Generally, allowing a third party to handle your IT services can be very daunting. You are not sure of their reliability or whether they will give you good value for your money. So, if you are looking for ways to control your IT services provider, here’s how you can do it.
Outsourcing IT services is a major decision for any business—regardless of whether you outsource a few services or the entire department. Once you identify the right service provider, the question that comes next is—how do I manage my IT services provider.
Choose your service provider carefully
It’s always a good thing to take your time to assess numerous Managed IT Service Providers before choosing the right one. With this, you’ll realize that you can choose an MSP that you can control. One thing you should never do is to select a service provider because they are cheap. Most Managed IT Service Providers will entice you with cheap cost—however, always make sure that you read the details before signing your contract.
Take your time to research the MSP. Is it a stable company? How long have they been in business? If possible, talk to their existing and previous clients to see the kind of services that the company provides. In addition to this, here are a few other things to consider:
Tips for choosing.
- Knowledge and innovation – always hire an MSP who’s knowledgeable with the leading industry solutions. Besides, a professional MSP must have already established partnerships with leading industry professionals. Besides, they need to have developed their solutions based on recent industry standards.
- Certified experts – well, not every MSP has a team of certified experts. Hiring a managed IT service provider will ensure that you get the experience and skills needed, and also add value to your business.
- Regularly updated – you should ensure that your managed service provider is efficient in communication, and can maintain a good relationship with your in-house IT department. Besides, transparency is essential, in addition to the provision of support that’s needed by your business.
- Cyber-security – you should always prioritize IT service providers who provide proper security for your business. Things like firewalls and anti-malware are essential, as they protect your data, and keep cyber-attackers at bay. Thus, you need to choose a company that provides credible and reliable security services, as this goes a long way in preventing disruptions to your IT operations.
Think about the requirements of your business
Today, most Managed IT Service Providers (MSPs) such as Ottawa Managed IT Services Provider, Symple offer different services. This, in turn, makes it a challenge to choose the right company. But, the right thing to do is to check your requirements—do you want specific functions such as desktop management, help desk, or storage services? Or, are you searching for upkeep and maintenance for operating systems, server hardware, or middleware? If you have a clear idea of the specific requirements of your business, you will be able to choose a service provider who you can work with comfortably.
Make your MPS partners to your in-house IT staff, not their replacement
Most businesses today are opting to use the services of external service providers to meet their goals. However, when hiring MSPs, never replace them with your in-house IT team. MSPs are supposed to compliment them. Moreover, you should understand that hiring MSPs, while still retaining your IT team isn’t a waste of your money. This allows your staff to concentrate on more important projects, thus increasing efficiency.
For this to be possible, you must create a relationship with your Managed IT Service Providers. Capitalize on their expertise to assess your current IT system, workstations, and services. When contracted, reputable MSPs will provide free and strategic advice, which can assist you to plan your IT projects in a better manner.
Allow your MSP to act as your online CIO
Reliable MSPs rely on the latest equipment and technologies to deliver their services. This, in turn, allows them to stay ahead of their competitors. Hiring such a team will ensure your business can access the current developments in the IT world. For you to capitalize on these benefits, ensure that you meet with your service provider regularly, as this will allow you to communicate your expectations. Moreover, this will allow you to remain updated with the current developments in the industry.
Bonus point: Create a clear disaster recovery plan with your Managed IT Service provider
One mistake most people make is allowing their MSP to create their data backup and disaster recovery plan. However, you shouldn’t let your MSP create this plan without your input. Work together with the service provider, and come up with a strong backup and disaster recovery plan, one that you are comfortable with. Besides, review the plan step-by-step with the MSP, to make sure that everything is up to your expectations.
