Selecting a reputable managed IT service provider (MSP) that will fulfill your strategic needs may be daunting. We promise it doesn’t have to be. As a provider of managed IT services, Teal knows a thing or two about what you should look for in an MSP.
Use the expert tips in this article and combine them with the 53-question checklist to make selecting the best MSP for your business easy.
53 Key Questions to Ask When Procuring an MSP
Many business leaders don’t know what questions to ask their MSP candidates. That’s why we created this MSP procurement checklist to help make the vetting process easier. It covers the necessary items you need to evaluate before committing to a proposal.
How to Choose a Managed Service Provider
1. Develop a Plan
Determine the scope of your IT needs before looking for a provider. By defining your purpose early on, you can determine the technology solutions you need to support it.
- Define Your Business Goals: Consider the main objectives of your business and look for a provider that can meet those needs.
- Analyze Your Current Technology: Do an inventory of your current IT resources and assess their effectiveness. Are your existing systems and software robust enough to help you achieve your goals? Do you need to make any upgrades or replace older hardware and software? If you are unsure, a reputable provider can assist you with this process.
- Evaluate Your Business Processes: Think about how your business is run today, including daily operations and customer relationships. Can processes be improved through automation?
- Gather Feedback from Stakeholders: Speak to critical stakeholders such as employees and customers to get feedback. Ask them about their experience with your current IT solution and what technologies they think would impact the business most.
- Create a List of Needs: Take the information you gathered and develop a list that details what you will be looking for in an MSP.
2. Establish Your Budget
Work closely with your financial leaders to balance your budget with your tech priorities.
To get a good understanding of outsourced IT costs use these expert insights:
3. Get Quotes
Ask each service provider for a quote on the services and features you need. Compare the costs.
While choosing an MSP with a cheaper quote might seem like the best bet in the long run, make sure you’re not sacrificing the quality of services or solutions.
You don’t want to invest in a provider that can’t support all your needs or delivers poor customer service.
4. Do Research
Thoroughly research each managed service provider to evaluate their services, solutions, and company culture. Be sure to consider their:
- Expertise
- Reputation
- Net promoter score
- Quality assurance processes
- Cybersecurity posture
- Client reviews
- Responsiveness
- Ability to scale with your business
During this step, you’ll want to ensure each MSP candidate’s offerings align with your organization’s specific needs and long-term goals.
5. Evaluate their Experience
Consider whether the provider has the resources and experience to manage IT operations for your business properly. They should have plenty of experience with businesses of similar industry, size, and scope.
They should know how to:
- Streamline Processes
- Meet Compliance & Security Requirements
- Manage Operations
6. Get References & Reviews
Check references and read reviews from recent customers to get a better understanding of the provider.
Pro Tip: Use Clutch to find managed service providers and explore client reviews.
7. Look for Great Service
One of the most common reasons businesses switch from one managed service provider to another is unsatisfactory service delivery. To ensure you are content with your MSP and get the best return on your investment, it’s crucial to assess potential providers based on several key aspects:
Response Times
- How quickly does the provider react to service issues or IT emergencies? Prompt responses can prevent minor issues from escalating.
- How fast do they resolve general IT inquiries?
Customer Service
- Does the provider offer dedicated support and easily accessible customer service?
- Do they have a proactive quality assurance process?
- Are they consistently helpful?
High-quality customer service is essential for resolving issues quickly and efficiently.
Communication Options
- How well does the provider communicate?
- Are genuinely interested in your company and goals?
- Do they offer clear solutions?
Look for a provider that offers clear, consistent, and versatile communication channels.
8. Examine Management Processes
Determine how the provider handles any equipment or software upgrades, data backups, system maintenance, and other IT tasks.
9. Check for an Outcome-Driven Approach
Ensure the provider is outcome-driven to help you grow and secure your business. Every company has nuanced requirements that need to be met. So, find an MSP that will sit down with you regularly to strategize the best next move -keeping your technology aligned with your business.
10. Look for Security Best Practices
Ensure they are security-focused. Every business today needs enterprise-level cybersecurity to safeguard data. As “Britain’s Greatest Fraudster,” Tony Sales, said in 2012 – data is the new cash.
Review their security measures to ensure your data is safe and secure. Make sure you know the following:
- Where your data lives.
- Who has access to your data.
- How it is managed, tracked and protected.
11. Scalability
Partner with an MSP that can quickly adapt to changes—whether you’re growing rapidly or need to scale back—without sacrificing service quality. This way, you only pay for the services you need, helping you optimize your budget and avoid unnecessary costs.
A flexible and responsive MSP is key to navigating unexpected challenges and seizing growth opportunities, making them a valuable partner in your long-term success.
Choose the Co-managed IT Services Option
Did you know that if you have an in-house IT team, you work with an MSP? It’s true. You can leverage an MSP that offers co-managed services to boost your strategies. A co-managed provider can deliver:
- Leading Technologies
- Help Desk Management
- Reduced Costs
- Staff Training
- Skill Gap Coverage
Choosing the Right MSP Just Got Easier
Don’t waste precious time on managing IT, reactive solutions, and dealing with unresolved issues. Get a provider obsessed with excellence to manage your IT operations efficiently and effectively.
Teal offers responsive and secure managed IT services to SMBs nationally, with local headquarters based in:
If you need additional assistance or are interested in our premier IT consulting, contact a Teal business technology advisor today.
