Business owners increasingly realize the importance of adopting efficient, flexible, and cost-effective IT systems. But because technology touches every facet of business, IT can easily become far too complex and demanding for companies to manage without some assistance from external resources. Therefore, many companies outsource or co-manage IT needs with the help of a managed services provider (MSP).
MSPs defined
MSPs are companies composed of specialists from various IT fields. The intention of any MSP is to deliver a broad range of IT services (e.g., cloud computing, cybersecurity, backup and disaster recovery) and proactively manage the IT systems of clients under a subscription-based model at a fraction of the cost associated with employing a staff of in-house experts, especially when certain aspects of IT require periodic attention.
Selecting the best MSP
While there are many MSPs operating in the marketplace, not all are equipped to meet the unique needs of your company. Your business can achieve optimum IT results by selecting the right MSP.
Keep in mind these criteria when choosing an MSP:
- Depth of skills and experience – Any MSP should have skills and experience that extend beyond basic software installation, maintenance, and upgrades. A qualified MSP should also have strong expertise in advanced IT functions, such as hardware, software and network infrastructure; Cloud-based solutions; cybersecurity; unified communications; and cross-platform integration to support your company’s growing IT requirements. Consider if the MSP is staffed with the types of individuals that understand business requirements to support your corporate strategy.
- Financial stability – With IT being the backbone of your business operations, you need an IT partner who will be there for the long haul. Confirm the number of clients served and assess customer retention metrics. Also, ask the MSP to provide customer references and testimonials.
- Competitive service level agreement (SLA) – An SLA is a contract that dictates the standards that your MSP should be able to meet. It should be able to answer these questions: Do they offer 24/7 support? Can they conduct remote and on-site support? What are the expectations for response and resolution times? Ask if commonplace for the MSP to share performance metrics with customers.
- Third-party vendor partnerships – Consider whether the MSP has solidified relationships with leading-edge technology vendors (e.g., Cisco, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Microsoft) whose products you may already use in your IT environment.
Choosing the right provider is a very important step that will impact on the performance and success of your business. If you want to learn how MSPs can support your business, contact Roebuck Technologies today.
