As businesses grow and expand, their technological needs increase. However, the technology skills gap also continues to widen as more organisations move towards digital transformation. As a matter of fact, Australia still has a massive skills gap concerning data and technology management, costing Australian businesses $3.1 billion annually, according to a new study by RMIT Online and Deloitte Access Economics. Addressing skills gaps within organisations means that employers should prioritise training and upskilling employees. At the same time, hiring externally, such as by partnering and collaborating with a managed service providers (MSP), should also be considered an effective way to secure specific skills quickly.
Calibre One believes that partnering with a Managed Service Provider is a crucial decision. However, with so many MSPs available, how do you choose the right one?
In this article, we’ll discuss the top questions for evaluating potential MSPs to make sure they’re the right fit for your business.
What is a Managed Service Provider (MSP)
An MSP, or managed service provider, provides proactive IT services and support to businesses. MSPs typically offer a range of services, including 24/7 network monitoring, security, and backup system management, help desk support, routine maintenance, and updates, and more.
Technology Skills Gap and Managed Service Providers
Digital skills gaps are costly for business owners, as they need to upskill their staff and provide them with the right tools to thrive in the new data-led economy. This is where managed service providers can bridge the technology skills gap in businesses and organisations of all sizes.
MSPs key objectives are to offer proactive IT management, 24/7 support and monitoring, and cost-effective solutions. But a reliable MSP can reduce the likelihood of system outages and boost the efficiency of your organisation. With the help of a reliable MSP, you can free up your executive team to focus on more important strategic matters.
There are many options out there, so it might be difficult to choose a trustworthy one that meets all your needs. We have created a list of critical questions to ask potential managed IT service providers to help you make a well-informed decision.
Essential Questions to Ask Potential Managed Service Providers
There is no shortage of MSPs who can manage your IT infrastructure, but it’s crucial that you pick one that is qualified, compatible with your business’ needs, and can adapt to the ever-growing digital market.
Here are 12 questions to ask your potential Managed Service Provider to ensure their services meet your company’s needs and keep up with the ever-growing digital market. Consider these questions as you look for a reliable MSP to work with.
1. What is your experience with businesses like mine?
Every business is unique, and so are their technological needs. Ask your MSP about their experience and how many years they have been in the business serving clients like yours. A well-established provider with a proven track record demonstrates stability and reliability, assuring you that they possess the necessary skills to provide tailored solutions to handle your industry-specific requirements.
2. What is your onboarding process?
Onboarding is necessary to guarantee a seamless transition to MSP services. Enquire about their onboarding procedure, which should preferably include an assessment of your existing IT infrastructure, their implementation plan, and the estimated timetable.
3. What range of managed IT services do you offer?
Know what kind of services potential managed service providers offers. Make sure they provide the full gamut of services necessary to meet your unique needs. Some examples of these services are keeping an eye on the network and making sure everything is running well or fixing a bug in the software or hardware. If you’re looking to cut down on the number of vendors you work with, finding one that offers a wide variety of managed IT services can be an immense help.
4. What is your pricing structure?
A solid understanding of the pricing structure of your chosen MSP is crucial for budgeting purposes. Enquire about their pricing models, whether it is a fixed monthly fee, pay-as-you-go, or a combination of both. Clarify any additional costs that may be associated with specific services, such as hardware upgrades or on-site support visits. An MSP with a transparent pricing structure allows you to assess the affordability and value of their services.
5. What is your response time for resolving IT issues?
Issues can arise at any time, and you need an MSP that is available when you need them. Enquire about their service level agreements (SLAs), their guaranteed response time for monitoring, identifying, and resolving IT issues, and other types of incidents. Downtime can significantly impact your business’s productivity and profitability, which is why proactive monitoring and maintenance are critical aspects of a reliable managed IT service provider.
6. Can you provide a detailed service-level agreement (SLA)?
Your managed IT service provider should present you with a service-level agreement (SLA) that describes the terms and conditions of the services they will be providing to you. It is of the utmost importance to make a request for a comprehensive SLA that elucidates the breadth of services, delivery modes (remote, on-site, or both) response times, performance metrics, and any prices that may be linked with them. Conduct a careful analysis of the SLA to determine if it meets the requirements and standards set by your company.
7. As a Managed Service Provider, what is your approach to cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity should be a top priority for your MSP. Enquire about their strategy for securing data and networks against cyberattacks. Check their credentials in cybersecurity, data encryption, firewalls, anti-malware software, disaster recovery, and security awareness training for employees. Robust security practises and compliance with industry standards demonstrate an MSP’s commitment to protecting your valuable business data.
8. What is your approach to disaster recovery and business continuity?
Unforeseen events, such as natural disasters or cyberattacks, can disrupt your business operations. It is of utmost importance to examine your managed IT service provider’s approach to disaster recovery and business continuity. Enquire about their strategies for data backup, offsite storage, and recovery procedures in the event of a system failure or data breach. A robust disaster recovery plan ensures that your business can quickly resume operations with minimal disruption, safeguarding your critical data and maintaining business continuity.
9. How do you ensure MSP compliance with industry regulations?
Depending on your industry, there may be specific regulations and compliance requirements that your business needs to adhere to. Ask your managed IT service provider about their knowledge and experience in meeting industry regulations and complying with industry requirements such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS. By understanding their approach to compliance, your company may ensure that it will continue to meet its legal requirements, avoiding the risk of incurring potential penalties and damage to its reputation.
10. How do you stay up-to-date with the latest technology?
Your MSP must keep up with the ever-changing nature of the IT industry if they are to effectively serve you. Find out how they go about identifying and adopting cutting-edge innovation, as well as their partnerships with leading technology vendors. Most importantly, enquire about their commitment to ongoing training and certifications for their technical staff. Continuous learning shows a service provider’s commitment to innovation and using technology to assist clients.
11. How do you handle scalability and future growth?
As your business evolves, your IT requirements may change as well. For this reason, it is essential to understand how managed service providers approaches scalability and future growth. Enquire about their ability and capacity to meet your growing IT needs, such as supporting additional users, implementing modern technologies, and adapting to changing business demands. Finding another provider in the future is a hassle that can be avoided by working with a reliable MSP that can grow alongside your organisation.
12. Can you provide case studies or success stories?
To gain a better understanding of delivered outcomes, ask for case studies or success stories highlighting their previous work. Case studies provide concrete evidence of their expertise and the value they can bring to your organisation. Client testimonials will give you valuable insights and essential details into the provider’s strengths, limitations, and overall service quality.
Calibre One: Your One-stop Managed Service Provider
Your MSP choice is crucial to your business’s performance, especially in bridging the technology skills gap in your organisation. By asking the above-mentioned basic yet essential questions, you can find a managed service provider that aligns with your business goals and adapts with the ever-evolving digital market. Their responses will give you valuable insight into their skillset, area of specialisation, and overall fit with your company.
Partnering with an external MSP offers several benefits. However, it’s a significant financial decision that can significantly impact the efficiency and success of your organisation. Make sure your MSP takes the time to learn about your business. This will allow them to develop scalable, secure solutions that fit your budget.
Calibre One is pleased with the successful business partnerships cultivated throughout the years since the company was founded. This is where Calibre One can help.
Check our comprehensive Managed IT Services for more information, contact Calibre One. Your trusted Managed Service Provider and your complete one-stop technology solution and support today for full details of our services.
