An Essential Guide To Hiring A Managed Service Provider (MSP) 

May 16, 2023 No Comments

by Emily Thompson

Today, technology has become an integral part of modern business operations. Proper integration has revolutionized how businesses interact and engage with potential customers. It has allowed enterprises to explore new markets, regardless of location.   

However, technological implementation can be costly, especially for small and medium businesses. Thus, they might consider working with a managed service provider, ensuring they keep up with the ever-changing technological landscape.   

This article discusses what you need to know about managed service providers (MSPs). You’ll learn MSP roles and how to get the right one for your business. 

What Are The Roles Of MSP? 

MSP is a third-party company responsible for handling and managing your IT network and systems. It lets your internal IT team concentrate on core business, increasing productivity. Also, outsourcing services enable small businesses to take advantage of the expertise they wouldn’t ordinarily be able to afford. 

Here are the typical roles of MSP:  

– Cybersecurity- as technology advances, so do cyber threats. Modern attacks can take down an entire business within minutes. Your in-house team might need help to keep up with ever-growing threats. However, an MSP offers robust protection against phishing, malware, and other attacks. It’ll also suggest the ideal ways to improve a business’ security architecture, such as boosting the firewall system.  

– Backup And Disaster Recovery- this is another role of MSP. It’ll provide backup and restore services in case of a successful cyber attack. Losing business-sensitive files may expose your competitive advantage to your rivals and affect business continuity. Also, it might destroy your public image and lead to non-compliance fines and penalties.  

How To Choose The Right Managed Service Provider 

Today, there are many MSPs you can choose to outsource IT services. This makes it hard to get the right one for your business. Working with an unreliable company may compromise your security architecture, and you waste your hard-earned money.  

However, you can consider employing the following factors to guarantee you get the best IT services in Chicago or your locality:  

1. Support Availability  

It’s one of the most important things when considering potential MSPs. If you’re working with a provider that is only available during working hours, it might create problems. For instance, if there’s a breach at night, you’ll have to wait till morning to get the needed support. And the result: sensitive data may fall into the wrong hands, reducing your upper hand in this competitive marketplace.  

For this reason, it’s imperative to work with a company that is available round-the-clock. Try to inquire about their response time, the preferred mode of communication, and what kind of support they offer. It guarantees you always get help, even during non-office hours, ultimately boosting your security.  

2. Create Realistic Budget  

The pricing of outsourced services varies from one provider to another. It’ll depend on their pricing models, quality of services, and their reputation. Creating a budget will ensure you have enough money to fund the investment. Also, it’ll allow you to outsource the services from a company within your budget. 

As a business owner, take your time to write down a list of must-outsource services. It’s essential to check that no hidden costs could force you to pay more. Once you have developed a budget, comparing the quality of services within your price range will be easier. Consider using modern reporting and budgeting tools to ensure you create a realistic one.   

3. Look For Flexible, Customizable Solutions 

Every business has unique needs. A provider offering off-the-shelf services may be ineffective in meeting your specific needs. And you may end up losing your investment.  

Look for a company offering customizable solutions. These services can be modified to meet your unique needs, increasing the effectiveness of your production line. If the MSP isn’t offering customized solutions that align with your budget, you may have to look elsewhere.   

4. Understand Compliance Requirements  

MSP will be responsible for adhering to the latest security and regulatory compliance in your specific industry. Hence, it’s essential to outsource the services from a provider conversant with ever-changing policies.   

The provided services should also align with set regulations and standards. It will save you from penalties associated with non-adherence. Also, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that you’re following regulatory requirements in your industry.   

In Summary

As mentioned above, advancements have become an important aspect of the modern business world. However, implementing it can be a costly investment. Hence, consider outsourcing the services from a reputable vendor. Take your time to research extensively to guarantee you get the right one for your business.

Emily Thompson

Emily Thompson is an IT consultant specializing in managed services. With extensive experience in the industry, she has assisted numerous businesses in finding and hiring the right managed service provider for their specific needs. Emily has a deep understanding of the challenges organizations face in outsourcing their IT functions and has written a comprehensive guide on how to navigate the process of hiring an MSP. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, playing the piano, and exploring new technologies.