Frequently asked questions
Common questions about working with us
If you do not find what you are looking for, feel free to reach out directly — we are happy to answer any question about our approach, our process, or whether we are a good fit for your situation.
Ask a question directlyAbout Strategic Partnered Services
- What exactly does Strategic Partnered Services do?
- We are an independent technology advisory firm. We help organizations make smarter technology decisions — assessing what they have, identifying what they need, reviewing vendor relationships, and providing guidance on technology strategy. We do not sell technology products or manage day-to-day IT operations.
- How is this different from hiring an IT company or managed service provider?
- Managed IT providers handle your day-to-day technology operations — helpdesk, device management, network monitoring. They are valuable for operational support, but they typically earn revenue from the services and vendors they recommend. We provide independent strategic guidance that is not tied to any product or vendor. We help you decide what to buy and who to buy it from — then you engage the vendors or providers you choose.
- Do you have vendor relationships or earn commissions?
- No. We have no preferred vendor relationships, no referral arrangements, and no commissions from any technology provider. This is the foundation of our model — and it is what makes our advice genuinely independent.
- Who is Sean Yost and why does his background matter?
- Sean founded Strategic Partnered Services after years working inside the technology industry — close enough to see how vendor incentives shape the advice organizations receive. That experience is what drove him to build an advisory model free from those incentives. His background spans healthcare technology, infrastructure, communications, cybersecurity, and vendor management.
Working with us
- What does working with Strategic Partnered Services look like in practice?
- Most engagements begin with a technology assessment — a comprehensive review of your current environment, costs, vendors, and gaps. From there, we provide clear recommendations and, if you choose, ongoing advisory support as you implement changes. Some clients engage us for specific projects like phone system replacement or vendor contract review.
- How long does a typical engagement take?
- A technology assessment typically takes two to four weeks depending on organization size. Specific projects like vendor contract review or communications needs analysis may be shorter. Ongoing advisory relationships vary based on scope.
- Is there a long-term contract or commitment?
- We don't lock clients into long-term commitments. The assessment stands on its own, and you decide whether to engage further. Our ongoing advisory relationships are structured to be flexible — because we believe the work should earn continued trust, not be locked in by contract.
- Do you work with organizations outside of healthcare?
- Yes. While healthcare is our primary focus, we work with manufacturing companies, professional service firms, and growing mid-market businesses that face similar technology decision challenges.
- What size organizations do you typically work with?
- We work with organizations of many sizes — from single-location practices to multi-site health systems with hundreds of employees. The right fit is usually organizations that are large enough to have meaningful technology complexity but do not have a large internal IT strategy function.
Technology assessments
- What does a technology assessment actually include?
- A technology assessment covers your current technology environment comprehensively — internet connectivity and bandwidth, network infrastructure, vendor contracts and pricing, phone and communications systems, cybersecurity posture, HIPAA compliance gaps (for healthcare), cloud and hosting environments, and IT support. You receive a plain-language report with prioritized recommendations.
- We think our technology is fine. Why would we need an assessment?
- Many of our most valuable engagements are with organizations that thought everything was working. Technology problems are often invisible until they become crises — overpaying for services, contracts about to auto-renew on unfavorable terms, redundancy gaps, compliance exposures. An assessment either confirms you're in good shape or surfaces issues worth addressing.
- What do we need to provide to get started?
- Not much. We will ask for basic information about your current vendors and contracts during the discovery conversation. We do the heavy lifting from there.
- What happens after the assessment?
- You receive a report with clear, prioritized recommendations. Many clients choose to work with us on implementation — but there is no obligation. The report is yours, and you can act on it however makes sense for your organization.
Healthcare organizations
- Do you understand HIPAA?
- Yes. While we are not a legal or compliance firm, we understand how technology decisions intersect with HIPAA requirements. We help healthcare organizations make technology choices that support their compliance posture — and we flag areas of concern that should be reviewed with a healthcare attorney or compliance specialist.
- We already have an IT support team. Do we still need you?
- Often yes. IT teams are focused on keeping things running. Strategic technology guidance — vendor selection, contract review, infrastructure planning, security posture assessment — is typically outside their scope or bandwidth. We complement your existing team.
- Can you help us with EHR or practice management system selection?
- We can provide independent guidance on EHR evaluation — helping you ask the right questions, understand contract terms, and compare options objectively. We do not have preferred EHR partnerships, so our perspective is genuinely neutral.
Pricing and process
- What does it cost to work with Strategic Partnered Services?
- Costs vary based on the scope and size of your organization. We are happy to discuss this during an initial conversation. For most organizations, the savings identified during an assessment more than offset the advisory fee.
- How do we get started?
- Schedule a free conversation with Sean. You will get a chance to describe your situation, ask any questions, and determine whether a technology assessment makes sense. There is no commitment required from that first conversation.
Still have questions?
Schedule a free conversation with Sean. There is no agenda, no sales pitch, and no commitment required.