Choosing the Best Managed IT Service Provider (MSP) for your SME can be one of the most crucial decisions you make to maintain a competitive advantage. It is, however, a hard choice to make. In this article, we’ll walk you through the points to consider so you can pick the best MSP for your needs.
What are Managed IT Services, and How Do They Work?
Managed IT Services are IT infrastructure and support services that you outsource. They operate and maintain your network on your behalf.
The benefits of hiring a Managed Service Provider:
MSP:
- MONITORING 24×7
Your managed service provider (MSP) should be observing your network 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so that they can quickly discover and solve problems, tackle threats, and perform virtual and on-site maintenance.
- FIXED-RATE PRICING
Fixed-rate, predictable pricing, which helps you plan, is one of the advantages of an MSP, especially for SMEs.
- HOSTING AND CLOUD STORAGE
Safe, local cloud hosting and storage give you the backups you need, as well as the compliance you may want.
- DISASTER RECOVERY AND BACKUP
Your MSP can help you prepare for the worst by assisting you in developing a recovery strategy that ensures business continuity and is ready to assist you in recovering when the worst happens.
- ASSET MANAGEMENT
Unpatched software is one of the primary sources of data breaches. Managed IT service provider handles the software license renewals, hardware contract management, ISP/Domain management, and warranty administration.
- RESPONSE TO A PRIORITY CALL
When you work with an MSP; you gain access to skilled engineers who are only a phone call away when you need them.
- VIRTUAL CIO
Not every SME can afford to hire their own C-level IT executive. However, your outsourced MSP will provide advice on capacity planning, resolving chronic or recurring issues, financing, and IT strategy planning.
- SECURITY REVIEW ON AN ANNUAL BASIS
Your MSP will provide recommendations for necessary network and system security revisions and improvements every quarter.
WHY DO TORONTO’S SMALL AND MID-SIZED BUSINESSES NEED MANAGED IT SERVICES?
In recent times, small businesses have been struggling due to the impacts of the global pandemic. As a result, it has become increasingly straining to compete with larger companies. With a critical focus on competing with the bigger guy, we are losing focus on the security of our company. The global pandemic turned the smaller business into new hunting grounds for Hackers. Now hackers see smaller organizations as weaker infrastructures, making them easier to infiltrate. As a result, they are showing that cyber-security has become more vital than ever.
Nowadays, we must input the required tools that will help keep your company and your client’s details secure and safe. Unfortunately, as these tools are necessary, they’re time-consuming. With an MSP, they can look after the following while ensuring your IT infrastructure is up-to-date and secured.
What to consider when choosing an MSP
- Qualifications & Experience
When considering an MSP, ensure you get to know the company before hiring them. Remember, they become an extension of your team and will be building a close relationship with you daily. Be cautious; if a business has only one to two years’ experience, yes, everyone must start somewhere, but many startup companies will make or break within those two years. Here at Idealogical, we have a “Get to Know Idealogical meeting” before we continue a relationship with our clients. This is where we sit down with you and tell you all about our culture, core values, and what our potential connection will be.
- Accountability
Investigate an MSP; what is the first step an employer does before onboarding a new employee? Check out the reference. Don’t be hesitant in requesting to speak with previous clients. Questions you may want to consider
- Did they deliver on their promise?
- Did they stay on schedule and deliver on time or early?
- Were they responsive and easy to get hold of in times of emergency?
At Idealogical, during the “Get to Know your stage,” we show live data from the tools we use with our clients. For example, we use SmileBack, a device that enables our clients to review and give feedback on our ticketing process. It highlights the time we respond, how long the ticket is opened, and the satisfaction level.
- Availability & Responsiveness
Nothing is more frustrating than waiting for a technician to show up when you have a problem. Competent IT should be reliable and show up within a reasonable time. Remember IT doesn’t sleep, request your selected MSPs after-hour policies, ensure someone is available to show up on-site in case of an IT issue.
- Communication
The foundation of a healthy future with your MSP is Communication. A lack of communication can be frustrating for both parties; it can result in unmet expectations, deadline slip-ups, and IT issues. Detailed orientation coincides with communication. Invoice, tickets, projects, etc., should contain every detail that will be carried out. Inaccurate details or failure to communicate is a potential sign that your technician is overwhelmed, not paying attention, or doesn’t care.
- Trust
Once you find the perfect MSP, you want to establish a level of trust. Ensuring your MSP will work with you until you find the best solutions to your problems. As a company, you must have faith in the solutions, tools, and feedback they recommend ensuring your IT is secure.
WHY IS IDEALOGICAL THE BEST SERVICE PROVIDER OF CHOICE IN TORONTO?
Our devotion to service is one of the things that sets the Idealogical apart from other companies. Here at Idealogical, we establish a connection with our clients: we build relationships with the employees. Over time as your business grows and changes, Idealogical is right by your side, ready to be your IT advisors. We work hard to make sure your IT infrastructure is running smoothly and to make sure we’re addressing the needs of your specific business. We tailor our services to meet your needs, from specialized compliance and governance standards to particular business trends.
ARE YOU READY TO Choose your MSP?
Idealogical meets every requirement of their clients by proactive planning and execution. With endless benefits for your organization, our comprehensive services cover remote monitoring to completely managed cloud hosting. As an MSP, your partner should meet all of the above criteria to ensure that you can achieve measurable ROI and that you have peace of mind knowing your company is in excellent hands.
Contact us today to learn more