IT Procurement Handbook for SMEs

A guide for Small to Medium Enterprises looking to purchase IT products and services. It covers topics involved in the procurement cycle, from identifying and managing the changing IT requirements of the business, through the evaluation and bidding process, to managing suppliers and the delivery of their IT products and services.

Thinking about upgrading? Avoid the IT pitfalls so many other SMEs fall into, and see how your business can reduce its risk and exposure to financial ruin when sourcing new IT products and services.

Large organisations can suffer badly when IT procurement goes wrong, but for small to medium enterprises (SMEs), it can be fatal. This handbook is specifically designed to help SMEs manage that risk throughout the entire procurement process. Whether it is identifying the changing IT requirements of your business, evaluating potential suppliers or managing them once appointed, this handbook will quickly guide you past the dangers.

• Identifying business requirements and risks
• The lifecycle of maintaining, refreshing, replacing and decommissioning IT systems
• Hardware and software licesning
• Evaluating suppliers and proposals
• What to look for in a contract
• Managing the tender process and negotiating with suppliers
• Where to find help

David Nickson has over twenty years' experience in IT sales and procurement, covering a wide range of industries, with considerable expertise in the field of bid management. He works with a variety of leading blue-chip companies, and writes on sales and procurement, as well as running his own business.