April-May - Volume 1, Issue 3

How Keen Are You in Selecting Your ICT Service Providers

In the Directory of our March 2002 issue of the Magazine, it was shown that the number of ICT companies operating in Addis Ababa had risen to 127. It was also commented that the actual figure might surpass the number listed in the directory.

- It is fair to assume that the increase in the number of ICT companies could also be an indication for the growth of PCs in possession at individual and institutional levels and the relative demands for the major services. The following tips are given to assist individuals and institutions in their search for various ICT services.

Once the need for an ICT service is established, the Management should be cautious to select the service provider. At the outset, managers have to learn a lot about the processes of choosing an ICT service provider in order to get satisfactory services. Let us give you some important hints that can be of help in selecting your ICT service provider.

1. You have to give as much careful thought to your ICT services as to buying. You have to design a strategy to undertake your ICT services project to avoid interruption of work processes.
2. Form a team of individuals consisting of ICT knowledgeable persons to objectively undertake the bidding process.
3. Prepare a TOR with detailed specifications for bidding your ICT service.
4. Share your ideas about what makes your approaches with your colleagues in the ICT department.
5. Identify your strategic suppliers for your ICT services.
6. Assess the facilities of your prospective candidates in terms of location, facilities with regard to technical qualification of the employees, equipment and availability of vital material resources.
7. Do not be tempted by the price offers while short-listing the bidders; exclude price quotations in your analysis of the bidders to avoid the temptation.
8. Secure a list of their existing customers as references for reliability of services.
9. Determine your evaluation criteria and consider the value of your future relationship as you evaluate bids.
10. Avoid personal considerations and interests, relationships and biases in the selection process.
11. Once you have a short list of the ICT companies who are technically capable of undertaking your ICT service needs, then compare the price offer to select the best of the bidders.