Navigating Managed Services For It Procurement Companies
It Procurement Companies
Finance executives looking for managed services for their it procurement companies will likely find the process daunting. business which leverage managed services to automate it-related operations often find that their contracts are framed in technical and legal terminology, making them difficult to comprehend. As such, responsible chief financial officer must take the necessary steps to ensure that any managed services contracts their it procurement companies commit to are written with an understood degree of clarity and intention.
Assess Organizational Needs
Before entering into any managed services contracts, the CFO should assess their organizations it-related needs. What capabilities and functionality can be leveraged to improve productivity? Do personnel have the skill sets required to adequately utilize the services? Gaining granular understanding of your organizations it-needs will enable the CFO to develop budget and seek out managed services that properly meet those needs.
Research And Compare Options
The CFO should pour resources into researching options. There are wide range of managed services offered by both regional and national vendors. Comparing those services allows the CFO to confidently identify the most beneficial options for their it procurement companies. When researching and comparing services, the CFO should inquire into companies service guarantees, track record of customerservice, scalable options, and post-sales support.
Verify Security Requirements
Managed service providers must adhere to strict security protocols and regulations. Services should only be sourced from companies which have been properly vetted and which have taken the necessary steps to comply with applicable security standards. Inquiring into prospective provider’s digital security measures and data privacy protocols will help the CFO better ascertain whether they are up to the task of providing continuous service under changing industry regulations.
Read The Contract Carefully
Managed service contracts will likely feature number of compliance and regulatory clauses, as well as service and payment structures. Negotiations may be entered into to establish contract which meets the needs of both parties without the threat of legal consequence. Reading contract with fine-toothed comb, taking note of contentious points, and working to ensure all parties are adequately apprised of the terms therein will help ensure that each party is held to their respective responsibilities.
Conclusion
Ultimately, procuring managed services for it procurement companies can be highly lucrative endeavor but only when due process and diligence are observed. By assessing organizational needs, researching and comparing options, verifying security requirements, and closely reading all contracts, the CFO will be in the best position to secure the most beneficial terms and rates possible. In the long run, this careful pre-negotiation approach can save company considerable time and money.
