Choosing the right system integrator for your company or organization is definitely a key responsibility. It cannot be done off-hand by just choosing the one that comes up after typing in a Google search, "System Integrators near me." One needs to put a good amount of time and consideration into determining the right system integrator and take note of some relevant factors before deciding on the right system integrator. Without looking down on such requisites and being ignorant about how to select the right system integrator, you might end up impacting the functioning of your company or organization.

Here are seven key factors for choosing tight system integrators: 

1. Assessment Exercise

The assessment exercise is the prime step that has to be carried out by the new system integrator even before committing to being the system integrator of your company or organization. During the assessment exercise, the system integrator analyzes your organization's current IT environment or landscape to identify system flaws. A thorough analysis is done of the entire architecture of the IT systems in place, and the feedback of the same is submitted to the organization in the form of roadmaps, recommendations, observations, and a plan for improvement and implementation. A good system integrator should be able to provide you with their work portfolio and the extent to which they have revamped the IT structure of the previous client’s organization. Once the discussion with the system integrator is done, they might be able to provide recommendations on how exactly your organization needs the change. 

2. Stability

The stability and consistency of the system integrator are key elements, and this is one of the most important factors for choosing the right system integrator. It is necessary to understand in detail the successful projects the system integrator has done in the past and the competitive solutions they have provided. The stability of the project does not come with implementation alone but also through the necessary follow-up afterward. The stability of execution of the IT landscape as suggested by the integrator will show the smooth functioning of the systems, the scalability it can provide, and how quickly the entire system is responding to the needs of the organization. 

3. Methodology

Each system integrator will have its own dedicated and proven methodology for dealing with each of their clients' needs. And having an implementation methodology is a prerequisite factor, as it shows how the system integrator can deal with providing a complex system when the need arises. Such practices that they have, should be elaborately evidenced by how they applied those practices to their previous projects. A good system integrator company will have process metrics that showcase the success rate of the projects they have handled previously and the documentation of the same. 

4. Tools

Every system integrator works with a fair share of tools, and these tools and their working processes have to be intimately known to you and your organization in a short meeting before you assign them work. The meeting or workshop should be able to convey and demonstrate the results they have achieved in the past using similar tools. The outcome of using such tools should be presented in a comparative format that discusses in detail the advantages and disadvantages of adapting them to the implementation of IT architecture in your organization. Other features like deployment strategies, maintenance aspects, data accuracy, scalability, reusability, ease of understanding, and the final part, the cost of implementation of the designed landscape into your organization. 

5. Expertise

Understanding the qualifications and technical experience of the professionals who are being assigned for your work has to be contemplated effectively. Through a quick analysis of that, you will be able to make sure that you're given the best. Understanding their work portfolio and reading through the intricacies of the structures they have implemented previously will help you evaluate the quality and expertise of the system integrator company. Additionally, it will assist you in thoroughly analyzing the business domain's facets, significant business & technical pain points, strategies for boosting Return on Investment (ROI), tools, and techniques.

6. Knowledge Transfer, Training and Maintenance

A system integrator’s work does not end with implementing and revamping the IT structure in the company. A successful engagement of the system integrator and their work continues even after the IT landscape is adapted. It moves on to maintenance and letting the employees of the organization get acquainted with the new technology. Frequent knowledge transfer sessions will help your organization understand the use of the new system easily. The transfer sessions will cover system architecture definition, coding techniques, coding standards, troubleshooting tips, and framework study. As the employees of the organization are in the loop with the newly adapted system, they seamlessly function without any interruptions or last minute surprises. 

7. Managed Services

Once the IT  structure is implemented and meets the organization's functional needs, the next step is to decide on a maintenance plan to support the hassle free functioning of the organization. The maintenance plan could range from 15 days, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, or a continuous period maintenance mode. Make sure about this before committing your organization’s work to a system integrator. 

It is important to have a fair share of understanding before attempting to assign a system integrator to create or revamp an existing IT structure in your organization. The above mentioned factors can help you better understand what to expect from a system integrator company.

Also read, Things to Consider While Choosing a Software Development Company