Choosing The Right Managed Service Provider For Your Business
Managed Service Providers (MSPs) offer expert IT business support and infrastructure management. The right provider will be able to take a proactive role in managing your IT infrastructure and network, and can ensure that your technology is the most suitable for your needs.
For many businesses, outsourcing their IT management to an MSP is more efficient and economical than carrying out the work themselves, and it ensures that their systems are kept secure and up to date. Sometimes, a business may contract an MSP to provide a specialist service such as installing or managing cloud or artificial intelligence.
Here’s a look at what factors to consider when choosing the right MSP for your business.
Assess your needs
The first step is to assess your current IT infrastructure and understand what hardware and software is currently in place. Which aspects of your IT do you require support or improved performance from? This may include cybersecurity, cloud services, data backup and recovery, or procurement.
The range of support
Look at the range of services offered by the MSP. Is it likely to meet your current needs, and be able to adapt if your needs change in the future? Are they capable of linking your use of technology with your wider business goals and objectives? Are they a good fit with your company size, industry, and products and services?
Reputation and reviews
You will be placing a lot of trust in your MSP to keep your business running safely and securely. It’s critical that you choose a well regarded provider and thoroughly check their background. They should meet the required regulatory standards for cybersecurity and privacy protection. Ask for evidence of their security protocols.
The MSP should have a proven track record in the areas in which you require support. Refer to customer testimonials and online reviews for evidence, and ask among business contacts or acquaintances for recommendations and reviews.
Flexibility of service
Is their level of service purely reactive, dealing with problems as they arise, or do they take a proactive approach in the monitoring and maintenance of your IT infrastructure? Do they have a help desk that you can contact 24/7? Most businesses will require a combination of remote and onsite support, so check if they provide this.
Budget
It’s important to understand the MSP’s pricing structure to gauge if it is in line with your budget. Some MSPs will charge a flat rate, and others may charge per user, per service level, or per device. Ask if there are any additional charges to those covered in the initial quote, and what exactly each charge covers.
When reading the contract, analyse it for clarity and transparency. It should state clearly what services are provided, and the service levels that have been agreed on, plus the terms of exit.
Also consider the financial stability of the provider; look at how long they have been in business, what their market presence is like, and if they can demonstrate steady growth.
Security concerns
No business can afford to be behind the curve when it comes to cybersecurity. This can be a time consuming process, particularly if you have a large IT network with a lot of software that potentially might be out of date. Find out what security protocols the MSP has in place to protect client data, and that they meet the relevant industry standards.
Find out what strategies they have to manage cybersecurity breaches or crisis situations such as a ransomware attack. Do they have a disaster recovery and business continuity plan in place? Some MSPs will offer specialist security services such as wireless penetration testing, PCI vulnerability scanning, and source code testing.
Cultural fit
Last but not least, you need to make sure that you can work well with the MSP. Clear communication and a company ethic that aligns well with your own business culture will minimise the risk of conflicts and misunderstandings.
Make sure that the MSP is willing to put their clients’ interests above their own, and that they show an interest in the nature of your business and your overall aims and objectives. First impressions count, so consider if they respond promptly and professionally to your initial enquiries, and are upfront and honest about their capabilities and limitations.
