# How to Choose the Perfect IT and Technology Partner
Author:  Pal Sinha, Barnali 
Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali
Published: 2021-12-02
Category: TECHNOLOGY
Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/technology
Meta Title: How to Choose the Perfect IT & Technology Partner for
Meta Description: Learn how to select the ideal IT and technology partner for your business growth with tips on infrastructure design, SLA, backups, disaster recovery, and
URL: https://financedigest.com/how-to-choose-the-perfect-it-and-technology-partnerhtml

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_![](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/237-1736836733507-compressed.jpg)_

_By **Amir Hashmi,** CEO and founder of zsah managed-IT services discusses how a growing business can choose their perfect solutions partner_

While every company has the commercial compulsions to grow, most are often in the unenviable position of having to scale, i.e., increasing revenue without incurring high costs. How good organisations are at scaling their business impacts everything, from attracting talent to securing future funding.

Hiring an IT and technology [partner is one of the best ways to let you focus on company growth](https://www.financedigest.com/impact-com-ends-2022-with-strong-momentum-driven-by-client-and-agency-partner-growth.html "impact.com Ends 2022 with Strong Momentum Driven by Client and Agency Partner Growth"), but your choice should be based on your goals and needs. Examples of [technology partners](https://www.financedigest.com/venom-foundation-and-hub71-partner-to-accelerate-growth-and-adoption-of-blockchain-technologies-from-abu-dhabi.html "Venom Foundation and Hub71 Partner to Accelerate Growth and Adoption of Blockchain Technologies from Abu Dhabi") include cloud hosting partners, managed IT service providers, cybersecurity partners, managed application hosting providers and many more.

So, how could you [choose the perfect IT and technology](https://www.financedigest.com/choosing-the-correct-technology-for-your-meeting-room.html "Choosing the correct technology for your meeting room") partner?

**Infrastructure Design**

Your first consideration should be the infrastructure design. For example, if you are looking for a cloud hosting partner, you need to consider their [managed cloud](https://www.financedigest.com/workforce-management-the-next-cloud-resource-for-businesses.html "Workforce management; the next cloud resource for businesses?") setup elements. Where are the [data centres](https://www.financedigest.com/manchester-arts-centre-the-lowry-selects-logpoints-siem-technology-to-safeguard-customer-data.html "Manchester arts centre The Lowry selects LogPoint’s SIEM technology to safeguard customer data") for their solution located? This information is vital because of [compliance with data](https://www.financedigest.com/data-virtualisation-the-secret-weapon-in-the-challenge-for-compliance.html "Data virtualisation: the secret weapon in the challenge for compliance") laws such as the EU’s GDPR. You also don’t want to work with a partner who relies on [data centres located in areas prone to natural disasters and other perils](https://www.financedigest.com/aon-data-empowers-unica-to-offer-flood-insurance-for-5-2bn-canadian-peril.html "Aon data empowers Unica to offer flood insurance for .2bn Canadian peril").

You may also want to make [sure that the cloud](https://www.financedigest.com/accelerate-cloud-journey-make-sure-data-drivers-seat.html "As You Accelerate on Your Cloud Journey, Make Sure Data is in the Driver’s Seat") infrastructure includes high-performance servers that meet your needs. Infrastructure [security is also of paramount concern, and your partner should implement three security levels to control user access and prevent data](https://www.financedigest.com/assurance-v-security-reassessing-responsibility-for-data-assurance.html "Assurance v Security: Reassessing Responsibility for Data Assurance") loss.

**Service Level Agreement**

The next [thing you want to consider](https://www.financedigest.com/5-things-to-consider-when-choosing-a-challenger-bank.html "5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Challenger Bank") is the Service Level Agreement (SLA).

This document spells out the relationship [expectations with your IT and technology](https://www.financedigest.com/membrane-technology-market-is-expected-to-grow-at-a-cagr-of-9-1-by-the-end-of-decade.html "Membrane Technology Market Is Expected To Grow At A CAGR Of 9.1% By The End Of Decade") partner. Some of the items captured include the type of service and how it is delivered, billing and payment terms, uptime guarantee, what happens in service downtime or contractual failure, and other terms and conditions.

**Backups, [Business Continuity](https://www.financedigest.com/crafting-a-business-continuity-cybersecurity-plan.html "Crafting a Business Continuity Cybersecurity Plan"), and Disaster Recovery Plans**

You also need to be concerned about backups of critical components. Specifically, you want to know how and where the backup is stored and the regularity of performing backups. For example, a professional [managed IT services partner](https://www.financedigest.com/exclusive-crypto-giant-binance-moved-400-million-from-u-s-partner-to-firm-managed-by-ceo-zhao.html "Exclusive-Crypto giant Binance moved 0 million from U.S. partner to firm managed by CEO Zhao") would typically follow a 3-2-1 approach where three (3) copies of your data are on two (2) different storage media with at least one (1) located off-site. You also want to know how long backups are kept.

