Tasked with finding a new IT partner for your office? Here are a few key takeaways to help you on your search:
- Communication should be simple. You should never feel lost in tech-speak. Clear, human answers are a must.
- Response time matters. Ask how quickly you can expect real help when something breaks.
- Stays one step ahead. A good IT partner should help you stay ahead of issues, not just clean up after them.
- Your setup should grow with you. Make sure your new IT team can support new hires, remote work, and evolving needs.
- Industry awareness matters. They don’t need to be experts in your field, but they should ask smart questions and learn fast.
So, you’ve been asked to help find a new IT provider for your office. Where do you even start?
If you’re not an IT expert, the search can feel overwhelming. But, your role is crucial: you’re setting the groundwork, making sure your team avoids poor fits, unclear promises, and preventable IT headaches. The good news? You don’t need to know every technical detail; you just need to know what to ask.
1. Clear Communication (No Jargon Required)
When you're having conversations with potential IT teams, pay attention to how they speak. Are they clear and easy to understand, or are they throwing around buzzwords that leave you nodding politely and Googling later?
The right IT provider should explain things in plain language, without making you feel silly for asking questions. You shouldn’t need a tech dictionary to understand how your office will be supported.
Ask This: How would you explain your services to someone who doesn’t have a technical background?
2. Fast, Reliable Response Times
IT issues don’t wait for a convenient moment, and neither should your team. Whether it’s a printer that won’t connect, a network outage, or a security scare, you want to know help is coming fast. Great providers offer clear response-time guarantees and stick to them. You shouldn't have to chase them down.
Ask This: What’s your average response time when a client submits a ticket?
3. Proactive Support (Not Just Putting Out Fires)
It’s one thing to fix a problem when something breaks; it’s another to prevent it from happening in the first place. Look for a provider that offers ongoing system monitoring, regular maintenance, and timely alerts for potential issues before they escalate into emergencies. A proactive IT partner helps keep your office running smoothly and your team focused.
Ask This: What do you do behind the scenes to prevent tech issues before they happen?
4. Support That Scales With You
Maybe your company is growing. Maybe you’re adding remote workers or opening new locations. A good IT provider should be ready to adapt with you. Ask about their experience supporting teams of different sizes, their approach to scaling systems, and how they’ve handled growth for other clients.
Ask This: How would you support us if we doubled our team or added a second office?
5. Industry Awareness (And a Willingness to Learn)
While your IT team doesn’t need to know the ins and outs of your exact business, they should take the time to understand what your team needs day-to-day. That might mean working with industry-specific software, protecting sensitive client data, or helping onboard new hires quickly. It’s not just about fixing computers, it’s about supporting the way your business actually operates.
Ask This: Have you supported companies in our industry before? If not, how do you get up to speed?
6. Strategic Thinking
A strong IT partner won’t just answer your questions, they’ll help you think ahead. Before you wrap the conversation, ask them what you might be missing. Their answer can reveal how experienced and proactive they really are.
Ask This: Is there anything we haven’t asked that you think we should consider before moving forward?
Choosing IT Support That Actually Supports You
Finding the right IT provider isn’t just about fixing things when they break. It’s about partnering with a team that makes your work life easier, safer, and more efficient. As the person helping lead the search, you don’t need to know everything about technology, but you do need to know what to look for.
Start with these five must-haves, trust your instincts, and don’t settle for a team that makes IT feel more complicated than it needs to be.
Need help getting started? MicroMenders works with companies across industries to provide responsive, reliable, and friendly IT support. Call 888-Menders today to get started.