A network can make or break a business. It's true. Your network is a vital asset to your company and its future success. Slow, poorly designed and networks cabled on the cheap slow down performance and service capabilities in an organisation, and leave both staff and clientele frustrated. Well-designed networks with high quality cabling are essential for success in a world where everything and everyone requires connectivity.
The first step in establishing a network that will be a long term asset to your company is choosing a network cabling partner. The choice of network cabling has far-reaching implications for a business, and a good cabling partner will help you avoid the pitfalls commonly faced when having cabling done for your network. How do you know whether you're choosing the right partner? There a few qualities to look out for.
Key Questions You Should Ask Before Choosing a Cabling Provider
1. Do They Have Sufficient Experience and a Proven Track Record?
Network cabling is about far more than just laying cables. It's a complex and delicate process that requires experience and extensive knowledge to ensure optimal network functionality. There are a multitude of factors that require consideration, and a good network partner will be well-equipped to offer you a wealth of experience, guidance and support when choosing network cables and designing the perfect network for your needs.
Experienced network cabling providers should also be able to substantiate their experience with a proven track record in their field. Ask around and do a little research to find out what kind of reputation they have in their field, and what their previous clients have to say about the quality of service and support they received.
2. Are They Offering Comprehensive Customer Support?
As with most businesses, excellent customer service and support is invaluable. Even robust networks can sometimes run into difficulty, and when you're facing a crisis a great network cabling partner will go above and beyond to offer you premium service. This means clear communication and immediate assistance in the event of questions or problems, and responsive tech support.
Your network is an asset that will see plenty of use in the long term, and ideally you need a network cabling company that supports you and is willing to do their part in sustaining a relationship that continues beyond the installation. The worst type of provider is one that cuts and runs after finishing the job and receiving payment.
3. Is Their Client Portfolio Any Good?
Looking at a network cabling company's previous clientele and completed work is a good way to judge the strength and quality of their service. Factors such as the number of clients they have attended to and testimonials of their work are good indications of the level of service you can expect from a cabling partner.
Checking a network cabling provider's portfolio adds validity to their reputation and shows the level of trust given to the company by previous clients. Keep an eye out for businesses similar to yours in size and nature to get a feel for whether a network cabling provider has worked with companies similar to yours before.
4. Are They Local?
While not a critical criterion, as network cabling companies can ship products or travel to locations, it's a decided bonus if a data cabling partner is local to your business. Having a local service provider means when you require service support, they're a short distance away and can easily provide on-site support in the event of a crisis.
5. Are They Flexible and Responsive?
It’s common to find both IT and Facilities Management teams facing the pressures to support changes and reconfigurations to the original setup post implementation. In these circumstances having an IT cabling partner that continuously provides a high quality service in a responsive and flexible way is vital in coping with the demands of the business.
6 What Do They Actually Offer?
When assessing potential partners, consider the range and scope of services on offer. It is always better to find a partner capable of supporting all of the installed systems and services in-house, to avoid being dependent on third party specialists. Choose a partner that can offer your company a wider range of skills and experiences. This is particularly important when assessing the impact of introducing new services and technologies, and their potential impact on your network
Getting your network off to a great start means choosing the right cabling partner, one who will see your business as more than just another cash cow, and will offer consistent service that goes above and beyond. Don’t make the mistake of going with the cheapest option to save costs. Your network is an investment in your business's future. Choosing the right cabling partner might mean the difference between success and failure for your business and network. Can you afford to take that risk?
