When it comes to managed IT, it is important to know that your network is in the right hands. Having a partner that is both reliable and trustworthy to manage your business’s IT can lead to growth and 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.
If you are unsure if your managed service provider is the right one for you or are looking to start the process of hiring or changing your managed service provider, here are four questions that you should ask yourself to make sure that you are with a managed service that will enhance your IT infrastructure.
1. Is Your Managed IT Support Provider Available When You Need Them?
Ensuring your IT consulting service is available when you need them is vital to the wellbeing of your company. No one wants to experience being put on hold when they face an internal crisis with their network.
Having a managed IT service provider that is frequently absent when you're having problems can slow productivity to a halt. It can also allow issues to escalate if they aren't addressed.
Before partnering, make sure you have a clear understanding of the communication channel and ticket escalation system. Good IT support for small businesses should take into account the hidden costs of downtime, so response times need to reflect this sense of urgency.
2. How Fast is Their Response Time?
Good IT support for small businesses should take into account the hidden costs of downtime, so response times need to reflect this sense of urgency.
It is important that service will not be too time-consuming either, as this can interfere with productivity. The managed service team you choose should be able to relieve your headache swiftly and efficiently the first time.
In general, look for IT outsourcing services that address service tickets within a 4-hour window at most. You should not be going days without a response or resolution to your issue.
3. Do They Assist You With Long-Term Technology Budgeting?
No one likes to be blindsided by unexpected costs and fees. A good managed service provider will ensure that you have a predictable budget. This will make sure it is easy to plan accordingly for the future.
This can be done through creating technology roadmaps, which outline a plan for technology replacements and subsequent budgeting.
Effective long-term budgeting is key to business growth, and you can find out how in our blog: Ask The Expert: How Technology Management Can Expedite Your Business Growth
4. Do They Offer Incident Response Planning Services?
Your provider should offer both cybersecurity tools and a plan to handle incidents in the event of a breach or major catastrophe. If they don't, this is a red flag to take note of.
Your tech support company should take a proactive approach to worst-case scenarios like cyberattacks, crashes, or natural disasters. Through incident response plans, you can conduct tabletop exercises with the key leadership that would handle such an event.
Planning ahead ensures downtime doesn't turn into a major business interruption, and incidents don't escalate to long-term reputational damage.
To read about how to conduct an incident response tabletop exercise, read our blog: How to Conduct Incident Response Tabletop Exercises.
Why Finding the Right IT Provider is Key to Achieving Your Business Goals
Managed IT services for small businesses can be a secret weapon for success. They can help your business run smoothly and help minimize the risk of network crashes or data breaches.
However, your network security and efficiency are only as reliable as your provider. For this reason, whether you currently have a managed service provider or are looking for one, it is important that you take these questions into consideration.
Finding the best business IT solutions can help your business with cost savings, day-to-day network management, and finding cost-effective hardware and software that meet your needs. It can also help your company scale and grow by promoting new IT practices and solutions to stay competitive and meet your business objectives.
If your managed service provider is not meeting your needs, it may be time to evaluate your options for a switch. To learn what a transition may look like, read our blog: “It’s Not You, It’s MSP”: How to Break Up with Your MSP
If you are looking to seek out a new managed service provider or have any questions about how to find the right one, click the button below to speak with an IT professional.
