Picking the right IT Partner

As hard as it is to believe, there is something more difficult than buying Oasis tickets at a reasonable price.

Finding the right IT partner.

Often, when you believe you’ve found the right one, they fail to deliver on their promises. You’re left listening to the same hold music wondering if they’re half the world away. And worst yet, rather than doing something about it, businesses often just roll with it.

During the proof check of this newsletter, I was told to remove the Oasis puns, because some might say I’ve missed the boat with it 6 days later.

On a serious note, there’s a lot to consider when choosing your IT partner, and knowing exactly what is most important for your business isn’t always clear. As an IT provider ourselves, it’s an issue we see all the time: businesses often come to us unhappy because their current service isn’t working. The reasons range from poor communication to misalignment between their?IT strategy?and wider business strategy.

The right IT support pays dividends for your business. 96% of executives in one study?cited service providers as the source for their companies developing data and analytics capabilities.

Businesses need to seek out IT partners who are capable of understanding their strategic objectives and can provide future-proof IT plans that support their goals.

Many claim to do this. Few deliver.

Going with a provider that can’t deliver the service you need just leads to frustration and wasted money. That’s why I’ve created the below guide to highlight the main qualities you should prioritise in your search for an IT provider – so you don’t end up with buyer’s regret.

1. Proactive Cyber Security

50% of UK businesses?reported suffering a cyber breach in the last year.

Data breaches are devastating, causing financial losses, compliance headaches and possibly a loss of business. In the face of ever-evolving cyber threats, a?proactive cyber security strategy?is a must.

Proactive means using measures like regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify any potential weak points in your IT infrastructure before they become an issue. An effective?disaster recovery plan?– that’s also regularly tested and updated – ensures that if an attack does occur, the damage and downtime is minimised.

Those measures should be supported by continuous (24/7) monitoring to ensure comprehensive protection around the clock. Look for providers who carry the latest certifications and have a strong security track record.

2. Robust Data Backup and Disaster Recovery Plans

Cyber crime, natural disaster or simple human error – there are many threats to data in modern business, and permanently losing valuable information can cripple a business. Effective data protection methods are vital to prevent that loss.

Data backups and disaster recovery plans work together with proactive cyber security measures to deliver the best protection to critical data.

These plans ensure that your data is secure and can be quickly restored in case of an unexpected event, minimising downtime and data loss. Your IT provider should regularly test and update these plans to adapt to new threats and changing business needs.

3. Effective Customer Support

Customer support can make or break a business relationship, and that is especially true with something as critical as technology. When businesses face technical issues, the impact can be immediate and severe, leading to downtime, loss of productivity, and potential revenue loss. That’s why having timely and effective customer support from your IT provider is so crucial.

When technical issues arise, you need a responsive IT team that can quickly diagnose and resolve problems, whether that’s through a remote service desk or rapid on-site support. Resolving issues quickly helps maintain business continuity and minimises the financial impact of technical disruptions.

4. A Stable Team

Stability is crucial in an IT partnership; the business is entrusting some or all of their technology management to a third party, so needs to know that service delivery will be reliable and their needs met.

If an IT provider is experiencing high turnover, service delivery is affected. New team members need to be brought up to speed on the business and may not have the same expertise as the departed professional.

IT providers that have stable, experienced teams are able to develop a deep understanding and familiarity with a business’s processes, infrastructure and specific requirements. This knowledge contributes to better strategic planning and implementing IT solutions aligned with that business’s goals.

Look for companies that prioritise a positive work culture and continual staff training – that stability ensures reliable and consistent IT support, reducing disruptions and ensuring faster issue resolution.

5. Efficient IT Management

Technology can turn into a huge liability if it isn’t managed correctly.

Efficient management goes beyond regular maintenance and monitoring of IT infrastructure – those are crucial, but an IT provider should streamline processes and introduce automation so technology drives productivity and collaboration in the business.

For instance, new starter setups can be completely automated through?Microsoft 365, simplifying the onboarding process so new hires start work as quickly and painlessly as possible.

A good provider enhances overall business efficiency through technology, taking a proactive management approach to ensure IT runs smoothly.

6. A Clear, Robust IT Strategy

Every organisation needs an IT strategy. Technology has become so central to business that operating without a clear roadmap risks your competitiveness and bottom line.

It’s crucial that this IT strategy aligns with your wider business strategy; any misalignments could mean money wasted on unsuitable technology, and delays towards hitting your business goals.

A robust IT strategy also has a transparent and predictable pricing model. Running a business is difficult enough without technology eating into other budgets due to cost overruns.

A good IT provider works with your business to create a?fully budgeted IT strategy?for a certain period of time, like 3 years. With every cost accounted for, technology delivers value rather than surprise bills.

7. Innovative Solutions

Out-of-date technology can waste up to 40%?of working days across a year.

That’s a staggering level of wasted productivity. With how accessible and powerful technology is today, leveraging it to deliver efficiency and competitiveness is essential.

Through a robust IT strategy, good IT providers introduce innovative solutions that streamline processes and deliver productivity gains.

8. Clear Service Level Agreements

Service Level Agreements (SLAs) measure performance against agreed goals. SLAs are an excellent way of guaranteeing performance and reliability, with data showing how well the provider is doing.

A good IT provider consistently meets these agreements and offers transparency, providing tools like client portals for live performance updates. This ensures you have immediate access to information about how well your provider meets their commitments, helping you make informed decisions.

Get the Support You Need with AAG

Choosing an IT provider, or switching from an existing service, is often daunting.

At AAG, I’ve overseen over 30 new onboardings in the past 18 months. Can I promise a switch will be seamless? No, but I can promise it will be smooth. We’ve optimised our processes and our ‘Sign Up & Switch’ promise takes care of everything, freeing you to deliver great services for your customers. We’ll work with you to develop a robust IT strategy that supports your business goals, and help defend your infrastructure with the latest cyber security measures.