How to choose an Internet Solutions Provider?
Asociace.BIZ recommends its clients carefully consider the following seven criteria before selecting an Internet Solutions Provider.
- Stability
- Sufficient turnover
The annual turnover of a top Internet Solutions Provider should be at least CZK 10 million per year from Internet solutions provided
- Independent clientele
The Internet Solutions Provider may not work for a client, which participates in the provider’s total annual turnover to a level in excess of 50 %
The Internet Solutions Provider should not be owned or jointly owned by any of their clients
- Sufficient turnover
- References
- A sufficient number of successfully completed projects
Find information about the number and status of completed projects, which often tells you everything about the provider’s style and quality of work
- Verifiable references
Ask for specific contacts to the provider’s clients, which can confirm the references you have been presented with
- Client structure
The client structure tells you about the orientation and specialisation of a the Internet Solutions Provider
Conflict of interests is not clear here as is the case with communications agencies; with a view to the fact that the provider does not only offer a creative solution, but also a technical solution, it is a matter for each enquirer to consider whether to submit a project to a company, which is already working on a competing project
- Specialised solutions
The Internet Solutions Provider should offer a case study, in which they can prove their knowledge of the field and thus prove the benefit of the reference solution for you
- A sufficient number of successfully completed projects
- Legal form
- Corporate body
Even a student can work up a technical solution, but with his trade licence, he cannot offer professional service on an adequate level
- Registered VAT payer
- Corporate body
- Technical base
- Own technical base
The enquirer should take an interest in the HW and SW environment in which projects entrusted to the provider are developed in
- Operation of www applications on in-house servers
A professional internet solutions provider will either operate their own servers, or as the case may be use lease of them, always with a connection to a backbone network with the Internet connection provider
Web hosting that is too cheap with a connection speed under 100 Mb/sec is not suitable for operation of professional applications
- Protection of personal information
When gathering personal information via the Internet, ask for adherence to the appropriate laws and registration on the part of the supplier
- Security for data and codes
If required, ask for the ability to ensure secure access to WWW applications
- Own technical base
- Professionalism
- A sufficient number of in-house core employees
If the provider has 5 employees it will be difficult for them to handle more than one project; for this reason, demand a minimum of 15 qualified employees
A company with one manager, which mediates work for hired beginners cannot ensure a sufficiently quality result
- 24/7 service
Professional service support is the basis for successful cooperation and must be ensured 24 hours a day, 7 days a week even during times of holiday and illness
- Professional consultation and know-how
Problems can often be resolved before a project is finished merely due to the fact that the provider was faced with a similar problem in the past
- Cooperation with specialists in the field in question
A project should always be managed by a specialist company in the field in question which is properly familiarised with the client’s environment
- Use of new technologies
A professional Internet Solutions Provider follows trends (and often also determines them) and always offers the use of new, modern solutions while also working on secure technologies
- A sufficient number of in-house core employees
- Corporate culture
- Communication with the provider’s representatives
Even in an Internet agency, you should be able to tell at first glance which employees are members of production and the department for communication with clients
Ask to communicate only with one responsible representative who is of course not also a graphic designer, analyst and programmer in one
- Provider’s registered address
Development and operation of Internet applications can be performed by practically anyone, but basement premises and the like do not indicate a professional approach
Take an interest in the development environment. Ask for a meeting with the whole production team before concluding a contract
- Communication with the provider’s representatives
- Style of work
- Project management
A quality Internet Solutions Provider should provide a clearly structured project plan before conclusion of a contract, the fulfilment of which you can continuously check
- Post facto information
You have the right at any time to ask for any information whatsoever about your project, even post facto
- Evaluation of projects (documentation)
For the event of transfer to another supplier, always ask for project documentation (above all the structure of codes)
- Analytical activity
Analytical submission takes place before actual implementation, a condition of which is a quality client brief
- Project management
The Association of Internet Solutions Providers guarantees that its members have all of these prerequisites at their disposal, which will ensure a professional approach on implementation and administration of Internet projects entrusted to them.
