Importance of accreditation

Anthony Green talks about certification and its benefits to customers

There is little doubt that the economic downturn has forced businesses to closely evaluate expenditure, with IT being no exception.

Even the most successful IT companies are having to confirm their credentials as valued technology partners. Businesses have tougher-than-ever criteria for selecting an IT partner and, quite simply, technology companies that do not have the relevant qualifications or accreditations may not even make it on to a client's shortlist.

Vendor certification or accreditation is only given to a company when it has completed the relevant independent training and examination. We have delivered projects of every shape and size across the private and public sectors for almost two decades, and it has always been a core policy to invest in vendor qualifications at every level.

For example, the importance of a skilled sales team to make the initial assessment cannot be underestimated, especially as it is this point where customers gain confidence in the company's knowledge and expertise.

Meanwhile, you need a high level of commitment to continued learning in all areas in order to offer the most effective solutions to your clients.

Vendor accreditation also serves as an independent verification for customers of your expertise on existing and cutting-edge technologies, and has become a cornerstone of business and reputation.

It has earned us repeat business, continued working relationships over many years and business by recommendation.

Anthony Green is sales director at Blue Chip