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When you’re not feeling well, do you go to the doctor and tell him what tests and medications you want? Unless you have medical training, probably not. You seek out a professional when you need advice and an informed “diagnosis”. Problem-solving starts with an assessment. At the fast pace of technology’s advances, you should use the same approach with identifying your business needs.

Quite often, you see offers for a “free consultation” or “free assessment”. Do you ignore them? This is your chance to get valuable insight and to learn about your options. Think of it as a second opinion that either confirms what you suspect (or have been told) or gives you a different viewpoint. Either way, isn’t it a valuable use of your time?

When Avalon Integration offers a free technology assessment, it’s because we know that your business is different than anyone else’s. Your people, processes, and goals are unique to you and your operation. We can’t solve your problem the way we’d address another business’s issues. Sure, we can use our experience and knowledge as a basis for formulating an opinion, but the assessment allows us to dig deeper into how you work, and better understand your challenges and opportunities.

Order-Taker or Problem-Solver

Order Taker and Problem Solver

A (good) doctor wouldn’t necessarily prescribe the exact same treatment to a teenage boy as a mature woman, and the same goes for customizing a solution for a business. The technology that works for your competitor, for example, might be totally wrong for you. They have their own goals, workforce, network, facilities, location, and budget. As a competitor, you work on distinguishing your company from others, and the systems you choose should support that mission.

Consider These Three Scenarios.

Three Scenarios to look out for in your warehouse

You’ve been using Microsoft Windows Mobile for your enterprise operating system, and you know the support is ending, so you reach out to a couple of “technology providers” to figure out what to do.

One tells you that they can provide support for Windows so you don’t have to go through OS migration. They tell you, “We’ve done this for lots of people.” Another company says they can handle the migration and will get you everything you need.

A third one doesn’t offer a solution, but instead starts the conversation with a lot of questions. What are you using for primary apps? What legacy devices do you have and how old are they? Are you paying licensing fees for your software? What functions do you rely on most? Does your wireless network currently support your users, apps, and hardware?

The first company is an order-taker. You tell them what you want and they comply. The second one uses a cookie-cutter approach.

Avalon Integration Is Here to Give You an Assessment

Avalon integration is here to give you a free assessment

The last one—let’s call them “Avalon Integration”—is assessing the situation.

When a business offers you a free assessment, take it. You have no obligation to give them your business. They need to earn it. And the action of letting them show you how they approach problem-solving will provide useful insight into their value as a lasting partner.

So, Avalon Integration is offering a free assessment. We might be able to help you improve your operational efficiency or address your other goals. And we might tell you with all honesty that you’re already in great shape. We’re not going to sell you what you don’t need. When you’re ready for an honest evaluation, contact us to schedule it.

If you ever wonder how much value something has to your life, consider what happens when you lose it. The power goes out and suddenly you can’t get your Internet connection, use the microwave, television, or—oh no!—charge up your electronics. What do you do when you can’t find your phone? Stop everything! So, with the importance of all the gadgets, gizmos, and connections that keep your business running, how do you choose a technology partner company? Is it a provider, problem-solver, or partner? Avalon Integration has some suggestions. You have a lot of choices for a technology provider, so before you jump onto one—because it’s familiar or has great prices—stop and think about the role that this company is going to play.

The Provider

A Technology Partner providing help with various resources to clients

We hear this term used a lot, and there’s value to having a solid provider. This company is readily available to get you the products you need. They have a wide range of items to choose from and can fill your order promptly and accurately.

The Provider offers quick turnaround, maybe same-day shipping. That’s definitely valuable for those emergencies when you’re faced with downtime. The clock keeps ticking until you have the devices, supplies, or get things up and running.

This role also requires someone with in-depth product knowledge. You should be able to rely on them to find the specific thing you need, even if you don’t quite know it yourself. You can describe the features and functions you’re looking for, and the Provider’s knowledge of their inventory will quickly match you to the right selection.

Before choosing a Provider, learn the products they carry and the level of partnerships they maintain with the manufacturers because these connections impact the products you can access and the programs that your Provider can offer. Also, find out about policies for delivery, returns, special orders, and warranties.

The Problem-Solver

A Problem Solver helping a client with code

When you’re faced with a challenge and don’t have a palatable answer, you rely on a Problem-solver. Like a SWAT team, this company is called in to assess the issue and efficiently deliver a solution. You need a company that responds quickly and has the technical support in place to deal with your situation, both on-site and remotely.

A problem can be as simple as identifying why certain barcode labels aren’t printing correctly to deploying RFID to improve asset tracking or upgrading a network for better connections in a dynamic environment, like a warehouse, plant, or distribution center.

The Problem-solver is well-schooled in technology and agile enough to respond quickly when you call for help. A reliable Problem-solver has a diverse network of reliable resources to call on, like a well-stocked toolkit.

When choosing a Problem-solver, you need to know about that network. What can this company provide you to support the services you need? Learn how quickly you can expect a response and guarantees for the work provided.

The Partner

Technology Partner talking to clients in a meeting

A true Partner fulfills the roles of Provider and Problem-solver and more. While those are reactive sources, a Partner is proactive. Your technology partnership is built on trust in the company’s ability to understand your business as an individual, getting to know the processes and the people. The Partner invests in gaining this knowledge in order to offer suggestions, prevent problems, and guide you to achieve goals. A Partner opens your eyes to opportunities that you might not otherwise see.

For example, a Partner would have advised you of the importance of OS Migration and presented a strategy before you had to ask.

A Partner would visit your facility to explore how things are running, talk to the workers to gauge their productivity, and then give you suggestions for improvements that would deliver a rapid return on investment.

Take Your Pick for the Right Technology Partner!

At Avalon Integration, we focus on building lasting partnerships. We might start because you need a provider to get your products or services. But we hope you’ll soon discover that we are much more. Our team of experienced pros is committed to the company vision of proactively supporting our clients. We ask questions to make sure your technology is serving you to the best ability. We try to look ahead so that we can circumvent a problem before it escalates.

With Avalon Integration as your technology partner, you don’t have to ask if your devices come fully configured or with the latest version of the OS. You don’t need to wonder whether or not we can handle your wireless network growth or process challenges. That’s what we do. Pick up the phone and you’ll talk to a person—your partner.

We’re here for the long haul, an extension of your project team. Let’s get started now and talk about the partner that provides what you need, solves your problems, and proactively supports your goals.