A managed service provider (MSP) is a business that operates as an extension of your IT department. This partner remotely handles your IT infrastructure and works to provide additional resources for day-to-day operations. The majority of services offered by an MSP are proactive such as regular maintenance or monthly patching. It can also include services that are break-fix scenarios such as service desk support that handle individual employee issues. The right MSP will provide benefits such as cost savings, access to resources with extensive knowledge, and always-on support whenever your business needs assistance.
There is a lot to consider when deciding to involve another business in your IT operations. Finding a managed service provider that is aligned with your business goals and delivers the type of customer service your business needs is very important.
Let’s look at the other qualities you should consider when evaluating this type of partner:
1. Experience
Your MSP should have experience servicing clients in and out of your industry. Having broad experience makes them better prepared for new situations and adapting to changes. They should be able to provide evidence of past experiences, provide references upon request, and demonstrate their depth of knowledge during initial meetings.
2. Listening Capabilities
While it is very important to have an experienced MSP, it is also crucial that they listen to you and your team. You are the ones inside the business, working daily to maintain the operations, with the knowledge that an outsider cannot understand right away. Ensure you find a partner that will listen to you and be accepting of that knowledge transfer. That will allow a successful partnership from the beginning of the relationship.
3. Values
Mission, philosophy, values. Regardless of the term they use, understanding the way an MSP describes their operations or their business model is essential to establishing a long-lasting trusted relationship. Gaining a sense of how they treat their clients, how they approach new projects, and what they fundamentally believe in should align with your business. It is important to find a business that aligns with yours.
4. Knowledgeable Staff
It is important to understand who you will be working alongside. Asking about hiring practices, educational support, or training opportunities shows you how they support and encourage their staff. Your team will be working with different individuals during the partnership so it’s helpful to know the background, education, and experience of those you will be trusting with your infrastructure.
If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of a managed service provider, contact us for more information.