Your IT provider should be a valuable business partner
The software and information technology industry in the U.S. is healthy and growing. That gives businesses plenty of options, but it also can mean a bewildering variety of IT choices to make. The United States is the largest tech market in the world at roughly $1.5 trillion for 2018, representing 31 percent of the global market, and the IT sector is poised for another strong year, with 5 percent growth expected, according to CompTIA.
The industry employs about 10.5 million. There are more than 100,000 software and IT services companies in the United States, and more than 99 percent are small and medium-sized firms, under 500 employees.
That’s great news for the economy. It also means you can throw a rock out a window in any urban area and hit an IT professional, so to speak.
That, of course, is not good enough for a successful enterprise. You want to make sure your IT consultant has the technical skill your company needs to excel. With the right choice, your IT experts should be true business partners, which is what a good IT firm builds its reputation on.
Read: Why a small business should consider outsourcing IT services
Getting to know your business is the key. A good IT provider understands how technology impacts what you do every day, for your clients. That way, they become an invaluable asset that can impact your bottom line.
Consider hiring an IT expert with a proven track record — especially with experience in very competitive markets and with larger companies, so they can help you grow.
That expertise puts the power behind big tech companies at your service, which is a major advantage for companies anywhere — especially if they are looking to attack a new market. Some IT firms specialize in specific tools you use, whether that is the Microsoft platform — such as Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Action Pack or a competitor.
Look for firms that already serve your industry for greater familiarity with your business, whether that is finance, legal services, big industry associations, or other niche.
The growth in IT services isn’t going to let up any time soon, so getting with the right partner now is important. Report after report on the labor market shows that employer demand for tech talent is routinely outstripping supply, the year ahead will force more organizations to rethink their approaches to recruiting, training, and talent management.
