As 2020 comes to an end, it’s time to assess how your business performed in the past 366 days. This involves identifying areas that worked well and those that can be improved. For instance, you may have realized that your current managed IT services provider (MSP) wasn’t as effective as you had hoped. This may be due to your business experiencing constant operational disruptions when the COVID-19 pandemic affected the San Jose and San Francisco Bay areas.
If this is the case, then it may be time for a new MSP for the new year. But how do you ensure that the one you pick is right for your business? Here are some factors to consider:
1. Technical expertise
Your new MSP should be knowledgeable about various IT fields, such as cloud computing, technical support, cybersecurity, and mobile device management.
They should also be able to customize industry tools for your business. This means setting up programs such as Microsoft Teams, Hubspot, and Zoom according to your business needs. The MSP should also be able to train your people on how to use these technologies, so that your workforce won't have to go through steep learning curves.
On top of these, the MSP must be updated on the latest cybersecurity developments. They should know how to deal with COVID-19 scams, as email attacks related to the pandemic surged in 2020 and users are three times more likely to click on COVID-19-related phishing scams. Your MSP must not only know how to react to disasters, but they also have to be proactive in dealing with cyberattacks.
2. Outstanding track record
MSPs consist of a team of highly skilled IT professionals equipped with various licenses and certifications. An ideal MSP must have a proven track record, with years of experience and a long list of satisfied clients.
Read testimonials from previous or existing clients on the MSP’s website and see if their IT concerns were sufficiently addressed by the MSP. Check out third-party websites as well for unbiased reviews of the provider, so you have a clear idea of the MSP’s strengths and weaknesses.
3. Interest in building a partnership
A good MSP cares about your business. They should ask questions about your company mission and vision, business model, office setup, and employee count. Their inquisitiveness indicates their commitment to helping your company become more successful.
4. Cloud readiness
Businesses migrate to the cloud not only because it helps operations be more efficient, but also because it offers some disaster recovery benefits. In case a disaster happens, you can easily recover your files from the cloud to ensure faster recovery. So instead of investing in a second data center, find an MSP that can help you easily migrate your files to the cloud.
And because many employees are currently working from home, embracing the cloud is more important than ever. The cloud enables on-demand access to corporate apps and files using any internet-connected device, making it easier for workers to perform their tasks from anywhere. What’s more, cloud security measures can be implemented to prevent the leak of confidential company data.
5. Accessibility
With cyberthreats such as phishing and malware attacks becoming more sophisticated, getting immediate support is vital for your business. While MSPs typically monitor and maintain your IT infrastructure remotely, downtime can make remote support difficult.
This is why you need to choose an MSP that’s easily accessible. They should immediately be able to address your problems remotely, or if need be, visit you on-site to resolve the issues. If your entire system becomes unusable because of a ransomware attack, a reliable MSP will immediately take action to remove the malware, mitigate its effects, secure your backups, and get your systems functioning normally again.
If you need a dependable MSP for your business, look no further than USWired. Through our Fixed Fee Managed Services, our skilled and certified engineers will maintain and monitor your IT infrastructure 24/7/365. We are also automatically alerted if any potential issues arise. To know more about how you can benefit from our services, download our FREE eBook today.
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RESTRUCTURING YOUR IT SUPPORT FROM THE GROUND UP IS AS REWARDING AS IT IS DAUNTING - ARE YOU READY?
