1. What is Network Partners?
Network Partners is a Dallas-based information technology (IT) firm specializing in computer network integration for businesses. Network Partners employees bring a sound understanding of business principles, good communications and interpersonal
skills, coupled with an attention to detail and an understanding of technology. The high quality of work, comprehensive scope of services and client-centered practices make Network Partners a pacesetter in a rapidly growing market.

2. How would you describe your services?
Our engagements are based first and foremost on an understanding of the client's business model and objectives. When we have a thorough understanding of short-and long-term goals, we design and implement the systems, tools and technologies that will enable the business to function efficiently today and be prepared for the demands of the future.


3. What distinguishes Network Partners from the rest of the pack?
We've found that our business orientation, coupled with flexible processes and procedures enables us to achieve response times at a consistent average of less than 24 hours to address a client's problem on-site. This provides a significant competitive advantage over less nimble suppliers, large or small. Our ability to respond to customers when they need us is probably the single most important factor in winning new accounts.


4. Obviously, you are advocates of outsourcing IT work. Isn’t outsourcing expensive?
Outsourcing is not a cheap service, but it can be far more cost effective for a company than employing an in-house IT staff member at a salary of $40,000 to $50,000 or more annually. This is particularly true in today's highly competitive technical job market characterized by high turnover rates. Outsourcing is also an effective way to address peaks and valleys in IT workload.


5. How do the services Network Partners offer vary between small and medium-sized companies to larger companies?
Are small or large companies the best candidates for outsourcing IT management?
The services that we provide for larger companies differ greatly from those we offer smaller organizations. For a larger company, we tend to act as an extension of the existing IT department. In working with smaller organizations, we are often the sole
provider of technology services, functioning as an in-house IT department.

6. How do most prospective clients find their way to you? What makes them decide on Network Partners?
Referrals have been our primary source of new business. Prospective clients generally choose Network Partners because we work to get to know their business needs and deliver the best solution on-time and on-budget. We emphasize our quick reaction times coupled with our business skills to bring a higher degree of service than a potential client will find elsewhere. We also believe in utilizing the technology we recommend to our clients and have been very successful in using broadcast fax and email to highly targeted client candidates. We send brief notifications and helpful tips and have had recipients call us for more information or to ask for a bid on a project.

7. Once you acquire a new client, what do you do to ascertain its IT needs?
In order to understand a new client's needs, we take the time to get to know the client and what makes their business tick. Once that's understood, we shape technology to fit the needs of the user, not the other way around. We apply a strategic technology planning approach that will grow with the client, often resulting in significant savings down the road.

8. With the shortage of trained IT personnel, and hi tech staff in general, how do you maintain quality staff?
We are able to maintain top quality staffing because we look for qualities other than IT expertise. Specifically, we look for ambition and attitude, interpersonal communications skills and character. If a potential hire can pass muster on those fronts, and is eager to learn, we'll invest in building the necessary technical skill sets through in-house and external training programs.

9. Network Partners has grown tremendously in the last year. Will this continue, and why? Can the level of service Network Partners currently provides keep pace with its continued expansion?
Network Partners grew nearly 300 percent in 1999 over 1998, to about $1.2 million in revenues and ten employees. However, that has not compromised the quality of service that has enabled our growth. In fact, we planned up front for rapid expansion and have developed a firm foundation of systems, processes and procedures that will minimize growing pains and ensure that all of our clients, new and current, are well served.

10. If you could offer just one piece of advice to businesses searching for an IT firm, what would it be?
There are a number of crucial things to consider in choosing an IT firm, but the most important would be to check candidates' references. There's a broad spectrum of players serving this market, and not all of them have the necessary technical skills, business acumen and ethics. Knowing that your provider has a solid track record of delivering quality services on time and on budget is very important.