How do we know we’re choosing the right MSP for our business?
When you make the decision to hire an MSP provider for your business, you’re taking a step towards improving your technology and your overall company. The right provider can take the stress off your in-house team’s shoulders, improve your customer experience, and ultimately enhance your bottom line.
Making sure you hire the right provider is incredibly important. You need to find a provider who communicates well with you and is always there when you need them. Your provider also needs to take a proactive approach to your systems and not wait to react to problems they should’ve prevented.
Are you considering hiring a technology partner for your business? Here are some things you should look for:
How Responsive They Are
Your MSP provider needs to be available whenever you need them.
If your system goes down at two in the morning or you have a security breach on a Sunday night, your technology partner should have the manpower to immediately respond.
When your provider isn’t responsive, your business can experience costly downtime that will harm client relations and ultimately affect your reputation.
How Honest and Accessible They Are
When you talk to potential technology partners, can you understand what they’re telling you? Do they lay everything out in an accessible way that makes sense? Do you feel they’re telling you the truth about your needs and the services they’ll provide?
If your answer to any of these questions is no, you may want to interview other options. Your provider should always provide information to you in a way you can process and make you feel comfortable that the right decisions are being made.
Their Processes and Tools
Does the provider have the right processes and tools to effectively handle their clients’ tech needs?
It’s important to have some working knowledge of recent technology so you can evaluate potential providers. For example, do they have a remote monitoring solution? Are they able to effectively access your system from a remote location? Do they have the proper security tools?
Ensuring they’re equipped with the most recent and effective processes and tools will give you peace of mind that you’ve chosen the right partner.
Their Experience
How long has the provider been in business? How many companies have they partnered with and how many do they count as current clients? Have they worked with a company similar to yours in the past?
Finding out the depth of experience of potential providers can help you make an informed decision and lead you to the one that will be able to best fulfill your needs.
What Others Say About Them
You can find out a lot about a potential partner by talking with the owners and their staff. However, you can find out even more by talking with those they have worked with in the past or are currently working with.
Ask the company for a few references and make it a priority to call at least a few of them. Ask questions like how they handled any conflicts and how they handled after hours requests or problems.
You may also want to put a call out to any other businesses that have worked with this particular provider. The more feedback you can get from their past customers, the better.
They can be a Trusted Advisor
Your provider isn’t only the remote arm of your business that handles infrastructure and technology help desk needs. They should also be a trusted advisor that you can go to regarding all your tech-related questions and concerns.
The hallmarks of a trusted advisor are that they’re receptive to your questions, they respond quickly when you reach out for help, and that they make you feel comfortable whenever you go to them with an issue.
In addition, a trusted advisor will help you make decisions that are ultimately in the best interest of your company.
Big Decision
Choosing the right MSP provider for your business is a big decision.
No matter what type of industry you’re in, your technology is your lifeline to customers and the backbone of your team.
When interviewing potential providers, make sure you keep an eye on their level of experience, how honest they are, the tools and processes they’ll be utilizing, and how responsive they are to your needs.
When you choose the correct provider, you’ll be welcoming a teammate and business partner that will help your business thrive, so choose wisely.
Mike Bloomfield is the President of Tekie Geek. He has been an ASCII Group Member since 2016.
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