When selecting a technology partner for your organization, it is important to establish criteria that the technology and vendor must meet. In doing so, you can ensure that you are making an informed purchase from a reputable vendor, and that the technology will meet your business needs. So, be sure to do your research before trusting vendors’ promises. 

There are four key factors you should always consider when vetting potential business partners: reliability, scalability, security, and experience. 

A partner you can rely on 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, an unsurprisingly high percentage of people shifted to working remotely in 2021. With little time to adjust after the pandemic, most if not all companies were confronted with the unprecedented challenge of building strategies for rapid digital transformation. Along with the increasing consumerization of technology and the culture of always being digitally available, IT teams need to make sure that the solutions they provide are functional all the time with little to no interruptions. 

Having a dependable partner ensures that businesses can stay ahead of the competition as market changes occur. 

Growth Support 

Businesses that are growing rapidly shouldn’t be held back by a lack of experience or knowledge when it comes to technology. As the online market continues to expand, the use of digital solutions is becoming more prominent, and businesses should take advantage of this by partnering with a trusted tech vendor. 

When evaluating technology vendors, it’s important to consider their ability to support your company in all areas of transformation. Rapid changes in business needs and consumer behavior require vendors to be prepared to support sudden increases in sales volume. A vendor that is unable to support your business in times of rapid growth may cause your company to miss out on opportunities for expansion. 

Keep Your Business Secure 

Your tech partner will be responsible for maintaining the functionality of your business, and as such, it is essential to evaluate their security posture. Given that sensitive business and customer data will be stored on systems and networks that are out of your control, it is important to choose a partner who will take all necessary precautions to safeguard your data from cyberattacks, hackers, and data leaks, keeping your reputation at a high standard. 

It is crucial that you can rely on your technology partner to have the best interests of your business at heart. This includes staying up-to-date with the latest developments in your industry, as well as ensuring that their solutions and services are secure enough to tackle new and sophisticated threats. 

‘People Pillar’ and User-Friendly Tech 

The level of tech support a vendor can provide should certainly be considered in your search for a potential business partner. Additionally, a provider that takes the people factor into account is more likely to deliver a positive experience for your employees and customers, resulting in improved morale, loyalty, and retention. The most important factor in considering any partner experience is the “People Pillar,” according to a survey conducted by Partner Path. 

You should also seek a tech partner that provides easy access to various business solutions. The best companies have the requisite domain expertise and knowledge to make complex tasks seem effortless. For example, Stripe, Square, and Uber are all technology companies that have cemented their reputation outside of their target market because they offer such user-friendly experiences. 

A Successful Partnership 

Essentially, when ticking off your checklist for a potential tech partner, the above components should be the key considerations. With reliability and the ability to deliver on promises; scalability to accommodate growth; robust security protocols to protect data; and relevant industry experience, you should be all set with a promising partner. 

The author, Eric Lefebvre is the Chief Technology Officer at Sovos.