A managed IT service provider (MSP) can help you maximise your company’s productivity and help you achieve growth, but like with every other service, your results depend on the partner you choose. You don’t want to pick the wrong one and waste your time and money on an unreliable or incompatible MSP, so we’ve put together this handy guide to help you make the right decision for your needs.
This list will show you how to choose a managed IT service provider by explaining some key things to keep in mind when considering your options.
Understanding Managed IT Services
Let’s have a quick primer on managed IT services so we’re all on the same page.
What Is a Managed IT Service Provider?
MSPs are companies that you outsource the management and maintenance of your technology to. Typically, you pay a set monthly fee, and the MSP handles your IT, making sure that your systems are operating at peak performance and your data is secure. They act more like an IT partner than just a technology repair or troubleshooting service that just applies quick fixes to your IT issues.
Benefits of Using Managed IT Service Solutions
So, why outsource your IT management? There are a number of compelling reasons. First, you get unlimited IT services from your MSP, so they are incentivised to ensure that your entire technology infrastructure operates optimally and things don’t break down in the first place.
Your MSP also takes over the burden of keeping your IT aligned with your business goals so that you can focus on your core business. And since managing technology is all they do, you get the benefit of optimised technology managed by experts for less than the cost of hiring one full-time IT employee.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Managed IT Service Provider
Once you’ve done a bit of research and you have a shortlist of potential MSPs in your business’s area, it’s time to start eliminating contenders.
Assess Your IT Needs
Start by determining the scope of services you need. If a potential MSP is too small to handle all the users at your company, they can be safely cut from the running. Also think about the kind of services that you need. Do you require support 24/7 or during normal business hours only? Remote, on-site, or hybrid? Fully managed IT or co-managed IT?
Experience and Expertise
Your potential MSP may look good on paper, but you'll still want to ensure they are experienced in your industry and have specific experience working with companies like yours. You also want to make sure that they have the skills and knowledge to leverage IT tools to provide you with the maximum benefits.
Service Offerings
Your MSP needs to be able to support the technologies that are key to your success. If a prospective MSP does not provide the IT solutions you require to meet your business goals on day one, they aren’t worth your time.
Evaluating Potential Providers
After you have narrowed your search to those MSPs that are capable of meeting your needs, you need to determine which is the best, because why settle for less?
Reputation and Reviews
Check testimonials and customer reviews on the MSP’s website or platforms such as Google. Be sure to look at both the good and the bad feedback to get a better idea of what working with them is like.
Customer Support
The best managed IT service providers deliver excellent customer support because their partnership concerns more than your technology. Your potential MSP must be good at handling the human element as well as your IT systems.
Scalability
Just because an MSP can meet your needs today doesn’t mean this will always be so. As your business grows, you’ll need an MSP that can easily and cost-effectively scale to meet your evolving requirements.
Understanding Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
If a potential MSP ticks all the right boxes, ask to see their SLA so you know what you’re getting into.
What Is a Service Level Agreement?
This is a formal contract between you and your MSP that outlines the specific services they will provide, the standards of performance they must meet, the metrics used to measure said performance, and any penalties for failing to meet these standards.
Key Components of an SLA
In addition to the basics above, your SLA should also detail:
The expected response and resolution times for different IT issues
Cost Considerations
Unfortunately, you can find the best managed IT service provider for your needs and they still wouldn’t be the perfect fit. If their cost is too high, you won’t get good return on investment, so consider these points when budgeting for managed IT services:
Pricing Models
How does your prospective MSP charge their fees? Do they charge by the month, quarter, or year? Do they charge less for longer contracts? Do they charge extra for specialised services you require?
Value for Money
While managed IT services might seem like an untenable expense, consider what you might gain. Would the increased productivity and efficiency save you more money than you would spend? Could your business survive a data breach that professional cybersecurity services could have stopped?
Security and Compliance
Speaking of cybersecurity, it’s also a prime consideration when deciding how to choose a managed IT service provider. If your MSP can maximise your productivity but let a cyberattack through, it’s all for nothing.
Data Security Measures
Thoroughly examine the cybersecurity services an MSP offers and the data security measures they can implement into your systems. At a minimum, they should have expertise with:
Compliance with Industry Standards
It’s vital that your MSP has experience with the data security regulations that your business must adhere to. If they lack the knowledge and miss a requirement or audit, you might be on the hook for compliance penalty.
Technological Compatibility
How quickly you and an MSP can spool up to maximum efficiency and stay there depends largely on the compatibility of the technologies both of you use.
Integration with Existing Systems
Your MSP should be able to integrate into your existing systems and not the other way around. For example, if you use Microsoft operating systems and server architecture, then you shouldn’t have to switch the way you do things because your MSP uses something else.
Future-Proofing Your IT Infrastructure
Any MSP worth considering should be able to explain how they can keep your IT infrastructure ahead of the curve. They should be knowledgeable on business IT trends and news so that you don’t have to be, and can devote your full focus to your core business.
Making the Final Decision
Your ultimate decision should not be made on any one criteria. Consider which MSP completely meets your unique array of requirements over ones that excel in only one field or offer little more than low prices.
Conclusion
Choosing the right MSP for your business is no simple feat and should not be taken lightly. This decision will impact your organisation’s productivity and success for months or years to come. Therefore, spending extra time taking into consideration a wide range of criteria is definitely worth it in the long run.
At Techware, we aim to be your all-around IT partner. We’ll get to know your tech needs deeply so we can provide you with customised solutions that drive business success. Book a free consultation with us to get started.
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