What to Look for in a Managed Service Provider

When it comes to IT management, organizations are looking to reduce costs and increase efficiencies while still maintaining a high level of security and stability. One solution that is growing in popularity is managed services.

However, with so many managed service providers (MSPs) to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which provider is right for your organization. Here are some key considerations that can help you evaluate MSPs and choose the best one for your organization.

Determine your needs and assess your team’s capabilities

Before you start looking for MSPs, it’s important to identify what you need from an MSP. What services do you need? What level of support do you expect? And what are your internal team’s capabilities? This will help you narrow your search and find a provider that is a good fit for your organization.

Look for experience

When evaluating MSPs, look for experience. Understand what their investment is in the technologies that power their solutions — do they “eat their own dog food,” so to speak? What expertise is in-house, and how deep does that bench go?

Assess service level agreements (SLAs)

Service level agreements (SLAs) are an important consideration when evaluating MSPs. An MSP will clearly outline the services they provide, their response times and their uptime guarantees. Make sure you understand their SLAs and how they align with your business needs.

Consider scalability

As your organization grows, your IT needs may change. Focus on MSPs that can scale their services in step with your business without compromising on quality. Ensure that the MSP you choose can expand its services as your business grows and changes.

Evaluate their communication and collaboration

An MSP becomes an extension to your IT staff and will need to be easy to work with. Look for frequency around updates with clearly identified communication paths. Ensure that the MSP you choose communicates in a way that works for your organization and that there are clear channels for collaboration.

In conclusion, when evaluating MSPs, it’s important to consider your organization’s needs and capabilities, the MSP’s experience and investment in technology, their SLAs, scalability, and communication and collaboration. By considering these factors, you’ll be better equipped to choose an MSP that is a good fit for your organization and will provide the support you need to achieve your goals.

Learn why organizations are choosing to buy Tanium as a managed service through a trusted partner, rather than managing it themselves. Read 5 Reasons to Consider an MSP for Converged Endpoint Management.