IT Vendor Selection Guide — evaluation criteria, red flags, questions to ask. Download free checklist.

IT VENDOR
SELECTION
How to Choose

6 evaluation categories, critical questions, red flags to avoid. Find the right IT vendor for your business.

Vendor Evaluation Checklist

Service Quality

  • Contractual SLA (not aspirational)
  • 15-minute critical response
  • Named account manager
  • Quarterly IT reviews

Pricing Transparency

  • All-inclusive per-user pricing
  • No surprise per-incident fees
  • 30-day rolling contracts
  • No long-term lock-in

Security & Compliance

  • Cyber security tools included
  • Cyber Essentials certification
  • Data encryption
  • Audit trail compliance

Sector Expertise

  • Client references in your sector
  • Compliance experience (your industry)
  • Vertical-specific solutions
  • Domain knowledge

Technical Capability

  • Microsoft Partner certified
  • Cloud migration experience
  • Infrastructure design skills
  • Multi-vendor support

Switching Process

  • 48-hour transition time
  • Zero data loss guarantee
  • Credential handover cooperation
  • No penalties for switching

Red Flags to Avoid

Pricing too good to be true
Vague or aspirational SLAs
24-month lock-in contracts
No named account manager
Security as expensive add-on
Unwilling to provide references
No Microsoft Partner certification
Cagey about switching process

Download the vendor selection guide

Free resource: complete evaluation checklist, interview questions, RFP template.

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