The 7 Key Things to Look for When Vetting a Managed IT Service Provider

Today’s digital landscape is fast-paced and constantly evolving. Businesses must be agile and adaptable if they want to stay competitive. But that requires investing in technology. To help you maintain control of your company’s operations while keeping costs under control, consider engaging the services of an IT service provider (ITSP).

A managed service provider is a company that provides outsourced IT services for small and large businesses. The key benefits of outsourcing your IT services to an MSP are stability and scalability. An MSP can manage all your IT functions, from cybersecurity to data storage and analysis. The MSP gives you peace of mind that your business’ information technology systems are up and running 24/7.

An IT service provider can offer various information technology services and solutions, such as hardware maintenance, software implementation, and networking solutions. You must thoroughly vet your company’s information technology needs if you’re considering hiring an IT service provider to manage them. Here are seven key things to look for when vetting your potential managed IT, service provider:

Determine the type of services you need

Before shopping for the best managed IT services provider, you must understand your organization’s current and future IT requirements. This will help you find the right service provider for your organization and ensure you get a good investment return.

If your business is large and has its own IT department, you likely will be looking for a managed services provider. In this case, you need a provider to manage your entire IT environment, from hardware and software support and maintenance to security and employee training. Add an SLA to your checklist when determining the type of services you need.

Check the provider’s reputation and capabilities.

A managed IT services provider should be accredited and certified. Such an organization will have undergone a rigorous auditing and review process, showing that it can handle your company’s IT services. For example, a provider should be accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and have the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification.

When checking the provider’s credentials, also take the time to review their website, services portfolio, and customer testimonials. You also should review the providers’ social media presence and consider the reviews and ratings on third-party websites. You should be able to discern the level of commitment, passion, and expertise of the organization and its staff.

Ask about certifications and accreditations.

A managed IT services provider should be accredited and certified. Such an organization will have undergone a rigorous auditing and review process, showing that it can handle your company’s IT services. For example, a provider should be accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and have the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certification.

When checking the provider’s credentials, also take the time to review their website, services portfolio, and customer testimonials. You also should review the providers’ social media presence and consider the reviews and ratings on third-party websites. You should be able to discern the level of commitment, passion, and expertise of the organization and its staff.

Confirm the provider has the required staff

A managed IT services provider should have the required staff to manage your company’s IT services. This can include full-time technicians and engineers, who are available to you 24/7 for any issues.

When hiring a managed services provider, ask about the staff’s qualifications and certifications and check their references. You should be able to trust these people to handle your company’s sensitive data and systems. For example, you should ask whether the providers have Data Protection Officer (DPO) certification. This will help ensure that your company, customer data, and employee information are safeguarded.

Be crystal clear on your requirements.

Before signing with a managed IT services provider, you must clearly understand your requirements. This includes your budget, the level of support you expect, and the scope of the services you need. You should be able to make informed decisions based on your research and the information you have gathered during the vetting process.

When hiring a managed services provider, ask about the staff’s qualifications and certifications and check their references. You should be able to trust these people to handle your company’s sensitive data and systems. For example, you should ask whether the providers have Data Protection Officer (DPO) certification. This will help ensure that your company, customer data, and employee information are safeguarded.

Check SLAs, warranties, and commitments.

Before signing a managed IT services provider, you should review their SLAs and warranties. You should also confirm the providers’ commitments, such as their response times for service calls and other issues. These will help you gauge the level of responsibility of the organization and the services they provide.

You should expect the managed services provider to exceed your expectations and the minimum requirements. This includes exceeding the response time expectations and providing customer service that keeps you returning. Signing a service-level agreement (SLA) with your managed IT services provider can outline the minimum uptime expectations for the services provided. Including service level credits (SLCs) in your contract is very important because it ensures that you can get paid for any downtime during the term of the agreement.

When to Use an MSP

Knowing when to use an MSP is the best time is important.

– If you don’t have the in-house expertise to manage all of your IT functions, use an MSP. If you have an in-house IT expert, but they are not able to provide the necessary attention and resources for your business needs, then you should outsource some IT responsibilities to an MSP.

– If you don’t have the time or resources to manage all of your IT functions adequately, use an MSP. If you have the expertise to manage your IT environment but don’t have the time or resources to do so, then outsourcing is for you.

Conclusion

When considering hiring a managed IT services provider, you must first vet them thoroughly. You should determine the type of services you need, check the provider’s reputation and capabilities, ask about certifications and accreditations, confirm the provider has the required staff, be crystal clear on your requirements, and check SLAs, warranties, and commitments. If you need a real world example to hold to this model you need look no further than MyTek. This will help you find the right service provider for your organization and ensure you get a good investment return.