Digital technology is an essential part of nearly every modern organization for its operations. Because technology underpins so much of what each business does, their IT systems will need to be fast, reliable and streamlined to sustain a sharp competitive edge. To help with achieving this, many businesses turn to Managed Service Providers (MSPs), who can manage all-things IT for a company with their deep technical expertise.
An MSP will work with your organization, ideally as a long term partner, to get the best from your technology. This support can be forward-looking, with an MSP serving as a strategic partner for aligning technology with your goals. The most important decision a business can make in this respect, is choosing the right service provider!
In this piece, we give you a summary of the top 6 elements you should look for when selecting an MSP for your business.
Truly Tailored IT Services
When it comes to helping a business to get the best from its technology, there is never a one-size fits all solution. It’s crucial to find an IT Support provider that can customize their services to your business’s needs and goals. These include your budget, operating technologies, specific compliance needs such as CMMC and HIPAA, and more.
You may need to just outsource some IT tasks while keeping your own internal IT support in place, or perhaps you need a full support package that includes a vCIO (virtual Chief Information Officer) function.
Look for managed service providers that understand and serve your sector, that get your compliance needs, and that have a specialism in the hardware and software that you operate. Once you have some service providers that check your boxes, enquire with them to see how flexibly they can tailor their services to your business.
A rigid supplier with a cookie-cutter approach will not be able to give the precise maximum value for money that would best serve your business.
Competitive and Transparent Pricing
Managed Service Providers field a variety of pricing models for their services. These include pay as you go support, an all-inclusive pricing model, or a flexible mixture of both.
For the greatest value, including long-term focused value, we suggest that normally it is best to pick a provider that offers a set monthly charge. There is a good chance they can tack on ad-hoc support, including implementation of specific IT projects whenever you need it. With a fixed menu of defined services, you will be able to predict your IT spend with more precision.
All-inclusive support will usually include a range of services, including limitless support, remote monitoring, maintenance, as well as backup and recovery services. Be careful to check your contract to ensure the agreement reflects what is promised. If a service provider has complicated billing plans, this can cause confusion and may be a smokescreen for adding on hidden fees. If a provider operates this way, they also will be less likely to deliver their service with the integrity that your business deserves.
Do they have the skills and knowledge you need?
Ensuring that your provider’s expertise and services align with your needs and goals, is a key aspect to finding the best MSP for your business. For example, if you operate a hybrid setup of Windows PCs and Apple Macs, an IT support provider that specializes in both will likely prove to be a more ideal solution. If you operate cloud-based technology or want to migrate to the cloud, a specialist in this area will also be more ideal.
Looking out for a compatible supplier in terms of compliance can also be a game-changer. Many businesses have specific compliance obligations such as HIPAA, CMMC, and FTC mandated requirements. If you use Microsoft 365 for example, a supplier that specializes in this platform will add enhanced value to your business compared to one that does not.
To assess compatibility, examine providers’ vendor relationships and certifications as signs of appropriateness. Check if they serve businesses like yours in terms of the sectors they serve, the technology they operate, and location. Reflect on where you would like to take your business in the future and what kinds of technology will be involved in its evolution, and enquire with potential providers to see if they can offer what you’re looking for.
They Are Cybersecurity Experts
With organizations suffering more attacks from cyber criminals, it’s important to select a service provider that can protect your business from cyber threats.
There are some key elements to an MSPs cybersecurity offering that you should look out for. These include:
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- Proactive patch management
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- Data and backup recovery solutions
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- Endpoint protection
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- Firewalls
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- User awareness training
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- Policy and procedure development
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- Remote access solutions (if any of your team operate out of office)
It’s also important to take into account how a potential MSP ensures their own cybersecurity. MSPs are one particular target of cyberattacks because of the range of client systems that they have access to. Ask them about internal governance, their risk management strategy, and their IT security management practices to see if they practice what they preach.
They Are Proactive and Strategic
Technology has never been more important for driving commercial success. Strategic IT support is a key facet that some MSPs provide, which involves creating or assisting in creating, an IT strategy. This strategy should include a roadmap for deploying new technologies in your business, these technologies will be scalable, aligned, and drive profitable growth.
Verify if a provider is able to collaborate with you on developing an IT strategy to help drive the achievement of your objectives. Ask potential suppliers about how they have strategically assisted their clients to achieve their goals using technology. This can be invaluable to your business; with a clear and coordinated IT strategy, your MSP can help your business to get from where you are to where you want to be, by finding, procuring and deploying ideal technology solutions for your business.
Case studies, client testimonials and online reviews
Take care to examine the credibility of managed service providers through looking at their social proof. See what their clients have to say, examine their case studies, and see how they channel their expertise into their marketing. What can be especially helpful, is finding social proof from companies that are like yours.
Conclusion
We hope that these tips have proven useful for your search for an MSP that can get the best from technology for your business. After assessing MSPs against your criteria, you can compile a shortlist of eligible providers to make an informed decision that will drive optimal value for your business.
Infinity Technologies, the best IT provider in Virginia
Are you ready to take your business to new heights in the dynamic landscapes of Virginia, Fredericksburg, and its surrounding areas?
At Infinity Technologies, we’re dedicated to being your premier technology partner right in the heart of Virginia. Our mission is to empower your team, fortify your data security, and propel your business forward with our proactive Managed IT Services. Since 1996, businesses in Fredericksburg, Virginia, have turned to us for swift, personalized, and efficient IT Support, Cyber Security, and compliance solutions.
If you’re seeking to leverage technology to enhance your security, compliance, productivity, and innovation in Fredericksburg and beyond, connect with Infinity Technologies today. Let’s uncover the vast potential that technology offers for your organization. Reach out to us now and embark on a journey toward boundless success.
