Sourcing Technology For Your Business - Part 1 - You Are Buying More Than Just Technology?
January 28th, 2010 |
When you source technology for your business; you are buying into a long-term relationship with another business. If in doubt, ask yourself the following:
- Do you intend to have an annual maintenance agreement with the supplier to provide updates, fixes and technical support?
- Will the supplier be providing some or all of he technical expertise to implement the system?
- Will the supplier be providing the training; either train-the-trainer or direct end user training?
- Will you be expecting the supplier to provide documentation?
In its simplest form putting IT to work for your business consist of four stages:
1. Sourcing the technology.
2. Configure and tailor the technology to your business, or your business to the technology.
3. Implement the technology.
4. Running live and maintaining the technology.
Unless you intend to be buy the rights to the system and be totally self sufficient, a long-term relationship with the supplier is inevitable. This complicates the process of sourcing technology, because you are buying not just the technology but also the support services that will enable you to successfully exploit the technology within your business.
The early stage activities, up to and including contractual agreement are critical; they are the foundation on which success will be built.
Importance of the contact is often underestimated. The contract is a key milestone and it sets in place the understanding between customer and supplier and defines the way customer and supplier will work together.
It is often said that it’s the relationship between customer and supplier that is important. That the once signed the contract should go in the draw. Relationships are important and working together in a constructive manner with a bit of give and take is invaluable. Good relationships and the give and take that is so important, is much more likely when the contract has been rigorously defined and the differences between customer and supplier are narrow rather than wide.
David Harland is a an experienced IT executive and freelance consultant. David has held senior IT posts in the software industry, publishing and banking. Over the past 12 years David has worked as a freelance consultant advising public and private sector organisations on IT strategy and maximising investment in IT. For more information visit http://www.jamespatrick.ltd.uk.
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