For many businesses, both large and small, their information technology (IT) needs are demanding and/or specialized enough that they need outside support to keep things running smoothly. However, comparing the offerings of different managed service providers (MSPs) can be a bewildering exercise in comparing apples to oranges. From different software platforms to different plan structures, each MSP is likely to present their service packages in their own way, which can make it difficult to determine how
well each will meet a business’s needs compared to the others.
How can you be sure that the MSP you’re considering will provide the support you need without being nickeled and dimed for added fees? Here are the fundamental features a managed IT services bundle should include to ensure that your IT infrastructure is secure, efficient, and at minimal risk for avoidable downtime.
The truth is, there are many ways to solve common IT problems. Rather than focusing on specific tools, assessing a managed IT services bundle needs to evaluate its overall elements and approach. To truly be effective, a services bundle needs:
An IT service provider is tasked with keeping a business’s network available and safe. Time lost to outages and inefficiency directly impacts the bottom line. An MSP partner should proactively implement improvements, regularly monitoring the network and making necessary adjustments, rather than waiting until something breaks and then making fixes. Ideally, your service provider will understand your business and be able to anticipate your IT needs so you will always have the technological resources to facilitate business success.
Businesses of every size are at risk from a growing array of online threats. An effective MSP should have qualified cybersecurity experts on staff who put effective security in place to safeguard your IT, in addition to monitoring emerging threats to keep protections up to date. Given that a cyberattack may not occur during regular business hours, an MSP should offer round-the-clock cybersecurity response.
Bringing a full-time chief information officer (CIO) on board is often beyond a company’s means, but that shouldn’t mean they have to go without strategic advice on aligning their IT infrastructure with their short- and long-term goals. An MSP should provide this type of guidance so you can get the right technology at the right time.
An MSP doesn’t just need to provide support for hardware and software issues. The users who depend on that technology to do their jobs are just as important, which is why an MSP must offer robust support on call. Be wary of outsourced support, which may introduce communication issues or time-zone-related service gaps to this vital function.
An MSP should continually monitor, patch, and update a business’s software on a proactive basis to keep it up to date and avoid potential security breaches related to running old software. This includes software on client devices such as laptops, desktops, and mobile devices; networks; and servers (physical and virtual).
In a perfect world, no business would ever need to pick up the pieces after a cyberattack. However, a solid backup and recovery plan is the difference between preventing loss and downtime from a disaster or suffering severe economic damage. An effective MSP must include regular backups and a roadmap for getting your IT resources back to full functionality fast.
What other features should a business consider when selecting an MSP? Other key areas of need include:
Did you know that user error is overwhelmingly the cause of most data breaches? Regular cybersecurity training can help your employees identify the latest tactics and significantly reduce the likelihood of
an avoidable breach. An MSP should stay abreast of evolving threats and keep employee training current.
An MSP with the ability to plan, manage, and execute IT projects can save businesses valuable time in getting infrastructure updated and in place. Being able to entrust this work to a provider who understands your business pairs the convenience of one-stop-shopping with the value of working with a proven resource.
At Right Click, Inc. a global IT and Cybersecurity company, headquartered in California, we understand that businesses rely on their IT to keep their organization running. We provide cost-effective managed IT support and solutions that keep you working without interruption so you can focus on your core business. Our 24/7 expert IT helpdesk and support nationwide means you will never have to wait to get answers and help for your IT issues. To find out more, contact us here today.
The answer is we absolutely can support all businesses and branches across the USA 24/7. Never feel stranded and rest assured we will get you the answers you need.
