How do you choose the right Managed Service Provider or MSP for your business? It’s a critical decision as an MSP plays a key role in managing your IT infrastructure, ensuring cybersecurity and providing friendly technical support. Here are eight steps to help you choose the right MSP for your small or medium-sized business:
1. Define Your Needs and Goals
The first step in choosing an MSP is to understand and honestly evaluate the needs and goals of your business. IT needs could include cybersecurity, moving to the cloud, and mobile workforce management. Business goals for IT could include enhancing security, improving efficiency and reducing downtime. Be sure to assess your current IT infrastructure, including hardware, software, and network.
2. Identify Potential Managed IT Service Providers
Ask for recommendations from your colleagues, business associates, and industry contemporaries. Your peers may be a valuable resource for finding reliable IT services with experience in your industry. Conducting online research about local, award-winning MSPs in your area is also valuable. A reputable Managed IT Service Provider usually partners with technology vendors like Microsoft, Cisco, or AWS.
3. Evaluate Service Offerings
Managed IT Service Providers can offer a wide range of services or only serve a very niche industry. Knowing your needs and goals will help you narrow down your list of potential Managed IT Service Providers to a few select MSPs you want to interview. Your Managed IT Service Provider should offer cybersecurity enforcement, compliance services, scalable solutions for your growth needs, and proactive real-time monitoring of your IT network. Your MSP should also be able to put it all in writing, including a Service Level Agreement with response times, uptime guarantees, and resolution procedures.
4. Understand The Service Value and Your Budget
Cost is always a factor in any significant business decision, but it should not be the only consideration. Be sure to understand the MSP’s pricing model, especially when comparing cost schedules from different Managed IT Service Providers. Consider not only the initial cost but also the long-term value and return on investment the Managed IT Service Provider can provide. This ROI includes increased security, decreased downtime and reliable business continuity. Avoid MSPs that charge strictly by the hour or outsource Help Desk support.
5. Visit The MSP Facilities and Check Cultural Fit
Visiting the offices and meeting the team at your prospective Managed IT Service Provider will give you a better sense of how you and your employees will interact with the IT support staff and IT management team. A good cultural fit is a significant element of a successful partnership with your Managed IT Service Provider. Make sure the communication style and availability to address your technology needs match your expectations.
6. Request and Check References
A reputable MSP will have a history of delivering quality service and measurable client satisfaction. Ask for references and then check those references, especially if the references are for notable companies or comparable to your business in size or industry.
7. Understand The Onboarding Process
a. Understand how the Managed IT Service Provider will onboard your business and transition your existing IT infrastructure. A smooth onboarding process is essential to minimize disruption to your operations.
8. Negotiate and Sign An MSP Contract
Once you selected your Managed IT Service Provider, negotiate any specific support requirements or terms before signing a contract with your new MSP.
Choosing the right Managed IT Service Provider requires careful consideration of your specific business needs and goals. Take your time to research, compare, and interview potential MSPs to find the one that will best serve your small or medium-sized business.
If you would like more information, please visit our FAQ educational resource or contact I.T. Solutions of South Florida today for a no-cost, no-obligation, no-nonsense conversation about where your technology is today, and where you want it to be.
