How to Choose the Right MSP
The latest trend for many small to medium-sized businesses is allocating Managed IT Services to administer IT operations. Many SMBs are turning to managed services for all or part of their daily IT operations. According to JDL Technologies, forty percent of businesses depend on managed services for at least half of their IT management. So how do you choose the right Managed Services Provider when you are dealing with various service offerings? Here are 8 qualities to look for when choosing the right MSP.
1. High-tech expertise
One of the greatest benefits of outsourcing to an MSP is the wide range of technical expertise. Most managed services will expand their teams to include specialists in networking, security, communication and collaboration solutions. MSPs also stay up to date with the latest technologies, offering additional training and certifications for their IT staff. A business can take advantage of this advanced and specialized knowledge without having to expand their payroll or hire individuals themselves.
2. Custom and scalable services
No two businesses are exactly alike, so no two managed services agreements should be either. Every business needs custom and unique services that match up to their own needs and IT goals. An MSP should be able to accommodate your business needs and scale up or down where need be.
3. Proactive Staff
Managed IT Services have come a long way from the break-fix approach. Take advantage of a proactive MSP, where they remain ahead of issues versus reaction fixes. Every issue should also remain available to you through a customer portal for full access to your IT environment. Centralized management offers information into finished, current and past projects, issue resolutions and updates. A proactive staff always provides insights into your IT environment, especially before issues make user disturbances.
4. Business applications
The right MSP will offer additional services such as business applications. It’s important for a Managed Services Provider to bring your business into modern technology times, whether you want to expand or not. Having offerings like collaboration tools, email, cloud solutions, or data backups, will help lower costs and outsource to the right IT specialists.
5. 24/7/365 support
Through an MSP your business should receive 24/7/365 help-desk support with data, voice, and security services. While most managed services offer remote support, be sure they also offer prompt on-site services. A business cannot afford to lose any productivity, so be sure they offer fast on-site technicians.
6. In-depth security
Every Managed Services Provider needs to offer in-depth security regulations and two-factor authentication. Cyber breaches and attacks are at an all-time high, so be sure your MSP has the qualifications to secure your IT network. Also, ask about the MSP’s security certifications and abilities to meet regulations when dealing with HIPAA, PCI and other qualifications needed to meet regulatory and industry statues.
7. Quantitative measures
Be sure the MSP has outlined how successful they are at maintaining systems and infrastructures. These measures are usually outlined in an SLA agreement, including easy to read breakdowns of how customers receive credit if or when SLAs are missed.
8. Top-notch dedicated team
A quality managed services team should be built up of dedicated IT specialists like sales engineers, system designs, project managers, field engineers, etc. in order to answer any of your IT questions or assist in the various network requirements. Your Managed Services Provider should know the ins and outs of your network infrastructure, remaining on top of every update, issue and glitch there may be in your system.
Consider all eight of the characteristics listed to be able to choose the right MSP. The right Managed Services Provider will make your business run more efficiently by taking your IT operations off your hands. To learn more about choosing the right MSP, reach out to one of our IT technicians.
