How do I recognize a good software service provider?
The global trend towards digitalization of all business processes is constantly progressing. Understanding of this is also growing in Germany, which sometimes seems rather sleepy in this regard. After all, according to a study by Deloitte in 2013, 73% of small and medium-sized companies recognized the great importance of this. However, as can be easily seen from the remaining 27%, there are apparently still reservations, especially in more traditional sectors such as construction, where only 33% of companies saw the importance of digitalization. And overall, the actual implementation has made considerably less progress than the recognition that change is necessary. In 2015, the DIGITAL economic index gave the German economy just 49 out of 100 points, and medium-sized businesses only 46.
The primary cause is high risk aversion. Companies cite issues such as data protection and IT security, costs and lack of knowledge as the biggest factors, but infrastructure and strategy are also cited as obstacles to rapid digitalization. These reservations are understandable and are not eliminated by the all-too-common mockery of Germany as an IT location.
At Foxfire Consulting, we help companies every day to correctly assess risks, close knowledge gaps and master digital change. Transparency and competent advice are the highest priority. We don't just make this available as part of projects, because we are convinced that freely available knowledge ultimately benefits everyone.
Today we want to give you 5 criteria to recognize good software service providers so that your next project is a complete success.
1. He listens and takes your concerns seriously
Unfortunately, it is a common trait in IT to fundamentally assume that the customer does not understand what they need or want. Admittedly, this attitude may often be confirmed in practice by phenomena such as the XY problem but IT experts are all too prone to overshoot the mark when it comes to “optimizing” customer expectations. Important concerns and food for thought are quickly overlooked. A competent IT service provider is fully aware of its role as a consultant and has the highest goal of implementing your ideas in the best possible way.
2. He shows you more than one possible path
It is not uncommon for there to be alternative paths when planning and also during the implementation of a project. Each of these paths usually comes with advantages and disadvantages for different stakeholders. Many service providers will only tell you the most advantageous route for them - which quickly becomes the most expensive route for you.
A transparent IT service provider will explain all of these options to you in an understandable way and enable you to weigh up between them. Ultimately, it's about your project. You are responsible, you know what is best for your company and where the journey should take you. So you should also be able to make the important decisions.
3. He involves you throughout the entire project
Even worse than concealing options is concealing the decision itself. Unfortunately, it is far too common for important decisions to be made by developers or other parties involved without stakeholders being informed. This often only becomes a problem months later, when the effects of the decision become apparent - i.e. when it is usually already too late and a course correction means considerable additional effort. Or do you know the situation when you constantly have to ask your partner about the status of the important project on which your company's success depends?
Successful collaboration requires trust, in both directions. Your IT partner must trust you to be able to handle important information and decisions about the project. On the other hand, he has to make sure that you can trust him. This only works if he keeps you up to date and includes you in all important aspects of the project.
4. He takes a proactive approach to risk
The third point is particularly true when it comes to risks. Not every little technical detail needs to be discussed for hours, but there are insights that can determine the success of a project or even your company. Imagine that you are sure that you have considered all the legal eventualities of your new storage system and communicate this to your IT partner. However, during the development process, he discovers that the storage of certain warehouse employee data is questionable in terms of data protection and must be secured again or, in the worst case, avoided. A risk-aware IT service provider will not ignore this discovery, even if it is not strictly speaking their responsibility. He informs you about this despite your previous clarification. At worst, the same question was covered twice; at best, you were potentially saved millions of dollars in fines.
Even in the best project planning, things can have been overlooked. An experienced service provider is aware of this and pays particular attention to such risks, especially when it comes to data protection and IT security.
5. He ensures that you fully understand your project at all times
The best transparency and technical expertise won't help much if you simply don't understand your project partner. Software developers in particular tend to speak in technical jargon. The type of communication distinguishes an expert from a consultant. A consultant not only understands their field, they enable you to understand it within the context of the project.
Only when you fully understand your project can you make decisions appropriately and ultimately for your partner
trust that he will implement them according to your expectations. And then nothing stands in the way of the project’s success.