4 Questions To Ask Managed Service Providers Before Hiring One

Having a strong information technology (IT) infrastructure is necessary for business owners looking to enhance their operational efficiencies. While a company can choose to work with an in-house IT team, hiring a managed service provider (MSP) can be more beneficial, especially for small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs). An MSP eliminates the need for in-house IT staff. You won’t have to utilize business funds to establish and run an IT infrastructure. Even if you already have an in-house team, an MSP can provide supplementary assistance. They can come with some of the necessary equipment your IT department may lack.

Another way you can benefit from a managed IT company is enhanced online security. Although your in-house team can also help establish a robust cybersecurity strategy, they’ll only mostly work during business hours. Therefore, they might be unable to monitor your systems 24-7. Most managed service companies work 24-7, so they can always monitor your networks for potential security threats and help put enough preventive measures. This goes a long way in improving your online security.

Finding A Managed IT Service Provider

Hiring an MSP can benefit your company in many ways. However, you must consider your compatibility with an MSP. The best approach to ensuring you get IT support in Toronto is to reach out to the most promising prospects and inquire about their services. From there, you can compare the value they offer you to know the most suitable one for your business.

Here are some of these questions you can ask.

• What Services Do You Cover?

The first question to ask managed IT service providers is about their services. Information technology is a broad concept with many sub-areas. Examples of services IT companies provide clients are cloud backup, website design and management, firewall, monitoring, remote support, and cybersecurity services. Ensure you find an MSP with the service you need.

Sometimes, you may want to outsource more than one IT service. But hiring several service providers can be costly. Besides, there might be problems with collaboration leading to a delay in the completion of projects. In such a case, select a firm that offers all the services you need. For instance, if you’re an SMB in Jacksonville, Florida, you can consider hiring Expertip.net or any other similar company that provides full expert IT support 24-7.

• How Long Have You Been On The Market?

When hiring an MSP, you should consider their experience level. An experienced provider will likely be able to efficiently optimize your IT processes faster than an inexperienced one. The experience of a company increases with time. This is why you should be concerned about their duration on the market. For a better return on your investment, hire an IT company that has been in operation for a reasonable duration. And if possible, choose an MSP with the most years on the market.

Apart from asking about the years the company has been on the market, ask about the industries they’ve served. IT challenges and solutions differ from one industry to another. For this reason, hire a company that has served several other clients in your industry. Such a provider will likely understand the ins and outs of your business. As such, it can complete your company’s IT tasks more efficiently.

• Do You Have A Helpdesk?

You can experience IT challenges at any time of the day. You should hire a provider with a helpdesk so that you can raise your issues as they arise. Therefore, before you sign a deal with any managed IT provider, ask them whether they have a helpdesk. And not just a helpdesk but also 24-7 support services.

In connection with that, check which communication tools the MSP uses. They should have modern applications for real-time communication, such as an automated phone system, social media app, email software, or any other reliable communication tool.

• Do You Have Client Reviews?

Another important thing to ask when hiring an MSP is about reviews to know what their clients say about them. Reviews let you know the customers’ experiences with the company. Ask to see client testimonials. And if possible, contact those clients to find out whether they can recommend the MSP you want to hire.

Takeaway

Hiring an MSP can be a great way to manage your IT infrastructure. They’ll take full responsibility for your IT needs while you and your employees focus on other business areas. But you should find the best provider in your area. You can achieve that by asking the questions mentioned above. Then you can finally compare the value they can offer so that you can select the most suitable for your needs.