In today’s business climate, organizations rely on technology more than ever. When you experience Issues with a computer, or hardware/software, internal databases, etc., everything grinds to a halt. When you add in the fact that technology is evolving and advancing on a daily basis, most businesses simply cannot keep up, which is why many of them turn to IT service providers (MSP’s) for their technology needs.

If you’ve stumbled upon this article, chances are you’re experiencing one of the following scenarios:

• You’re frustrated with the service you’re currently receiving.
• Your in-house IT resource is leaving, or you’ve outgrown them and need a team of advanced technicians to support your daily needs.
• You feel like you’re being nickel and dimed with hourly billing and always seem to have surprises on your monthly invoices.

Whatever the reason may be, here are some things you’ll want to consider before engaging with an outsourced MSP.

Experience and skillset

When looking for a managed IT services provider, you want to search for a company with experience and a team of experts who possess diverse skillsets. Any reputable MSP will have a team of technicians whose skills go beyond basic software installation, maintenance, and updates. They should be well-versed in cloud technology, cybersecurity, database management, and cross-platform integrations.

Vendor Relationships

During the vetting process, you’ll want to develop an understanding of what vendors the MSP works with and ensure it aligns with your existing infrastructure and/or future infrastructure. For example, if your organization primarily uses Microsoft products for day-to-day operations, make sure that the vendor is a certified partner of Microsoft (preferably gold status). Oftentimes, the higher the partnership level, the more vendor certifications the MSP has, which enables them to provide expertise to your business on those specific products.

Variety of Services

Not all MSPs provide the same types of services, so you’ll want to thoroughly examine their service offerings to ensure they align with your business objectives before signing a contract. For example, Lexington Geek is one of the few MSPs in the region who provides web and app development. If building an application is in your future goals, make sure that the MSP you hire can help guide you through that process.

Competitive SLA

Before selecting an MSP, you’ll want to fully understand what standards they’ll meet. Find out if they offer 24/7 support, what their guaranteed response/resolution times will be, and if they offer onsite and remote support.

Conclusion

Selecting the right Managed Services Provider is an important decision that could potentially impact your business’s overall performance and success. If you want to learn more about how Lexington Geek can support your business, contact us today.