Technology is ever-changing and evolving.
To keep up, many businesses partner with a managed service provider (MSP) who can make the IT processes more effective and efficient.
Working with the right partner alleviates the complexities of managing IT infrastructure and end-user systems, freeing IT teams to focus on more strategic activities. A good MSP brings on board substantial expertise, lessons learnt from other projects and the latest industry know-how. They’ll add value by helping you adopt new innovations and technologies, like cloud and hybrid working, and protect the business from security threats such as cyber-attacks.
Top 8 tips for choosing the right Managed Service Provider
Finding an IT partner doesn’t need to be a hard task. Consider the following 8 tips for choosing the right managed service provider for your IT needs.
1. Find a partner who understands your industry and your needs
Before you begin researching managed service providers, outline what you want to achieve. For instance, you may want to implement a single software solution. Or you may need a partner who can proactively manage all your daily IT operations.
When evaluating MSPs, make sure they have the right experience and expertise that suit your goals. Good questions to ask from yourself during the evaluation process:
- How well do they know the industry?
- Are they taking the time to understand my business needs and goals?
- Do they care about their customers?
Avoid providers that offer one-size-fits-all services. You’ll want customised solutions that are tailored to your needs. An MSP who doesn’t have experience within your sector, cannot design appropriate solutions for your business.
2. What technical expertise and certifications do they have?
One of the key reasons for partnering with an MSP is the wide range of specialised expertise you get without expanding your payroll.
When selecting a partner, evaluate the depth of their technical expertise and review their certifications and qualifications. Most MSPs have an array of certifications they keep up-to-date through regular staff training. Ask about skill levels related to networks, cloud, security, unified communications and collaboration, or other services that are important for your business.
3. Who do they partner with?
Think about the technologies you currently use or are planning to use. You’ll want your managed service provider to have a deep expertise on each of them. The best way to guarantee their expertise is to make sure your MSP is a certified partner, which typically involves meeting vendor’s training and quality requirements.
An MSP who holds relationships with leading vendors keeps you ahead of the curve. You’ll get access to the latest product releases and most qualified specialists. But don’t let your managed service provider pressure you towards certain vendors. Their role is to give you recommendations and help you buy from vendors that best serve your business, not from vendors that best fit their agenda.
4. Find a good match, professionally and culturally
Working with a managed service provider should feel like having an extended team, rather than an outsourced vendor. You’re about to begin a journey together, whether short or long, with your business objectives at the core.
That’s why it’s important that your new partner is not only professionally but also culturally fit. Look for an MSP that is open about their best practices, processes and how they work with customers. Ask them to demonstrate their diligence and commitment to meet their customers’ business goals.
5. Seek an MSP who is proactive and flexible
When speaking with managed service providers, understand what their approach to service is. Many MSPs have a break-fix mentality which means they wait until a problem strikes to solve it. While this may help your business drive short-term, it can hinder your long-term growth.
What you really want is an MSP who is proactive and goes beyond simple monitoring while saving you money and stress. They focus on problem prevention and continuously optimise your current infrastructure. Cloud solutions and subscriptions evolve at light speed, making constant optimisation crucial in order to scale.
You’ll also want to understand what’s the MSP’s approach to change. How do they handle the constant stream of upgrades and improvements? Or, what happens when you want to roll-out new functionality or scale down? A flexible partner is prepared and quick to react no matter what the future brings.
6. Agree on SLAs and the level of support
Be clear about your service-level requirements from day one. A huge benefit of working with an MSP is that the responsibility for performance lies on their shoulders. A good MSP is willing to commit to meeting your service level agreements (SLAs).
Make sure you understand the roles and responsibilities between you and the MSP, and select an operational model that’s right for you. Most often MSPs provide 24 x 7 support with 3 tiers to choose from. When working with Forge Technologies, you can choose from self-managed, co-managed and fully-managed options.
7. What happens if you leave?
Ideally you find a long-term IT partner for years from now. But when the partnership comes to an end, it’s important that your IT infrastructure can blossom even without your current MSP. Before you commit to a partnership with an MSP, find out if some of their products are proprietary. Many MSPs build their own platforms leaving customers dependent on one single provider.
Generally, it’s a good idea to look for a vendor-neutral service provider. For example, Forge Technologies’ strategy is to leverage existing platforms and customise them to meet the needs of the customers. They play the role of a broker between the customer and the vendor, giving their customers the ultimate freedom and flexibility without the need to manage vendor relationships.
8. Check references
Last but not least, always ask for references before you make a final decision. Many companies are eager to share their experiences working with MSPs. Don’t hesitate to ask them specific questions about the quality of service. You’ll get valuable insights into what working with a specific managed service provider is like.
Without a doubt, leaving the management of your IT infrastructure to the hands of specialists can help you improve business outcomes. But to enjoy the full benefits of an MSP partnership, you’ll need to find the right managed service provider for your business.
At Forge Technologies, we can manage all or part of your daily IT operations while keeping your IT estate operational and secure. Contact our team today to talk about your unique needs and requirements, and to see if we’re a good fit.
