We have very strong ethical views on impartiality and independence
It often takes in-depth technical knowledge to judge if IT advice is sound when given (or even was sound after taking it). As trusted advisers, we strenuously avoid potential conflicts of interest.
• As members, we work to the ethical standards of the British Computer Society (BCS).
• We are not re-sellers of any hardware or software. We do not have subsidiaries or sister companies that are.
• We are not tied to any IT vendors. We do not accept sponsorship from IT vendors.
• We do not write market reports that are bought by IT vendors. Our web pages never accept advertising or sponsored links.
• We do not take (and have never taken) referral fees, introduction fees or commissions from the IT vendors who win our rigorous evaluation process. We do not take payments in kind, for instance free equipment (beyond standard evaluation versions of products available to any enquirer).
• We will not write a client specification and then be one of the IT providers tendering against it.
• Procurement projects typically have four phases: requirements capture/clarification, then system/supplier selection, followed by contract negotiation and system implementation. At the start of phase 2 (and in keeping with BCS ethical guidelines), we declare any interest in the recommendation. Specifically, our consultants and associates may well hold investments in IT companies. We provide a list of these share names at phase 2, as part of full disclosure.
• IT Evaluation are a UK Limited Company. Our accounts are published and we go beyond the statutory minimum disclosure, so you can verify our income sources. We are happy to supply our UK Registered Company Number for your search at Companies House, or our accountant will supply recent accounts direct and free of charge.