Guides
What to ask, before you sign.
Buying IT is mostly a language problem. These guides translate the licences, certificates and contract clauses that decide whether a supplier can actually do what they are quoting for — written for the person signing, not the person installing.
- Guides
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What a Managed IT Contract Should Actually Say
Response windows, severity levels and after-hours cover — the clauses that decide what a Malaysian managed IT contract is really worth. Ask for The response window in writing, with severity levels defined and after-hours cover priced separately. -
CCTV and the PDPA: Who Is Responsible for the Footage?
Recording identifiable people makes you responsible under Malaysia's PDPA. What to agree with a CCTV installer before the first camera goes up. Ask for A written agreement naming who holds the footage, how long it is kept, and who may release it. -
MCMC Licence Classes, and Why They Decide Your Contract
NFP, NSP, ASP and CASP — what each MCMC licence permits, and why a reseller without the right one cannot hold the contract you think you signed. Ask for The licence class and licence holder's name, then check it against MCMC's public register. -
How to Verify a Cybersecurity Supplier's Credentials
ISO 27001, CREST and cybersecurity service licensing — which certificates matter, and how to check that one is real before you sign anything. Ask for The certificate number, its scope statement and its expiry — verified with the issuing body, not the supplier. -
In-House or Back to Principal? The Warranty Question
Whether warranty repairs happen on site or get shipped to the principal decides your downtime. What to settle before you buy office hardware. Ask for Where warranty work is physically performed, the turnaround, and whether a loan unit is provided. -
Where Does Your Data Physically Sit?
Rack location, power redundancy and who can physically touch the machine — the questions that decide whether a hosting arrangement is fit for purpose. Ask for The data centre named in the contract, with its tier or equivalent rating and its power redundancy design. -
A Checklist for Choosing Any IT Supplier
Nine checks that apply whether you are buying managed IT, CCTV, connectivity or hosting — and three answers that should end the conversation early. Ask for The company registration number, the licence covering the specific work, and two contactable references. -
When Outsourcing IT Stops Making Sense
Headcount, downtime tolerance and compliance load decide whether an SME should hire in-house, outsource, or run both. How to tell which you are. Ask for A written split of responsibilities — what the supplier owns, and what stays yours regardless. -
Office Cabling: The Specifications Nobody Puts on the Quote
Cable category, testing certificates and labelling decide whether an office network is maintainable. What to write into the scope before work starts. Ask for Certified test results for every outlet, and a labelled point schedule handed over at completion.