Last week, we touched on how outsourcing your IT function can be an extremely viable strategy to help you keep your business afloat through these difficult times. By outsourcing your IT needs to a trusted partner, you can concentrate on the business activities that truly matter. Outsourcing is a proven way to save you time, money and stress.
Unique businesses require special solutions
However, every business is unique. Factors of organisational culture, philosophy, strategy and goals mean that even bitter rivals competing in the same markets will rarely want to do things the same way. In a bid to stand out from the crowd, companies constantly innovate ways of conducting business.
With innovation comes different requirements. Correspondingly, IT service needs are as varied and special as the businesses requesting them. In order to be truly effective, IT vendors cannot employ a one-size-fits-all approach but must instead be able to customize their solution to the needs of the customer.
The wrong vendor equals a crippled business
It is crucial that organisations outsource their IT needs to the right vendor. An unsuitable vendor is not only a waste of money - it can also cripple the business by depriving it of the necessary support needed by the sales cycle and other crucial processes. Customers too have their own needs and schedules and are certainly not obliged to wait. In the worsening recession, companies must ensure that every decision made is one that makes economic sense.
Therefore, like any important relationship, it is worth investing time, money and effort to thoroughly investigate the suitability of your potential IT vendor. After all, you are engaging an external vendor to handle some of your most critical and sensitive business needs, and will need to work very closely together as partners.
Look to the top for expert help
Thus, don't be shy to look for a proven, reliable and reputable firm. Upper-echelon IT firms got to where they are because they invest in their ethics, standards, people and reputation. The competence, assurance and reliability they offer far outweigh the stress and frustration of working with a sub-standard vendor.
Top IT vendors are highly experienced and are familiar with a wide array of different technologies. With their in-depth knowledge, they are able to clarify for you the purchase best suited to the particular needs of your business. They are competent in what they do, saving you from worry and frustration. And being proven brands with a reputation to upkeep, you can be assured of their interest in looking after the well-being of your company.
With the current business climate, it is more crucial than ever to make the right choices. Look only to outsource your business IT needs to a proven and reliable IT vendor. Doing so will ensure that your organisation saves on business expenditure, increases productivity and gains a valued partner who is able to provide sound, and trusted advice to take care of your crucial IT needs.
About Stone Forest IT
Stone Forest IT (SFIT) specialises in providing advisory, implementation and managed services for IT infrastructure, IT security solutions, business applications (ERP and CRM) and business analytical tools. Backed by a team of certified professionals from specialised domains with insights into industry best practices, we are well-positioned to address your unique business needs and IT concerns.
As the IT services arm of the RSM Stone Forest group, we leverage our accounting background and cross-border expertise to assist growing organisations as a one-stop business partner.