Currently, the markets in Poland and Europe as well as around the world are dominated by companies from the IT sector. According to Computerworld, in 2019 alone, the total revenues of the Polish IT industry exceeded $68 billion – an increase of nearly 4.6% compared to the previous year.
The situation surrounding the spread of the pandemic also shows that many businesses need to move online to survive these difficult times. However, in-house IT resources are not always sufficient. IT solution providers come to our rescue. But how to choose the right one? What guidance should we follow? What selection criteria should we adopt? In this short article, I will try to provide some tips on what is worth paying attention to.
Consider long-term cooperation with an onshore software partner
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.
Define your perfect partner
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.
Onshore software partner service portfolio
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.
The attributes of an ideal onshore software partner
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:
- Specialization – whether the technologies the provider specializes in are in line with our needs. We want a proven business partner, not someone who will turn our company into a testing ground.
- Business model – whether it is consistent with what we actually expect. Does the scope of services offered by the provider meet our expectations?
- Portfolio – whether our provider has already implemented similar solutions for other clients.
- Location – despite the forced popularization of remote work, in certain situations there is a need for the provider’s representatives to be physically present at the client’s premises, so it is advisable that the headquarters of both the provider and the client are located in the same city/town or close enough to ensure the smooth and quick organization of such meetings.
- Access to the latest technology – whether the specialists undergo training and have access to the latest tools, equipment and software.
- Communication – what it looks like; how everyday work, reporting and monitoring look; or what solutions to problems that may arise are provided.
- Commercial terms and conditions – dates of payment and delivery of the product or service, and guarantees.
- Financial stability of the provider – at this point, the operational and financial stability of the provider should be checked. Factors such as the provider’s partners, subcontractors, ownership structure or acquisition plans should be verified well before signing the contract.
Why choose an onshore software 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.
Marlena Markowska
Business Development Manager
Responsible for cooperation with key clients and new business development. She has been involved in the service industry for over 10 years. Outside work, she enjoys running, yoga and discovering new places.