Founding Partner & CEO @ Tallium, helping companies bring their business ideas to life through technical excellence. Connect on LinkedIn.
There are countless options for software development vendors, promising you exceptional solutions. But how do you know if they’re actually as good as they claim? Unfortunately, I’ve witnessed countless companies lose hundreds of thousands on healthcare solutions that either go unused or fail to launch—all because of hiring the wrong vendor.
No one wants to repeat that story.
That’s why selecting the right development partner doesn’t seem to be just a project decision. Now, it’s a strategic investment. Drawing on my six years of experience in this field, I’ve identified seven key criteria to help you avoid these mistakes and select the perfect vendor for your project.
1. Ask about their expertise.
Focus on the quality and complexity of their past projects, tech stack used and project types rather than just years of experience. Assess whether their tech stack aligns with your project needs and industry trends. Are they proficient in the tools and frameworks you require? Do they showcase experience with cutting-edge technologies that could benefit your project? Specifically, ask about their domain expertise. Choosing a partner with experience in developing HealthTech products (e.g., EHRs, medical imaging, remote patient monitoring solutions and others) can really make a difference in the quality of the work.
2. Check if they’ve actually launched HealthTech products.
Prioritize vendors that have launched, not just developed, HealthTech products with their clients. Choosing a vendor that’s developed, let’s say, 10 products, none of which were ever used by real clients, may not provide the benefits you’re looking for. Look for vendors with a proven track record of launching successful products used by real customers. This experience translates into deeper expertise and allows you to see the product in action. Also, ask about their challenges and post-development support. This will help you gain valuable insights before making your hiring decision.
3. Make sure the vendor is serious about regulatory compliance and security.
Good vendors prioritize patient privacy and adhere to industry standards. Ensure they have knowledge and experience to work with health data privacy regulations such as HIPAA, FHIR, HL7, GDPR, ISO or HITRUST. Examine their data protection strategies, looking closely at encryption techniques, access controls and vulnerability mitigation plans. You don’t want cyberattacks to disrupt essential patient care services or expose sensitive patient data, leading to identity theft and fraud.
4. Read the feedback of their previous clients.
Seek references from past clients, especially healthcare organizations. Utilize platforms like Clutch, GoodFirms or ITFirms for verified reviews. Don’t forget Glassdoor and Indeed for employee insights. Vendors’ websites often contain only satisfied reviews. So, don’t hesitate to ask for real contacts to get feedback and honest opinions.
5. Make sure they’re good at professional communication.
Before the beginning of the cooperation, agree on preferred communication channels (e.g., email or instant messaging) so that messages reach the right people promptly. Also, choose a vendor with similar working styles and time zones for smoother, faster communication and efficient collaboration. This minimizes future challenges and helps ensure clear, real-time interactions.
Another important thing is to insist on access to their project management and time-tracking systems. This transparency fosters trust and allows you to stay informed by having real-time insights into progress, resource allocation and potential roadblocks throughout the development process. At the same time, consider a lack of transparency a red flag.
6. Assess their product expertise.
Go for a partner with a proven track record of building products. The development process in this field is different from, for example, creating an e-commerce website. You’ll need a vendor that can skillfully navigate product discovery and development, lead in user experience design, measure success and adapt to market changes. Also, try not to split product discovery (design) and development between different organizations, as product design is implemented by your engineering team, and having it all under one roof is better.
Make sure the vendor you choose is good at analyzing the market trends, studying competition and even interviewing clients. This way, you’ll get comprehensive product discovery, create a solution that’s truly needed in the market and have a strategic partner, not just a development one.
Moreover, remember to evaluate their track record of on-time and on-budget delivery. Ensure their development approach (e.g., Agile or waterfall) aligns with your project preferences and team structure.
7. Make sure they won’t leave you stranded after the development is done.
Launching the product doesn’t mean the end of your cooperation. Assess the vendor’s post-development support offerings, including bug fixes, updates and ongoing maintenance plans. Reliable support after launch is crucial for preventing recurring issues. As your user base grows, you’ll get more feedback from your customers, which will drive the need for ongoing, interactive updates. You want to be ready for that.
Remember to make sure you have a list of specific requirements of your future vendor and find the one that matches them. The best vendor isn’t the cheapest or the most expensive—it’s the one that makes a perfect match with your company. Happy searching!
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