What To Look For In A Managed Service Provider
When you have decided to outsource some or all your business-critical IT functions, finding the right partner for your business is not easy. There is not a one-size-fits-all provider who can be considered “the best” and right for every company. Different MSPs will be better partners for you than others. Sorting through these providers will take time, but we have come up with a few key details to look for in a provider to help you make the best decision for your business.
1. Sharing their Strategies
Not only should they be willing to learn and evaluate your short-term goals, they should also be willing to share their plan with you. This insight into their operation should give you an understanding of their experience and what kind of partner you will have moving forward.
2. Alignment with your Partners
If you have Dell equipment or you are partnered with Microsoft, you want to make sure your Managed Services Provider you choose aligns with those partnerships. If your organization uses Microsoft, that can mean looking for a Microsoft Partner. If your hardware preference is Dell, that can mean looking for a Dell Certified Partner. If your managed service provider has these partnerships and certifications, you can rest assure that their staff will be trained and experienced.
3. Regular Vulnerability Scans and Maintenance
A good MSP should run annual, if not quarterly, vulnerability scans. These scans are important to ensure your organization is not open to attack. Along with these regular scans, the Managed Service Provider you choose should have a cybersecurity suite. Cybersecurity is an incredibly important part of technology support.
4. Advisory Services
A reliable Managed Service Provider will offer advisory or consulting services. When these services are made available to you, it is an indicator that they want to partner with you to help ensure your long-term success. Advisory services typically begin with an in-depth understanding of your organization and goals. If an MSP is not interested in learning about your business, you may be getting a fly-by-night service.
5. Good Employees
When deciding on an MSP, you get to know their technical staff. For the day-in and day-out support, this team will be the team you work the most with. These are some important questions to ask:
How long has the average employee been there?
What certifications do individuals hold?
Does the MSP outsource any of your services?
6. Project Work that Works for You
Project work is something that most businesses need at some point. This could be needed in the beginning when you onboard to get your organization in working order or further on down the line to line up your technology with your goals. Either way, it is important to get clarity on project work before you partner with a new MSP. Some MSPs do not charge extra for project work – it is bundled into your monthly cost. Be cautious if this is the case and ask about the typical timeline for projects and the number of hours per month that could be dedicated to your project work. Projects under this structure may not be completed during your desired timeline.
7. Application Support
When your key applications, such as QuickBooks, are not working, you will need a team who can help you. As important as strategy and partnership are with your technology partner, it is important to know the details of what applications the team has experience supporting. This ensures your team will be able to stay up and running.
8. A Good Cultural Fit
The importance of a cultural alignment with your Managed Service Provider cannot be understated. If both parties agree on what is important, you will be able to build a long-lasting mutually respecting relationship and partnership to carry your business to the next level.
10. Open to Hybrid Relationships
Radiant Technology Solutions has developed structured relationships with our partners. There are times when we are the sole technology provider for a client; there are times when we are supporting a team that is already in place, and there are times that we work with a single IT individual at an organization until they are ready to retire or just to help them fill in gaps. There are variations in each relationship, and they are carefully tailored to the business’s needs. It is important to ensure the partner you work with will create a personalized partnership that will supply a positive impact for your company.
Need help breaking up with your current Managed Service Provider?
A common fear we see with new clients who want to leave their old provider is that they do not know where to start. We know it is a tough conversation to have, but you can lean on our team to help. If you can make an introduction, our team will work with your previous provider to get all the information needed to get you transitioned to Radiant Technology Solutions. Usually, a simple introduction email with our team copied will do the trick. We can take it from there.
Want to learn more about Radiant Technology Solutions services and team? Contact us today!
727-493-4723
Toll Free – 844-787-7008
