Knowledge base
August 22, 2025
Choosing ICT partner – What really counts?
For many SMEs, choosing the right ICT partner is a strategic decision. Will it be a partner with competitive prices, or one with proven expertise in Microsoft 365 and Cloud? Do you choose locally or nationally? And how important is ISO-certified security?
To answer those questions, we asked our target audience via LinkedIn:
“What weighs most heavily for you when choosing an ICT partner?”
More than 200 voters chose from four options. The results¹?
🔹 50% chose Expertise in M365 & Cloud
🔹 23% prioritized Price & clear contract
🔹 18% selected ISO-certified security
🔹 9% cited 24/7 reachable support as most important
These results say a lot about the needs of Dutch companies anno 2025.
What do SMEs look for in an ICT partner?
The results are clear: Dutch companies expect concrete, proven expertise in their chosen IT platforms – with Microsoft 365 and Cloud the absolute leaders. Why?
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Adoption of hybrid working requires flexible, scalable cloud solutions
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Microsoft 365 forms the digital backbone of modern offices
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Downtime costs money – so experience counts more heavily than price alone
But clear contracts (23%) and certifications such as ISO27001 (18%) also weigh heavily. This confirms that trust, predictability and compliance are at least as important as technology itself.
So how do you choose smartly? 5 questions to ask:
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What certifications does the ICT partner have?
Consider ISO27001 (security), ISO9001 (quality), and NEN7510 (healthcare). -
Is there proven experience with Microsoft 365 & Cloud implementations?
References or case studies are crucial here. -
Are your industry and regulations really understood?
Dutch market knowledge, AVG compliance and industry-specific integrations make the difference. -
Are costs transparent and predictable?
Price is important, but without lock-ins or hidden costs. -
What does support look like after delivery?
24/7 support or just proactive monitoring? Which suits your organization?
The ALTA-ICT approach: reliable, measurable, Dutch
At ALTA-ICT, we combine technological expertise with local market knowledge. We are:
✅ ISO27001 | ISO9001 | NEN7510 certified
✅ Microsoft 365 & Cloud experts with >99.9% uptime SLA
✅ Specialized in Dutch compliance & culture
✅ Transparent in contract & costs, with no surprises
Whether you are a healthcare institution, SME producer or growing scale-up – we deliver measurable value.
Conclusion: Expertise wins out over price
If 50% of your industry peers consider “expertise in M365 & Cloud” most important, that says something about where the market is moving. Price is only relevant if quality, support and compliance are right.
🔍 Wondering how your organization scores?
Schedule a free ICT assessment with our experts via alta-ict.co.uk/appointment-making
📌 Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between ISO27001 and NEN7510?
ISO27001 is internationally focused on information security. NEN7510 is specific to the Dutch healthcare sector.
Can ALTA-ICT help with AVG audits?
Yes, we support organizations with privacy impact assessments, data mapping and audit preparation.
Is support available outside office hours?
Our monitoring is active 24/7. Support is available on a customized basis – including SLAs.
Can I start small and scale up later?
Absolutely. Our cloud architectures are scalable, flexible and based on Microsoft Azure and M365.
What does an initial consultation cost?
Nothing at all. Book without obligation at alta-ict.co.uk/alspraakmaken
🎯 Do you also want security, scalability and compliance in one ICT partner?
📞 Schedule an immediate free consultation with our experts
📧 info@alta-ict.nl
🌐 alta-ict.co.uk/alspeechmaking
Reference
¹https://www.linkedin.com/posts/altaict_mkb-ict-cloud-activity-7355824416615792642-fM18
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