By now, most business leaders recognize the fact that they can save money by migrating to the cloud, but that doesn’t mean you should simply go for the cheapest provider without second thought. As the managed services provider (MSP) market matures, businesses should instead look to forge long-term partnerships with IT providers that can align technology with their specific needs.
#1. 24/7 Monitoring
Outsourcing your IT is not just a way to cut costs — it’s also a way to boost security by using cutting-edge technology previously available only to large corporations with huge budgets and in-house IT departments.
A dependable MSP has a vested interest in protecting your organization’s data, and they’ll also have access to the resources and expertise that few smaller businesses could afford to pay for themselves. That’s why 24/7 network monitoring is the most basic service any MSP should offer. After all, cybercriminals don’t rest until they infiltrate your network.
#2. Prompt Support
Prompt and reliable customer support is a core tenet of any reputable service provider. Furthermore, support should be resolution-oriented and never considered an opportunity to sale. In other words, an MSP you can depend on is one that can meet and surpass their contractual obligations every time by offering excellent proactive support and helping your employees maximize their productivity.
#3. Strategic Planning
Great MSPs are not salespeople. Rather, they’re business partners you can depend on for the long term. To that end, instead of upselling you with services you don’t need, their job is to align technology with your specific set of goals and conditions. As such, all MSPs should offer strategic planning that gives you a competitive advantage, prepares your company for future growth, and prioritizes your needs and not theirs.
#4. Backup & Disaster Recovery
Partnering with a reliable MSP is about setting your business up for future success while also preparing for the worst. By outsourcing your IT to a third party, you’ll have access to their secure data centers and backup technologies. This allows you to lay the foundations for a robust disaster recovery and business continuity strategy. After all, there’s no better way to protect your business than by having your systems and data hosted in the cloud where you can access them no matter where you are.
#5. Scalability
The best MSP acts as your long-term business partner, and that means they should be there for you during your time of need. For example, when your business sees a period of increased demand, the last thing you need is for it to be held back by old and inefficient IT systems.
Migrating to the cloud offers practically unlimited scalability. By contrast, in-house data centers and other systems are heavily restricted by things like budgetary constraints, the limits of in-house IT expertise, and even the amount of physical space in your office. An MSP, however, should allow you to scale back and forth while providing clear visibility into both short- and long-term costs.
Does your business need a cutting-edge, enterprise-grade networking infrastructure? If so, then you shouldn’t let budgetary constraints and a lack of a dedicated in-house IT department hold you back. Instead, call Truewater today to find out how managed services can help.
