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Originally Posted On: https://techjournal.org/how-to-choose-software-partners/

If your company isn’t regularly upgrading or overhauling its computers with regular software updates, you could be placing your servers at risk of being compromised by a cyberattack. Around 43% of hackers target small businesses each year.

Finding the right options for software partners allows you to rely on their expert advice and experience. Are you looking for tips on how to choose software partners? Read on to learn some important basics about comparing software costs and reading online reviews so you find the right partner for your software needs.

Why Choose Software Partners?

Companies of all sizes rely on third-party companies to develop, test, and carry out new software. The main reason for using a software partner is the amount of time it takes to write software code. If your company does not have an in-house software team, partnering with another company makes sense.

Even if your business has workers who could potentially handle software upgrades, diverting workers toward those projects can limit your company’s ability to best serve your current customers. Here are several top factors to keep in mind when looking for the best software partners.

Start With a List

You may already use to-do lists during your daily work. Your list for finding the right software partner should include your needs and goals as well as your expectations for the software project. Without a list, you may end up overlooking something.

Include a list of capabilities you are looking for from your prospective partner. For example, are you looking for a specific software language?

Once the project is complete, will you need a product support team to service the software? Don’t leave any details out, and refer to your list from time to time as you move forward with the search.

Evaluate Past Experiences

High on your list of criteria you should be evaluating the company’s past experiences. Request information about specific case studies. Companies that have experience in your direct industry should be awarded extra points.

Companies that understand your industry will be better able to help meet the needs and goals of your clients and coworkers. Those companies are also better equipped to understand the specific needs of your business, such as field service management software buildops.

Try to talk directly with people at the prospective company, not just their sales or marketing team. They will be able to help you find correct information about the services provided.

Your goal should be to find the right partner who has the right mix of experiences to help serve your clients. The length of time the software company has been in business is one factor to consider, but the number of projects completed should be another important factor.

Investigate Pricing

Even the largest companies have to consider budgets and pricing. Any reputable company should be able and willing to articulate pricing information early on.

Early on, ask the company for a draft of a solution-build plan. This should include information about future releases and software updates that may be needed. Whichever company you go with should be able to support the full version of your envisioned project.

They should also be open to partnering with you for years or longer. Just be wary of just going with the lowest-cost choice.

Companies that come in with the lowest bid may work fast but make mistakes. Or they may charge extra for having to fix those errors. When it comes to software, you should never sacrifice quality for a low price.

Some companies may initially undercut other bidders. They may then overbill along the way. Reputable software companies should be open about how the timeline unfolds and how unexpected setbacks will be handled.

Consider Location

The location of your software company is more important than you may think. An offshore location, for example, could offer certain benefits but many challenges.

Are you wanting to integrate your team members with outsourced software developers from time to time? If so, you may want to only consider local companies that write computer code.

If you do opt to work with a company outside of your state, be sure to ask about video conference technology and other resources to access their team quickly and promptly.

Ensure Alignment

Your team and potential software development partner should click. This means that you should both have similar workplace cultures and values. This will allow both groups to work effectively and with minimal conflict.

Avoiding conversations on values and priorities will only delay addressing those points. Not every company is ideal for partnering, and it is better to find that out early in the search process.

Red Flags to Look For

As you narrow your list down, take a moment to reflect. Along the way, you may have missed some important red flags.

Look out for businesses that are not fully transparent. Representatives from a quality software company should be very clear from the get-go. At no point should you feel pressured to sign any documents until you are fully ready.

Partners should be open about when they plan team meetings, reviews, and even showcases of the new software. This allows you to catch mistakes early on.

Learn More Useful Software Tips

Once you are able to choose software partners, you’ll be on your way to starting a successful software launch. Following the tips in this blog can help you prevent having to relaunch your software or have to fix mistakes later.

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