BCM One

Digital transformation is vital for businesses to thrive in today's post-pandemic, competitive environment. However, the high costs, time, and effort required to be technologically current can be prohibitive for many businesses. Without the resources to monitor and resolve IT issues, companies are at risk of technical inefficiencies and negative financial impacts.

To alleviate these concerns, managed IT service providers (MSPs) have become increasingly essential to businesses for remotely administering IT services, allowing business owners and management more time to focus on the day-to-day operations of their business.

MSPs operate in the background to maintain a business's technology. Their services run the gamut from security, network administration, and IT support to data backup, business process streamlining, and anything else that requires an IT administrator to keep a company connected. The MSP industry continues to experience massive growth, with a projected market of $832.1 billion by 2025.

However, not all managed IT service providers are created alike. With this in mind, what factors should you consider when selecting the best IT service provider for your business? This article will provide a concise look at the most vital services to consider in your decision.

Selecting the Level of MSP You Need

MSPs are available with three levels of service, depending on how much support your network requires. Low-level MSPs offer services in software installation, monitoring, and client notification for threats. Mid-level MSPs operate at a slightly higher level, with increased monitoring and maintenance services for performance, cybersecurity, and management. Finally, high-level MSPs comprehensively handle all IT operational needs.

Plan on Which IT Services to Offload

Before considering the factors for selecting the best IT service provider, deciding which of your services require oversight is essential. Some businesses prefer to have their entire IT infrastructure managed, while others choose to offload specific components.

For example, if your company's software maintenance or cybersecurity policies require dedicated monitoring and upgrades, you may partner with an MSP to manage those tasks expertly while your staff handles other technical responsibilities.

Conversely, having the entire infrastructure managed by a services provider may be warranted if you have other responsibilities that require your attention. This setup is also advisable if employees have limited expertise and knowledge about the company's technology.

The type and amount of IT management you choose for your company ultimately comes down to ROI. After researching costs, you may discover it makes more financial sense to have your entire infrastructure managed rather than picking and choosing specific entities.

Hiring in-house staff to monitor some parts of your network while using the MSP for other IT aspects may also be less costly. Another option is a fixed-fee co-management agreement with the MSP working alongside your IT staff.

Features of the Best Managed Service Providers

While there are no one-size-fits-all criteria for selecting the best MSP, the most successful ones have these common features.

They assist clients with scalable and profitable solutions through automation, AI, and standardization approaches.
The managed providers invest in modern technologies with the client, rapidly prototype new solutions, and use advanced analytics to drive innovation.
IT service providers meet compliance and regulatory standards without sacrificing productivity, the user experience, or customer satisfaction.
The best IT service providers deliver unique solutions to provide outstanding customer experiences.

Considerations for Choosing the Right Managed Service Provider

When determining the best IT service provider, consider the following aspects:

Investigate the provider's experience with your industry. This is especially vital since each industry has specific compliance regulations. For example, if your business contracts with the federal government, the MSP must have an in-depth understanding of the mandatory compliance laws for cybersecurity.
Since there are various support agreement options, ensure the provider can tailor their services to your requirements. They should work directly with you to evaluate your service needs.
Weigh the costs of outsourcing IT responsibilities. MSPs offer several different pricing options depending on the services you offload. There are fixed fees and those based on the number of devices and users. There may be additional charges for priority support services as well. Include an evaluation of the MSP's expected hard and soft costs.
Ensure that the IT provider utilizes qualified and certified staff. Inquire about certifications that indicate proficiency levels for support, such as CompTIA or Cisco certifications. If the MSP offers a Microsoft productivity suite, being a Certified Microsoft Partner ensures they have a high level of expertise and knowledge of the software.
Ensure that the provider has a proven track record by obtaining references from previous clients.
Ask if the service provider implements stringent IT security measures to protect the infrastructure from cybersecurity threats.
Check to see if there is a documented procedure for reporting support issues. These aspects should include how support will track issues, procedures for after-hours support, when and how an issue gets escalated to higher-level support personnel, and how onsite support is provided. Additionally, ensure that urgent support issues will be handled expediently.

Questions to Ask When Comparing Prospective MSPs

When researching prospective MSPs, the following questions can help determine if they are a good fit for your company, in addition to consideration of what we’ve already discussed.

Do they have a service and product offering specification documentation, such as a Managed Service Agreement? Does the MSP document its processes or maintain compliance records?
What is the communication protocol used between network administrators and the MSP?
Can you get a description of existing client relationships and workflows to help determine how it will work for your business?
Are the MSP's services unified across the network or specific to individual locations?
How will using the MSP's services give your company a competitive advantage?
What is the length of time the MSP's onboarding and implementation process typically takes? Since this can be a lengthy procedure, the onboarding process should be thoroughly documented.

The Right MSP Can Be a Game Changer in Today’s Work Environment.

In today's business world, MSPs offer a versatile and affordable solution for businesses of all sizes. By partnering with an MSP, companies can offload many of their IT functions, freeing up time and resources to focus on the day-to-day aspects of the business. When choosing an MSP, it is crucial to select one that can meet your business's unique needs. The right MSP can be a valuable partner in ensuring your business's success.

BCM One offers comprehensive, managed technology solutions for communications, collaboration, and connectivity. We'll work with you to create a custom solution that meets the needs of your business. Contact us today to learn how our managed technology solutions can be just what you need to move your business forward.