Whether your organization is big or small, outsourcing your IT requirements might be the change your business needs to grow. Let’s help you pick the right company for the job with our tips on finding the right managed IT service provider.
By: F12
With the boom in data and IT requirements, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are growing increasingly popular. In general, companies need routine system maintenance and on-the-spot problem-solving, as well as growth through technological innovation. Significantly, this increased number of tasks can put a lot of pressure on an in-house IT team, and this is where outsourcing your IT needs can streamline business efficiencies.
What are Managed IT service providers and what do they do?
MSPs are third-party companies that take on some or all of your IT requirements, helping you streamline your work and reducing the burden on your in-house IT team, if you have one. They monitor your business’ day-to-day network, troubleshoot and fix IT issues, and ensure all systems are functioning well. Furthermore, they allow you to focus on your own organizational growth!
Why do you need an IT provider?
Managed IT services are preventive in nature; rather than recruiting IT services when a problem occurs, an MSP monitors your network on a daily basis, working to prevent any issues from occurring. Their expertise will come in handy while making any tech decisions as they might have better solutions to offer. However, in order to profit from this expertise, you need the right partner.
According to Statista, in 2021, the global managed service provider market was valued at $161.37 billion, and is forecasted to exceed $300 billion by the year 2027. The right provider saves your workforce valuable time and resources while helping the company grow.
But how do you figure out which MSP is right for you? Here are 6 tips on finding the right managed IT service provider.
1. Ensure they have adequate technical expertise
A good managed IT services provider should have a strong technical background and expertise in the technologies and systems that your organization uses. Different companies might use different technologies to complete tasks, therefore ensuring that a provider is compatible with your organization’s systems will save a lot of time and trouble in the long run.
2. Check for their industry certifications
Make sure the provider holds industry certifications, such as those from vendor-neutral organizations like CompTIA or vendor-specific organizations like Microsoft or HP. It helps ensure that your provider is up to date with the latest systems for your IT requirements. These certifications can be a good indicator of the provider’s expertise and commitment to continuing education.
3. Look for an SOC 2 certification
SOC 2 (Systems and Organization Controls) is a set of standards for evaluating the controls of a service organization that are relevant to the security, availability, and confidentiality of customer data. A SOC 2 certification demonstrates that the service organization has strong controls in place to protect customer data. Moreover, if your organization handles sensitive customer data or is subject to regulatory requirements, an SOC 2 certification can provide assurance that the provider is compliant.
4. Evaluate their experience
Consider the provider’s level of experience in the industry and whether they have worked with organizations similar to yours. This can help ensure that the provider has the necessary skills and knowledge to meet your company’s needs. Ideally, an MSP with more experience will also offer sound technological advice and innovative solutions for your organization.
5. Make sure they value customer service as a high priority
Customer service stands at the forefront of any successful business, and is an easy litmus test of the integrity of the MSP. Look for providers that have a strong track record of customer service. Are they responsive to the needs of their clients? Providers with great customer service help in responding to your clientele, keeping your company’s unique needs in mind.
6. Inspect their standards of professionalism
Lastly, it is vital for your organization to follow industry best practices and adhere to regulatory requirements. As a result, it is important to verify your provider’s level of professionalism. Ask to see some of the work they’ve provided at other companies. Make sure that they are aware of and abiding by industry standards.
As your organization grows and evolves, so do its IT needs. Outsourcing to an MSP will not only improve your operational efficiency, but also help your business grow while saving costs. Therefore, try following these tips to ensure that you choose the most well-equipped MSP to meet your organization’s needs.
