Technology partnerships have become indispensable for companies aiming to stay competitive and innovative, considering technology is inseparable from modern business. According to Forrester, about 81% of US decision-makers expected their organizations to increase their investment in new technology throughout 2024. With more money being invested, it’s no wonder companies are forming partnerships with tech experts to make sure their investments pan out with as little risk as possible.

However, simply having a tech partner is not enough; maximizing the benefits requires a strategic approach and effective collaboration. From startups to industry giants, organizations across sectors recognize the transformative potential of collaborating with technology partners on more than simply their Sage Intacct implementation, to drive growth, streamline operations, and deliver value to customers. So how do you collaborate fully or get the maximum value from your technology partnerships? There are lots of theories but here are our actionable strategies to help:

Why do Technology Partnerships Matter?

Many companies fall into the trap of attempting to handle everything in-house, underestimating the potential benefits of strategic alliances. Another common alternative is thinking a Support Desk is enough, but they only fix problems when needed and typically aren’t preventative let alone strategic. By leveraging technology partnerships effectively, businesses can unlock many advantages.

Expanding Expertise

Collaborating with technology partners allows companies to tap into diverse skill sets and domain expertise, fostering innovation and the development of cutting-edge solutions that address market needs more effectively. Think of the partner as an extension of your team, ideally bringing years of industry experience with them to help you out. This is a crucial part of choosing an ERP implementation partner, but it also has lasting effects as your organization grows and changes.

Access to THE RIGHT Cutting-Edge Technology

Partners can provide access to state-of-the-art tools and resources, enabling companies to stay at the forefront of technology (and even understand that technology better) and maintain a competitive edge. A key difference between a vendor and a partner though, is that one will sell you technology, while a true partner will help you select the best technology for your team’s needs and capabilities and get the most out of it. Cutting-edge and modern is great, but not if you don’t actually need all the bells and whistles.

4 Key Strategies for Maximizing Technology Partnerships

While partnerships offer immense potential, maximizing their benefits requires proactive engagement and strategic alignment. Choosing the right ERP implementation partner is crucial, but with so many qualified resources out there, it can be confusing to sort through them to find the one best suited to you. Here are “4 Checks” we recommend using to ensure you’re getting the most out of your tech partnership:

Check 1. Check the Partner’s Experience

A vital part of any partnership is trust. Looking at a partner’s track record can be the cornerstone to building that trust when you can see proof that they understand your business and industry. Find out by asking:

• Are they well-versed in the unique needs and “pain points” of your industry?
• How many years have they been in business or working with your selected technology (i.e. – how long have they been a Sage Intacct partner)?
• How large is their client base on that technology (i.e. – have they done 1 Sage Intacct implementation or do they have a wide client base on it)?
• Can they provide case studies of their engagements?
• Have they worked with system set ups similar to yours?
• Have they written custom reports in your industry?
• Will they provide references from other current clients?
• Are they keeping clients happy?

Check 2. Check the Partner’s Methodology

Before committing to a partnership, conduct thorough due diligence to ensure alignment of values, shared objectives, and complementary capabilities. Evaluate what each partner brings to the table and assess mutual benefits to establish a strong foundation for collaboration. The best resellers have a proven, peer-reviewed process to handle tough business challenges. That includes:

• Diagnostics & Analysis – Review and document processes, and define scope.
• Design – Create a plan that integrates needs, processes, people, and products.
• Development – Adapt existing features, create new features, migrate, and test data.
• Deployment – Set up an operational environment on-site.

Check 3. Check the Partner’s Training and Support Resources

Make sure there are at least three consultants on the partner’s staff who are fully certified and receive product education annually. You want to find a partner who is proactive in staying up to date, not just coasting on past knowledge.

Also, to control your cost of training new hires, make sure the ERP partner has at least one resource dedicated to phone and remote support to answer questions. Technology partners who take time and have a process for training after an implementation will also increase your organization’s success and save you money in the long run. Your team will have less reliance on support when you understand how to solve simple issues, and every team member can make better use of the new technology.

Check 4. Check Your Gut

Intuition is a powerful indicator, and, granted, it isn’t always right, but that’s often the exception, not the rule. During implementation, you will be working very closely with your partner for quite a while, so it is important to determine your comfort level with potential partners. Ask yourself:

• Do they communicate clearly and effectively?
• Do they respond to requests quickly and thoroughly?
• Do they understand the unique demands of your industry?
• Can they explain and demonstrate technology in a language all employees will understand?
• Are they open and friendly?
• Do you want to work with them?

Nurturing Strong and Sustainable Partnerships

Building successful technology partnerships requires ongoing investment and effort. Cultivating trust, maintaining open communication, and addressing challenges are essential. To help you build on that, we recommend you schedule regular meetings to discuss progress, address challenges, and celebrate achievements. It will you both stay relevant to one another while fostering adaptability and continuous improvement to sustain the partnership’s momentum.

That will then let you take advantage of the relationship. Actively leveraging your partner’s expertise, resources, and networks will drive mutual growth and innovation. In your regular meetings, set goals aligned with your partnership objectives and regularly evaluate performance to identify areas for improvement and optimization. You’re building a relationship to last and a good partner will be looking forward to that collaboration.

As you can see, finding an ERP implementation partner is just the start. Continuing to work on your technology partnership requires a strategic approach, but will be worth the investment in time and effort. Whether you currently have an established partnership or are looking to implement new technology and need an assist, stop and remember our 4 checks, and don’t be afraid to ask those big questions.

Like we mentioned, businesses, ideally, spend a lot of time with their technology partners, which can also be a financial investment. No partner worth working with will hesitate to answer your questions in good faith. That way you can build a strong partnership foundation based on trust, transparency, and mutual respect that sets the stage for long-term success and ongoing innovation.