Factors You Should Consider in a Managed IT Services Provider?
In today's business world, corporate IT is more important than ever. With the increase in remote work and spread-out teams, using advanced technology for connection is not just necessary but also requires extra security measures. Dealing with the demands of a modern office can be challenging, leading many companies to realize the cost-effectiveness and convenience of outsourcing parts or all of their IT management. However, it's essential to understand that your IT setup is like the heart of your business. Knowing what to look for in a Managed IT Services Provider becomes really important.
Here are 5 critical factors to consider:
Responsiveness:
If your systems experience downtime, each hour lost can incur significant costs for your business. Even minor daily technical issues can hamper office productivity. Industry reports reveal that the average Canadian worker spends 3 hours a week attempting to troubleshoot IT problems.
Hiring a Managed Services Provider (MSP) for your company's IT needs is a proactive measure to prevent these issues. A reliable MSP conducts round-the-clock monitoring of your systems to detect slowdowns or bottlenecks and identify problems before they escalate.
Experience in Your Industry:
Engaging an MSP also means relying on them as tech troubleshooters. However, if they are difficult to reach or respond too slowly, it becomes a problem. Determining what to look for in a Managed IT Services Provider, industry experience is a crucial consideration. An MSP should have staff familiar with your niche, understand common systems used in your industry and be capable of designing strategic solutions that enhance your operational and IT capabilities.
While few MSPs specialize in a single industry, Robotnik Solutions, for example, boasts experience managing IT and cybersecurity for a variety of firms, ranging from construction and civil engineering to insurance, and accounting firms. During onboarding, we prioritize understanding your needs, and pain points and learning about your operations to tailor solutions that bring maximum value to your business.
Flexible Options and Plans:
A reputable MSP should not present a singular package or solution but should offer a range of services and plans that are flexible enough to accommodate both scaling up and down. Your current business size may be modest, but if there's potential for growth in the coming years, you'll want IT solutions that can easily scale to meet increased infrastructure needs.
Furthermore, they should be capable of working within your budget, identifying a monthly plan cost that aligns with your financial constraints. If you only require outsourcing for specific IT services, they should tailor a plan accordingly, without insisting on a comprehensive package. However, it's worth noting that opting for full IT services can often be more cost-effective. Partial plans may have limitations, and relying on them could result in extra hourly fees, potentially disrupting your budget. Choosing a comprehensive plan provides peace of mind, as all expenses are covered, even in worst-case scenarios.
Total Transparency:
Transparency is a term that encompasses various aspects. When delving into the realm of Managed IT Services Providers (MSPs) during your research, understanding what to seek becomes crucial. It's essential to feel assured that you're gaining an accurate and lucid understanding of the MSP—knowing who they are, their values, and how they engage with their clients. Are they collaborative, respectful, knowledgeable, and friendly?
This transparency should extend to both their external and internal operations. Their services should be clearly defined, with pricing and plans easily comprehensible. You should be able to grasp their operational methods and their proposed actions concerning your office's IT infrastructure.
Clients should also experience transparency in their day-to-day interactions with their IT Services Provider. At Robotnik Solutions, we provide clients with an exceptional ticketing system, offering real-time insights into how their IT is managed. These dashboards detail the services in use and illustrate the implementation of various forms of support.
Concern for Security:
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are increasingly becoming prime targets for cybercriminals, with 1 in 5 Canadian SMBs having faced significant cybersecurity incidents.
As reliance on technology grows and more individuals work remotely, the importance of a secure network cannot be overstated. Staying ahead of constantly evolving threats requires not only awareness but also the right expertise to effectively monitor and mitigate risks.
A reliable IT Services Provider should prioritize your security. It is essential to ensure they have a team of experienced IT professionals who not only respond to threats but also proactively implement measures to prevent them from infiltrating your network. Continuous 24-hour monitoring is imperative, coupled with the capability to devise IT security plans. This includes the installation and regular updating of the latest security software, implementation of disaster recovery measures, and the utilization of tools to block data intrusion.
Factors You Should Consider in a Managed IT Services Provider: Recap
Whether you need comprehensive IT management or additional support in specific areas, a reliable IT Services Provider should provide:
Responsiveness:
Proactive monitoring by an MSP to detect and prevent system issues, minimizing downtime and potential costs.
Experience in Your Industry:
Industry-specific expertise ensures tailored solutions, optimizing operational and IT capabilities.
Flexible Options and Plans:
MSP offering a range of flexible services and plans for scalability, aligning with budgetary constraints.
Total Transparency:
MSP commitment to transparent operations, including clear service definitions and real-time insights into IT management.
Concern for Security:
MSP prioritizing cybersecurity with 24/7 monitoring, regular software updates, disaster recovery measures, and intrusion prevention tools.
Discovering the ideal provider can be the key to having a streamlined, efficient, and competitive business, as opposed to one plagued by issues, technical glitches, and unexpected downtime.
Explore how Robotnik Solutions and our team of friendly tech experts can enhance your business capabilities! Begin by submitting the form below to get started.
