It's a story we see all the time for many organizations: One person acts as the de facto account holder and password keeper for all things IT. The role typically falls into your hands, the organization's IT manager. It might be because you know the most about the company's IT infrastructure. Or maybe it's because you're considered the smartest in the room when it comes to technology. The problem is, in almost every case, you have other things to worry about than managing the accounts and IT vendors.
Sure, you're probably doing a good job as both IT manager and liaison right now. However, as the company grows and the infrastructure gets more complex, and more IT vendors come in, then things will slowly get out of hand. It's too much to ask from anyone.
That's where hiring a dedicated IT vendor liaison or outsourcing the task to your managed service provider (MSP) comes in handy. They can handle managing software and hardware vendors for you, so you can focus on more critical tasks.
Intelligent Technical Solutions has served as IT vendor liaison for hundreds of businesses for over a decade. In this article, we'll dive into why an IT vendor liaison is important for your organization, and what they can do for you.
What is an IT Vendor Liaison?
An IT vendor liaison refers to someone in the company who serves as the primary point of contact between the organization and its various IT vendors. In other words, they're the middleman between your organization and the IT companies providing you services. They are responsible for bridging the gap between the technical expertise of IT vendors and the specific requirements of your organization. Their main goal is to ensure everything runs smoothly between the two.
You can get an IT vendor liaison by hiring one for your organization, or outsourcing the role to an MSP.
What can an IT Vendor Liaison Do for You?
Here are the main things that a reliable IT vendor liaison can do for you:
1. They can streamline communication.
An IT vendor liaison serves as the primary point of contact between your organization and its IT vendors. They facilitate regular meetings, emails, and calls to convey requirements, updates, and feedback.
In addition, a good liaison can translate technical jargon into business language and vice versa, ensuring mutual understanding. They can also disseminate information internally within the business to relevant departments or stakeholders, ensuring everyone is on the same page regarding IT vendor interactions.
2. They can manage your IT vendors.
Managing relationships with multiple IT vendors can be complex. A liaison can help you coordinate interactions and ensure that vendors deliver on their promises. They take charge of nurturing positive relationships with IT vendors. That involves understanding vendor capabilities, performance history, and industry trends. They proactively engage with vendors to address concerns, provide feedback, and identify opportunities for collaboration.
3. They can help you resolve issues with vendors.
Imagine that your cloud service goes out. As the IT manager and de facto liaison, not only will you have to find a temporary workaround for your team, but you'll also have to deal with the service provider, too. Having an IT vendor liaison can lift some of that burden off of you. They can work directly with the vendor to address concerns and find solutions promptly, while you focus on keeping critical operations running during a crisis.
4. They can align your business needs.
A good IT vendor liaison can bridge the gap between your business's IT requirements and the capabilities of IT vendors. They can articulate your business's needs clearly to ensure that vendors provide appropriate solutions.
5. They can evaluate new IT vendors.
Conducting market research to find new vendors can be a time-consuming task. You have to conduct research, go over track records, and so on to ensure you find the right one. An IT vendor liaison can play a crucial role in that process. They can do most of the legwork for you by conducting a thorough evaluation of potential options. Not to mention, they can solicit feedback from internal stakeholders and industry peers to guide your selection decisions.
6. They can deal with the contracts.
If you've ever read an IT vendor contract, you already know that it's full of complex terms and conditions. It can be a minefield disguised by legal jargon that could present potential risks for your organization without proper review. That process takes time that you don't have in abundance. An IT vendor liaison can do that job for you. They can review contracts, ensure compliance, and identify any potential risks or discrepancies. That will ensure the contract terms are fair and aligned with your business objectives.
7. They can manage the cost.
A reliable IT vendor liaison can identify opportunities for cost savings or efficiency improvements and renegotiate contracts as needed. That means they will ensure you receive value for your money and avoid unnecessary expenditures. In other words, they can help you get the most bang for your buck.
Need Help Managing Your IT Vendors?
Outsourcing IT vendor management to an MSP or hiring a dedicated liaison within the organization can alleviate the burden of managing vendor relationships. It plays a pivotal role in optimizing the efficiency and effectiveness of your IT operations. Not to mention, it allows you to focus on more critical tasks while leveraging the expertise of professionals dedicated to ensuring seamless IT vendor interactions.
If you need someone to manage IT vendor relationships effectively, our team at ITS has served as IT vendor liaisons for countless businesses. Find out how we can help you by scheduling a meeting with one of our experts. You can also check out the following resources for more info:
- 9 Questions to Ask New Vendors About Their Cybersecurity
- 8 Questions to Vet Potential Vendors' Cybersecurity