Business Guides

What to Look For in a Managed Service Provider

Posted on by Dan Lauritzen
manage it services
12
Jan

MSPs have an essential role in supporting businesses of all sizes and industries, acting like a trusty sidekick in supporting your IT needs. From tackling technical issues to ensuring cybersecurity, they’re your business’s new best friend.

But not all MSPs are created equal. So, what should you look for when choosing a managed IT services?

Core Services Offered by MSPs

Before we dive into the qualities that make a great MSP, let’s first understand what services they typically offer. This includes the following:

Network Monitoring and Management

This involves keeping a watchful eye on your business’s network to detect any issues, troubleshoot problems, and ensure everything runs smoothly.

Data Backup and Recovery

Data is the lifeblood of any business, making data backup and recovery a critical service offered by MSPs. They’ll have systems in place to prevent data loss and recover it quickly in the event of a disaster.

Security Services

Cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving, and MSPs have the expertise to protect your business from various cyberattacks. They’ll provide services such as network security, endpoint protection, and data encryption to keep your business safe.

Help Desk and Technical Support

From setting up new devices to troubleshooting IT issues, managed IT services provide reliable help desk and technical support to keep your business running smoothly.

Start by Assessing Your Business Needs

Now that you know the core services offered by MSPs, it’s essential to assess your business’s IT needs before choosing a provider. Here’s our simple guide to help you do just that:

  • Identify: Look for specific IT challenges and pain points in your business. Do you need help with cybersecurity? Or perhaps your network is frequently experiencing downtime?
  • Prioritize: After identifying your challenges, define your goals and objectives for outsourcing IT services. This will help you prioritize your needs and choose an MSP that can meet them.
  • Plan: To understand the scale and scope of the required services, plan out your IT infrastructure and determine the level of support you need.

Choosing a suitable MSP is a critical decision that requires careful consideration. Remember, a great MSP not only offers services but also partners with you for ultimate business success.

5 Things to Look For In Managed IT Services

Many qualities can make an MSP stand out from the rest. Here are some essential factors to consider when evaluating potential managed IT services providers:

1. Experience and Expertise

The right MSP should have a proven track record of experience and expertise in managing IT for businesses similar to yours. Ask about their certifications, partnerships, and past client testimonials to get a better understanding of their capabilities.

2. Scalability and Flexibility

Your business will undoubtedly grow and evolve, so it’s crucial to choose an MSP that can accommodate these changes and scale its services as needed. Look for providers that offer flexible solutions to meet your future needs.

3. Proactive vs. Reactive Approach

Proactive managed IT services will anticipate and prevent potential IT issues, while a reactive one will only respond to problems as they arise. Look for providers that prioritize proactive measures to keep your business ahead of the game.

4. Security and Compliance Measures

Data security and compliance are essential for any business, so ensure that the MSP has robust security measures in place. Ask about their compliance certifications and protocols to keep your data safe.

5. Cost Considerations

While pricing shouldn’t be the only factor in your decision, it’s essential to consider your budget and compare different managed IT service costs and services to find the best fit for your business.

Choosing a great MSP can provide peace of mind, increased efficiency, and ultimately contribute to your business’s success. So, assess your needs, consider the essential qualities we’ve outlined, and find an MSP that can be your trusted IT partner for years to come. 

Choose Simple Systems For Exceptional Quality Services

At Simple Systems, we pride ourselves on being more than just a managed IT services provider. We’re your dedicated IT partner, providing exceptional quality services to help your business thrive. With a team of certified experts, we offer customized solutions tailored to your business’s unique needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your business.

Dan Lauritzen

Dan is the Founder and CEO of Simple Systems, an IT support company based in Salt Lake City, Utah providing Managed IT Services for a host of clients with all the services of a full-time IT staff without the expense. Our primary goal is to provide the same service to our clients that we expect from others. Our work gets done quickly – we tend to delight and surprise our clients by finishing before the deadline. Simple Systems (SS) first opened its doors in 2007. Over the past 9 years, we have enjoyed working closely with 100’s of small businesses and home users around the Salt Lake Valley. In 2009, SS was honored to be nominated in the Utah Student 25. We are proud of this distinction and look forward to continued growth. In 2012, we opened our retail location in Holladay, Utah to provide home PC customers a more cost effective way to have service and support.