While it is easy to look at the actual deployment of a technology solution as the main focal point for evaluating a technology rollout company, there actually four rollout phases to be aware of. These four phases include planning, scheduling, deployment and project close-out.
In each of these phases, there are items to consider in order to fully evaluate a technology rollout company’s capabilities.
Additional Issues to Watch for
Three primary issues to consider that come into play before or after the Deployment Phase of a technology rollout are listed below. While there are always additional items of consideration, these are some of the most critical that can have a devastating impact on your project deadline and budget.
Lack of Defined Scope of Work
A clear Scope of Work (SOW) is crucial to ensuring that all project requirements for the entire deployment are defined. It is a check-and-balance for all work that is performed as well as keeps everyone involved in the know about what is both expected and required for a successful technology rollout. Not having a defined SOW, which should be spearheaded by the technology rollout company, is a warning sign that the rollout is headed for major problems.
Pricing
Pricing can be the subject of great dispute. All too often, a technology rollout company will price services through a ‘low bid’, but what the customer rarely finds until too late are the hidden costs associated with a technology rollout. Large scale rollouts require management, internal resources, partnerships, and many other aspects that must be considered by a technology rollout company before engaging in nationwide or global deployments. Thus, having a transparent pricing structure with all items listed and defined is necessary to ensure that the customer knows what the ‘real’ pricing will be.