Criteria to Evaluate when Choosing a New Technology Partner for your Business

Choosing the right technology partner for your enterprise is vital to the growth and success of your business. Oftentimes companies choose technologies based on trivial reasons

 

  • Apr 8, 2021
  • Insights,
  • Blog
Criteria to Evaluate when Choosing a New Technology Partner for your Business

Criteria to Evaluate when Choosing a New Technology Partner for your Business 

NearShore Technology  

Choosing the right technology partner for your enterprise is vital to the growth and success of your business. Often times companies choose technologies based on trivial reasons — they know a friend who works at a company, they use a company associated with programs they’re familiar with — the list goes on. But, there are some deeper questions you should consider and essential criteria you should look for before making a decision on your technology partner.  

At Nearshore, we want to make sure that we’re providing the right services for your business while allowing you the flexibility and security you need. So, we’ve pulled together a list of standards you should look for in a technology partner and a few good questions to ask along the way, even some you may not have initially considered. 


Will this technology meet our needs?

Before investing, you want to consider if this specific technology is going to solve particular issues with your legacy software, create a better UX, and deliver value to your business. Here are some things to keep in mind when considering how this technology will impact your company needs: 

Capabilities 

What major offerings does this technology partner have and how will these capabilities meet the needs of your business and your customers? Make a list of features that you’re looking for in a technology service, for example automation, mobile-first design, team enhancementmachine learning, etc. Then, use this list to determine whether the technology partner you’re considering is the right choice for your company. 

User-Friendly 

User experience (UX) is at the forefront of web design these days, and if you’re not using technology that is intuitive and easy-to-navigate, then you are going to lose potential customers. But, consider user-friendliness from multiple angles, not just the end user.  

Security 

From both companies and consumers, security is of the utmost importance. You want to ensure that your business-related data and customer data is protected at all times. With the right technology partner, you should feel confident in the security measures and features that keep your company compliant with the latest security standards

 

Is this a long-term solution? 

The technology services company you’re looking to partner may meet some of your initial tech needs, but you want to consider whether or not this partner will be able to continually meet your expectations as your needs change and the company grows. 

Flexibility and Scalability 

Considering the scalability of a tech service is vital to the growth of your company. If a program or service is not designed to grow alongside your company, you’ll find yourself looking for a new technology partner as your needs outgrow the offerings of that company. Here at Nearshore, we align our goals with your goals, providing scalable results is important to us. Be sure to ask any potential tech partner about this before entering an agreement.  

Integration Capabilities 

If your technology partner doesn’t have all of the features you’re looking for, ask about integration features. Most software and other tech services have the ability to integrate programs that your company uses often to expand your capabilities. With a wide range of integration capabilities, a technology partner is more likely to be beneficial long-term . You can adjust offerings and features depending on your ever-changing company needs. 

Cultural Alignment 

The cultural alignment of the partnership determines how well you will work together in the long-term and how much you both care about reaching your goals. When it comes to a technology partner, this is a decision that will impact every aspect of your business and nothing is more important than bringing in the right people. 
 

Does this technology partnership fit with your budget? 

It’s no surprise that budget plays a role in finding a technology partner. You want to make sure you enter an agreement that you can afford but is also adding value to your business and customer experience.  

Cost of Services 

Naturally, cost is always an important question when a business is investing in a new software, system or service. It’s important to be aware of the maintenance, setup and potential licensing costs before entering an agreement. Consider your IT budget and find a way to stay within your budget while also receiving the services you need to scale your business. Inquire about startup, reoccurring, and licensing costs with every tech partner you’re considering. 

Typically, there are different price tiers for any technology partner service, so you should also consider whether you’re planning to entirely outsource your IT department or if you plan to keep an internal department and outsource certain projects or problems areas. 

Innovation 

The level of innovation happening at a tech partner’s company can also play a part in your budget. If the partner is offering very innovative services or products, this can increase your ROI while reducing spending on legacy systems that aren’t providing customers with the best experience.  

When partnered with Nearshore, you’ll increase your ROI for every dollar spent on IT services. We work closely with our customers to understand their needs and budgets, so that we can provide visibility into how our money is spent and provide quick deadlines on deliverables. 
 

Does this technology partner align with your company values? 

Often times this is the overlooked and unanswered question, but it can prove to be the most important. Even if a partnership looks great on paper and checks all of the boxes, it can ultimately lead to more headache if your values and goals aren’t aligned. The days of choosing a partner solely based on their technical abilities are over; a smooth and healthy partnership is much more than what meets the eye. 

Add Value 

At NearShore Technology we believe that by treating people well, everything else falls into place. Technology fuels the passion we have for our work, but our bond as a company and as a family is the ingredient that makes it all work. When you partner with NearShore, you become part of that family and a part of our mission to add value to your team, your projects, and your community. 
 

The Search for the Right Technology Partner 

Finding the perfect technology partner isn’t always easy, and there are many factors to consider before you jump into an agreement, but using these questions and criteria as a starting point will help you narrow down your options and find a company that puts your goals and needs first. 

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