Although IT departments have become indispensable for every business seeking to shift to digital operations, the complexities of running it can make an in-house team fall short. In most cases, businesses require additional services from an expert called a managed service provider. While these professionals are well versed in the IT niche, more often than not, their success mostly depends on the choices the hiring organization makes. Here, we’ll discuss ways of getting the most out of a managed service provider.
Ways of Getting Optimal Value From a Managed Service Provider Partnership
Although the main goal of hiring a managed service provider is to improve the efficiency of print business operations, your specific choices determine whether you’ll get the desired results. Below are tips to help you optimize these services.
Define Your IT Needs
Generally, the responsibilities of a managed service provider revolve around IT. Even so, before hiring a service provider, you should clearly define what you want them to help you achieve. For instance, you should evaluate your existing software and hardware and identify any persistent challenges that have been interrupting your operations. After defining the existing needs, you should also consider your future business needs.
Having clearly defined needs makes it easier for the service provider to understand your business and deliver services that align with your overall goals. Most importantly, it ensures cost efficiency as you don’t have to pay for services you don’t need.
Look for an Industry Expert
Each industry has its unique IT processes, which means your IT needs will be different from other businesses. For instance, if you’re in the health industry, your IT system will require specialized software to help you manage patient records confidentially. On the other hand, a manufacturing company will require software that will help in tasks such as inventory management.
As such, when choosing your service provider, you should not settle for a generalist. Look for one that has industry expertise and a track record of delivering quality results. They will be in a better position to understand your needs and keep up with industry trends and regulations.
Choose a Partner, Not Just a Service Provider
Your managed service provider should not just be a vendor who comes running when something goes wrong in your system. Instead, they should be your partner, offering you insights, recommendations, and guidance aimed at keeping your business running smoothly.
To find such a service provider, you should do thorough research before settling for one. Ask for recommendations from other businesses and also do online research. When you have a list of the best service providers, contact them and ask questions about their service delivery and how they collaborate with the client.
Choose a Local Company
Managed service providers offer their services remotely and only show up on-site when there's an issue that needs physical attention. Though some brands offer their services internationally and globally, the best service provider to partner with is the one within your city or county.
First, they will be able to attend to your business needs as fast as possible because you're in the same time zone. Secondly, it won't take long for them to come to your business when the need arises. Lastly, they most likely will have the same culture and will better understand local business regulations to ensure your business is compliant.
Pay Attention to Your MSP’s Advice
As mentioned earlier, managed service providers are experts in the IT field. Technically, they might have advanced knowledge that your in-house team might not have. So, whenever they give their insights, such as replacing your outdated hardware, you should not ignore them. Besides making them feel like part of your team, it goes a long way in helping your business meet target goals smoothly.
Don’t Overlook Cybersecurity
Managed services industry is broad, and some service providers choose to specialize in one area. For instance, they can specialize in server applications, networking, software patches, or disaster recovery. Regardless of the area of specialization, you should not compromise on cybersecurity.
Your chosen service provider should have advanced security features such as encryption, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits. Such measures help you maintain your data confidentially without the risk of disruption by cybercriminals.
What Do You Gain by Hiring a Managed Service Provider?
Taking time to optimize your managed services goes a long way in contributing to the efficiency of your business in several ways. Some of them include:
You Reduce Service Expenses Significantly
Managed service providers charge on a subscription basis (either annually or monthly), and this covers all services, including repairs, maintenance, and unforeseen replacement costs. Once you pay the subscription cost, the service provider takes charge of your system and ensures it’s operating smoothly. This approach saves more compared to paying the salaries of an in-house team, training fees, repair, maintenance, and replacement costs.
You Can Focus on the Core Purpose of the Business
Partnering with a managed service provider frees your team’s workload, allowing them to concentrate on the activities that matter. They won’t have to worry about the day-to-day IT management, which makes them more productive. In addition, outsourcing managed services reduces downtimes that contribute to the firm’s overall efficiency.
You Have a Single Point of Contact With Expert
Nothing makes problem resolution more hectic than having multiple points of contact. The information doesn't flow smoothly, and there’s always room for misunderstanding. Managed service providers prevent this by ensuring you have one person called the customer success manager (CSM) to contact if an issue arises. This ensures prompt repairs to restore normalcy as fast as possible.
Make Managed Services Meet Your Unique Business Needs
If you want to make digital transformations in your organization, you should opt to partner with a managed service provider. However, you have to optimize these services to meet your business needs and realize the desired outcomes.
JD Young is the perfect choice for any business looking for a managed service provider in Tulsa. We have all the IT services small and large businesses require to excel. Contact us today to get more information about your options.