In-house IT support is great to have, but the manpower and resources necessary to field an IT team puts it out of reach of most organizations. The smaller your business, the less likely it will have in-house IT staff. However, you can’t afford to go without high-quality IT support when your business is increasingly reliant on the latest technology.
This is where managed IT services come to the rescue. Engaging with the right managed IT services provider can relieve an otherwise incredible burden on your organization. But finding the right provider for your needs can be challenging. Our quick guide to choosing the best MSP for your business will point you in the right direction.
Why Partner with a Managed IT Services Provider?
Partnering with a trusted MSP offers several noteworthy advantages over having in-house IT staff:
Substantial cost savings: IT staff salaries and other support costs are often prohibitive for small businesses. Outsourcing to a managed IT services provider can help organizations reduce administrative costs.
Reduced downtime: Network outages can easily cost your organization revenue and customer goodwill. Managed IT support can significantly reduce downtimes through automatically detecting issues before they become major problems.
More robust cybersecurity: Keeping your organization secure against all manner of cybersecurity threats requires an experienced and responsive team. The right managed IT support provider can help safeguard your business against the latest threats without you needing to spend large sums.
Fewer maintenance worries: Routine maintenance is yet another way that managed IT services supports your organization. MSPs take a proactive approach towards fixing technology, resulting in fewer maintenance headaches over the long term.
Signs of a Top-Quality Managed IT Services Vendor
Seeking a managed IT services provider for your Philadelphia, eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware business becomes easier once you have a better idea of what to look for. Here’s what to expect from top-rated MSPs that are ready to do business with your organization:
Experience
You’ll want a managed IT services vendor with proven experience in your industry or an eagerness to learn its ins and out. This is especially crucial for organizations governed by strict regulatory requirements like HIPAA, FINRA, or Sarbanes-Oxley.
The ideal vendor should also be willing to learn about your organization and its objectives are. Avoid vendors that go in for the hard sale instead of listening and learning about your needs.
Service
Availability and fast response times are two things you’ll want in a managed IT services provider. Consider vendors that offer guaranteed response times as a part of their service level agreements (SLAs).
Support
IT issues aren’t just limited to regular office hours. You’ll need a managed IT services provider with 24/7, year-round support. A top-quality vendor should be available regardless of the time of day or night.
Transparency
Honesty is a valuable trait in any business, and that’s no different when it comes to MSPs. Consider vendors that are transparent about their services, pricing, response times, etc. The last thing you want are unpleasant surprises like hidden fees for after-hours support.
Security
You’ll also want an MSP with cybersecurity expertise. The ideal vendor must have what it takes to keep your sensitive data safe and address an ever-widening array of cybersecurity threats. Their cybersecurity packages should go well beyond firewalls and antivirus software.
Innovation
Being innovative means more than just keeping abreast of the latest IT technologies. Top-quality MSPs also keep their skills sharp through rigorous training, continuing education, and recertification by top experts. Any MSP worth their credentials will be eager to stay ahead of the technological curve.
Key Questions to Ask Before Signing an Agreement
What type of services does your company provide?
Some MSPs offer “a la carte” IT services separately, while others bundle them together. Discuss the services on offer with your prospective vendor and whether they fit your organization’s needs and budget.
What’s covered (or excluded) in the service contract?
Have your MSP clarify what comes with the service contract along with the pricing structure. Services that fall outside of the MSP contract may have a hefty price tag.
How does your company handle infrastructure outages?
When an IT disaster strikes, you’ll want your managed IT services provider to spring into action immediately. Any MSP should already have a disaster recovery policy or work with you to implement one tailored to your organization.
How will you involve us in the managed IT experience?
Ask how your MSP plans to keep your organization in the loop regarding the IT experience. See if they include regular reports, in-person briefings, and admin portals that provide user management controls and snapshots of internal processes.
How will your services support our business growth?
As your business evolves, a managed IT services provider should be able to accommodate your changing needs. Scalability is the keyword, and your MSP candidate should provide the services and support needed to handle growth – at a reasonable cost.
How does your company handle our data?
This is an important question given recent revelations about how some companies treated their users’ personal information. Find out how the MSP handles customer data, especially in the possible event of you parting ways with them further down the line.
Knowing what to look for in a trustworthy managed IT services provider isn’t easy but doing your research will help you make an informed decision for your mid-Atlantic region business. Contact the experts at KDI Office Technology today and find out more about our managed IT offerings.