Tips on How to Evaluate an

IT Service Provider

1.  Find out where they're located. For some technology services clients, having a locally based service provider is very important. It means that technicians can be onsite faster in case of emergency. It also allows for more face-to-face meetings. You're less likely to encounter scheduling problems due to differences in time zones. When you're trusting somebody with your technology -- and all of the valuable business data it stores -- it can be a lot easier to maintain that trust and confidence with a local partner.

2. Identify the areas where you need the most help. Are you having trouble with spam? Is your server constantly crashing? Do you feel like your technology issues are basically under control, but at the expense of a valuable employee who could be spending their time more productively? Figuring out where your big problem areas are will help you figure out what areas you really need your IT provider to specialize in. It will also help you set reasonable, achievable goals going forward.

3. Find out how they bill. Depending on the service you're getting, you may get a flat monthly fee or a variable one. If you're purchasing a managed services package, you'll probably be charged a flat fee per desktop or server. On-site services are generally billed by the hour. And keep in mind that there's more to evaluating a provider than how expensive they are. A service that charges a higher hourly rate might get the job done in less time, actually saving you money. They might also have more experienced staff. Or they may just charge a higher rate.

To find out more about how one company selected its IT service provider, click here and watch an interview with Ron May, the executive director at the Center for e-Business and Advanced Information Technology in Erie, Pennsylvania.