How to Choose the Right Managed IT Service Provider

Do you want to know how to choose a managed IT service provider, but don’t know where to start? We’ll explain:

• Why do you only want to work with a reputable IT services provider
• What services to expect when you hire someone
• Factors to help you choose a managed IT service provider

If you’re a decision-maker or business owner who needs help with your technology and infrastructure, this guide is for you.

Why Choosing the Right Managed IT Service Provider Matters

MSPs help your systems run optimally and securely. Your team spends time and resources on your tech stack that is better spent on growing your business and serving customers.

The wrong provider leads to:

• Downtime
• Data loss
• Poor communication
• Unexpected costs

But if you choose a reputable MSSP provider, they’ll help you manage:

• Business continuity through backups, disaster recovery and proactive monitoring
• Cybersecurity solutions that lower your risk of malware, ransomware and cyberattacks
• Scalable growth services through cloud-based offerings

Once you know how to choose a managed IT service provider, you’ll be able to find a strategic partner that will grow with your business.

Understanding What Managed IT Services Include

A business tech “stack” is comprised of multiple components that work together to keep the business and its employees productive. You can mix and match services, but common options include:

• Monitoring and management options for your entire infrastructure.
• User access and controls, as well as onboarding and offboarding.
• Cloud management, such as monitoring, optimization and virtual machines.
• Security services that include endpoint security and awareness training
• Patch, VOIP and IoT management options to take a proactive approach to IT
• Disaster recovery to increase business continuity with backups and redundancy
• Hardware procurement to provide you with robust systems that stay online
• Helpdesk support to resolve tech issues that arise with speed and precision

You have one more step to think about before you can choose a managed IT service provider with confidence.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an MSP

You want to select a company that has the skills to meet your needs with a fair, trustworthy service. These companies have:

Experience in your industry

Part of your managed services providers comparison criteria is to consider how long the company has been in business. Do they have testimonials and reviews? Certifications?

Proven response time and availability

Inquire about average wait times for phone calls, email and support.

Scalability and flexibility

Your business plans to grow. Even if you know how to select the best MSP, make sure that they can scale with your business.

Security and compliance expertise

Find a managed service provider who will help you mitigate cyberattacks and remain compliant in your industry.

Transparent pricing and SLAs

Of course, knowing how to choose a managed IT provider also comes down to money. You need to consider costs and SLAs, too.

Red Flags When Evaluating Managed IT Providers

You don’t know how to choose an MSP without considering the risks. Red flags include:

• Vague or generic service agreements
• Lack of monitoring and maintenance
• Poor communication
• No add-ons or customization
• Hidden fees
• No help with strategic guidance

It takes a lot of time and effort to find your MSP, but it’s worth it when they’re reputable.

Questions to Ask Before Signing with an MSP

You’re hiring an integral partner to work with you. It’s impossible to know how to choose the right MSP for your business without asking:

• What services are included in your managed IT plan?
• How do you manage data protection and cybersecurity?
• What’s the average response and resolution time?
• Do you proactively monitor and maintain systems?
• Who will be my main form of contact?

How to Assess the MSP’s Technical Capabilities

Not all service providers are the same when it comes to technical expertise. To ensure you choose the right partner, evaluate their capabilities.

Here’s what to look for:

• Certifications and experience. Do they have industry certifications?
• A proactive approach. The best providers don’t react to problems. They prevent them through updates, maintenance and monitoring.
• Case studies or references. See how they’ve handled real-world challenges for businesses like yours.

Comparing Managed IT Providers — The Smart Way

Ready to work with a managed IT service? It’s important to know how to choose an MSP first. Price isn’t everything. You need a partner who offers support and continuous monitoring to protect your business.

When comparing options, consider:

• Experience and expertise. How long have they been in business? Do they have experience with your industry?
• Response times. How quickly do they respond to incidents? Fast and reliable support is critical when issues arise.
• Security and compliance. Look for a provider that will ensure you meet industry regulations and proactively protect your data.

When to Switch Your Managed IT Provider

The best technology won’t help if your IT partner isn’t delivering. It may be time to reconsider your current provider if you experience:

• Slow response times. You shouldn’t have to wait hours or days for a response when you need immediate support.
• Poor communication. Your provider should communicate with you regularly – not just when something breaks.
• Recurring issues. The same problems keep arising and there’s no long-term plan to fix them.
• Security gaps. You’ve had compliance issues or data scares that weren’t handled in a proactive way.

These are all signs that you need to switch providers. But before you cut ties, make sure that you give yourself enough time to find your MSP replacement.

How Cyber Husky Delivers Managed IT Services Differently

We know that it’s not easy to choose a managed IT service provider. That’s why we take a different approach to our services.

• Our packages are customized to meet your needs.
• We’re proactive – not reactive – thanks to continuous monitoring

Our robust offerings also include:

• User management with multi-factor authentication
• Cloud management for Microsoft 365, Azure and other clouds
• Security awareness training for your team
  VOIP and IoT management
• Endpoint security
• Automated patch management
• Cybersecurity and IT policy governance
• Hardware procurement
• Disaster recovery plans
• Helpdesk
• Spam filtering
• Data loss prevention
• Virtual chief technology officer services

Contact us today for a quote and to learn more about our services.

Choosing the Right MSP Is Choosing Stability

Selecting the right managed IT service provider is critical. An MSSP company acts as a partner who keeps your business running smoothly. In other words, they deliver stability – and they do it all at a predictable cost.

It’s worth the time and effort to carefully compare your options and select a provider who will truly meet your needs. Reliability, professionalism and experience are key characteristics to look for when you select an MSP.