By: Sean K Blair, CTO at MXOtech

Comparing bids for your web application development project isn’t as clear-cut as you would hope. Some IT firms present a fixed cost while others provide you with a much lower project “estimate.” So how do you pair the right price with the right expertise?

I’ve put together this list of the methods IT firms use to estimate development project costs and tips for evaluating each.

Illinois is home to the fifth most tech businesses of any state, thanks to the rise of cloud computing, big data and information security. Although there’s no shortage of Chicago managed services providers, you have endless comparisons to make.

Unfortunately, decision-makers often overlook the most telling relationship indicator when evaluating packages and prices: the onboarding experience.

Is your organization bleeding time and resources? Do simple processes like locating documents frustrate your team?

The average tenure of companies on the S&P 500 is shrinking fast — meaning your business needs to constantly evaluate operations and sharpen its competitive edge to stay relevant.

Since MXOtech started back in 2005, we’ve found that surrounding ourselves with passionate and impactful individuals has been the key to our success as well as theirs. Strong partnerships are the driving force behind MXO’s growth. That’s why we hosted an Appreciation Party for the many clients, partners, and staff who have supported us over the years.

Your organization can take every precaution to prevent against a cyberattack — firewalls, anti-virus, anti-malware, spam filter, etc. But your biggest liability isn’t lurking in the cyber shadows: they’re sitting in your office. And failing to enforce employee password policy requirements could put your company data at risk.

Here are tips from Will, our Director of Support Services, including best practices to help prevent hacks, the password storage tool he recommends, and more.

By: Sean K Blair, CTO at MXOtech

Every application development project is unique and complex. Hiring an independent application consultant to develop your web application is a cheap option — but one that’s rife with risk. Here are some disadvantages of working with independent IT consultants to spearhead your business application, and how to avoid being duped.

By Sean Blair, CTO at MXOtech

Application development projects are infamous for surpassing project timelines and budgets. But failure isn’t a question of technical acumen. Most IT firms use outdated project management processes that lead to wasted time and money.

By: Sean K Blair, CTO at MXOtech

Have you worked with a web application development company — only to be let down? Maybe the project went way over budget or surpassed the time estimate. Or worse, the application confused users and didn’t deliver the functionality they needed. Your goal is to produce an application that equips employees with valuable data and removes manual processes. But you also want to stay within your budget and time estimate. So how do you make that happen?

By: Sean K Blair, CTO at MXOtech

You need IT support — or maybe a more complex application to move information through your organization. But if you’re not a technology expert, vetting IT firms is foreign territory. To expose the ugly truth behind IT consultants and vendors, MXOtech interviewed clients and found their past IT projects failed far more than they succeeded. So what causes some IT firms to fail gloriously while others deliver highly functional technology solutions?

The Fast Growth 150 acknowledges a remarkable group of solution providers who have successfully adapted to a landmark industry shift away from the traditional VAR business model to a more services-driven approach, outpacing competitors and emerging as true channel leaders.