Featured article by Cher Zavala, Independent Technology Author
With so many different technology solutions now available, and new options being released every week, it can be tough for healthcare administrators, department heads, and other facility managers to keep up with the available IT that helps to improve healthcare, increase efficiency, and cut costs. As well, with lots of different vendors out there competing for your business (all of which typically have various types of services, price plans, and guarantees on offer), the decisions get even harder.
If you’re keen to make use of some of the great tech on the market but don’t know much about the area, it is important that you choose the right partner for your needs. Read on for some tips you can follow today to help you select the best technology provider for your facility.
Know Exactly What It Is That You’re After
The first thing you need to do before you make a decision about a tech firm is to be very clear about what it is you’re really after. You need to know what you want to achieve for your facility with technology, and thereby what services you require a provider to deliver.
Make a list of all the things you’re looking for, and divide them into “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves.” This way, when it comes time to compare providers and make your decision, you’ll more easily be able to work out which company’s solutions best suits your needs.
Search for Specialists
Next, as you start to search for tech companies to examine, it pays to concentrate on specialists in the healthcare industry, rather than those generalist firms which cater to any and all sectors. Businesses such as Point Clear Solutions, for example, have specific expertise in the area and know the healthcare industry inside and out.
This means that you won’t have to waste time trying to explain relevant terminology or necessary healthcare considerations. In addition, specialist firms are more likely to deliver what you need the first time around, with no need for expensive or lengthy alteration processes.
Compare Prices
Price is another very important factor of course. To find the best tech provider for your organization’s needs, make sure that when you compare prices between your shortlisted companies, that you really compare apples with apples. To do this, present the same list of requirements to each firm you contact for a quote.
Also, ask each provider exactly what customer support and security measures are put in place if you choose them. You want to feel comfortable that all of your important facility and patient information will be protected from hackers or server failures, and that you can get in touch with the provider straight away if you ever have any issues with the tech they put in place.
As well, don’t forget to be on the lookout for any potential additional or hidden fees. For example, find out if there will be any setup costs that haven’t been factored in as yet, or cancellation fees if you want to stop using the firm.
Check that there aren’t any additional charges for customer support, maintenance, document management, data recovery, security, or training, or anything else that may pop up over time. As well, read over the proposed contract thoroughly to ensure that the provider has not included provisions that will allow them to increase their fees over the course of the term.
Ensure Adaptability Is Possible
Another thing to check when comparing providers is how adaptable their systems are. It is important that you choose a firm that allows for customization and scalability over time. For most organizations, needs change over months or years, so your software solutions should be able to scale accordingly. You really don’t want to be faced with a tech system or product which can’t handle your facility’s emerging needs or that will charge you a huge additional fee to customize current offerings.
Examine Credentials and Testimonials
Lastly, don’t sign up with a technology provider until you have properly examined their credentials and customer testimonials. Look into the background of your preferred supplier to find out how long they have been in business, and if they seem to be growing or not. As well, look for any necessary qualifications, certifications, and insurances possessed by the company and its management and other workers, and ask if the business is part of any relevant industry organizations.
Also take a look at each firm’s testimonials from past and current customers. If they don’t have any, this doesn’t bode well so it is best to avoid signing up with the company. It also pays to look for social media recommendations, which are typically harder to forge.
