3 Critical Factors To Consider When Choosing a Managed Service Provider

As technology advances, businesses face more complex problems. Between juggling remote teams, fragmented software, on-site hardware, and critical network security, one issue can create a domino effect of downtime, security threats, and insight gaps. A managed service provider offers comprehensive hardware and software management, including IT services, remote support, network monitoring, system insights, cloud backups, and more.

Small and medium-sized businesses hire a managed service provider (MSP) as a cost-effective solution to their tech management. Read on to understand considerations when selecting an MSP –

1. Experience & A Proven Track Record

Your company needs an expert managed service provider you can rely on. When considering your options, look into the MSP’s experience and track record. Do they have the right experience, knowledge, licensing, and certifications to do the job correctly?

You should select a provider with experience in your industry and company size. For example, if the IT management team you’re interested in typically works with SaaS companies, but you provide industrial materials for airplane parts, they likely won’t have experience with your software, CMS, and network systems. Industries adhering to specific compliance laws, like legal and healthcare businesses, must find managed services that understand their complex network security requirements.

Once you find IT management services within your industry, review their track records. Check their client reviews, testimonials, case studies, and third-party review studies to see how well they can fulfill your business’s needs. You can generate a lot of insights from reviews, including the following:

• The quality of their customer experience
• Tangible results they may provide for your business (i.e., Client A saw a 12% reduction in downtime)
• How clients generally feel about their services
• Potential problems you may face
• Which maintenance and support services they offer

2. A Proactive & Comprehensive Solution Process

Many services fall under the umbrella of infrastructure management. Some MSPs provide basic IT services, like fixing computer bugs, while others provide comprehensive network support, handling all the tech your company uses. You must find proactive IT management services with processes designed to support your business fully.

A few key services you should look for in a managed service provider include the following:

• Local service desk support: Solutions to basic information technology issues
• Emergency IT services: 24/7 tech support
• Network monitoring: Continual network security and health monitoring
• Patch and software management: Software update management
• Backup and disaster recovery: Routine backups to secure critical business data
• Hardware monitoring: Consistent hardware audits to prevent and resolve problems
• Network monitoring: Routine network reviews to locate bottlenecks, issues, and improvements
• Proactive system insights: Annual updates, licensing and warranty renewal reminders, and recommended upgrades
• Cloud backups: Protection against data loss
• Endpoint detection and responses: Cybersecurity threat detection and prevention
• Remote support: IT issue resolution for at-home teams
• Helpdesk support: Digital IT support through your preferred channels
• Mobile computing: IT support on mobile devices
• 24/7 alerts: Around-the-clock monitoring and system alerts

3. Strategic Focus & Scalability

The best managed service providers go beyond band-aid fixes, offering strategic planning to transform your business’s digital suite. Successful MSPs provide day-to-day support, strategic focus planning, and scalability preparation to help your business function while improving its future operations.

When you hire an advanced managed service provider, they keep their eyes on the latest tech improvements and deeply understand your business’s needs, so they can help devise the right steps your company should take to improve.

Finding the above is more challenging than it seems. You need a provider with a focused, scalable system and thorough plan. We recommend asking the following questions:

• How quickly can you respond to support calls?
• How many other clients do you have?
• Will you handle updates for me, or do I need to stay on top of them?
• Can you support my business if it doubles in size?
• Do you offer strategic growth insights?
• What does your day-to-day support include?
• Do you offer strategic planning?
• Can you help with tech-related decision-making?

Their answers to these questions should reveal how well-equipped they are to support your company’s technological needs.

Speak With Houston’s Top Managed Service Provider Today!

If you need a quality-focused and dependable managed service provider, you’ve come to the right place.

At BEMA, we cover all your tech, prioritize efficiency, and scale our strategies as you grow. Contact our team of experts today at 713-586-6430 to discuss your IT management needs.