Navigating The MSP Landscape: A Guide To Choosing A Managed IT Services Provider

Answering Core Questions

The result of this question is instead a myriad of others, all ranging from the basic aspects of your needs to the more in-depth ones of a provider's certifications, partnerships, and so much more. Below are five essential questions to ask yourself when looking for an MSP.

1. What are your current and future IT needs? Does this MSP have the experience to understand those needs?

   1. Regardless of your company's sector, with how ingrained technology has become in our modern lives, it's clear that technical assistance is not only beneficial but an inevitable necessity. Consequently, the issues arising from network functionality, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, among others, all have specific demands. Therefore, the answer to your first question should be that of a provider with experience in the technology you're having specific needs or issues with and the industry your company is based in.

2. What is the reputation of the MSP? Do they have any certifications to back up their expertise?

   1. A company’s reputation indicates many things and is the lifeblood of a long-standing provider. Whether you're looking at how many years the MSP has been active or what customer reviews say, it's important to get a full picture of the company's history and practices. Another factor you'll have to consider is established partnerships and certifications, as providers that are generally more capable and knowledgeable, have better adherence to industry standards, are more likely to have specialized skills and have a strong relationship with the vendor of the technology in question.

3. Do they clearly outline the kind of service you'll be receiving, and do they have good cybersecurity practices?

   1. It's very important to choose a Managed IT Service Provider that is clear, both verbally and on paper, about the services you'll be receiving and how. This is the importance of reading through a company's SLAs carefully - the responsibilities and expectations of both parties must be understood and documented. Security in the service provided is one thing; another aspect is the security that comes with digital projects. Whether you're looking at their encryption methods, security protocols, or compliance with industry standards like HIPAA or GDPR, all of these are crucial in ensuring your IP is in the right hands.

4. Aside from being communicative, are they flexible and scalable to your business and hours?

   1. Apart from a company's expertise, range of offerings, and reputation, its flexibility as a provider and whether or not it'll be able to serve you on your schedule is crucial. A common roadblock for most companies looking for an MSP is the lack of availability from their candidate on their desired schedule. On top of this, some run into the issue of being locked into an arbitrary amount of resources to get the service complete. Due to this, it's best to find a provider that can move and change with the demands and unexpected hurdles of short and long-term service demands.

5. What does the cost structure look like, and how does the MSP treat the exit strategy for their services?

   1. Lastly, the make or break of any MSP you're considering is their payment structure and exit strategy. How a company prices out its services, whether a flat monthly rate or based on the usage of resources, is vital when you're considering contracting them to handle issues with your systems and technologies. On top of this, the communication and understanding of the transition to and from the service is equally important.

The Fruits of Collaborative Effort

As a developer with over two decades' worth of experience, more than a handful of certifications from the biggest and most popular names in the space, and global availability to match your time zone, at Chetu, we pride ourselves on being a strong candidate for your IT needs.

Whether helping you improve your technological infrastructure or bolstering your IT team to complete projects and goals, we offer these services securely and clearly while adhering to industry standard practices. When you choose Chetu as your MSP, you can rest assured that we'll do whatever is within our power to ensure that the service you need is being met and that it's evolving along with your company.