The Business Technology Buyer's Guide

The Business Technology Buyer's Guide is a free, nine-question checklist for comparing IT, cybersecurity, cloud, communications and continuity providers. You put the same questions to every provider on your shortlist, score each answer on the evidence behind it, and see which one will actually own your technology rather than just support it.

Why do businesses need a checklist to choose an IT provider?

Because most providers sound the same in a sales meeting. Everyone promises fast response, strong security and a friendly team, and the decision ends up being made on price and gut feel.

The questions that separate them are about ownership and proof: who is accountable when something crosses suppliers, and whether they can show you, not just tell you, that you're protected and recoverable.

What does the guide cover?

Nine questions, grouped into the three areas where the difference between a supplier and a partner shows up:

• Ownership and improvement: will somebody take control when it matters, or just open tickets?
• Security and recovery: can they prove you're protected and recoverable?
• Commercials and change: will the relationship still be clear a year from now?

Each question has tick-boxes for every provider you're comparing, a plain-English note on what a strong answer looks like, and BTNI's own answers, so you can put us to the same test.

What does a strong answer look like?

“When did you last test a Microsoft 365 or server restore, and can we see the result?”

A backup licence is not proof of recovery. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) makes the same point in its advice on choosing a managed service provider: ask how often restores are tested, not just whether backups run ^{1Source 1Choosing a managed service provider (MSP) — National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), 2025.www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/choosing-a-managed-service-provider-mspAccessed 2 November 2026See in Sources}. The other eight questions apply that standard to response times, escalation, security monitoring, Cyber Essentials, contract terms and how your technology will keep up as you grow.

How does the scoring work?

Give a point only when an answer is specific, written down and backed by evidence. A polished presentation is not the same as clear ownership. Each provider's total gives you a plain verdict: a strong conversation, gaps to resolve before you sign, or a reason to keep looking.

How do I get the guide?

Request it with the form on this page and we'll email it to you as a PDF. It's free, and yours to keep beside you while you compare providers.