How to choose the right managed service provider (MSP)

Price is obviously an important factor for any business when making a new purchase or investment. However, it can be a false economy to choose the cheapest in most circumstances. When it comes to choosing a new IT support provider this is certainly the case. We’re going to look at how paying too little could be putting your business at risk. As the well-known saying goes - If the price seems too good to be true, then it probably is

The risks of going with cheap

RISK 1.
You're getting a cheap service rather than a true partnership
If an MSP is cheap, it’s for a good reason. Don’t think you are comparing like for like just because two different MSP’s say they are providing a managed service. Dig deeper.

RISK 2.
They are under resourced
Are they a one-man band? There is nothing wrong with that in itself. That’s how many businesses start. However, it could mean they cannot support all their clients to the degree needed. There are simply not enough hours in the day for one person, so you need to consider if they have the resource to fully support you, your team and help your business grow – not hold it back.

RISK 3.
They will not be proactively doing what they should be doing to keep your business and its data protected
This leads to your staff suffering decreased productivity and increased hassle. Sure, a helpdesk is great for when the unexpected problem happens. You can pick up the phone, speak to a technician and get the issue resolved as quickly as possible. But you don't want your team to be calling the helpdesk on a regular basis. The real aim is to prevent issues in the first place, and that’s why you need to choose an IT support company that has invested in first class monitoring tools. They look for early signs that an issue could be about to happen, and your MSP is able to quickly resolve them, often without you even being aware. This also includes updating and patching all your devices regularly – keeping your tech running smoothly and securely.

RISK 4.
You will quickly outgrow them
An IT support provider that has a low cost will often only be able to support at a low level. You need a technology partner that is able to grow with you, at your pace.

Questions to ask your potential IT support provider

So, to make sure an MSP is the right fit for your business you need to ask some questions:

• What experience do you have of providing IT support within our industry?
• How does your ticketing system work?
• How are issues resolved should your monitoring system highlight a problem?
• Can your managed IT support solution grow with our business?
• How are you investing in the latest technology and training?

Further points to consider when choosing a new IT support provider

Track record – Don’t be afraid to ask for references and check out their reviews and case studies.

Range of services – Consider your requirements and whether the MSP can meet them.

Response times – What’s the average? Quick response times will ensure that any downtime is kept to a minimum.

Security and backup – Is this given high priority by the MSP? Are the correct measures in place, along with recovery plans should a disaster (be it natural or manmade) happen? Remember, protecting your data is critical.

Best practices – Does the MSP provide best practice guidance for your whole IT infrastructure?

Thinking of switching MSP?

Now all these points discussed above look at it from the point of view of choosing to engage a Managed Service Provider for the first time, but of course these can also be points to consider if you are not happy with your existing provider. Choosing to switch to a new MSP may a first seem daunting. However, one of the keys to a successful business is having a trusted technology partner you can rely on and staying with one that is not the right fit for your organisation could be detrimental to your business and growth plans.

Risk Reversal

As a Managed Service Provider, we do understand that it’s difficult to know if you are placing your business in a safe pair of hands. That is why here at PS Tech we offer risk reversal. Risk reversal means there is no risk to you partnering with us. We take the risk. How?

Our guarantee means that if you are not 100% satisfied within 3 months of partnering with us, we will happily release you from any contract and signed agreement. Ask us about our “First 100 Days” onboarding program that will give you the peace of mind that your IT infrastructure is safe and secure and gives you the freedom to focus on your business growth.

So, with the risk removed, why not give us a call on 01732 243100 or click here to book a chat, and see how we can:

…all at an affordable monthly price.

For more help and advice on choosing a new MSP check out our free guide – The IT Services Buyers Guide – An unbiased view of what to look for in an MSP and the right questions to ask to create a great partnership.