Consolidating IT procurement can be a smart move. But why should a software quality assurance partner still be part of the picture?

Lately, we’ve seen a clear trend in the IT market: organizations are consolidating their supplier base. Large buyers aim to streamline procurement by working with fewer vendors, which brings clear benefits like simplified management and cost-efficiency. However, consolidation carries a risk—especially if the selected partners lack deep, specialized expertise. Quality assurance (QA) is one area where specialization can bring significant added value.

In this blog, we explore why including a QA-focused partner in your vendor portfolio is a smart move, even when overall consolidation is the goal. We also look at why software quality requires special attention and how a specialized QA partner can support in this area.

Deep Expertise Improves Quality

The core strength of a QA-focused company lies in its concentrated expertise. When a vendor’s primary focus is on quality, everything they do is aimed at developing that capability further. Their specialists stay on top of the latest tools and methodologies, and knowledge sharing is systematic. This ensures fast and effective problem-solving. Strong internal communication allows a specialized QA provider to bring fresh perspectives and best practices directly into the client’s development work.

Unlike in generalist companies, where QA can sometimes be overshadowed by other priorities, quality is at the heart of a QA-focused organization. This is also reflected in the people: top QA professionals want to work in an environment where their expertise is valued and intentionally developed.

A Broad Understanding of Quality

Quality assurance is not just about automating tests or chasing bugs. It extends deep into business goals and organizational culture. A QA-focused partner can deliver value across three critical levels:

• Strategic QA: Helping shape and develop your quality strategy and culture.
• Business-Driven QA: Supporting clearer requirements, better goal-setting, and user-focused development—not just technical execution.
• Operational QA: Providing strong hands-on expertise in areas like automation, regression testing, and performance.

This comprehensive approach ensures QA is not just a one-off effort but an ongoing process that truly supports the business.

Ability to Serve Diverse Needs

QA partners are used to working with a wide range of organizations, industries, and technologies. This versatility means they can understand and adapt to the unique needs of each client. Every project adds to their collective knowledge, which can then benefit future clients.

In generalist companies, QA may be left to individual teams, with limited knowledge sharing or strategic development. A QA-focused team, on the other hand, treats quality assurance as a holistic service—supporting the client on a strategic, business, and operational level.

Why a QA Partner Still Matters, Even in a Consolidated World

While consolidating IT procurement can make operations more efficient in the short term, it shouldn’t come at the expense of quality. QA is one area where a specialized vendor can offer added value that a generalist partner simply can’t match.

A QA-focused partner brings deep technical knowledge, systematic development, and business-aligned thinking—factors that directly contribute to your organization’s success in quality.

QA is not just one part of the development process—it’s a crucial part of business success. When quality is prioritized, you can trust that your development efforts will not only meet today’s needs but also support your long-term goals. That’s why a QA-focused partner remains a valuable part of your supplier ecosystem, even in today’s consolidated procurement environment.

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