Keeping your essential tech operational at all times is crucial for modern businesses. For many small to mid-sized companies, though, hiring an in-house IT team isn’t an option.
That’s where IT managed service providers (MSPs) come in. An MSP can keep your networks and equipment secure and running at peak performance.
All MSPs aren’t created equal, so beyond searching the web for “managed IT services near me”, what can you do to make sure you’re working with the right company? To find out more, keep reading for four tips on choosing an MSP.
1. Examine Their IT Service Management Options
The most important thing to do before you choose a managed IT provider is to go through their service offers. Can they provide everything you need without forcing you to buy extraneous services?
Ask them about their pricing structures and find out if they’re willing to offer a scalable package. If they’re transparent about costs and are willing to build a custom, dynamic offer for you, you can rest assured that you’ll never be stuck paying for unused services as your business’s needs change.
2. Ask About Their Security Measures
Did you know that an estimated 60% of small businesses have to close within six months after being the victim of a cyber attack? Malware, ransomware, phishing attacks, and other hacking attempts can have costly consequences, so protecting your business against them should always be a top priority when choosing an MSP.
Some good security-as-a-service (SECaaS) offers to look for include:
- 24/7 network monitoring
- custom firewalls and VPNs
- data center and cloud-based backups
- disaster recovery
- encryption
- security audits
- data loss prevention
The level of protection you need will depend on the size of your business network, the number of devices you use, and whether you handle sensitive customer information.
3. Make Sure They’re Available When You Need Them
Technical emergencies don’t wait to happen when it’s convenient for you—they can happen all hours of the day or night. That means you need an IT support team that’s ready to go whenever a server goes down or a hacker attempts to break in.
Always ask about their hours of operation when you’re researching different managed IT services. If you can’t get support 24/7, keep looking for another company.
4. Check Their References
Hiring an MSP is a lot like hiring an in-house IT project manager. Just like you wouldn’t add an employee to your team without calling their references, you shouldn’t hire an MSP without vetting them first.
One great way to do this is to look for reviews online. Be sure to check somewhere other than their website, as most businesses will only feature the most glowing recommendations.
More helpful than online reviews, though, are testimonials from current clients. Ask the company if they can put you in touch with a business they’re already serving that’s similar to yours.
It’s Time to Choose a Top-Tier Managed IT Services Provider
If you’re like most business owners these days, technology is the foundation of your operations. That’s why choosing the perfect managed IT provider is so important. Do some thorough research and follow these tips to find a business partner that’s right for you.
Are you looking for more information on integrating business and technology? Keep reading through our site for other helpful articles like this one.
