Questions To Ask Before Committing To An IT Managed Service Provider

You’ve already taken a step in the right direction—you’ve admitted that you need help managing your infrastructure and technology budget. The next step is to weed through the myriad of managed service providers and find the perfect fit for your organization—but, that’s easier said than done if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for.

Apply the same tactics to finding the right MSP partner as you would when dating. Reflect on the challenges you’ve experienced, consider what’s worked and define your deal-breakers. Put all that on the table upfront and make sure they can answer the following questions before you seal the deal.

How proactive is your service?

How do you deliver and charge for your solutions?

Is there a usage-based service option?

Is co-management an option?

Can you provide 3-5 references of organizations that are similar to ours?

How do you approach data backup and business continuity?

Do you offer virtual CIO and CISO services?

A reliable technology services provider will be prepared to answer these and more questions without hesitation. Be wary of providers that distract you with deceptively low monthly fees. An MSP should save you money. However, if their pricing sounds too good to be true—and they can’t provide proof that they can address your concerns—it’s likely you’ll end up shelling out more cash for service upgrades. A reputable MSP provides a hassle-free, comprehensive service plan, often with a trial period that allows you to back out if you’re not happy with their service. Contact us to see if we’re a good match.

‍