Technology is emerging day by day, and with that, the complexity related to the field is also increasing. All these technicalities make someone's head spin. On top of that, if they do not know anything about it makes it even worse. Well, not anymore because we are here to help you out with that. If you are one of those people who is considering opting for a dedicated Managed Service Provider for your business, then you should start asking for the right questions from their potential service providers before making any decision.
Many mid-size and small business organizations rely on IT Outsourcing as it is cost-effective, and they do not have to worry about the payroll budgets. Now, what are the questions that you should be asking from your MSP? We have compiled a list of 6 questions you must ask before making a final decision. So, without delaying any further, let's get started!
1. What is the full range of services do you offer?
IT Managed Services offer cost-effective solutions to business organizations and control IT costs exponentially. It also manages tactical operations and reduces the risk of unscheduled downtime. The best thing about the Managed Service Providers is that you do not have to hire a team of IT professionals. The MSP would collaborate with your existing in-house team and work towards the growth of your company. Before making a decision, you must understand the in-depth terms and conditions included in your agreement. You must have complete knowledge of what technologies the MSP would manage, how frequently you can access technical and account support. Before saying yes to the first offer your, Managed IT Service Provider introduces, ask them the detailed breakdown of the services and what is covered in your contract.
2. How do you prevent downtime and reduce vulnerabilities?
A good MSP uses the most sophisticated IT practices to automate self-healing tasks. For example, the automating patching of operating systems and applications, taking backups, running infrastructure and security audits, and front-end help desk assistance. By leveraging automation, a Managed Service Provider can be able to perform tasks at a faster pace and efficiently without denting the pocket of the client. The best thing about automation is that it eliminates even the slightest chances of human error. Before deciding whom you are relying on IT Outsourcing, ask the potential service provider how they use automation to prevent downtime and reduce vulnerabilities?
3. Are you vendor-neutral?
When you are in the process of evaluating the best IT solutions for your business, it is crucial to know whether your MSP partner is vendor-neutral or not. In other terms, check if your partner recommends the best technology solutions are fitting YOUR organization and not theirs. Make sure that they are offering precise solutions for upscaling your business needs. There are many Managed IT Service Providers who have quotas and kickbacks with particular vendors. Ensure your IT service partner is looking out for your best businesses' best interest while they recommend solutions.
4. Do you use the best security practice?
Security is one of the biggest concerns for anyone who is dealing with client's data. Before making any decision about which MSP you should partner with, ensure that your service provider uses the best security practices. Data loss or security breaches can be detrimental to your business. You can lose all your credibility as an organization. Therefore, if your Managed Service Provider does not use the best security practices, it's not wise to partner with them.
5. Do you possess expert knowledge beyond infrastructure?
The best thing about utilizing the benefits of a technology partner is they have a team of seasoned IT professionals with years of experience and expertise in resolving technical complexities. Ask your IT outsourcing partner questions, for example, what level of command does your team have in supporting IT infrastructure like your business? How many years of experience do you have? Do you possess vertical expertise to help the needs of your business? Always look for a partner who offers strategic IT Consulting. Ensure that they are up-to-date with the latest tech trends.
6. Do you have an efficient Cloud readiness strategy?
Nowadays, almost every business, mid-size or small, is adopting cloud computing. The reason being, it is a much more secure and cost-effective method, and you can restore all your data at the time of unfortunate events. These MSPs can help you migrate your infrastructure and applications to the cloud. Therefore, it is a crucial step to choose a provider who has relevant experience across cloud platforms.
These are some of the perfect examples of questions you should be asking your Managed IT Service Provider before partnering. However, if you still have doubts, then you can reach out to us. We will help you build a custom roadmap that aligns with your business' IT needs.
Feel free to shoot us an email, and we will be more than happy to help you out with that.
