With today’s businesses relying on technology more than ever, security and functionality are crucial. Therefore, it is essential to find a managed service provider (MSP) whose services align with your business goals.
Unfortunately, this is a lot harder than it sounds. Company needs can vary significantly, and different MSPs may address them in a variety of ways. The process can get complicated quickly, so doing your homework is a must.
Asking yourself these questions can help streamline your search:
#1: What Services Do They Offer?
Business technology needs are not “one size fits all.” Companies grow and change, and cybersecurity threats continue to evolve. A reliable managed service provider adapts to these changes, and offer the flexibility to ensure their solutions fit your company’s system.
Common MSP services include 24/7 help desk IT support, antivirus and malware protection, and cloud backup. Other companies may need consulting, user security training, and mobile device management. MSPs may specialize in a particular set of services, or they may have a much broader scope.
Before you begin your search, it is important to have a clear understanding of your business needs, and whether or not the managed service provider can fulfill them.
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#2: What Are the Costs?
In addition to knowing your company needs, you also need to know which solutions will fit your budget.
While some managed service providers charge a fixed rate, others may offer tiered programs offering a set of cloud services for a reduced cost. Are you only in need of cloud backup services? Or do you also require additional support to replace your in-house IT team or help desk?
Before signing on, both your business and the MSP should be on the same page regarding the terms of agreement and the billing procedure. No one wants to pay for more than what they need, or wind up paying for something they never asked for in the first place. Many companies offer a free consultation that informs you of what to expect.
A reasonable company agreement lays terms out which are flexible, yet leave no room for loopholes. They are also up front about whether or not they charge additional fees. Analyze the service level agreement (SLA) carefully, and check your budget to see which individual services or package deals will be the best fit without breaking the bank.
#3: What Security Measures and Processes Are in Place?
If you’re paying a premium price, you should not expect a lackluster security system, or a managed service provider who fails to prioritize it.
When you reach out to an MSP, be sure to ask questions about what procedures are in place if a disastrous event should occur on either your end or theirs. Ideal proactive measures would include creating multiple copies of your data, using multiple types of storage media to keep these copies, and establishing offsite backups.
Whether a natural disaster, cyberattack, or other major security breach or outage puts your company and/or the MSP out of commission, you should be able to trust that your MSP has a disaster recovery plan in place where they can handle data loss professionally and efficiently, keeping downtime as brief as possible.
#4: Is This Business Reputable?
An MSP’s knowledge of crisis management, as well as many other competencies, can be an accurate reflection of their experience and their reputation within the IT industry. How long have they been in business? Which certifications do they have? Can you trust that their services thoroughly adhere to your company’s mission?
Look for a badge on their homepage, as well as any vendor partnerships. MSPs must be certified through a cloud vendor (Amazon Web Service, Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure, etc.). In order to retain that partnership, they must continually meet annual prerequisites and complete an annual progress audit. A certified partnership with a cloud vendor indicates that an MSP is flexible and capable of meeting their vendor’s—and by extension, their customers’—ever-changing expectations. Their website should display a badge and/or a list of companies they are partnered with.
If you still want further insight, check Google and the company’s social media platforms for testimonials or detailed reviews, or ask the company directly for references.
#5: How Do They Handle Customer Service?
You’ve probably been in a position where you have been forced to speak to an automated phone system, which then proceeds to put you on hold for 10 minutes. Even worse, you may not get a response at all. No one has the time or patience for that. A managed service provider with quality customer service protocol can help you avoid these drawbacks and answer your questions quickly and thoroughly.
A good MSP has troubleshooting procedures in place, and they clarify with their customers how they solve different problems as they arise. If a problem does occur, your MSP should give you a thorough estimate of how much time it will take to resolve the problem.
Why Verdant TCS Will Work for your Business
If you’re wondering about any of the above, you can trust Verdant TCS to make sure all your questions are answered.
The Verdant team values your productivity and time. We can help you build a custom IT solution that integrates into your company’s system, and addresses every aspect of your needs.
Verdant offers three tiers of managed IT services, so you only have to pay for what you need. Add-on services are also offered. Not quite sure what you need? Not to worry. Your initial consultation is free, and we’ll be happy to go over all the fine details, including what you get and what it will cost you.
We are partnered with a variety of the world’s top technology companies to provide world-class solutions. With our SafeLink and SecureLink features, we can safely store the data and files on your systems, and put a complex authentication process in place for further protection.
If you have any questions regarding our services, you can count on talking or chatting with a real live person. When you choose Verdant TCS as your IT company partner, you choose services that are reliable, cost-effective, good for your bottom line, and keep you ahead of the technology curve.