How to Pick an IT Vendor:A Guide for Small Businesses

BUT FIRST...WHY DO YOU EVEN NEEDTO PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR IT?

Cyberattacks cost small companies between

$84,000 and $148,0001

When you outsource your IT, you eliminate the costs associated with hiringinternal employees, such as training and benets. Your business could save aconsiderable amount of money by outsourcing.

Lower Costs

IT changes at a rapid pace. A good IT rm will always stay up-to-date on thelatest industry developments so that you don’t have to. You’ll also benet fromthe knowledge of a whole team of IT professionals with proper industrycertications and training.

Access to Expertise

Outsourced IT rms can usually address your problems quickly and efciently.If they can’t, they have ample time and expertise to delve into your issue andreach a resolution. They are also usually available to provide support 24/7.

Better Response Time

An IT rm will keep your daily environment up-to-date by automating manyprocesses using specialized tools. They also take on the responsibility of beingalerted of new issues as they arise and can act quickly to prevent downtime.

Minimize Risk

A good IT rm will help you create an overall long-term strategy for yourtechnology as your business grows. They will advise your company on ITrequirements and help you gure out what your IT needs may be in the future,eliminating uncertainties and minimizing risk.

Strategic Consulting

At the end of the day, you should be focusing on your business, not your IT. Outsourcing your IT frees up your time to focus on improving your corecompetencies instead of dealing with pesky IT issues, thus making your business more efcient.

Focus On Your Business

are on small or mediumsized businesses1

Nearly 2/3of cyberattacks

reported at least one databreach in the past year1

55% of smallbusinesses

are out of business within sixmonths of suffering a cyber attack1

WHY SHOULD YOU OUTSOURCE YOUR IT?

60% of smallbusinesses

LOOKING FOR AN IT VENDOR? CONTACT FOCUS DATA SOLUTIONS TODAY.

www.focusdatasolutions.com

703-836-0080

SOURCES:

An award winning services provider since 2001, Focus Data Solutions matchesyour business goals with the technology and management to see it through. We areyour partner for everything IT, with the passion and technological expertise to easily

develop and deliver the solutions that will drive your business forward.

1. https://upscapital.com/wp-content/themes/upscapital/assets/media/CyberSecurity_Infographic.pdf

2. https://www.idtheftcenter.org/2016databreaches.html

3. https://www.idtheftcenter.org/Press-Releases/data-breaches-up-nearly-45-percent-according-to-annual-review-

by-identity-theft-resource-center-and-cyberscout

Your IT team should communicate in waysthat empower you to run your businessefciently.

Does the rm provide helpful informationthat makes you feel condent in your choices?

Great Communicators

Your IT team should help you develop andimplement your IT strategy in both theshort-term and long-term.

Does the rm offer regular assessmentsand business reviews?

Long-Term Strategy

Your IT team should respond right away - butdon’t always expect immediate results. Eventhe best technical teams may need time toresearch and implement a solution.

Does your IT team follow up regularly toensure issues are being researched andsolved?solved?

Responsive

Sometimes, it’s okay to say “no” if therelationship isn’t working. Strong,trustworthy rms will tell you if therelationship is not meeting expectations.

Will your IT team help you move to a placewhere your needs are being met?

Good Fit

6 THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN AN IT COMPANY

Your IT team should be on the lookout fornew issues and IT threats that arise. They areexperts and you should be able to trust them.

Does the rm reach out to you when there’san issue or wait for you to bring it up?

High Level ofTrust and Proactivity

No IT rm is perfect, so collaboration is essential in a successful IT relationship. Askyour IT rm how they manage mistakes.

Do they accept responsibility if the error isof their making?

StrongCollaborators

and that number continues to rise

In 2017, there was a

44.7% increasein data breaches

20152

780

BREACHES 1091

1579

20162 20173