Partnering with a reputable information technology (IT) provider is a great way to affordably provide your small- or medium-sized business with access to the technology and expertise you need to operate on a day-to-day basis. However, choosing a Managed IT provider is not something to be taken lightly. Technology plays such a critical role in doing business these days, and there is no shortage of companies offering Managed IT services. Therefore, it behooves you to do your due diligence before signing a contract.
You need to ask prospective IT partners specific questions to learn whether all of your technology requirements will be covered, prevent you from spending more money than you intend to, and determine whether they are qualified to do the job adequately. Questions such as:
How does your pricing plan work? Managed IT services allow smaller entities with fewer resources to have access to the technology they need. However, the cost of this access can exceed your budget if you aren’t careful. Make sure you understand how you will be billed (such as per-user, variable, break-fix, etc.) so there are no surprises down the road, and your monthly bill is easy to predict. You also need to know exactly what is covered under your contract and what lies outside of it. Ask them to review their service-level agreement (SLA).
What is your average network uptime performance? Experiencing too much downtime is a surefire way for a business to go bankrupt. Ask prospective providers what you can expect in the way of uptime and what their model is to ensure this.
Who will we be working with? You need to know whether an IT provider’s staff is qualified for such heavy responsibilities. For starters, do their core competencies meet your technical needs? Ask them about their hiring process, how large their staff is, and what certifications their team members hold. Do their employees undergo regular training or certification processes? Finally, if you handle sensitive client data, ask how their employees are vetted to ensure their trustworthiness.
Will we have a dedicated account manager? Working with one person as a point-of-contact enables you to develop a personal relationship with whoever ultimately manages your IT requirements. This relationship will allow them to better understand your needs and how they can be met, as well as ensure you’ll get the type of service you expect.
Do you provide live help desk support, and where is it located? Your business can’t afford to sit around and wait for technical issues to be resolved, and your employees likely often work outside of normal business hours. Therefore, it’s imperative you can immediately receive assistance at any time. This can only be accomplished if your IT provider offers live help desk support 24/7 that ensures around-the-clock service. Additionally, you’ll receive the best possible service if this help desk is located in the U.S. and not outsourced to a third-party overseas.
If you’re looking to outsource the management of your IT environment, contact us today to get answers to these questions and any others you may have.