So you’ve made the decision to outsource your 3D CAD and drafting needs. Now that you’ve taken that first step that will save your company a lot of time and money, how do you go about choosing who to outsource to?
Once you’ve compiled a list of companies, how do you narrow down which ones to work with?
Here are a few guidelines to help you choose the right CAD outsourcing company for your needs.
Look for a vendor that has handled similar projects in the past. While size and reputation do matter, it’s equally important that the company you choose is aware of the scope of your needs, no matter how big or small.
Smaller companies may offer a lower bid, but you’re not saving money if they don’t have the manpower or experience to handle larger scale projects.
There’s nothing wrong with giving the solopreneurs a break, but somewhat larger companies offer a more complex service, and you can’t always assume that the project will progress perfectly. Delays and changes from the client end usually take up more man hours, and you need companies that will be able to provide additional support without buckling from the pressure.
Likewise, a larger company may have the prestige of handling bigger clients and projects, but doesn’t quite know to deal smaller projects such as individuals with single-lot projects.
Ask about redundancies, facilities, and certifications. When outsourcing, it’s best to plan for all possibilities. If a project needs to be scaled up, or a change of regulation prompts new requirements for your end, you need to know if the vendor you choose will be able to keep up.
You also want to know what kind of contingency plans they might have. If an employee walks away, a computer breaks down, or they get internet interruptions due to repairs or the weather, you will want to know how soon they can get a replacement and what kind of redundancies they have in place.
Just having that peace of mind knowing that your project will be taken care of will make future transactions easier to deal with.
Choose the vendor that you are most comfortable with. Outsourcing, especially to the uninitiated, can be quite a leap of faith. You send your project to people you might never see, with workers half-way around the world in a country you may not have previously heard of. So it’s important that you find a vendor that you can trust.
Customer service is paramount in the industry, and the end result is heavily affected by the client-vendor working experience. Outsourcing relies a lot on talking: exchanging ideas, sending sound feedback, and criticisms.
It can be the cheapest bid, or the highest bid, it may not matter. At the end of the day, you simply won’t want to talk to vendors you’re not comfortable dealing with.
Do your own due-diligence. Even if they’ve met all requirements, remember to do your own due diligence by asking for references from past clients. And talk to clients that most resemble your project and budget, not the most impressive ones. This will give you a better idea on how working with that CAD outsourcing company is like.
Outsourcing may sound intimidating, but working with the right company will quickly put you at ease. That’s why choosing the right company when outsourcing is key.
