If you’re in the market for a new MSP, there are several details to identify before selecting the right provider. Some business owners need things like:
- Better service response times than their current provider offers
- More sophisticated cybersecurity
- Assistance for their existing in-house staff
- Refreshed devices and software
- Help with software patching and IT maintenance
Whatever your situation, one detail that many business leaders are left in the dark about is whether a global (or nationwide) IT provider is best for them, or if they should go with a local provider.
Just like any industry, managed IT providers come in all shapes and sizes. Some providers have 2 staff members, some have thousands across the world. To help you decide between local and non-local IT support providers, here’s an overview of the pros and cons of hiring each.
Pros of Global IT Companies
Similarly to any outsourced IT business, global providers will offer a full staff of IT and cybersecurity experts at your assistance. You will often notice their nationwide or worldwide locations, with IT techs that offer remote support.
You may also find that these companies are able to source top talent in the world, since remote hiring pools are much larger. With this, you’ll likely get some of the top experts in the industry if you’re able to find a quality global IT provider.
Cons of Global IT Companies
With the added perks of having such a large set of talented individuals at your fingertips, you sacrifice some key tradeoffs, too.
Remote IT only goes so far, so you’ll want to look for a provider with the ability to send techs on-site to help you resolve immediate problems. If your virtual chief information officer (VCIO) is located overseas, across the country or even 4-5 hours away from your office, this will not be feasible.
Another downside to hiring a national or global IT company is they won’t necessarily be familiar with your area, customer demographics, culture, or even language. This can muddy communication in many different ways and clear and effective communication is central to good service.
Your location matters a lot for matching with the right IT service. For example, if you run a law firm in the heart of fast-paced Boston, MA, you will likely have much different technology needs than a small-town accounting firm in the midwestern United States.
You should always be suspicious of any provider that offers one-size-fits-all IT services because every business has unique operations and technical demands. For this reason, a global IT company might not be for you if you want more customized solutions with sales reps that understand your business goals.
Pros of Local MSP Support
Hiring a local managed services provider (MSP) is a popular choice for small businesses because their service technicians often live and work right in the community they serve. This means they are more likely to understand your business, how it operates, and how to serve you best.
The ability for local technicians to travel onsite to assist you with immediate issues is a huge deal when you’re racing the clock during outages. Especially for industries where “time is money” such as in manufacturing or automotive, downtime can hurt revenue, client relationships, and staff productivity.
To learn more about the true costs of IT downtime and how onsite help can mitigate this, read our blog: The Hidden Costs of Faulty IT Infrastructure.
Another key benefit of using a local IT service is their understanding of compliance and cybersecurity needs for your state and industry. In states like New York, governments are cracking down on businesses that fail to meet minimum cybersecurity standards. Recently, the NYS Attorney General issued a large fine to a home healthcare company that fell victim to a cyber attack due to neglecting their security.
In this way, a local provider is more likely to understand and deliver solutions to help you comply with national, state, and local network security standards.
Cons of Local MSP Support
There are some drawbacks to local IT support companies. For one, smaller local businesses will have fewer IT staff to assist with technical needs than local companies. This means you might have a longer customer service wait time depending on how swamped your provider is with service tickets.
This poses challenges for larger businesses with more aggressive IT needs. Another downside to local support is that these services tend to be pricier due to their more specialized approach.
With the scale of global companies, they can afford to charge less for services than the little guys. However, remember that with a local MSP, you'll get a more personalized experience, which can justify the pricing differences for some.
Find an MSP That Can Cater to Your Unique Situation
Aside from whether an IT company is local or not, there are several factors that go into finding the right provider for your industry and needs. Some of these details include:
- Your goals for scalability
- Your data security compliance needs
- Your industry and operational specifications
- Any existing gaps in security, hardware or software you need taking care of
If you're unsure about one or more of these aspects of your IT, many of them can be discovered via a network assessment. To read more about how to choose an MSP, read our article: 10 Questions to Ask Before Committing to a Managed Services Provider.
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