Strategies For Sourcing And Procuring Managed Services From A C-Suite Perspective
SOURCING AND PROCUREMENT SERVICE
Sourcing and procuring managed services can be daunting task for C-Suite executives and those in the finance department. Addressing the needs, wants and budgetary concerns of an organization is best done through effective management of resources and leading edge solutions. Through this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to successfully secure managed services that best suit the needs of the company while staying within budget.
1. Assess Your Current SituationBefore you can properly source and procure managed services, you’ll need to assess your current setup. You’ll want to determine the existing systems that could be replaced or improved upon with managed services, what resources your company is currently using, and the benefits you anticipate with the new managed services. Costs, workload and associated risks should be primary consideration in this assessment.
2. Create New StrategyNow that you understand your current situation, you’ll have better sense of what goals you’d like to achieve with managed services. Creating new strategy should involve careful consideration of the needs of the organization and the functions you expect managed services to perform. it is important to think through the foundations that you want the managed services built on, for the purpose of meeting expected demands.
3. Confer with Your EmployeesOnce you’ve established the need for managed services, it is good idea to consult with the employees who will be using them. They can offer valuable input into what types of managed services they would prefer and any particular features they would like included. This can help provide further insight into your strategy and ensure the right managed services are being sourced and procured.
4. Define Your Selection CriteriaNow that you’ve had discussions with your employees and the proposed strategy is succintly laid out, the next step involves creating selection criteria. This should include the criteria used to evaluate potential suppliers, the quality of service they offer, the packages they provide, and pricing. You should also research how different managed services compare with one another and make sure the criteria identifies the areas that are most important for your organization.
5. Start Your SearchOnce you’ve established the selection criteria, you can begin to search for the best managed services that meet your needs. Make sure to thoroughly research the companies you are considering, paying particular attention to their customer service, pricing, and reliability. Also, consider their past track record. Ask for customer references and reach out to them for feedback.
6. Make DecisionAt this point, you should have narrowed down your search to just few managed services. Evaluate each company using your selection criteria and decide which one is good fit. Be sure to take into consideration any particular features you were seeking, as well as how the managed services can help streamline operations and save resources.
7. Get Everything in WritingBefore finalizing the agreement with the managed services provider, make sure that all terms of the agreement and any commitments to service are documented in writing. This should include any pricing, contractual obligations, and warranty information. Also, clearly specify how the managed services will be monitored, set expectations for service deadlines and ensure that customer service is available.
By following these steps, you can properly source and procure managed services that meet the unique needs of your organization. With the right information and due diligence, you can rest assured that the managed services you choose will help increase productivity, boost customer satisfaction, and save resources.
