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Like many business owners, you rely on well-functioning IT infrastructure and applications to maintain a competitive edge in your industry.
To better support your systems and free up in-house resources for strategic initiatives, it may be time for you to turn to a managed services provider (MSP).
According to statistics , the Global Managed Services Market Size was valued at USD 239.71 Billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 680.08 Billion by 2030.
A growing number of companies are switching everyday as managed services provide the IT expertise and support needed to stay ahead of the competition. But with so many MSPs out there, how do you choose the right one?
In this blog post, we’ll explore how to choose a managed services provider so you can make an informed decision about who will best meet your company’s needs.
Keep reading to learn more!
Managed Services Selection Criteria
In order to learn how to choose a managed services provider , you’ll first need to understand what you should be looking for in terms of managed services vendor selection criteria .
As part of this consideration, the following items are taken into account:
- Service level guarantee questions to ask IT MSP providers (such as guaranteed response times, average reduction in IT issues, what’s included in their service level agreements (SLA), and more)
- Technical questions to qualifying MSP providers (including IT infrastructure and software requirements, security tools , disaster recovery plans , intrusion detection , and more)
- As well as pricing and budget questions to ask qualifying MSP s
But before you jump into your MSP qualifying questions , let’s take a look at what you need to do first in a step-by-step approach.
How To Choose a Managed Services Provider: Step By Step
Worldwide IT spending is projected to total $4.5 trillion in 2022, an increase of 5.5% from 2022.
As the industry grows, so does the number of MSPs available.
Whether you want to know how to choose managed security services or an MSP in general, these steps will prove valuable in helping you find the best option for your business.
1 . Define your Business Goals and IT Objectives
When choosing a managed services provider, it’s important to evaluate your business objectives first.
Having a clear idea of what you need to achieve in terms of cost savings, quality of service, and overall IT goals will enable you to make an informed decision about the vendor best suited for your organization.
Are you looking to enhance your security posture ? Complete a cloud migration? Train your in-house security team to mitigate cyber threats through cyber awareness training? Navigate the threat landscape with the help of IT consultants?
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2. Determine Your Unique IT Needs and Requirements
Now comes the time for those MSP qualifying questions .
Start by preparing a list of technical questions to ask qualifying MSP s, by considering the following:
- How much automation do you need to help you reach your project objectives?
- What kind of platform architecture would best suit the deployment of your IT systems and applications?
- Which operational processes are required in order to ensure the day-to-day running of your business?
Next, prepare a list of service questions to ask IT MSP providers, such as:
- What guaranteed response times are offered?
- What is the average reduction in IT issues?
- What are the termination conditions?
Once you have solidified your list of questions to ask during MSP discovery , you can then determine which managed services provider is best equipped and able to meet all of your specific IT needs and requirements.
3. Research Different Managed Services Providers
Now that you’ve finished your list of qualifying questions to ask during MSP discovery , it’s time to dive into the actual discovery process!
You likely already have your own unique managed services vendor selection criteria in your head, but be sure to consider:
- Their service offerings
- Location
- Cyber security operations
- Pricing
- Reviews
- Testimonials
4. Make a Shortlist of Potential Providers
Making a short list of potential providers is your final step in how to choose a managed security provider or MSP.
In order to efficiently narrow down your choices, consider any specific requirements or features that you must have included in the service.
Think about how much data and how many workstations need to be managed, as well as the level of on-site presence you may require from your provider. It’s also good to consider technology matters such as virtualization and cloud integration.
Take these factors into account when you initially create your list so that you do not waste time exploring providers who do not fit your needs.
Check out these resources to learn more about the importance of managed services!
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How We Can Help
Now that you have an understanding of what questions to ask an MSP , you’ve likely pieced together your very own managed services vendor selection criteria.
This managed services selection criteria is your recipe for success in finding an MSP that meets your technical, service level, and pricing requirements all in one provider.
If you’re looking for an MSP that will provide top-notch service with experienced specialists, look no further than nDataStor.
With over 15 years of expertise in the managed services industry, we offer flexible options and innovative solutions, with 24/7 IT support available whenever you need it.
Count on us as your managed IT provider to help streamline your business! Get in touch by booking your free consultation today.
