that might not be the best one for you. Don't be afraid to ask about the consultant's objectivity. Inquire about special allegiances and relationships. Independent consultants in this field have a strong code of ethics requiring that they disclose any interest they may have in your decisions and that they be totally objective in what they recommend.

Are they in over their head?

It's easy for a consulting company to say they can handle projects for any size client. But it's more likely that company has a range of client sizes where most of its experience lies. If you are a large company and the consultant you're considering has only worked for small companies, that consultant could be easily overwhelmed.

By the same token, if you are a small company and you want to work with a consultant whose experience is primarily with larger companies, it may be difficult for that consultant to make a profit on your business. The result of that could be shoddy service or surprises on your invoice.

But most importantly, it's about making sure your company and your consultant are a good fit. There are dozens of things to look for and consider when hiring an IT company. Let this short list be a starting point in your process.