Many small businesses don’t have the resources to keep up with the day-to-day demands of running a business. From marketing to accounting, and everything in between, managing a business can be challenging and time-consuming. Fortunately, there are managed IT services providers (MISPs) who specialize in helping small businesses get their operations going again.
Fortunately, many small businesses don’t have the resources to keep up with the day-to-day demands of running a business. From marketing to accounting, and everything in between, managing a business can be challenging and time-consuming. Fortunately, there are managed IT services providers (MISPs) who specialize in helping small businesses get their operations going again. Today we’re going to take an in-depth look at what you should look for when choosing an MSP — from cost considerations to potential red flags — so that you end up with the right company for your needs instead of just picking the first one you see on Google Images or Craigslist for cheap help with your computer troubles.
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What to consider when choosing an MSP
#1: Cost
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of managed IT services providers and the price points. Here are a few questions you can ask when considering cost:
What does your monthly fee include?
What is the total cost for my first year with you?
How much do I pay per hour on an hourly rate contract?
What is your cancellation policy?
How much should you pay?
The first thing to consider when choosing an MSP is how much you should pay.
Each MSP has a different set of services, and each service comes with a price tag. Services like hardware maintenance, hardware deployment, software installation and configuration are typically cheaper than other services like data backup or support for third-party applications.
You should also consider what you’re doing with your business before deciding on the right pricing model. If you’re just starting out and don’t have many system requirements to manage, a low-cost subscription model might be ideal because it will enable you to get more value out of your investment up front. However, if you have significant needs that require complex configuration management, customization and configuration management may be better suited for a service provider with high-level expertise in these areas.
There are three key questions that any SMB considering an MSP should ask themselves:
Ask yourself these 3 questions before signing up with an MSP
1. How much will they charge?
Managed IT service providers can be expensive, so it’s important to understand how much you’ll be paying for the services you’re receiving. Your budget should factor in monthly fees, the number of hours your MSP will be available, and any additional hardware devices that might be required.
2. Do they provide a guarantee?
Most managed IT service providers offer some type of guarantee or warranty on their services, so make sure to ask about that before signing up with them. If your MSP is able to offer a guarantee, consider finding out if there are any hidden fees or if you’ll have to pay for this coverage in the long-run.
3. What kind of support do they offer?
Your MISP should provide information about your service and its features in terms of what’s included and what isn’t included in their offering, along with other frequently asked questions about their services and charges. They should also listen to your needs and answer any questions you have before you sign on the dotted line with them.
Should you use a co-location facility?
Co-location facilities are offered by many MSPs, and they’re often worth considering because it allows you to centralize your network services in one location. These facilities are physically separated from your company’s offices or other locations so that your data will be safe and secure. You’ll also have the ability to take advantage of power backup and redundancy, which is important when hosting mission-critical applications. Plus, if your office is located a long way away from the facility, you’ll save on travel costs and won’t have to worry about security concerns during travel as well as when having staff members work remotely.
A co-location facility can be a significant investment for your business, but it’s worth noting that it may not make sense if you don’t have an immediate need for this type of service (i.e., the size of your current IT team).
Is 24/7 remote access necessary?
A common misconception with managed IT services providers (MISPs) is that they are all on call 24/7. This isn’t always the case; in fact, many of these companies will only maintain a 24/7 support center for certain clients. Managing your business can be challenging, and sometimes you may need to work during off hours or have time to answer a question on the weekend. Some MSPs offer remote access as an option for their clients; if so, then this is a great benefit to take advantage of.
How long have they been in business?
When choosing a managed IT service provider, you should look for one that has been in business for at least two years. For instance, if your business were to hire a company that just recently launched, you may not be getting the most experienced team of professionals. The longer a company has been in business, the more experience they have and the more likely it is that they will be able to provide effective IT support.
Ask for references!
This is the first thing you should do when you’re considering an MSP. If they say they don’t have any, or won’t give them to you, that might be a sign that something is not quite right with the company. You want someone who has references for their work, and it should be easy to find.
When asking for references, think about what you would want from a potential vendor. Would you want someone with years of experience doing similar things? Would it help if they had a track record of customer satisfaction? What kind of businesses are they typically in line with?
Once you have these questions answered, it will be much easier to find an MSP that has the experience and reliability you need.
Bottom line
One thing you should consider is cost. You may be hesitant to hand over your IT infrastructure to someone else because you don’t want to spend more money than you have to. Well, the good news is that many MSPs offer a free trial period for new clients so that you can try them out before committing to anything. And those who don’t? Don’t worry — just be sure to ask about their rates before signing up for anything! Another question you should ask is what services they offer. The MSPs in this article include some examples of the things they do best, but there are also many other things they can help with such as website maintenance and face-to-face customer service.
The three most important questions for choosing an MSP:
1) What are their rates?
2) What services do they offer?
3) Do they offer a free trial period?
Call for a Free Quote (941) 240-2675
