According to data from Statistics Poland (GUS) for 2020, as many as 78% of companies in Poland use at least one IT service provided by an IT outsourcing provider. First of all, when deciding on an onshore software partner, one should treat them as a partner who they will cooperate with in the coming years.
Choosing a provider carries some risks, but these can be minimized with: a properly conducted procurement process; a detailed request for proposal (RFP, RFI); clear and precise provider selection criteria; and a well-prepared framework contract.
We rely on long-term cooperation, which often spans several years, so the decision to choose the right company should be carefully considered and well-planned. In the case of very large organizations, the process of preparing tenders for IT services may take from several months to over a year. The same applies to the evaluation of the offers submitted, the selection of providers and signing the framework contract. Therefore, it should be taken into account that this is a longer process, usually lasting from several months to over a year in some cases.
It is essential that the provider knows their client well, understands the client’s business needs and is able to translate them into specific services and solutions. Consequently, it is important that the provider offers a range of services from among which they can select the ones most crucial to the development of our business. Choosing an IT provider is neither quick nor easy. Therefore, such a decision should be well thought out and many factors should be taken into account.
When choosing a provider, it is worth paying attention to customer feedback, certificates held by the provider’s specialists, and access to equipment and latest technology. When choosing an outsourcer, it is always worth checking the references given by their other clients as well as the certificates held by the provider and their employees.
It is good for the provider to have experience in our industry. This ensures that they understand our business, along with its specific nature and needs, and thus can provide the best service for us.
Here are some basic features worth looking at when choosing a provider:
First of all, it is a convenient service. Companies have access to well-prepared specialists, equipment and technology parks, and they define their own requirements, competencies and budget. The provider’s role is to propose specialists, tools or equipment best suited to the client’s project. This eliminates the costs and time associated with acquiring specialists and providing specialized training for them, employing them, and providing care for them. A good IT provider takes responsibility for their specialists.
In conclusion: when deciding on cooperation with an IT provider, it is necessary to plan the entire process, write an RFP/RFI, do market research, and select a company that will become our business partner for years, which will enable our company to develop.