Also, find out the disaster [recovery and business continuity plan of your IT and technology](https://www.financedigest.com/schneider-and-greenyellow-target-smaller-businesses-with-energy-saving-technology.html "Schneider and GreenYellow target smaller businesses with energy saving technology") partner. Many businesses today rely on data to operate and gain a [competitive advantage](https://www.financedigest.com/turning-big-data-compliance-into-a-competitive-advantage.html "TURNING ‘BIG DATA’ COMPLIANCE INTO A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE"). The [loss of data through a natural calamity would bring](https://www.financedigest.com/loss-of-queen-brings-first-encounter-with-death-for-some-children.html "Loss of queen brings first encounter with death for some children") most companies to their knees.

What is the technology partner’s data replication policy? How would they rebuild your environment after a disaster so that business continues? These are critical questions you [must ask](https://www.financedigest.com/10-questions-cfos-must-ask-themselves-about-privacy.html "10 questions CFOs must ask themselves about privacy").

**[Support Response Time](https://www.financedigest.com/how-occupancy-data-can-support-the-banking-industry-in-challenging-times.html "How occupancy data can support the banking industry in challenging times")**

The next issue to consider is the support response time. A managed cloud partner, IT [services provider](https://www.financedigest.com/red-box-and-bloomberg-partner-to-provide-comprehensive-record-keeping-and-trade-reconstruction-services-for-financial-compliance.html "Red Box and Bloomberg Partner to Provide Comprehensive Record Keeping and Trade Reconstruction Services for Financial Compliance"), or any other technology partner is an extension of your IT department. You must be able to access them as quickly as if they were a [member of your team](https://www.financedigest.com/why-now-is-the-time-to-implement-a-time-saving-business-model-encouraging-team-members-to-discuss-their-challenges.html "Why now is the time to implement a time saving business model, encouraging team members to discuss their challenges").

Are they available 24/7? And what exactly does that mean? If you place a call or support request in the middle of the night, will you be able to speak to a human being, or will you have to leave a voice message and wait for a callback? You also want to know if the [technology partner provides multiple communication](https://www.financedigest.com/peppermint-technology-revamps-communications-with-via-voice-solution.html "PEPPERMINT TECHNOLOGY REVAMPS COMMUNICATIONS WITH VIA VOICE SOLUTION") methods such as a phone, webchat, mobile app chats, email, and social media.

**Pricing Policies**

Pricing can be a murky area to navigate. Make it a point to understand your technology partner’s pricing policies to know what you are [paying for and see](https://www.financedigest.com/uk-employers-see-slight-fall-in-pay-awards-over-2023-xperthr.html "UK employers see slight fall in pay awards over 2023 – XpertHR") when you will incur additional charges. Also, [concerning pricing, the cost of an IT service is rarely a good indicator of quality](https://www.financedigest.com/oil-prices-steady-on-uncertain-global-outlook-and-supply-concerns.html "Oil prices steady on uncertain global outlook and supply concerns"). Never be lured by low prices; the best measure is the value for money test.

**Custom Solution**

Your IT and technology partner must be willing to gain a deep understanding of your business’s operational areas and configure a [solution to meet](https://www.financedigest.com/meet-tilak-joshi-the-fintech-ceo-building-modern-solutions-for-the-gig-economy.html "Meet Tilak Joshi: the fintech CEO building modern solutions for the gig economy") your unique requirements.

If your needs are unique, complicated, or process-heavy, you want a [partner to configure an environment that supports your business](https://www.financedigest.com/the-evolving-role-of-the-cfo-from-scorekeeper-to-business-partner.html "The Evolving Role of the CFO: From Scorekeeper to Business Partner").

**Experience, Expertise, and Professional Credentials**

Finally, your IT and [technology partner must have the experience](https://www.financedigest.com/how-is-modern-technology-shaping-our-in-store-experience.html "How Is Modern Technology Shaping Our In Store Experience?"), technical skills, and professional credentials you need. They [must have experience in engineering](https://www.financedigest.com/engine-parts-makers-must-cross-valley-of-death-to-reach-ev-era.html "Engine parts makers must cross ‘valley of death’ to reach EV era") IT platforms tuned to specific technology offerings and verticals. Choosing an established managed-IT partner trusted by customers across all industries means you can be [safe](https://www.financedigest.com/gumgum-announces-industrys-first-100-brand-safe-ad-exchange.html "GumGum Announces Industry’s First 100% Brand Safe Ad Exchange") in knowing that solutions can be translated across any sector and industry.

Check out the customer reviews for the opinions of others and conduct your due diligence using [search engines](https://www.financedigest.com/how-to-optimize-your-new-content-for-the-search-engines.html "How to Optimize Your New Content For the Search Engines") and primary sources of information. Perhaps most importantly, remember that the desired technology [partner should be an extension of your team](https://www.financedigest.com/deloitte-strengthens-leadership-team-in-scotland-with-key-partner-promotions.html "Deloitte strengthens leadership team in Scotland with key partner promotions") – and therefore, both of you must suit each other.


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