Questions you need to ask your potential IT provider.

What are you looking for from your managed service provider (MSP)? Finding the right provider is all about asking the right questions. 

For a small or medium-sized business, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you can’t afford (or accommodate) a custom-tailored IT solution. It’s why so few smaller companies truly prioritize their technology; after all, if it’s just going to be an uphill struggle from the very beginning, why invest so much time and effort? That train of thought ultimately ends up compromising the security, performance, and growth of smaller companies. Even if you don’t have the same resources as some of the big guys, that doesn’t mean there isn’t an IT provider out there for you. 

But how do you know which provider is capable of offering the managed IT services you need to reach your business goals? It goes beyond a cursory glance at their monthly fee—you need to extract all of the information you can out of an MSP before you decide to work with them full time. In this blog, we’ll talk about the questions you should be asking every potential vendor you meet with so you’re guaranteed to find an IT provider who makes the most sense for your needs.

You need to know what you’re getting into, right? Information technology can cover a number of areas, but confirming an MSP’s service offerings actually address your needs is critical. Don’t have a solid data backup plan in place? Disaster recovery and business continuity plans are a must. Looking to shore up your defenses against outside threats? Managed security is crucial. If the services they provide fit within your business model, great! Otherwise, it’s time to continue the search.

In a field that evolves every day, change is inevitable. How confident are you that you can scale your services accordingly? Updates, upgrades, and installing new features can be time-consuming without the right support. If your business has one eye on the future, you need to be positive that the IT provider you work with can help you realize your long-term goals. 

Whether that means scaling up your software platform as you bring in new employees, streamlining your existing processes for more efficient workflow, or providing support for mobile devices with remote monitoring and management, there are always going to be areas that you have to change. It’s about finding an MSP that can help you adjust accordingly.

Let’s say that your potential MSP offers all of the bells and whistles—great! But how reliable are they when things don’t look quite as rosy? It doesn’t take much for things to go south. All it takes is one data breach or one server crash to wreak havoc on your operations. Can you count on this MSP to support your needs consistently? 

There are always going to be some issues with your technology; many are wholly unavoidable. It’s all about how well you can navigate them and how quickly you can return to normalcy after fraught situations. It’s important to know how frequently an MSP meets with their clients to address concerns, and it’s essential to find out if they offer 24/7 monitoring and support and break-fix solutions.

What would it take to help your company optimize your workflow and core business processes? Would cloud services help you work more efficiently? Do you have mobile devices that need to be integrated into your network from remote locations? Whatever it takes, it shouldn’t be hard to find. That’s why choosing the right MSP is so important—the right provider can mean everything to your future. 

If you’re looking for someone who can help you pivot in the right direction and provide the expert guidance you need, it’s time to start your collaboration with 42, Inc. Our team works closely with each of our clients, learning their goals and challenges and what makes them tick. 

For more information on how we can take you to the next level, reach out to our team today.