In summary
- Portugal continues to attract international companies — and IT is one of the first practical problems to resolve.
- The internet connection is the longest-term item: it must be requested weeks before the move.
- A local partner avoids managing suppliers from a distance and across different time zones.
- DataRoad is already the local IT arm of US companies and several European countries in Portugal — with English support.
In this article
Why IT blocks so many office openings
A empresa escolheu Portugal, assinou o contrato do escritório, contratou as primeiras pessoas — e depois descobre que a equipa não tem onde se ligar. A internet dedicada demora semanas a instalar, ninguém conhece os operadores locais, os orçamentos chegam em português e o responsável de IT está a cinco fusos horários de distância.
É um padrão que vemos repetidamente em empresas internacionais a instalar-se em Lisboa e Cascais — e é totalmente evitável com um parceiro local envolvido desde o primeiro dia.
The IT checklist for setting up in Portugal
- Dedicated internet — ask for the office contract to be signed beforehand; it's the longest lead time of all. Ideally with redundancy (second line or 5G/Starlink backup).
- Network and cabling — to make use of works and furniture yet to be installed to rewire the office from scratch, Once, well done.
- Business Wi-Fi — professional coverage sized for constant video calls with the teams at headquarters.
- Security — firewall, secure remote access to the parent company network and policies aligned with global company standards.
- Local support — someone who answers calls in English, in the office's time zone — and shows up in person when needed.
Managing from afar vs having a local partner
Tentar gerir o IT de um escritório português a partir de Austin, Berlim ou Londres significa contratar operadores sem os conhecer, coordenar instaladores por email e descobrir problemas quando a equipa local já parou.
Um parceiro IT local inverte isto: trata dos fornecedores portugueses, fala com o senhorio e com o operador, recebe os equipamentos, instala, testa — e reporta à sede em inglês, com um só ponto de contacto. A empresa internacional mantém o controlo; deixa é de precisar de estar cá para o exercer.
What DataRoad does for international companies
We are the local IT arm of international companies in Portugal — such as ReStream (USA), whose Cascais office we set up from scratchnetwork, Wi-Fi 6, firewall and redundant Starlink connection. We take care of everything — from infrastructure to ongoing support — with reporting and communication in English for the headquarters. If your company is coming to Portugal, arrive with your IT sorted.
A chat before making a decision
Whether you’re tackling a specific problem, planning a move or simply looking for a second opinion, we always start in the same way: by understanding your situation before making any suggestions. No obligation, no jargon and no catalogues.
Read also some DataRoad articles, news and projects
DataRoad Blog Articles
- IT for Hotels: Wi-Fi, PMS and Networks That Mustn’t Fail
- Sten: expansion of the wireless and IT network in Portugal
- Nearshoring in Portugal: The IT Infrastructure That International Teams Expect
- Connecting Two Buildings Without Cables: Wireless Bridges for Warehouses and Facilities
