When it comes to managed IT, knowing that your network is in the right hands is essential. What might have worked once may not be working anymore.
Or, maybe you’re just not getting the services you could be with another provider. There's no time for settling when it comes to managing IT. It’s time to get yourself in the hands of a managed IT provider who will provide you with all the tools necessary to help your business succeed.
Having a reliable and trustworthy provider managing your IT can lead to growth, an enhanced workflow, and productivity for your business. The riskier side of this is that if your IT is managed by a partner who is not diligent and following best practices, this can have a very negative impact on your business.
Are you unsure if your current managed service provider is the right one for you? There are many ways to recognize if your provider is not sufficiently supporting you. Here are five questions you should ask yourself to ensure that you aren’t wasting your time with an insufficient MSP.
1. What Is Their Availability Level?
A good litmus test to evaluate managed services for small businesses is their availability for assisting clients.
You shouldn't be put on hold when you have an IT crisis affecting your network. An MSP that does not help you when you have problems can stop your work. This can also put your issue at risk of getting worse.
Before partnering, make sure you have a clear understanding of the communication channel and ticket escalation system. If you find yourself sending in a service request and not getting a quick response time, this can be a clear sign that you need a new managed service provider.
2. Do They Respond Promptly?
The first step to a good IT provider is their availability. If they are slow to help, it can create bigger problems for your company. You must know that servicing will not require a lot of downtime that could compromise work getting done.
The managed service team you choose should be able to relieve your headache if something is to happen with your network unexpectedly. If you are with the right provider, they will be attentive and work diligently to get your issues resolved as quickly as possible.
3. Are They Helping You Budget?
No one likes to be blindsided by unexpected costs and fees. A well-managed service provider will ensure that you have a predictable budget to make sure it is easy to plan accordingly for the future. Every expense and charge should be accounted for and signed off by you.
Your managed service provider should be there for personalized budget planning assistance and a forward-thinking mindset to ensure that you are budgeting for your IT and future success accordingly.
4. Incident Response & Disaster Recovery
It's a red flag if your provider does not have a proactive approach in helping you prepare for unexpected disasters. It is essential to have a provider planning for worst-case scenarios so that incidents don’t turn into a significant business interruption and financial loss when they do occur.
Your provider should also help you and your users plan for cyber-attacks or network crashes by providing a plan and training to minimize damage and ensure timely recovery. Note that some state laws and industry regulations require this for both you and your managed services provider.
5. Are Your IT Infrastructure Managed Services Helping You Scale?
If you are a new or growing business, you must have all the necessary tools and technical support to set yourself up for future growth. Your IT provider should have the resources to take on any IT plans or projects to assist in achieving your business goals. If you feel like your IT is holding you back from future success, it is a clear sign to switch to a new provider.
Your provider should have the latest technology to ensure all your equipment is refreshed and up to date. If you are using outdated equipment, this can slow systems that can decrease user productivity.
Outdated equipment decreases operational efficiency and opens doors to security vulnerabilities. End-of-life software or firmware are also susceptible to cyber threats when manufacturers stop offering software updates.
Having new equipment lets you install the latest firearms and threat detectors to keep your users and your confidential information secure.
Dealing with unexpected breaches can immediately halt your projects and team productivity, forcing you to focus your time and energy on getting back up and running rather than your company’s ultimate goals.
Your managed service provider should also have a specialized team for each area of your diverse IT infrastructure to ensure they can provide assistance and training on current or new technology. They can also quickly and seamlessly onboard new users as your company begins to grow.
Small to medium-sized business (SMB) IT managed services are only as worthwhile as their service offerings and security measures. If your managed IT provider cannot provide support for your ever-changing environment, then it is time to switch.
Why Is Your Managed Service Provider So Important?
Managed IT services allow your business to run smoothly and help minimize the risk of network crashes. But your network security and efficiency are only as good as your provider.
For this reason, whether you currently have a managed service provider or are looking for one, the four questions above must be taken heavily into consideration.
Your Managed IT should be more than just keeping things functioning like “normal.” It should be setting your business for strategic moves and future success while also making everything run seamlessly in the background. Making the right decision on managed IT can help your business save time, save money, and improve workflow.
It can also set up your company for future growth by promoting new IT practices and solutions to stay competitive within your industry. If your managed service provider is not meeting your qualifications, it is essential to take that concern to them and see what can be done or make a change.
Wondering If Your MSP Isn’t The Best Fit For Your Business?
These five questions should be a baseline for you to evaluate whether or not your current provider is meeting the requirements they should be.
If they aren't measuring up to the above standards, it is a good sign you may want to start looking for alternative services. If they're skimping out on IT services or cybersecurity, they could put your business at risk for attacks and even hold you back from future growth.
If you're looking to level up your IT strategy and explore your options for technology management, click the button below to get in touch with an IT expert.
