Choosing the right IT company is a decision that affects the day-to-day running of the whole organisation. A good partner prevents problems and keeps the business moving; a bad partner costs time, money and stress. This checklist helps you to decide wisely.
The essential checklist
Before signing, please confirm each of these points:
- Written SLA with response and resolution times.
- Security includedantivirus/EDR, firewall and best practices.
- Tested backups and recovery plan.
- Proximitydo you make call-outs when necessary?
- Price transparencyknows exactly what is included.
- No loyalty scheme — or, at the very least, clear exit conditions.
- Documentation and inventory of your infrastructure.
- References from clients similar to your sector.
Warning signs to avoid
Be wary of very cheap proposals that “forget” security and backups, suppliers who don't put anything in writing, and contracts with long, unjustified lock-in periods. Buying cheap up front usually turns out expensive at the first incident.
Right questions to ask
- How quickly do you respond to a critical emergency?
- Who is responsible for my account?
- What happens to my data and access if I leave?
- How do you communicate and report on the work done?
Frequently Asked Questions
Should price be the primary factor?
No. The main factor is value: SLA, security, backups and reliability. A cheap proposal that excludes the essentials ends up costing more at the first serious problem.
Is it important that they are local?
It helps a lot. A close partner moves quickly when something needs to be resolved on-site, within the agreed time.
Should I avoid fixed-term contracts?
It is not mandatory to avoid them, but demand clear exit terms. A supplier confident in the quality of its service does not need to trap you in a contract.
Want a partner who ticks off this checklist?
Meet DataRoad's IT support for businesses: IT support for SMEs.
