IT Vendor Evaluation Guide

Choosing the right IT partner is a big decision for any SMB. Use this guide to ask the right questions, compare providers fairly, and select a vendor who will help you grow – not hold you back.

✔ General Fit

• Do they have experience with businesses of our size and sector?
• Are they local or do they offer reliable remote support?
• What hours are they available and how do we contact them?

✔ Capabilities & Coverage

• Do they cover infrastructure, cloud, security, and support?
• Can they scale with us as we grow?
• Do they help with planning or only fix problems?

✔ Security & Risk

• Do they have documented security policies and practices?
• Can they assist with audits or compliance if needed?
• Do they use MFA and encryption when managing systems?

✔ Transparency & Terms

• Are their SLAs, pricing, and scope of services clearly defined?
• Do they lock you into proprietary tools or platforms?
• Is there a clear exit process and data handover policy?