Company IT has never been more crucial than it is today. With remote working on the rise, and teams spread throughout the globe, there isn’t just a need to be connected through the latest technology, but also the need for increased security and vigilance. It may seem impossible to keep up with the demands of a modern office. That’s why many companies have found that it’s often more cost-effective, and involves less hassle, to outsource either part, or all, of their IT management. But this is your IT, the life blood of your business. It’s important to know what to look for in a Managed IT Services Provider.
Here are 5 things to consider…
- Are they Responsive?
If your systems are down, every hour of that downtime is going to cost your business. Small, day to day, tech problems can also tank your office productivity. Industry reports have shown that the average Canadian worker wastes 80 hours a year trying to troubleshoot IT issues.
The reason you would hire a Managed Services Provider (MSP) for your company IT is to avoid these issues in the first place. A good MSP will offer round-the-clock monitoring of your systems, to detect any slowdowns or bottlenecks, and to identify issues before they escalate.
You’re also hiring them to be your tech trouble-shooters. But if they can’t be reached, or react too slowly, then you have a problem. When researching MSPs, there are a few key indicators that can tell you how responsive they may be in an emergency:
- Do they list their average response times on their website?
- Are they open about their issue resolution times or “fix rate”?
- Are they local or based abroad?
- Do they offer on-call 24/7 services and technical support?
- Do they have Experience in your Industry?
If you’re wondering what to look for in a Managed IT Services Provider, this is one of the top considerations. An MSP should have staff who are familiar with your niche. They should know common systems that are used in your industry and should know how to design strategic solutions for your business type, ones that complement or enhance your operational and IT capabilities.
Don’t get us wrong. Few MSPs specialize in one single industry. At Com Pro, we have experience managing IT and cyber security for law firms, construction and civil engineering, insurance, and accounting firms, but we have also served many other industries.
We also make sure we understand all your needs, and pain points, during onboarding. We learn how you operate, so we can design the best possible solutions that bring value to your business.
- Do they Offer Flexible Options and Plans?
An MSP should never offer one package, or solution, but should offer you a variety of services, and plans, flexible enough to scale up or down. Maybe your business is small now but has the potential to grow in the next few years. You want your IT to be easily scalable, so you can grow your IT infrastructure as needed.
They should also be able to work within your budget, to find a monthly plan cost that won’t break the bank. If you only need to outsource certain IT services, they shouldn’t try to sell you the full package. That being said. It’s often more cost-effective to sign up for full IT Services, as partial plans may be limited. When you need additional support, you could end up paying extra hourly fees that can ruin your budget. But full plans give you peace of mind, knowing all expenses are covered, even in the worst case scenarios.
- Do they have Total Transparency?
People talk a lot about transparency. That can mean many things. When you’re researching MSPs, and you’re trying to understand what to look for in a Managed IT Services Provider, you need to feel that you’re getting an accurate and clear picture of who they are, what they value, and how they treat their clients. Are they collaborative, respectful, knowledgeable, and friendly?
That means transparency in how they operate externally and internally. Their offerings should be clear, pricing and plans should be easy to understand, and you should even be able to understand how they work, and what they intend to do to your office’s IT infrastructure.
Clients should also have transparency when it comes to their day to day interactions with their IT Services Provider. At Com Pro, we have these amazing client dashboards, where you can see in real-time how your IT is being managed, what services are used, and how different forms of support are implemented.
- Are they Concerned about Security?
Small businesses (SMBs) are becoming huge targets for cybercriminals. In fact, 1 out of 5 Canadian SMBs have experienced a major cyber security incident.
With more reliance on tech, and more people working remotely, a secure network is so important. Not only do you have to keep up with the latest evolving threats, but you also need the right expertise and experience to properly monitor and mitigate those risks.
A good IT Services Provider should make your security their top priority. Make sure they have a team of experienced IT professionals that don’t just react to threats but should offer measures to prevent them before they enter your network. 24-hour monitoring is a must, along with the ability to develop IT security plans, to ensure that the latest security software is installed and regularly updated, and that disaster recovery measures are in place, as well as tools that block data intrusion.
What to Look for in a Managed IT Services Provider: Recap
Whether you require full IT management, or extra support in certain areas, a solid IT Services Provider should offer:
- Responsiveness – are they accessible and available?
- Experience in Your Industry – do they understand your niche?
- Flexibility and Variety – Do they offer customization of plans/services?
- Transparency – Can you clearly understand how they operate?
- IT Security – Do they have the right tools to keep systems secure?
Finding the right provider can make the difference between having a streamlined, efficient, and competitive business and one that’s beset by problems, tech glitches and unexpected downtime.
Com Pro can help! Want to know how our friendly team of tech wizards can boost your business’ capabilities? Call us today for a FREE technology assessment or download our FREE eBook “Why Choose a Managed Service Provider”.